How do you solve a problem like Blake Austin? : Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:06 am  

Has he got the bottle and heart to play at LF? He certainly has the size and the ball skills of a decent Loose Forward. Did he ever play at LF in Aus?

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:24 am  

Yes for me and nothing to lose by giving it a go. Ratchford looked fine there last year.
In spite of receiving lots of criticism, which is often linked to the estimated size of his wage packet, he is still a handful. This, however, may not be the plan. In a salary cap sport we may not be able to afford to keep him.

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:30 am  

Stick him on the bench and bring him on late to run at tired defences. That's basically what his Canberra highlights reel consisted of.

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:32 am  

Perhaps the answer lies in what Price did with him when he wasn't in his first choice half back pairing earlier this season.

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:17 am  

mailman wrote:

Perhaps the answer lies in what Price did with him when he wasn't in his first choice half back pairing earlier this season.

I'm still not sure what that was all about, unless of course he had been a naughty boy. Every pundit, commentator & other fans (except many Wire fans) seem to rate his ability to kick a "wicked" ball into the air. I suppose Wire fans got a bit fed up of seeing it.

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:23 am  

Maybe just deport him, what with all that passport faff that stopped him travelling to France earlier this year.....

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 11:59 am  

He has the size and attributes to play in almost any position.

He may have not been the halfback we hoped for but he's still a good player.

Could be a game-changer off the bench.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:12 pm  

Jack Napier wrote:

He has the size and attributes to play in almost any position.

He may have not been the halfback we hoped for but he's still a good player.

Could be a game-changer off the bench.

Warrington's Jack Grealish?

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:22 pm  

Austin might end up filling in at a number of positions, that just depend on when and where the need requires.

[Winslade's Offload]

Re: What to do with Austin.... : Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:27 pm  

HB is such a critical position for the team You can't hide and if you can't spark attacks its painfully obvious to everyone. I have been one of Austin's biggest critics but I can't help feeling we are going over the top with criticism. I agree with JN above, I think his speed and energy could well be a serious weapon from the bench and would like to see him used there rather than handed to one of our rivals.I think the only good reason for releasing him would be if we needed the cap space to sign a top quality prop or wing.