Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:19 am  

Saddened! wrote:

He got a 3 year deal last year, so didn't need a new deal. Maybe Jack's Dad is right, maybe he's quite good if he got a three year deal so young without making an impact on the first team?

Correct, he's just completed the first year of a three year deal. I'm not sure how PhilT says he was outstanding in 2014 because he picked up a nasty injury in the first or second game that season and didn't feature again.

From what I seen of him in 2013 he shown plenty of promise and certainly look the part. It's ridiculous to judge him in that one game against Hull. The whole team was flat, but more importantly, that was his first game of any rugby in 15 months.

I was stunned that he was given a three year deal, but they obviously see something in him. He's two years younger than Greenwood so he's got plenty of time and will no doubt Benifit from the reserve structure.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:35 am  

You may well be right he did get injured in 2014 but not sure it was that early on in the year.Whilst not the quickest for centre he is big and athletic with good hands.He may well end up in the second row but certainly was a standout in the centres for the u19's.The reserve team this year will give him an opportunity to show what he's capable of.We'll see.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:14 pm  

I wish clubs would stop pushing young centre prospects into the second row just because they have size. There's nothing wrong with a big centre, in fact, I prefer them.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:17 pm  

Top Saint wrote:

I wish clubs would stop pushing young centre prospects into the second row just because they have size. There's nothing wrong with a big centre, in fact, I prefer them.

Paul Newlove for example was a high quality, powerful, big centre so I completely agree with you

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:27 pm  

Longy_7 wrote:

Paul Newlove for example was a high quality, powerful, big centre so I completely agree with you

Mal Menninga, Gene Miles, Greg Inglis to name a few. That size and power out wide is a potent weapon.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 6:34 pm  

Top Saint wrote:

Mal Menninga, Gene Miles, Greg Inglis to name a few. That size and power out wide is a potent weapon.

Kevin Iro, Scott Gibbs, Keith Senior to name a few more

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:27 pm  

Paul Loughlin was a big lad for his age, made his debut when he was about 17 or 18 years of age. I don't recall the coach playing safe and sticking him on the wing or in the pack.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:25 pm  

I really have a bug bear and that's when coaches don't play the young kids in there preferred position. That's where the lad has trained and played at Academy level so why do coaches persist on moving good powerful centres into the Second Row or Loose Forward? I really cant think of too many players that have been successful at Saints doing this apart from Josh Jones who turned out to be a solid player. I don't really like following the 'Australian Way' but at least when a kid has come through the ranks they are played in there position they have come accustomed to in there Academy. Super League has a whole has probably lost numerous players because coaches wont play them where they play best. I accept at times you can come across a player that might suit another position more in the first team but for me it happens way to often where coaches simply get it alarmingly wrong.

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:33 pm  

Longy_7 wrote:

I really have a bug bear and that's when coaches don't play the young kids in there preferred position. That's where the lad has trained and played at Academy level so why do coaches persist on moving good powerful centres into the Second Row or Loose Forward? I really cant think of too many players that have been successful at Saints doing this apart from Josh Jones who turned out to be a solid player. I don't really like following the 'Australian Way' but at least when a kid has come through the ranks they are played in there position they have come accustomed to in there Academy. Super League has a whole has probably lost numerous players because coaches wont play them where they play best. I accept at times you can come across a player that might suit another position more in the first team but for me it happens way to often where coaches simply get it alarmingly wrong.

+1

Re: Squad Numbers 2016 Guessing Game : Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:30 am  

Longy_7 wrote:

I really have a bug bear and that's when coaches don't play the young kids in there preferred position. That's where the lad has trained and played at Academy level so why do coaches persist on moving good powerful centres into the Second Row or Loose Forward? I really cant think of too many players that have been successful at Saints doing this apart from Josh Jones who turned out to be a solid player. I don't really like following the 'Australian Way' but at least when a kid has come through the ranks they are played in there position they have come accustomed to in there Academy. Super League has a whole has probably lost numerous players because coaches wont play them where they play best. I accept at times you can come across a player that might suit another position more in the first team but for me it happens way to often where coaches simply get it alarmingly wrong.

I said the same thing when Saints decided to select Bailey for the first team then shoved him on the wing. Had an awful game, confidence dashed and shoved back in the academy. Never got a look in again and we got Quinlan in instead and the rest is history.

The lad might not be good enough to make the grade at Saints, who knows...but at least give them half a chance by playing them in a position that's more familiar to them. It's like having all your driving lessons in a Ford Fiesta but having to take your test in a Jaguar.