Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Mon Jun 19, 2017 8:30 am  

Eastmond still flirting with the idea of returning to RL?

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:35 am  

Biff Tannen wrote:

I was probably exaggerating a bit I'm sure there are several cases throughout the SL clubs down the years but Gaskell spring to mind and of Course the best half in SL currently Luke Gale had to drop back for a few years. Tomkins was about 20/21 i believe when he came through same as Eastmond and both were moved pretty swiftly to FB.

I like Patton he will be a good un, i hope Wire keep faith with him but he is a perfect example of the natural up and down nature of young halves who are having to develop on the job.

Tomkins was 18 when made debut, and a regular half back at 19. He was moved to fullback, not because he was not a good half, but because they saw him as a better fullback, with the way the game has moved here with regards fullbacks. Gaskell was never a half, that was the simple truth of it, he wasn't ruined by playing there, he just wasn't one, alla Sutcliffe. His move to fullback and centre where he rebuilt himself.

Did Gale drop back? he has played super league throughout his career. He wasn't backed by Leeds, possibly correct with the timing it happend, but he was by London and Bradford, and he has prospered from there. He is the best half back not because he has changed his game (although more secure in himself), but because he is playing in a side that utilizes it's halfs fully, and therefore he has that opportunity. Again Sneyd was 19 when he made his debut, and never looked back, although wasn't backed by his own club and had to go out on loan instead to make his mark, coincidentally Castelford yet again.

I think people look at young players, and if the team is not working, rather than look at the faults correctly, they immediately put the blame on the younger and less experienced, rather than look to the failings of the more experienced. And as a game, if we moved away from that, you would see a completely different conveyor of players and better for the future full stop, so long as the player actually has the ability in the first place.

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:46 am  

Gotcha wrote:

I think people look at young players, and if the team is not working, rather than look at the faults correctly, they immediately put the blame on the younger and less experienced, rather than look to the failings of the more experienced. And as a game, if we moved away from that, you would see a completely different conveyor of players and better for the future full stop, so long as the player actually has the ability in the first place.

Bang on, i think that sums it up perfectly.

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:57 pm  

Frosties. wrote:

A three year deal close to being agreed with Myler according to League Express

Has GH lost his mind?
Passing game not as good as McGuire
Kicking game not as good as McGuire or Lilley and possibly even Moon and Sutcliffe
Running game not as good as Moon or Sutcliffe

If Myler is the best we can get I would rather we gambled on a combination of Moon Sutcliffe and Lilley (or persuade McGuire to stay another year)

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:36 pm  

At least Myler is a genuine halfback. He's also at the right age to go to the next level if he's ever going to.

The real problem is to even name a better alternative if we're to bring someone in. There are no quality halfbacks in the NRL who would be available, so at best you'd get one with half a skill set (a runner and/or passer but not both). Across SL who is there that would be available? I wouldn't be surprised if Widdopp was a possibility last year but his form this year means he'd now be in huge demand i the NRL, which has a shortage of quality halfbacks.

Re the development side, I just think the game is far harder for a kid to come straight into at halfback than it was even a decade ago. Everything is far more structured which means needing to learn a lot of plays and develop a kicking and passing game and be able to tackle. That's not to mention the ability to read a game and having the natural or learned ability to order forwards around. It would be far easier at a club like Wigan who run the same plays constantly, rather than a club which plays more off the cuff (in the NRL this equals badly coached but that's another topic).

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:32 am  

I wonder when we can expect an announcement about the futures of Mags , Burrow and JJB ?

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:00 am  

lionarmour87 wrote:

I wonder when we can expect an announcement about the futures of Mags , Burrow and JJB ?

I feel Burrow will certainly play on. JJB will likely play on until his next bad injury (a shame because i would like to see him go out on his own terms). McGuire will go another year and announce it to be his last.

Just my view of course.

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:30 am  

McGuire said last week he was still undecided.
Maybe if he can finish with a CC medal he might call it a day and end on high.
Saying all that he has played his part these last few weeks with his kicking and cut out passes

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:35 pm  

chapylad wrote:

McGuire said last week he was still undecided.
Maybe if he can finish with a CC medal he might call it a day and end on high.
Saying all that he has played his part these last few weeks with his kicking and cut out passes

burrow got another year in him comfortably.

JJb a good player to have around the place and around the squad, but should take more of a back seat next year, he would be ideal to lead an A team as player coach.

mcguire, time to hang up the boots its been great but nows the time.

Re: Half Backs - what should we do ??? : Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:50 pm  

rollin thunder wrote:

burrow got another year in him comfortably.

JJb a good player to have around the place and around the squad, but should take more of a back seat next year, he would be ideal to lead an A team as player coach.

mcguire, time to hang up the boots its been great but nows the time.

I agree. time for Mags to hang up boots. All time legend but must make way now.