By ScottWoodward.me -
November 30th 2009 @ 6:12am
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Blues to get new fullback and skipper
Blues coach Craig Bellamy made a rare error of judgment at the State of Origin selection table this year when he plumped for Knight Kurt Gidley as his fullback and skipper.
You cannot help but admire Gidley’s work ethic, and there can be no doubt that Bellamy is one of his greatest fans, but as a State of Origin number one up against champion Billy Slater, he simply is not in the same class.
Bellamy has painted himself into a corner for the 2010 renewal, assuming he takes the job again as expected.
NSW have an embarrassment of riches all vying for the crucial job of custodian, and Bellamy will be under pressure to sack his captain in favour of try scoring freak Brett Stewart or Dally M Player of the Year Jarryd Hayne.
Stewart and Hayne play fullback at club level and both are prolific as try scorers and with try assists.
It is unheard of for a captain to play off the bench which is where Gidley is likely to be selected. The only club captain who is certain of selection aside from Gidley is Gallen, who enhanced his reputation with an outstanding series in the 4 Nations recently.
If Bellamy is to start with the best 13 Blues players then Stewart will fight out the fullback position with Hayne with the loser playing wing. Gidley will be benched and Gallen should be skipper by default.
Bellamy is one Rugby League’s greatest coaches, second only to Wayne Bennett. But if he has a weakness, it is that he is fiercely loyal. But surely these stats will assist Bob McCarthy and his selection panel when the Gidley argument is raised.
Tries Playing Fullback 2008 2009
Brett Stewart 22 (24 games) 6(5)
Jarryd Hayne 2 (6) 10(19)
Kurt Gidley 7 (17) 5 (21)
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(37)
Mr Sports said | November 30th 2009 @ 7:51am | Report comment
Is Paul Gallen still captain of Cronulla? I thought they took it off him after the racial slur incident earlier this year?
I don’t think it will matter anyway, the NSW selectors will find a way to pick Gidley to start, even if they have to play him at five-eighth.
M1tch said | November 30th 2009 @ 8:07am | Report comment
Gidley will be picked…but on bench
There would be a revolt from the fans if Gidley is picked in front of Hayne
Jay said | November 30th 2009 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Im a knights supporter and I dont understand why Gidley is an automatic selection in any rep team.. even on the interchange bench…
next year, it should definatley be hayne at fullback if his form is as good.
Mark said | November 30th 2009 @ 10:26am | Report comment
Gallen is not captain for Sharks, Barrett is, and in Barrett’s absensce Covell steps up from the wing to captain.
sledgeross said | November 30th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
I think gallen is still “club captain” at the Sharks, but not first grade skipper due to his big gob.
Having said that, I think he would make a good origin skipper, especially given our lack of leadership depth. He leads from the front, can play the full 80, and is always enthusiastic (too much so sometimes!). If Kimmorley is selcted, I would probably plump for him. Noone can slow the game down by chastising the refs onfield like Noddy!
Springs said | November 30th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
I would appoint Hindmarsh captain, but since he is unlikely to be available, Kimmorley/Barrett to be captain. Farah is the only other captain that could be picked, but… no. Gidley captain after 4 games was a terrible choice.
macavity said | November 30th 2009 @ 11:18am | Report comment
I am a Knights fan and love the passion he plays with, but even I have to concede Kids will need a monster start to 2010 to keep the blue #1 from Hayne.
Kids takes a lot of unwarranted flack, seems to be the target of the month with a lot of league fans.
Unfortunately while Kids leaves it all out there, he is possibly the most predictable player in the NRL (and was apparently coached to play that way by Smith). Be interesting to see what a change of coach (and likely change of role) brings.
It is quite possible that Kids will be playing in the halves, at least some of the time, for the Knights.
Bellamy loves him, the blues are short on halves, and he is certainly one of NSW’ best 17.
….. It is quite possible he will be at 7 for the blues.
Not saying I agree with this. He will need to have improved a heap on his last efforts in the halves to be worth it.
Stewart? He might be behind bars by then…..
ScottWoodward.me said | November 30th 2009 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Interesting comments fellas. Here is some no brainers:
* Brett Stewart will be the greatest try scoring fullback in the history of the game both in numbers and trys per game ratio by the time he retires.
