Halfback hopes Gidley's stay is short and sweet

K

~knights1~

Ben Kennedy
Halfback hopes Gidley's stay is short and sweet
Kurt Gidley reckons his best position is fullback and he's unlikely to get any argument from Newcastle Knights halfback Scott Durreau.

Gidley has been handed the No.7 jumper for today's clash with Sydney Roosters after Durreau suffered torn ankle ligaments in a horrififc tackle during last weeks 34-22 loss to Brisbane.

The 21 year-old is expected to be sidelined for several weeks and,while
he is willing Gidley to fill in admirably in his absence ,he also hopes the test utility does not get too confortable.


"I'm hoping he plays well,actually,Durreau said."We need to get the
team back in the winning circle and hopefully I can train and play well enough to get my spot back when I'm fit.
"But kurt loves fullback and I think he's proved that's his best
position,so hopefully I can get my way back in there."

Durreau was injured in a fearsome tackle by Brisbane forward Greg Eastwood and the young playmaker is relieved the damage is not more severe.

"Hopefully it's only two or three weeks ,which was way better than the six weeks they first thought."Durreau said.

"I got a good result from the MRI scan,so I'm pretty happy with that.
"I've got a partial tear of the deltoid ligament in my ankle,but it
could of been alot worse.
'I think I dodged a bullet,reallly.
"My knee and hip and everything went a bit funny,so I've got out of it pretty lightly,I think.

Durreau admitted the setback was hard to take,as he had just strung
together five 1st grade games-his first extended run in the team-and
was growing in confidence each week.

"I was just starting to feel really confortable there and get some
combinations,so that's disappointing,he said.'But we've got the bye
next weekend ,so hopefully I only miss this one game and can comeback after that."

The Port Macquarie junior,who is off contract at season's end was
realistic about the likelihood of returning in the Central Newcastle
NSW Cup team.

"I'd say so,"he said."I supoose it depends on how long I'm out,and
whether there are any injuries,but most likely I'll come back in NSW Cup and hopefully I can quickly work my way back into first grade."

Knight coach Brian Smith was hopeful Durreau would be back after the
bye,along with some other key personnel who have been sidelined recently.

"After the bye we're hopeful that Jarrod Mullen [calf] will be right,Steve Simpson [knee] might be right and Scooty Durreau should be right,"he said."They'll either all be available or they'll be very close."
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He didn't play too bad at halfback, and combined well with Bailey. Still nothing compared to how good he plays at fullback though.
 
He played well because he is a quality player, doesn't mean he played well as a halfback. Shunt him back to 1 please. Dureau has been our best half this year, I don't see why you people want to weaken two positions.
 
If it aint broke don't fix it is the old saying he has played his best football by far at fullback and that is where he should stay plus Dureau deserves the halfback spot
 
keeney said:
He played well because he is a quality player, doesn't mean he played well as a halfback. Shunt him back to 1 please. Dureau has been our best half this year, I don't see why you people want to weaken two positions.
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No ones trying to weaken positions keeney. I think if you asked nearly everyone on this forum they will agree that Dereaus played so well for us in each of his games, people are only tossing options up into the air.

Me personally, id like to see Naiqama stay at fullback but i doubt very much that it will happen.
 
Naiqama at the back is great too. We all know how good Gidley is. Tough choice, Gidley will probably go back to #1.
 
Brogga said:
No ones trying to weaken positions keeney. I think if you asked nearly everyone on this forum they will agree that Dereaus played so well for us in each of his games, people are only tossing options up into the air.

Me personally, id like to see Naiqama stay at fullback but i doubt very much that it will happen.
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Where would that see putting Kurt?

Naiqama was great on the weekend, but we need a centre atm. Kurt is sensational at FB as well, the way it allows him to chime into the line effectively bringing another ball player in is a major factor in our attack. I'd also like to see Naiqama tested on the short kicks before I'm convinced of his positioning in the 1.

Additionally, the fact that up until this week Kidley topped the stats in metres gained, hitups, and was well up there on tackle breaks says something for his ability from the back.
 
I want Was in the centers but saying that, he doesnt have to stay outwide around tackle 4 or 5 id like him to go in field just for another play making option.
 
keeney said:
Where would that see putting Kurt?

Naiqama was great on the weekend, but we need a centre atm. Kurt is sensational at FB as well, the way it allows him to chime into the line effectively bringing another ball player in is a major factor in our attack. I'd also like to see Naiqama tested on the short kicks before I'm convinced of his positioning in the 1.

Additionally, the fact that up until this week Kidley topped the stats in metres gained, hitups, and was well up there on tackle breaks says something for his ability from the back.
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I agree totally and i think that Gidley will be getting his #1 but this is how I PERSONALLY see the two at fullback:

Gidley:
Great takes for direct kicks and good pick ups off the grubbers.
Good kick returns
Excellent at attacking the line
Great defensive reads
Solid in defense - i'd like him to be in the line for the full set of 6.
A little shakey under the high ball (under pressure)

Naiqama:
Excellent kick returns
Extreamly solid in defense (Tackle on Mason)
Excellent under the high ball - pressure or no pressure.

I think Gidley is the overall package atm but i cant really comment on Wes tacking the kicks apart from bombs yet because i simply havnt seen him do that yet nor have i seen him attack the line as a fullback but im sure Kids would have his number there.

I think Gidley is probably the better fullback but i just wish he had Wes' ability to take the high balls :razz:
 
That will come all in good time Brogga, And im sure you will see Wes play fullback at least 3 more times this year. Although i wouldn't mind Aku having a go there. He is a great fullback.
 
Wes gave me a bit of a heart attack when he let a bomb bounce half a meter in from the dead ball line. More so, it bounced to the side without going out, but he wrapped it up after that. That situation could have been very worse.
 
knights4premiers said:
That will come all in good time Brogga, And im sure you will see Wes play fullback at least 3 more times this year. Although i wouldn't mind Aku having a go there. He is a great fullback.
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Mate you'd have him playing Prop if you could! :lol: as long as hes in the side aye :razz:

But i agree he'll get there. I hope people dont see me as the bad guy here cause i love Gids as much as everyone else!
 
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The only thing Wes didn't do was trail up the middle for offloads and in attack.

His defence was great but attack was below par.
 
Brogga said:
But i agree he'll get there. I hope people see me as the bad guy here cause i love Gids as much as everyone else!
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It's a good problem to have though, you gotta say. To have too many good players rather than not enough :razz:
Wes will be back in the centers for round 8 imo.
 
At least we know we have someone who is capable to cover fullback if something happened to Gids ie reshuffle etc.

If Wes wasn't so capable at the back I wonder who would've covered there in the future ?
 
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