Good Times
David Mullane
Good to know, thanks
Phoenix Crossland discussion
- Thread starter Joshhh
- Start date
Area51
Dairi Kovae
So if you were the CEO of a company and had to sell this idea to the board and shareholders how would you do it ?
"Hi guys, I know we havent been successful for a VERY VERY long time .....but...... we've got this average skilled employee in a critically important position in our company, and he's only been able to fulfill 50% of his contract obligations but I'd like to offer him a further 2 years. "
You must be an outstanding salesman to get that over the line.
Funny thing is it would be typical Knights to do just such a thing......and then wonder why we arent successful.
Roundtable
Max Chapman
He is playing well at hooker. He is now a good hooker I reckon and has lots of upside as he is learning game by game as others have said. He can pass well and kick. He has been starting to get a running game. Cut Bailey as he never plays and isn't that great anyway when he does.
Area51
Dairi Kovae
if we could find another organization crazy or desperate enough to take on his contract that would be ideal. I'd guess we'd have to see out his contract (2024, 2025 ) but certainly moves should be made to move in another direction, a young gun primed for a NRL debut come 2026.
Do we have a gun kid coming through that fits the bill?
EDIT - the way it has been so far the "gun kid" is likely to get a lot of NRL experience before 2026 comes along.
Rupert Murdoch
Richard Clarke
To be quite honest, the problem with Brailey now Isn't going to be the Injuries he has suffered It Is more going to get him back Into the rhythm of playing hooker.
For whatever reason when he came back from the first Injury stint It was like he had some form of dementia where he was almost mentally second guessing himself on the majority of his plays, whether that was because he was fearful of re-Injury or because he had been out of It for that long his body was trying to re-adjust Itself Is anyones guess.
But more Importantly and contract ******** aside, Jayden Brailey when fit Is this clubs first choice hooker no more arguments over It period.
HOWEVER, In my personal opinion Jayden Brailey can no longer be an 80 minute hooker at this club.
It's come to a point with Phoenix that the upward trajectory he Is on has put him on a path where he has to be given the hooking role Into the future because I can't see him getting any worse.
Beleive me, I'm the first to say what a shot sandwich he was when he first started but boy have I changed my mind as the season has progressed. (Insert your own Cameron Smith Territory reference here
)
He has to be given time off the bench In the hooking role whenever It Is time for Brailey to come back as we cannot afford to take away the benefits that pretty much all of us on here are seeing.
But knowing our club, we will **** this up somehow and end up signing Robbie Farah.
For whatever reason when he came back from the first Injury stint It was like he had some form of dementia where he was almost mentally second guessing himself on the majority of his plays, whether that was because he was fearful of re-Injury or because he had been out of It for that long his body was trying to re-adjust Itself Is anyones guess.
But more Importantly and contract ******** aside, Jayden Brailey when fit Is this clubs first choice hooker no more arguments over It period.
HOWEVER, In my personal opinion Jayden Brailey can no longer be an 80 minute hooker at this club.
It's come to a point with Phoenix that the upward trajectory he Is on has put him on a path where he has to be given the hooking role Into the future because I can't see him getting any worse.
Beleive me, I'm the first to say what a shot sandwich he was when he first started but boy have I changed my mind as the season has progressed. (Insert your own Cameron Smith Territory reference here
) He has to be given time off the bench In the hooking role whenever It Is time for Brailey to come back as we cannot afford to take away the benefits that pretty much all of us on here are seeing.
But knowing our club, we will **** this up somehow and end up signing Robbie Farah.
MBQLD
Todd Bates
Crossland is a good player getting better and it’s taken a bit for him to click and get going. People do have short memories though, everyone was calling for his head and then for Obriens every time he was named in the team!
Now on Brailey. The poor guy has been seriously unlucky with injuries with us but wow, what an asset when available. He was our leader when Kalyn seemed to struggle with the job, directed the boys around, settled them down when things looked shaky, kept the pace up in attack with super quick ball playing and intelligent ball placement. I dare say we’d be further up the ladder had he not been sidelined.
So before everyone starts calling for his head remember, Crossland is new to this and filling in for a guy that’s grown up in the position and is very very good at it.
Now on Brailey. The poor guy has been seriously unlucky with injuries with us but wow, what an asset when available. He was our leader when Kalyn seemed to struggle with the job, directed the boys around, settled them down when things looked shaky, kept the pace up in attack with super quick ball playing and intelligent ball placement. I dare say we’d be further up the ladder had he not been sidelined.
So before everyone starts calling for his head remember, Crossland is new to this and filling in for a guy that’s grown up in the position and is very very good at it.
MBQLD
Todd Bates
Where’d you get average skilled from though?
MontyBrogan
Jeff Doyle
How about this:
'We can have one of the 8 best hookers in the comp, and in fact, he's already here, already knows the systems, and likes the place. Additionally, we can get him for much cheaper than 'top 8 hookers in the comp' money because he's had a history of injuries. But the injuries he's had are the kind you place in the unlucky bucket - it's not the same thing recurring. On top of that, we can probably let him play 60 rather than 80 minutes, because a local prospect we developed has grown enough to earn a bench spot in first grade.