* Jarryd Hayne has the ability to rival Ken Thornet and Peter Stirling as Parramatta’s greatest ever player by the time he retires.
They simply both must be starters and in the interests of the team, Hayne is more comfortable on the left wing, where he was the Blues best player this year. Bellamy gave him a roving role which worked well.
Mal Meninga would have sleepless nights with this backline:
1. Brett Stewart
2. Jarryd Hayne
3.Josh Morris
4. Michael Jennings
5. Michael Gordon (90% goal kicker)
6. Trent Barrett
7. Brett Kimmorley
Regardless who gets the big “C” next to their name, Kimmorley will call the shots.
M1tch said | November 30th 2009 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
Hayne is a creator, Stewart if a finisher..
Hayne =fullback
Stewart = Origin winger
ScottWoodward.me said | November 30th 2009 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
M1tch everyone loves Hayne but he is not your classic fullback and often found wanting trying to read the game and position himself in defense.
Stewart reads the game better defending, scores more 4 pointers and according to the stats has a similar try assist record to Hayne.
TRY ASSISTS PLAYING FULLBACK;
2008
STEWART 14 FROM 24 GAMES (EQUAL TOP WITH SLATER)
HAYNE 2 FROM 6 GAMES
2009
STEWART 3 FROM 5 GAMES
HAYNE 15 FROM 19 GAMES
M1tch said | November 30th 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
Stewart good in defence is even more reason for him on the wing, Hayne yeh isnt a good defender, but he will create more from fullback than Stewart will
Springs said | November 30th 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
A lot of Stewart’s and Slater’s try assists are from set plays where they run into the backline off the halves or hooker creating an overlap, often throwing a cut-out pass to the winger or breaking the line and drawing the fullback. Hayne’s try assists he usually creates out of nothing, like in the Bulldogs game. His kicking game is also better than Stewarts.
Springs said | November 30th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Start Hayne at fullback. Also they didn’t pick El Masri for NSW as he was always classed as just a specialist goal kicker, Gordon will not be picked on goal kicking. Another option for Captain I would put forward is Andrew Ryan. Even though some say Bobcat’s Too Old he has been forgotten since the ‘07 series. He is an experienced leader, experienced rep player and is as good if not better than Hoffman, Waterhouse, Stewart and Laffranchi.
sledgeross said | November 30th 2009 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Yeah, Bobcats a good choice. But I think they need someone who has been in the squad recently.
Mick from Giralang said | November 30th 2009 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Agree Hayne should be fullback if his form warrants it next year but I reckon Josh Dugan from Canberra is ahead of Brett Stewart. Dugan can kick goals too. ( Not that I’m biased or anytyhing like that…)
ScottWoodward.me said | November 30th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
It not about who is the best, it is about what is THE BEST for the team and that will be Bellamys call. If he thinks Gidley is ahead of Hayne as fullback then he certainly will think Stewart is.
El Masri was selected for NSW based on his goal kicking. To date Gordon has a higher conversion rate and is a much better player.
As for Bobcat, fellas you cant be serious! He has been well past his best for 3 years IMO. He is not in competition with Waterhouse, Stewart or Laffranchi as they play on the right he plays on the left in competition with Watmough, Tupou and Hoffman.
Agree Josh Dugan is a star. I will be surprised if his next contract is with the Raiders.
Springs said | November 30th 2009 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
El Masri was selected once. If they wanted him for goal kicking they would have selected him before the series was gone. And to say that Gordon is a better player than El Masri…El Masri has played over 300 games, including when he wasn’t 1st choice goalkicker, scored 150+ tries and is the highest pointscorer ever. Gordon has played 59 games and is already 26 and hasn’t really shown he is better than Morris, Morris, Grothe, Tahu, Burt, Turner, Quinn, Williams, Monaghan, etc. etc.
sledgeross said | November 30th 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
“flash” Gordon is 100’s to make the Origin team.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 30th 2009 @ 4:37pm | Report comment
He is certainly a roughie but he is the best kicker in the NRL and he can play in that class. Without him, we will give up an advantage to Q”land as they have Thurston. Assuming Ennis is over looked for Farah, Gidley is on the bench and Campese and Carney miss to Barrett we dont have a kicker. I would hate to have the SOO relying on a Kimmorley kick.
