The Halfback Conundrum

Which potential halfback, available from November 1, should the club make the #1 priority?

  • Ben Hunt

    Votes: 7 11.9%

  • Braydon Trindall

    Votes: 8 13.6%

  • Jonah Pezet

    Votes: 27 45.8%

  • Sam Walker

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Daniel Atkinson

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Lachlan Ilias

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • None of the above - Stick by Jack Cogger and continue to nurture kids currently in the system

    Votes: 6 10.2%

  • Other (comment with their name)

    Votes: 1 1.7%

  • Ronald Volkman

    Votes: 1 1.7%

  • Toby Sexton

    Votes: 3 5.1%
  • Total voters
    59
Hititup said:
I find a short, sharp jab to the mouth works just fine
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A short jab? That’s not a thing and very unlikely to stop anything since the jab is used as 1. A range finder, 2. A set up, 3. A deterrent to progress.

We get taught this very early in Muay Thai.

If anything it will escalate more than stop just like the suggestion of violence would give the same effect.
 
KPGreatness said:
A short jab? That’s not a thing and very unlikely to stop anything since the jab is used as 1. A range finder, 2. A set up, 3. A deterrent to progress.

We get taught this very early in Muay Thai.

If anything it will escalate more than stop just like the suggestion of violence would give the same effect.
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You can actually use 70% of your power in a short jab. Pretty sure he meant he is definitely within range and a short sharp jab definitely finds its target. You can get people off balance and advance quick without retaliation. Most people have no technique so can't keep their centre of gravity, quick push after the jab and they fall over. Job done.
 
Chief Longhorn said:
Of all the things I have learned on this forum over the years, how to punch someone in the mouth is right up there!:lol:
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Sorry chief.........old man owns a boxing gym, grew up with it. It's a good thing to know how to defend yourself if the time ever arrives. Life hack #101 🤣
 
Owey said:
OK, a playmaking academy is being discussed and I've had my say on Liam Sutton having all the tools. I think we agree there is a dearth of playmakers in the nrl atm and very few coming through. I think Katoa is going to be great, Sam Walker is an out and out playmaker, but there aren't that many kids jumping out of the ground. I thought I'd give my thoughts on how playmakers should be developed. I'm warning that it is going to be LONG. I'll probably do over multiple posts. I'm going to be very specific in saying the type of half I'd aim to develop is a Johnathon Thurston style. To me, he refined specific areas of Joey's game to become incredibly effective, and this is teachable. No point trying to replicate a Benji Marshall or Preston Campbell, they were instinctive, you can't teach that. There is plenty to take from Cleary's game obviously, but I think Thurston had that covered anyway. Moses has evolved closer and closer to Thurston as he's gone along. Read on if you have the time...
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I was on holiday and a bit pushed for time when you posted these, but these are quality thoughts and posts Owey! 🙌🏼
 
I've been thinking further about a halves academy and how I'd set one up. I've stated in the past that the half I'd look to emulate is Thurston and the key to doing that was getting the half to play direct. The more I think about it, if you want to teach a young half the value of playing direct, the best idea would be to go through video of Shaun Johnston.

Johnston was always a great instinctive player. Ball in hand, he'd look for the player he felt he could isolate and beat himself. He might skip across a player or two to get to his target. He could play his supports in to space because of the running threat he had. A great player to watch always and at times he could hit a real purple patch and his team would win games on the back of his instincts. But no premiership ever eventuated. He reached the back part of his career and the sharks didn't want him. He was slowing down a bit so those instincts weren't carrying him as far. The warriors threw him a lifeline, then 2023 happened.

Except for Ponga's amazing run, Johnston was the Dally M winner and the most consistent player of the season. The warriors benefited immensely and were a genuine premiership threat. What changed? For starters, his forward packing were outstanding for him. But the new coach in Andrew Webster really straightened up his game. The players outside him had SO much room all of a sudden. The shapes were looking slick. Try assists and involvements were plentiful. For mine, it was the most Thurston like a half has played since Cronk finished at the Roosters. Have a look at his master-class against us in that final over there, where he was both direct AND untouchable.

Then have a look at this year. It did seem teams were covering him from the inside better, maybe he had just slowed down a step. But then he wasn't as direct, and at times he fell back on instinct and was looking to skip players again. The guys outside him lost all that space they had the year before. Ironically, when he was injured, TMM played more like '23 Johnston than the man was himself and the warriors looked their slickest all season.

If you put that all in a video package for young halves, it is the best example possible i can think of to illustrate the importance of playing direct.

TLTR 😃
 
Just reading on NRL on nine that OB is looking at playing fletcher sharp in the halves this year.

Out of all the options, that one would have been most unlikely to me.

If this is true, he is opening himself up for big criticism if it doesn't work and early season halves merry go round starts again.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
From The Mole Kurriboy, take with a heaping spoonful of salt.
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It says the majority of our training session have featured that spine.. I would wager its not totally made up, but may not be the whole truth. I.e. he went to one training session or could have been the reserve halves, but I do like the possibility of him in the halves and it's encouraging that they are at least trying it.

Things just happen around this kid.
 
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