Or, we can go into next year with a hooker that has had about 3 good games in his career, is getting praise primarily because he's improved from an incredibly low starting point (admittedly more the club's fault than his) - but we really believe he will keep improving to be the next Cam Smith. And if he gets hurt, who knows...'
One of those sounds much more like a perennially unsuccessful club than the other, to me.
Area51
Dairi Kovae
out of 17 hookers where does he fall in your opinion ? 7th ? 8th ? , I'd have him somewhere in the middle of the comp for hookers, perhaps 6th if I put on my red and blue goggles, if the greatest ability is availability though I might reevaluate that estimation.
simple supply and demand economics 101 - cheap = not in demand . Not in demand because he is a high injury risk . Paying for someone that cannot fulfil the contract, totally contradicts the statement "get him much cheaper "
being kicked in the face and breaking a jaw in a contact sport = unlucky
Doing an ACL or Achilles with not a soul around is not bad luck. That is a bodily deficiency
2 x recurring ACL , both were done simply running or passing the ball ( what's next ? another Achilles - "Scans confirmed a graver prognosis for Brailey, who has not only torn his meniscus, but faces surgery on the same ACL he injured in 2020."
Crossland is a back-up hooker only. Perhaps a valuable 14. Not a first choice hooker. For that we need to go to market.
Both of your above scenarios/versions sound like a "perennially unsuccessful club" to me .
I would pose this question - If we had Brailey all season would we be currently sitting inside the 8 ? My answer is "yes I think we would, possibly inside the 4. Now why on earth wouldnt anyone want to go out and recruit a hooker to make that happen? One that can stay on the field, or would you prefer we just sit back and hope?
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Tim
Chris Joynt
Geez you guys have short memories. Crossland is improving and has been awesome for the last few games, but now you all wanna get rid of Brailey? It's like how everyone wanted to get rid of Ponga earlier in the year.
Crossland may eventually be better than Brailey but really he's only played a handful of good games and could pull a Locky Miller on us... Lets not make knee jerk reactions just yet.
Crossland may eventually be better than Brailey but really he's only played a handful of good games and could pull a Locky Miller on us... Lets not make knee jerk reactions just yet.
Ethan
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Brailey is never on the bloody field mate so a back up will probably play better than someone not playing .. I think Brailey is a very good hooker but no matter how good you are doesn't matter if your hardly ever able to play ,
I believe we bought a back up hooker yesterday at least for the rest of this season.sheesh really..
Ethan
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
How would the Knights be going without the fans like me paying to go to games buying merchandise and food and drink at the games they wouldn't exist ... As far as im concerned it is my money and ive been giving it to them since 1988 and i would rather we didn't pay a guy $22,000 a game for not playing.
Good Times
David Mullane
In that case, contact Wests for your $22K/game refund if you feel so aggrieved.
MBQLD
Todd Bates
Out of the lot he’s in the top half for sure no red and blue about it, that’s why we brought him across.
If he destroys his knee again then he has to go and I’d dare say he’d have no choice at that point. I’ve never heard of someone recover from 57 knee reconstructions. I’d like to see some moneys worth in a fully fit team out of the guy. The Knights have put a LOT of time ensuring he gets the best possible chance at recovery so it would be great to get something back, but it’s a brutal sport and you just never know.
Area51
Dairi Kovae
yeh it's bloody terrible for the kid, he seems like a perfect clubman, but wow it certainly isnt looking too good for him. The Knights would be out of their mind to pin their hopes on him moving forward.
mullenmagic
Matthew Gidley
Wonder what Crossland will say if the NZ selectors come calling after the season. Brandon Smith will be there obviously but can't think of any other genuine hooker options with JMK likely unavailable. May prefer to wait and back himself for Origin one day but he was born in Wellington to Kiwi parents so I'd imagine it would be tempting.
Leo would have to be a smokey for the squad too.
Leo would have to be a smokey for the squad too.
Lefty
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Remember the anger on here last year when Crossland was resigned?
How things have changed now! Crossland is now 6st on the MSKOTW leaderboard.
Crossland’s defence was always good and he had a good kicking game, but when he started playing hooker on numerous occasions he took the wrong option, this is an area of his play that has seen a big improvement.
Crossland appears to be a nice guy, it would be great to see him play for the Kiwis.
How things have changed now! Crossland is now 6st on the MSKOTW leaderboard.
Crossland’s defence was always good and he had a good kicking game, but when he started playing hooker on numerous occasions he took the wrong option, this is an area of his play that has seen a big improvement.
Crossland appears to be a nice guy, it would be great to see him play for the Kiwis.
Tim
Chris Joynt
I was outraged. He seemed to come on the field and you'd know he was on because within seconds he would make a mistake, or give away a penalty, or even go to the bin.
I'm so happy hes proved me wrong! The guy has been outstanding lately and his turn around in form I think has had a massive bearing on our winning streak. And hes still improving.
Well said Tim, I agree with all that, except I don't think he was out of form at the start of the year and found it as the season has gone on, I think he genuinely didn't have some key dummy half skills earlier in the year and has developed them rapidly as the season has progressed. Massive credit to him and whoever is working with him. He always had effort and was good defensively. But his pass selection, engagement of the markers and his ability to get in to the back field consistently, either from a dummy half run or backing up someone else's break, those skills have all come together for him very quickly. During this run his ability to get the ball to his halves on point has been massive in our attacking improvement.