Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:35 pm  

..............Brett Seymour?

How on earth he even made an appearance in the NRL I'll never know. It's always nice to know that things could be worse.

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:15 pm  

I saw Alex Murphy today, he was unwilling to start playing again!

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:48 pm  

Roy Haggerty wrote:

Wellens' passing, on the few occasions he's been required to show it, has always been fairly good. It's just that as fullback, the need to demonstrate that is fairly limited. I agree his kicking game is not anywhere near the same league as Sinfield's, but only one half has to be able to kick (especially as Roby actually has a much under-rated and under-used kicking game out of dummy half).

I agree that Wellens is no Sean Long, but it's not a case of getting the best possible solution in the best of all possible worlds, because there aren't any Kangaroo halves looking for a much lower salary to swap the misery of the Gold Coast for the delights of Parr. If you look at what we're clearly lacking - organisation, leadership, a cool head, some flank defence, then at the moment, there isn't anyone else at the club who is offering these things. Which is why we're currently playing a back-row forward at halfback, having tried four other halfbacks in as many games with limited success.

Perhaps the way to bring on Gaskell, for example, is to pair him with a much more experienced player who can free him up to develop his game.

I remember him saying in his column that he had been asked to play as a third half back in Simmons first season, from memory he didn't do that too well. If he's been any good as a half back he'd have been moved there by now given our obvious problems in the position over the last few years.

I agree about Gaskell though, I'd be inclined to play Hohaia alongside him myself.

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sat Mar 02, 2013 10:11 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Seriously, what leadership qualities? Flapping your arms at the referee because you're too slow to make a tackle? Having a paddy because someone else makes a mistake? He has no leadership qualities at all and if he's not up to it at fullback, I don't see why, at 33, he should be brought back in to play in a crucial position.

To solve the halfback issue, the club should identify a scrumhalf and put their hands in their pockets. Buy Kyle Eastmond out of his union nightmare, sack Hohaia, Perry or Laffranchi and sign an Aussie. I don't buy this idea that there are no decent half backs anywhere in the world. The NRL pops them out every year like ice cubes.

Sitting back and accepting our mediocrity is no longer acceptable. If they continue to do that the crowds will drop every year rather than build. Langtree Park is a depressed place, you hear the 'never again' moaners on the walk back to the car after every home game. But if Greg Eden being allowed to sign for Hull KR is anything to go by, we don't have the desire to win anymore.

What union nightmare would that be ? he was named in the England A squad and seems to be doing ok

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:09 am  

Wellens won't be playing #7, I will tell you that for nothing.

A mate said to me at the game last night that someone like Danny Orr would be ideal, and I agree with him.

Doesn't need to be a world beater, just someone who can organise things from first receiver, and is capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

Michael Dobson would be my personal choice.

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:11 am  

We all remember Wigan's dominance from the late 80's to mid 90's. As their glory days slipped away, they let some great homegrown talent go who went on to more than prove themselves at the other clubs, notably us.
I do worry Saints are sort of doing the same. In Lomax, Gaskell, Wheeler etc we have some brilliant talent but they are often scapegoated whilst one or two imported journeymen seem to be getting the least flak.
We're crying out for a Matty Smith or a Jamie Ellis, but we didn't appreciate their qualities and carted them off. In the case of Smith I've got an awful feeling that he's gonna rub that in our faces as much as Long did with them.

I guess the positives are that we are producing some great talent...but how long till they're blossoming at other clubs because we never gave them the chance too.

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sun Mar 03, 2013 10:42 am  

I reckon the half back problem at Saints could be an indicator of the projected problem in Superleague in years to come. Most of our half backs in Superleague are overseas players, once this dries up, a decent 6 and 7 will be a rare commodity. Warrington should be OK for 4 or 5 years not sure about other clubs, Smith and Ellis from Saints are just average but they are half backs and not players emulating the role.

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:02 pm  

Dux mentioned Liam Finn to me again today.
Experienced, organising half from one of the top championship clubs. He also, from Fridays commentary , is quite a goal kicker.

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sun Mar 03, 2013 8:18 pm  

Can we not use the 'cladding fund' and just buy Michael Dobson with it?

Re: Halfback problem - solution ? : Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:16 pm  

Tez the Saint wrote:

Wellens won't be playing #7, I will tell you that for nothing.

A mate said to me at the game last night that someone like Danny Orr would be ideal, and I agree with him.

Doesn't need to be a world beater, just someone who can organise things from first receiver, and is capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

Michael Dobson would be my personal choice.

I've been saying this for three seasons now, he doesn't have to be a world beater but a decent and proper halfback.