Springs said | November 30th 2009 @ 8:52pm | Report comment
Just another reason to pick Ennis then. And he hasn’t played Origin or any rep footy so how do we know he can play in that class.
Chop said | December 1st 2009 @ 11:46am | Report comment
Campese and Carney can both kick. In fact Jarryd Hayne is also a good goal kicker….
Ennis is made for SOO (even though I think he’s a w@nker), he’s tough and doesn’t take a backward step, he can kick goals as well.
Andy said | November 30th 2009 @ 8:48pm | Report comment
Brett stewart on his day is the best fullback, his support play and passing skills are phenomenal and he is faster than hayne and slater. He has saved manlys hide so many times it is not funny. Just look at his 2008 performances he was better than slater and in 2009 well enough said. As for hayne he is either a fullback or not at all because his defence is not too flash, and kurt gidley should never play origin.
ScottWoodward.me said | November 30th 2009 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
Springs I have seen enough of Gordon in first grade to be comfortable that he will handle to next step. He certainly cant be any worse than his incumbent Wolfman. He is big, strong and fast and did I mention 93.5% success rate kicking goals.
Bellamy is an Ennis fan Andy so you may get your wish, I do think Farah has more god given talent though.
I agree about Gids, he is an 80 min player and not an impact bench guy. he would not be in my team.
sledgeross said | December 1st 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Are we talking about the same winger, Gordon, from Penrith? Strong and big? Hes quick and can kick goals, hes solid, thats about it. If Covell didnt align himself with the Kiwis, he would be a better option.
Im not saying that Flash is rubbish, its just there are other blokes ahead of him.
ScottWoodward.me said | December 1st 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
sledgeross I have no problem if you dont like Michael Gordon, but you must be a Shark supporter and / or a Kiwi to put Luke Covell’s name up.
He is the slowest winger I have ever seen and is only in first grade because he is the team goal kicker, and then he only managed 51 goals from 74 kicks in 2009 (68.9%) as opposed to Gordon 57 from 61 (93.4%).
Chop said | December 1st 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
I think you pick your best team and then choose a captain out of it….
Chop said | December 1st 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
I think you pick your best team and then choose a captain out of it….If Gidley is the best option somewhere within the team then I’m happy for him to be picked as skipper again, if not, well pick someone from the best team possible to be captain.
As for Gallen, No thanks, he’s a walking penalty and a cheap shot merchant, I still stuggle to see how he gets picked for representative teams so don’t make him captain….I might have to cheer for the Maroons over him winning a series as captain….
sledgeross said | December 1st 2009 @ 11:54am | Report comment
Its not that I dont like him. As I said before. Hes a solid first grader. I just think there are better options…
Remember that Gordon doesnt have rep experience like those blokes ahead of him, and has essentially only had one year in first grade (given his injuries) after starring in the Qld cup a few seasons ago.
Covells not as slow as some people make out. He is one of the canniest players in the game, with a knack for game winning plays. Its a moot point though really, cos I dont think he would be eligible anyway.
sledgeross said | December 1st 2009 @ 11:56am | Report comment
Actually Chop, if you look at Gallens penalties conceded, he actually is just on the average for a forward. I believe Watmough is a worse offender slightly. When blokes get a reputation though, you notice it more. Gallens a throwback in some ways, he should have been playing in the 80s.
Chop said | December 1st 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
Comparing him to Watmough shows the company he’s in….
Gallen’s not a throwback, he just would’ve copped it back much more than he does now. Can you imagine him cheap shotting Ray Price or Dallas Donnelly? He would’ve been chewed up and spat out.
ScottWoodward.me said | December 1st 2009 @ 6:30pm | Report comment
Chop Gallen is every bit as tough as Price and Dallas, and actually more talented.
sledgeross said | December 1st 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
Define “cheap shot”
What Gallen does today would not have attracted as much coverage in the 80’s. Its funny, when the rep teams are announced and the old school players lament the lack of mongrel, they always mention Gallen as one of the few players with the “old school” mentality.
