Who should be our 7?
- Thread starter Owey
- Start date
I have voted Gamble, after watching a few games last year where Crossy was *7* and Gamble 6, Gamble controlled the game, did all the kicking his shape on the right was awesome letting loose KP/Gags/Sharpe. When he got injured in the Sharks game late, Cogger came in and did just as good a job. People rag about Cogs D but he many occasions last year where he marked up to likes of Fifita and Luki and took them down one vs one.
Both he and Gamble have there moments in D.
As I said, I voted Gamblor, but I won't be shocked or Disappointed with Cogger. My deciding factor is that Gamble seems to be able to create possibilities more than Cogs. He can find a back rower witha short ball for a try or LB and has abetter strike rate with the floating cut out to a winger. With Gamblor there I feel there is less reliance on KP and more creativity.
It's really down to the two of them, I think with Sharpe locked in at 6 and his ability to create opportunities, it will eventually lesson what the 7 needs to do, creativity wise.
Both he and Gamble have there moments in D.
As I said, I voted Gamblor, but I won't be shocked or Disappointed with Cogger. My deciding factor is that Gamble seems to be able to create possibilities more than Cogs. He can find a back rower witha short ball for a try or LB and has abetter strike rate with the floating cut out to a winger. With Gamblor there I feel there is less reliance on KP and more creativity.
It's really down to the two of them, I think with Sharpe locked in at 6 and his ability to create opportunities, it will eventually lesson what the 7 needs to do, creativity wise.
bremsstrahlung
Dean Carney
Was certainly interesting watching us play with Gamble, Sharpe and Hastings all playing “half roles”, don’t really recall Hastings having a ‘run’ but I was also a bit over the game by that point.
Im already a bit apprehensive, especially after last night (I’m really hoping Māori just had no options but to involve him), that Ponga is gonna be sticking his nose in the halves in attack this year.
Think we just need somebody capable of offering a decent kicking game, but also, just the basics. We looked better last year when Crossland was at 7, because he didn’t try too much. Ponga got into his favoured position on the left, called for it and Crossland gave it to him, no questions asked, no hesitation. Contrast that to Hastings who would give it for the opening 20, then give up on it and try his own thing. Remember one occasion where we had 4 v 3 with Ponga on the left and Hastings “dummied” to Ponga and went back the other way into traffic. It was that point that made me question if his off field rubbish was affecting the game day team and I became hyper aware of him not playing Ponga.
Tbf, you’d hope he is a professional and has changed his mindset a little. He looked reasonable the other night. Just a matter of the coaching staff and senior players - how much do they trust him atm.
I'll add Crossland to the poll
(obviously a joke)
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Hastings has clearly bulked up so if he makes the team the most likely is honestly playing lock off the bench. It couldn’t be clearer that the prospect of him playing halves is done with. One thing I’ll say for him is that his work rate was fantastic so he’s bought in and eager to prove himself, but it seemed like the antics have just put everyone offside.
He’ll go back to England to play for Leigh or something.
He’ll go back to England to play for Leigh or something.
numlock105
Jacob Saifiti
Crossland isn't aye creative ball player that's perfect for KP natural dominating play maker we have weapons like bradman & dane & Lucas and others.... Cross does simple thing's with intent it really services team in a good way . Cogger is by far better organiser but lets be real our game plan simple grinding style wear teams out let weapons play Ad lib style attacking footy as game wears on.
numlock105
Jacob Saifiti
If Brailey leaving next year then we should be trying integrate Arthur in team as soon as possible as integral part of the spine .sharpe 6 ,maybe of bench gamble as playing lock role.
Frank McWilliams
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Thought I would bring this up, why is Sharpe playing/training to be 6 instead of our more need for a 7.
Most would rate Gamble as a better 6 than Cogger is a 7 so a 7 is more needed.
Sharpe is a fb come winger with little experience as a half back and we’ve tried it before, Ponga, without success.
Gamble is being used at 7 because we are trialling Sharpe despite 6 being his better position.
We have even made a bid for Brown who is a 6 and hope he will become a 7, talk about the old “tangled web we weave”
My understanding is that the plan is Cogger 7, Sharpe 6 with Gamble the backup 6 & 7, Brown or no Brown, can’t have that go on beyond this coming season.
Most would rate Gamble as a better 6 than Cogger is a 7 so a 7 is more needed.
Sharpe is a fb come winger with little experience as a half back and we’ve tried it before, Ponga, without success.
