John Sutton holds the key to finals lock
Roar Rookie By Adam Bishop, 4 Aug 2010 Adam Bishop is a Roar Rookie
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- John Sutton, NRL, Rugby League, South Sydney Rabbitohs
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From the beginning of the season, South Sydney have been hailed as the surprise-packet to take it all the way in 2010. Under the watchful eye of Russel Crowe’s hefty wallet, the Rabbits have recruited well in the forward pack, and at full-strength, they are as big and as menacing as any team in the comp.
Five rounds out from the finals and the boys from Redfern find themselves languishing outside of the top 8, facing an uphill battle to qualify under the rigours of the toughest run home of any team in the NRL.
The hardcore fans are crying foul with claims of dubious refereeing decisions and a growing injury list, but let’s all get real here. Let’s call a spade a spade.
Souths have under-performed this year in epic proportions.
On paper, we all know how talented this team is. And yet the inconsistency of the Bunnies must be as frustrating to their fans as attempting to subdue a raging Rhino armed only with a wet newspaper.
It is not through a lack of desire. It is the result of a significant lack of attacking cohesion. The primary reason for this is that John Sutton does not belong in the number 6 jersey.
I know there might be many Souths fans ready to pitchfork me in the bum for declaring such sentiments, but I’m afraid it’s the truth. Sutton is a very talented player: he is big and has the ability to offload and pass at the line with great finesse.
But he appears to know very little about constructive play before the line and his kicking game can be deplorable.
These are MAJOR characteristics a five-eighth must possess in order to be consistently successful. The result has been the outside backs being starved of the ball, amazing when you consider how dominant their forward back has been.
Sutton has all the hallmarks of a great lock-forward/second rower.
John Lang must make the shift and bring up one of the young dynamos from the Toyota Cup if Souths are to have any chance in the Premiership (Souths have a tremendous wealth of talent in their Toyota Cup side).
The Sydney Roosters were in a similar predicament, with Braith Anasta keeping Todd Carney out of the number 6 jumper (crazy when you think about it). Since Anasta has been moved to his more natural role in 13, well, can anybody spot the difference in the team dynamic?
As an NRL fan who supports a rival club to Souths, I have a sneaking desire that they’ll never take the hint.
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The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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- John Sutton, NRL, Rugby League, South Sydney Rabbitohs
August 4th 2010 @ 8:24am
The Barry said | August 4th 2010 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Souths are absolutely no chance to make the 8 and must go down as the big disappointments of the season.
Rabbits fans will cry poor that injuries have derailed their chances but it’s only the past few weeks that they’ve been hit hard. I also note they keep counting Ben Ross in the injured list – he’s yet to play a game and Souths are paying him a pittance so he’s not really a “loss”.
Souths have one of the tougher run ins with Wests, Melbourne, Penrith, Parra and Saints.
Problems don’t start and end with Sutton though. They also have the most inconsistent halfback in the comp, pedestrian centres, and an old, slow fullback. Isaac Luke is the only memebr of their “spine” that performs consistently and their hopes have crashed since he’s been out.
August 4th 2010 @ 10:13am
oikee said | August 4th 2010 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Could not agree more. They have lost the keys and are looking for a new set. If they keep running Wesser around again next year, they wont be seen again.
August 4th 2010 @ 10:16am
wallythefly said | August 4th 2010 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Sutton is a lazy player, he only seems to pull his finger out when his position in the side is in question, a ball playing lock for sure…but with the Souths pack is he really needed at all?
this bloke has ability but not enough drive to put strong and consist performance together over a long 26 round season
August 4th 2010 @ 10:25am
The Barry said | August 4th 2010 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Fullback is quickly becoming the most important position on the field. They’re responsible for fielding kick returns and getting good yards and quick play the balls in the process, have to defuse bombs and grubbers, act as an extra ball player and dummy half. Look at the influence of guys like Hayne, Gidley, Boyd, Slater, Bowen as examples.
Unfortunately Wesser’s age and a couple of knee injuries have dulled his pace and strength and he was never really known as a ball player so Souths are missing out with him at 1.
As for Sutton I’ve been a big fan for a number of years and think he is of Origin quality – but only when he’s on. There are too many off weeks and you can’t wait forever for someone to introduce consistency into their game. He’s now 25 so the impetuousness of youth can’t be used as an excuse much longer.
August 4th 2010 @ 12:59pm
Gareth said | August 4th 2010 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
It’s not uncommon to play locks at five-eighth. Greg Bird, Trent Barrett, Braith Anasta, Luke Lewis (occasionally), John Sutton – even Brad Fittler was a better lock than five-eighth. If there were enough quality halves to go around, I’d imagine we’d see less of it, but until all the young blokes around the traps mature into consistent first graders and another lot of youngsters follows in their footsteps, then blokes like Sutton have to make do. The thing is, I’ve seen games where Sutton has played like a brilliant five-eighth – but it only seems to happen a few times each season. Shame really.
August 5th 2010 @ 5:47pm
Harry said | August 5th 2010 @ 5:47pm | Report comment
The comparison to Anasta is quite a good comparison and a timely one. What seems to be missing is the ability to read the play or “on instinct” decide how to react to an opportunity in the defence. His size may be ‘seem’ to be of value close to the line and yet well away from the goal line he seems too casual. It is hard to know when John Sutton fires up or gets a sense of urgency. He seems to sit back and may run hard but needs to ‘run plays’ ……….and the rest will follow.
In comparsion Sandow is growing into the role as a quirky runner and spontaneous player. Though John or Chris seemed to be “a little” more consistent with kicks and bombs on attack. But when the forwards are down or they get in trouble John does not seem to get off the relieving kick for field position.
This Saturday will be a good test to see if John Sutton can steer the a “spare parts” Souths team. His athleticism is great but needs to be more of a footballer and less althete.
August 8th 2010 @ 11:42am
Michael said | August 8th 2010 @ 11:42am | Report comment
We’ll see now, I guess. Sutton’s out for the season. I’m interested in seeing another Toyota Cup debutant step up into the position – like Dylan Farrell, who had a tremendous game.