Roar Rookie
Joined October 2016
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Fan of baseball, rugby league and American football
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There has been a lot of discussion about adding a draft into the NRL as a way of distributing talent. It is interesting to…
I am not a Dragons fan, but I see a number of problems in their player recruitment strategy in the last few seasons. There…
San Diego Chargers veteran quarterback Philip Rivers is once again putting up impressive numbers in season 2016. Rivers and the San Diego offense continue…
If you were in charge of an NRL team, who would you sign to build your spine taking into account salary cap, team balance…
Is it happening? The Chicago Cubs broke through to their first world series since 1945 after securing the pennant in game six of the…
My mistake Barry. I knew Milford was originally from Queensland , thought he might have gone down to Canberra when he was a lot younger. Bad example – thanks for clarifying.
Would a draft work in the NRL?
Love this idea. Would create great outcomes, talented players could get an education and have options even if injury hits. The NRL does a pretty good job it would seem in creating educational pathways but not on the scale that something like this would create. Maybe TAFEs could get involved as well, would be great to see and would take care of a player development pathway at the same time.
Would a draft work in the NRL?
Mike was talking about the NFL in that case I think and many of their rookies do get paid in the millions. Even in the AFL if an 18 year old kid is taken, moves to the city and starts getting paid 100k it would still be a big adjustment. New routine and a lot of new money with not a lot of responsibilities outside of football.
Would a draft work in the NRL?
good point about the AFL being the only option for aussie rules players. AFL also have restrictions on when players can become free agents I think it may be 6 years. But that is becoming like the NRL where the contracts are not worth the paper they are written on.
Would a draft work in the NRL?
I would say there is still an element of it the NRL. I’ll look into the stats but you are probably right in saying it is not as big as it seems or may have used to be. I would say though that having even a few juniors is important. Penrith wants to have something like 80% of their 25 be local juniors in a few years, pretty ambitious. Teams like Souths would still have a few. Reynolds, Sutton, Gray, Johnston from the top of my head. Canberra skipper Croker is a Goulburn kid and been at the Raiders his whole career. Of course Woods, Moses and Brooks at the Tigers as well so there would still be a few floating around.
Would a draft work in the NRL?
Would love to see it. I think the Raiders would rather go to LA but Kroenke won’t let that happen – Raiders are probably bigger than the Rams in that city. Would be interesting to see if an NFL team could get a foothold in Vegas (NHL is bringing a team to Vegas). Most people seem to have moved pass the gambling thing but always a concern with fixing etc.
Are the Oakland Raiders really moving to Las Vegas?
Yep. Just look at the haggling done by the Spanos family over the Joey Bosa contract, good organisations just get it done. So many coaching changes in San Diego as well including firing Schottenheimer after a 14-2 year. I do see a bit of hope for the Chargers in the future, especially if they can avoid some of the injuries they have received in the past two seasons. Can’t say the same for the Colts, they are wasting a great talent in Andrew Luck. Agree with you on Big Ben, he is a first ballot guy. No coincidence that so many successful QBs have had stable management and good coaching.
Philip Rivers continues to show his greatness
Eli has turned the ball over pretty consistently since day one. That’s not to say Rivers hasn’t had rough patches – he certainly has. I wasn’t really trying to make a debate between Rivers and Manning but I guess they will be linked when discussing their careers because of the trade in 2004.
Philip Rivers continues to show his greatness
Correct. I am talking about a style of player that the Dragons could use to get more out of their attack. I am not saying to go out and get Graham or anyone else. The players I named are just examples of forwards who offer something different – and that’s what the Dragons need. I would definitely target Jack Bird – a local junior who has repeatedly said he is bored playing in the centres. Put him in the back row and let him play.
Do the Dragons have a plan?
nice replacement for mike cooper but whether the number is 500k or not, sounds like they paid overs for a capable first grader.
Do the Dragons have a plan?
I’m not suggesting the Dragons should go and get James Graham I was talking about the style of player that the Dragons need to add something to their attack. If the coaching is confident they can develop De Belin into an effective ball player that should help them, time will tell. I see a lot of the same in their forwards, all are good players but they don’t dominate like the Souths pack did a few years ago so they need to look at other ways to score points.
Do the Dragons have a plan?
Milne looks a nice player. Strong kid and can break tackles.
Do the Dragons have a plan?