Gamble is being used at 7 because we are trialling Sharpe despite 6 being his better position.
We have even made a bid for Brown who is a 6 and hope he will become a 7, talk about the old “tangled web we weave”
My understanding is that the plan is Cogger 7, Sharpe 6 with Gamble the backup 6 & 7, Brown or no Brown, can’t have that go on beyond this coming season.
frankLauda
Ben Kennedy
I’m still reserving judgement till after second trial. Some one mentioned Cogger has put his body in front of Fafitia, etc. yeah that’s all good and well but the dude needs to do that consistently. And as I said his defence in the red zone he gets caught out a lot of the time. Like not even close to lay a hand on, at least slow an attacker down.
Yes he probably has the slightly better attacking structure over Gamble but can we afford to leak points, tries with him. I don’t think he is very big at all, there lies in half the problem, all the technique in the world, physically he struggles.
So what side is he defending on? Which second row and center is defending on his side?
I would say he looked better/good in the Penrith team. I didn’t notice defensive problems. So I would assume that comes down to who defends around him. Maybe Liam Marten was on his side.
Yes he probably has the slightly better attacking structure over Gamble but can we afford to leak points, tries with him. I don’t think he is very big at all, there lies in half the problem, all the technique in the world, physically he struggles.
So what side is he defending on? Which second row and center is defending on his side?
I would say he looked better/good in the Penrith team. I didn’t notice defensive problems. So I would assume that comes down to who defends around him. Maybe Liam Marten was on his side.
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bremsstrahlung
Dean Carney
Interesting thoughts.
There’s much less pressure on Sharpe coming in to play 6, than there is for him to play 7. Even jersey numbers, if he puts on the 7, the media, some section of fans etc will expect Joey to emerge. If he’s selected at halfback, the expectations are that he steers us around, owns the team, kicks intelligently etc. Maybe we are protecting him from some pressure and hype?
I guess ‘running half’ is always more associated with the 6. If you wrote up a list of credentials for a 6 vs 7, I think he ticks more boxes in the 6.
He is obviously very talented young bloke. Best pre-game was talking up how well he reads the game etc. Maybe he does develop into a 7 with time- will need to improve his kicking game a lot. But as I said, I wouldn’t say he can’t do anything.
frankLauda
Ben Kennedy
Usually the best halves, sevens, developer there game with an experienced halve next to them. Cleary had James Maloney, Brown has Mitch Moses, Luai had Nathan Cleary. Who does Sharpe have to help him become a seven?
Because Fletcher is a natural runner, not a ball player/kicker/organiser. 6 allows him to make the easiest transition with his natural skill set. Moving a kid from FB/wing to the halves in one off season is hard enough without making them take on the additional responsibility of organising/leading the team, especially when it’s not natural for them. Plus our other half options all have experience in the 7 (or at least playing some first receiver in Gambles case).
Honestly I think the skies the limit for Sharpe, and there’s absolutely no reason why he couldn’t then make the transition to 7 later down the track once he’s comfortable in the 6 (and who knows, that might be the clubs plan), but if we’re going to transition him let’s at least keep it as natural for him as possible.
Kurriboy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Sharpe is going to be at 6 because he is a runner.
7 needs to run the show. So it will be Cogger or Gamble.
We will know more about who will get the nod next trial.
If the purpose of a trial is to see how they go in a game against opposition and not opposed sessions, Gamble won that one. Though I did think Cogger did some good things in attack also.
Coach sees them train and running plays over and over though.
7 needs to run the show. So it will be Cogger or Gamble.
We will know more about who will get the nod next trial.
If the purpose of a trial is to see how they go in a game against opposition and not opposed sessions, Gamble won that one. Though I did think Cogger did some good things in attack also.
Coach sees them train and running plays over and over though.
Because we need spark in the spine, last season, whilst solid with making finals and close too beating Cows it was evident we seriously lack creativity bar KP.
Using Sharpe as a running 6 and support player will most likely result in potential try involvements. Game one on Saturday he had 3 almost tries/try assists. If the defence have to look at Sharpe's speed and decide between Sharpe, KP out the back or LUcas/KPP/McEwen?Best on the edge. Thats a very good problem for us to give. Cogs and Gamble are capable to be the 7's They both showed it late last year
Aob said his looking at 2 guys for the 7 . I doubt cogger was the only player to run at 7 all summer.