Kidley to Fullback?

Henno

Henno

Trent Estatheo
Gidley set for No.1 as Mullen slots in

Monday, February 19, 2007 - 5:21 PM

Newcastle utility Kurt Gidley looks set for a permanent move to the No.1 jumper as part of new Knights coach Brian Smith's solution to the logjam in the halves.

Smith appears sold on an Andrew Johns-Jarrod Mullen scrumbase combination for his first campaign in charge of the Knights, with `Mr Fixit' Gidley to move to fullback at the expense of Milton Thaiday.

It's a position not unfamiliar to the 26-year-old utility, who played much of his junior footy and the back end of last season at the back.

"I thought I finished the year off pretty well there last year and I enjoyed it," Gidley told AAP.

"I had pretty much a free reign on where I wanted to go on the field and I think that suits my game.

"I can float around the ruck or hang out wide for the long shifts - it probably suits my game more than five-eighth did."

With Johns entrenched in the No.7 jumper for as long as chooses to lace up a boot, Smith said he had to find a new home for Gidley in order to fit teenage five-eighth Mullen in the run-on side.

Mullen, 19, showed glimpses of his potential with several eye catching displays last season, none better than in the first week of the finals when he kicked the match-winning field goal to sink the Sea Eagles.

Mullen and Gidley will both play in Saturday night's trial against Penrith in Darwin, with Smith confident of a strong performance from Gidley following a strong offseason campaign.

"He played at fullback as kid before he came into grade football, he's looked quite good in training but obviously we're really keen to see how he deals with the pressures of the game," Smith said.

"We just haven't decided yet if that's his primary position.

"He's probably going to suffer from that versatility thing - he's good at a few spots so he might continue to suffer from that - but we'll see how he goes at fullback first."

What it all means for Thaiday, who set EnergyAustralia Stadium alight on several occasions last year with his blistering pace and dazzling footwork, remains unclear.

Thaiday has recovered following offseason back surgery, but will miss the clash with the Panthers due to a quad strain.

While Gidley's ability with ball in hand is undeniable, there is still a question mark over his ability under the high ball.

And while he is sure to cop plenty of bombing raids from opposition kickers, Smith said he hadn't assigned Gidley any extra training to help build his confidence at defusing bombs.

"Only as a matter of course, all the wingers and fullbacks do that sort of stuff," said Smith.

"For a bloke that was more or less thrown into it as they needed to do at that time of the season I think he handled it really well and he'll get better with more practice and more experience."

Following Saturday's trip to the top end, the Knights meet Cronulla at Cessnock on March 3 with Smith confident of having Johns, Steve Simpson and Adam MacDougall all available for the clash.

Squad to play Penrith: Daniel Abraham, George Carmont, Paul Franze, Kurt Gidley, Marvan Karawana, Jacob Ling, James McManus, Jarrod Mullen, Cory Paterson, Josh Perry, Todd Polglase, Luke Quigley, Kirk Reynoldson, Jesse Royal, Terrence Seu Seu, Mark Tafua, Brad Tighe, Willie Tupou, Luke Walsh, Matthew White, Adam Woolnough, Akuila Uate.
Source: AAP
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Thoughts?[/quote]
 
I think that is good news. Kurt is a great player no matter where you put him; not being biased. Mullen in also a great player. They work great together, so this year should be a GREAT year for not only them but the whole team! BRING ON 2007! THIS IS OUR YEAR!
 
It makes sense in a Way, I just feel that Gidley wont have the speed to say chase someone down or race away for a try like Thaiday will?

Perhaps Thaiday to the wing?
 
How does it make sense? Kurt has had two good games at fullback ever, the rest have been atrocious displays of football! I would much rather have Thaiday in there. Thaiday is the machine.

Still, better than having him at five-eighth. He is a really good fullback when on form, going by the last two matches of last year ... unlike five eighth where he doesn't have the ball playing skills or kicking game of Mullen.
 
Well seeings that you arent coach and watching him in the off season Im not entirely sure you should be writing him off. But each to his own.
 
That is true. It's worth a shot in a trial to see how he goes in a match situation (training won't tell you that), but basically I just want to keep excitement machine Thaiday at the back,
 
Im glad you didnt take that the wrong way. I re-read what I said and realised that it sounded a fair bit *****y.. well harsh, maybe.
But as you said, I guess thats what the trials are for
 
Kurt Gidley would have probably thought my original comments were *****y and harsh if he read them haha. So you are perfectly entitled to reply in kind. :D:D:D
 
Seriously, I think Kurt would be really good on the second man plays we run near the line. Milton is just shocking at those plays and always seems to screw it up with a drop ball or a bad pass. I dont care who get the job as long as they can catch the high ball.
 
whats thaiday gonna do!! .. kurt played crap last year at #1 .. and what abt todd polglase
 
Gidley seemed to play awesome when he played fullback last year. What does this mean for Thaiday? Out of the side? i loved watching him play. Any thoughts?
 
Its Says in the Article that Thaiday is out with a Quad Injury...

So thats that, Kurt is filling in. I see Thaiday as possibly a move to the wing or back to full back and Gidley to the Bench!

These Trials dont mean the player will be there for the rest of the year! Thats why its a trial to see, Thaiday will be playing somewhere in the backline!
 
Henno said:
Seriously, I think Kurt would be really good on the second man plays we run near the line. Milton is just shocking at those plays and always seems to screw it up with a drop ball or a bad pass. I dont care who get the job as long as they can catch the high ball.
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Are you sure you are thinking of Thaiday? Chipping into the backline is one of his biggest strengths!
 
Well true but it does say:
Newcastle utility Kurt Gidley looks set for a permanent move to the No.1 jumper as part of new Knights coach Brian Smith's solution to the logjam in the halves.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt mind him playing fullback as long as Thaiday's there sumwhere in the backline.
 
True, but I think it's mostly paper talk, reading through the article again. Smith says of Gidley:

"He's probably going to suffer from that versatility thing - he's good at a few spots so he might continue to suffer from that - but we'll see how he goes at fullback first."
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I agree - Kurt will benefit the side most by being on the bench.
 
jamesgould said:
Henno said:
Seriously, I think Kurt would be really good on the second man plays we run near the line. Milton is just shocking at those plays and always seems to screw it up with a drop ball or a bad pass. I dont care who get the job as long as they can catch the high ball.
Click to expand...

Are you sure you are thinking of Thaiday? Chipping into the backline is one of his biggest strengths!
Click to expand...

I can remeber countless games where he has fumbled near the line or screwed us up in a situation. I believe there is a medical term for it, doctors call it White Line Fever

I would much rather see Gidley at full back for kick returns, Thaiday under the high ball, and Kurt coming on near the line.[/i]
 
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