The pre-season thread - 2022

Brailey is the best sort of hooker.
He does his job and you hardly notice he is doing it.
Not a ball hog.
Doesn't make many mistakes.
Works hard for 80 minutes.
Gets the ball to the right people at the right time.

Kicking and running from dummy half are great skills to have, but they are add ons and jobs other can do and usually do better than the hooker.
 
Ethan said:
Blayke Brailey was long earmarked to be Cronulla's long-term No.9, With the club even allowing his older brother to move to Newcastle in 2019 but hasn't kicked on in recent years the way the club perhaps expected him to.
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They thought Blayke was the more dynamic player, and they are right, but nowhere near as consistent.
 
Billy said:
Brailey is the best sort of hooker.
He does his job and you hardly notice he is doing it.
Not a ball hog.
Doesn't make many mistakes.
Works hard for 80 minutes.
Gets the ball to the right people at the right time.

Kicking and running from dummy half are great skills to have, but they are add ons and jobs other can do and usually do better than the hooker.
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The other key thing about Brailey is the 1%ers - his kick chases, defensive scramble, etc. is there for the 80 minutes and some of his effort on efforts are the best in the modern game...

In that sense he reminds me a bit of Bradley Clyde - e.g. because it's not all the flash stuff, I'd think many would not have him as their best ever lock BUT every player who played in his era would name him in a heartbeat because of the complete game he played plus the 1%ers he brought to his team
 
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Billy said:
www.newcastleherald.com.au

Pearce tells Knights why he wants to say bon voyage

Knights halfback requests formal release.
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au

Pearce has requested a release.
It will take a few days to sort out a transfer fee.
He is "unlikely" to start training with the squad on Nov 10.
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Pearce was an awesome signing for us at the time and helped lift the club out of the bottom 8 and also lure some big names like Klemmer and Friz.. but I don't think he is too big a loss at this point in his career, aside from one field goal in the back half of the year he was a passenger and most people would prefer the ball in Ponga or Clifford's hands.
 
In hindsight, Pearce went one year too long for us, but we needed to find a replacement 2 years ago to make that work (not Green).
Don't anyone tell Catalans - but they aren't buying a decent replacement for Molony - Pearce is cooked.
 
He definitely hasn’t failed. As a whole it’s been a success really. Ideally would have been nicer to get a little deeper into the finals, but I’m thankful he came. I think it’s a pretty good decision from all parties and would appear there is going to be no bad blood, which is a nice change.
 
There's a Tele article saying Ponga ready to make positional switch.

Will Bailey be ready for fullback after a full preseason and some Joey coaching?
Or do we search for a fullback?
 
Throwing Bailey to the wolves at 19 after only a handful of reserve grade games in 2021 would be risking ruining the kid.
If we had to find a fullback we should start the year with Mann and ease Bailey into the role.
 
Yeah I'd give mak Baker a run for sure. Daine Laurie went alright for the tigers and by the looks they play very similar.
 
Why not give Starford To’a a run there? Has played plenty of fullback in his junior days, and looked decent when he’s played first grade on the wing.

Surely a far better option than Mann, or plucking some other junior from nowhere to do the job?
 
jamesgould said:
Why not give Starford To’a a run there? Has played plenty of fullback in his junior days, and looked decent when he’s played first grade on the wing.

Surely a far better option than Mann, or plucking some other junior from nowhere to do the job?
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Needs to get his fitness up to be a chance. Much like Braddy to be fair. He was a fullback aswell.
 
I dont think there are any decent back rowers off contract for next year, however there are a bunch of Eels players unsigned that we could talk to from November 1st, Matterson or Papali'i would be great.
 
Matterson the mercenary might be gettable, but there’s a bit of a stink about him. Fairly convinced the Eels would let him walk so they could give his money to Papa.
 
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