Chop said | December 1st 2009 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
Here is is sledgeross, http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23463020-10389,00.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/rotten-shark-should-be-jailed/2008/04/06/1207420195784.html
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/defiant-gallen-drops-the-cword-20091123-j083.html
Do you think the old guys lament grabbing people’s testicles or rubbing someone face so hard to make their stitches split just to keep them off the field? Does that make Gallen a hard nut?
As I said, he wouldn’t have lasted 5 minutes in the 80’s where rough play was allowed but so were square-ups and those actions descibed in the article might have seen him smashed into little pieces….
Greg Russell said | December 1st 2009 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Scott, a good and necessary article. When I heard rumour that Kurt Gidley was likely to be named NSW captain this season, I posted this comment at The Roar:
“I don’t believe any selector could close his eyes and honestly imagine Kurt Gidley leading a winning team onto the field and holding the trophy aloft.”
Well I was wrong about the selectors, but I was right with my comment!
At the time of writing the above, I therefore expected Gallen to be named NSW captain. Not sure if that is politically possible now, given his subsequent suspension for racial comments. Who then? If necessary the selectors should just have a look around at the club captains, and choose the best option. But definitely not Gidley!
In fact, Gidley can be grateful to Japanese rugby (for luring Craig Wing away) that he will even get the NSW 14 jersey next year.
ScottWoodward.me said | December 1st 2009 @ 6:25pm | Report comment
Kurt Gidley is one of those wonderfully talented players who probably does not have a position. Craig Wing was a similar case. There is someone better in every position but he is so fit and busts his gut you want him in your team. Bellamy is huge on guys who give 100% every time.
Gids only has an ordinary kicking game and is not a good visionary so playing at 6 or 7 is a no no at the top level. Fullback works for him at the Knights, but he still struggles to score a try and he cannot run the length of the field and score which is a given for a top class number 1.
I have no doubt that his best position is hooker, but that does not suit the Knights or NSW. The few times that I have seen him play 9 he has completely dominated as his work rate is so high. Alternatively, if he could put on some more weight he would make a super lock forward. Ideally he should be in a position to take advantage of his non stop work ethic.
Greg Russell said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Warren Ryan always makes the point that Gidley is a runner rather than a distributor. That is why Ryan was horrified at the idea of Gidley playing either 6 or 7 for NSW this season (which was the rumour at one point). This being the case, Gidley is only a second-half hooker, for when the game opens up.
Ideally Gidley could find a role for NSW like that of Issac Luke for South Sydney and NZ, i.e., as a replacement hooker for after the 30-minute mark of a match. The problem with this is that NSW like to play a hooker who will be the brains on the field for the whole match, i.e., someone like Farah or Buderus (cf. NZ’s use of Thomas Leuluai, who is OK but not in the league of these two). I know that NSW experimented at times with giving Buderus a rest, but it never really worked, not least of all because the player himself hated it. I suppose that if they go with someone like Ennis at hooker, it could work to start him for the period of really tough stuff, and then bring on Gidley once the game starts to open up.
Anyway, interesting times for NSW. I guess many of us feel that they have the players to beat Qld if they get it right at the selection table and tactically. So far that has only happened occasionally under Bellamy, which is a disappointment given how good a coach he otherwise seems to be. The only way for NSW to beat this Qld side is to get everything correct.
I feel the other key area for NSW is back-row, because this is the one area where they can be confident of superiority over Qld. But they have struggled to get the balance right in their selections, as has Australia. This is ironic given that back-row is one thing that B McCarthy should understand well.
And it’s interesting that at what is meant to be the deadest time of year for rugby league, plenty of people are keen to discuss it. Obviously people are not all that enthused about other sport on offer at the moment.
ScottWoodward.me said | December 24th 2009 @ 8:40pm | Report comment
Greg, I think NSW will be fav to win the series, as Qld prob wont have Lockyer and the props are getting close to 40.
I would have no problem with Gidley starting at hooker as he is tough and then bring on Farah who has the flare. This would be the only way I can see Gids holding down the captaincy.