Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Mar 26, 2021 3:48 pm  

Pemps wrote:

There's an argument to say he was produced in Australia.

Point taken, we seem to be able to provide strike centres, Gildart, Percival, Kallum Watkins etc. but not many creative ones. I do like the looks of Jake Wardle and Toby King though.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:14 pm  

I don’t think Gildarts too bad as a wingers centre to be fair. He clearly had the best connection with Burgess and he’s put him in for plenty over the years but he’s pretty good for anyone who is outside him. It’s hard to admit but a move to the NRL wouldn’t be a bad thing for him if he wants to kick on another level. He’s a good player as he is but to be pushed that but harder, outside of his comfort zone could really work wonders.

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:32 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I don’t think Gildarts too bad as a wingers centre to be fair. He clearly had the best connection with Burgess and he’s put him in for plenty over the years but he’s pretty good for anyone who is outside him. It’s hard to admit but a move to the NRL wouldn’t be a bad thing for him if he wants to kick on another level. He’s a good player as he is but to be pushed that but harder, outside of his comfort zone could really work wonders.

I think the whole Burgess, Gildart & Williams connection was very good. Gildart has lost 2 of those now.

It can also be likened to the Charnley, Goulding, Tomkins combination on the right.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Mar 26, 2021 8:19 pm  

Lam didn’t really shut the Hastings rumour down in that interview.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Mar 26, 2021 10:25 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

There's very few of them left in the game to be honest. There's some terrific athletes like Staggs and Crichton, but not many Gidley's, Gleeson's or Garnier's. I really hope someone like Bradman Best can spark a bit of a minal revival for that type of player.

I think there's some excellent centres in the NRL now. Joey Manu, Lomax, Crichton, Latrell when he played there...

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:38 pm  

moto748 wrote:

I think there's some excellent centres in the NRL now. Joey Manu, Lomax, Crichton, Latrell when he played there...

Bradman Best too.

The antipodean centres are a few levels up from ours. Especially in terms of physicality. Our centres never seem to really fill out. Watkins is probably the only one in recent years, but even he didn't seem that big compared to their centres.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:00 am  

Jack Burton wrote:

Bradman Best too.

The antipodean centres are a few levels up from ours. Especially in terms of physicality. Our centres never seem to really fill out. Watkins is probably the only one in recent years, but even he didn't seem that big compared to their centres.

Could come down to the genetic pool.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:21 am  

nathan_rugby wrote:

Could come down to the genetic pool.

I think it's more how they develop them over there. I think a lot of the bigger lads they develop as centres or wingers over there automatically get put into second row or loose forward over here and spend their junior days focusing on running it in hard and tackling forwards. Then when the pro clubs get hold of them, they only have a short time to get them first team ready before they are no longer academy-eligible so they can't really mess around too much with trying to convert them into centres or wingers.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:37 am  

Good to see Herbie Farnworth have another top game yesterday. If he keeps developing as he is then England looks to have a top draw centre on their hands.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:56 am  

[quote="Grimmy"]I think it's more how they develop them over there. I think a lot of the bigger lads they develop as centres or wingers over there automatically get put into second row or loose forward over here and spend their junior days focusing on running it in hard and tackling forwards. Then when the pro clubs get hold of them, they only have a short time to get them first team ready before they are no longer academy-eligible so they can't really mess around too much with trying to convert them into centres or wingers.[/quote]

I couldnt agree more, years ago when I played we played full rules, pitch and had 13 a side from under 8's, now I think its under 14's when they get a full 13 on the pitch so cant specialise in a position