Big Ben and Eli have certainly proven it in the playoffs. Rivers may yet do so. He often seems to get left out when discussing elite quarterbacks just because of the no ring argument- Joe Flacco has a ring and no one would suggest that he is a better player than Rivers or Andrew Luck. Even Kaepernick has got to the Super Bowl. Not trying to argue that Rivers is the top QB from his class or anything but he deserves respect.
Philip Rivers continues to show his greatness
I wrote this before I saw the Vaughan news, is another example of them paying overs for a player that they don’t need.
Do the Dragons have a plan?
They took Gareth Widdop from Melbourne where he success came playing in a system where his role was largely defined. Smith and Cronk pushed the side around. Dragons got him and asked him to lead the team and create everything at the same time. I agree that he is a good player but they have been asking him to do to much. De Belin may have been played in this role (I have watched) but if you think he is an effective ball player then none of this will get through…
Do the Dragons have a plan?
Going to be a great series Jason – some great pitching match ups. Got a prediction?
A historic World Series awaits
Shaun Johnson is a good choice – but what about Foran himself? The Warriors have struggled for consistency with Shaun Johnson at halfback and Foran will take some of the pressure of him. Foran has the ability both to take a back seat and take the game on and a fresh start at the Warriors should help him. He is one of those players that teams struggle to win without; his career winning percentage is above 62 – Manly’s success dipped dramatically when he wasn’t in the team, even with Daly Cherry-Evans. The Warriors will benefit from his toughness, direct running and leadership. I wouldn’t pick him for Dally M myself but he has a shot.
Why Shaun Johnson will win the Dally M medal in 2017
Green is a nice signing for Manly. He can be dangerous in his own right and moving Walker back to the centres will free him up in 2017. I like the hooker combination of Parcell and Korisau, they are both electric out of dummy half and can create opportunities. Trent Barrett has a lot of talent to work with at Manly, the pressure will be on if they don’t perform.
How to build the perfect NRL spine
Vincent, do you think a Cowboys halves pairing of Coote and Moylan could consistently apply pressure in the kicking game? Coote has a nice left boot but they lose a lot when you take Thurston out with the last tackle options. Will be interesting to see how they replace JT when he eventually hangs them up..
How to build the perfect NRL spine
Matterson could be a success in the centres, he is similar in a way to Jack Bird but I question whether he has the speed to match it in the outside backs. I would prefer to see the Roosters play him as an edge back rower and give him a licence to ball play. Similar to Wade Graham and John Sutton. He is a big body who can take the line on and create opportunities and it would take some pressure off what may be a new halves combination at the roosters.
How to build the perfect NRL spine
Love the Cleary pick. Panthers look to be in great shape with the veteran Wallace coming off a good year, Cleary, Te Maire Martin and Moylan in there as well. Maloney would also be good to guide your young guys in the early years. Panthers also have Zach Dockar Clay on the books who can play no.9 and is rated highly.
How to build the perfect NRL spine
Walker was a rookie but is mature aged and has a lot of experience, he’ll be fine and should develop well – very dangerous player. I think Farah will get the forwards going forward much like Issac Luke did in 2014, they both like to get out of dummy half and Souths certainly missed that element a bit in 2015/16. Cook is a solid back up and they just picked up Luke Kelly who will slot in case of injury or origin for Adam Reynolds. Will be interesting to see, I expect Souths to bounce back next year.
How to build the perfect NRL spine
Hodgson is a great playmaking option at hooker – adds another dimension to the attack. Moses missed close to 100 tackles last season but is improving and had a nice season.
I have to say I don’t buy into Cherry-Evans after some of his play last season without foil Kieran Foran. He takes a large chunk of the salary cap and can go missing at times – ok when Foran was around but I think a team with a DCE/Moses halves pairing would struggle to play consistent football.
How to build the perfect NRL spine
I agree with game management being a priority – Adam Reynolds is a good option for last tackle plays and for steering a side round the park. Who would be your first choice no.7?
I considered RTS, he is a great player but someone like Munster would command slightly less in the salary cap and can easily play centre and five-eighth if required. Tom Trbojevic will most likely take over as the fullback Manly next year and will be interesting to see how he goes as the full time no. 1, I was impressed with his play at centre last season.
How to build the perfect NRL spine
100% agree about the Brownlow. AFL has it going well although it can drag on a bit. Love the suspense in it. Also the umpires vote on it in the AFL whereas dally m throws up all these surprises that come with judges who may have agendas or who are not there on the field.
Changes to make the 2017 NRL season the greatest of all