A quality hooker

[JakeyB789]

Croker actually running the ball does not mean he had a good game. Seriously the difference between when Lawton came on and played 9 was obvious for everyone to see. Don’t know why we don’t just start him at 9 so we can carry some bigger boys on the bench for when we get dominated in the pack like we do every week.

 

[Nike]

I think waiting 2 years is not the way. Let’s blood our good young players. Plenty of teams have 19 and 20 year olds doing well. Now is the time, and can be out there with experienced players, before they get dropped or fired.

He's a kid playing in the front row, he can wait.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

True, his passing game lets him down somewhat in the big moments of the game.

His pass selection, timing and execution last night was awful!

Probably a direct consequence of him trying to add new parts to his dummy half play, which he needs to do. But it's not coming naturally, it's forced and actually worse than when he simply passed straight from each ruck.

Des will probably give him time to work on this due to shortage of options, but for now we definitely need Lawton coming on much earlier and playing more minutes at dummy half.

 

[maxta]

Crocker caught our whole team off guard last night with his 2 runs from dummy half... had he have had any support up the middle we were a good chance of scoring!

Not sure if Tommy is carrying a niggle or just off guard/off game atm

Almost like the boy who cried Wolf....Tom was probably taken by suprise as much as us Silvertails....if it was a Cook or Grant I'm sure he would have been in his pocket

 

[Stewbojevic]

Croker actually running the ball does not mean he had a good game. Seriously the difference between when Lawton came on and played 9 was obvious for everyone to see. Don’t know why we don’t just start him at 9 so we can carry some bigger boys on the bench for when we get dominated in the pack like we do every week.

I like Lawton’s energy but he also doesn’t have the ability to read the ruck like a genuine 9. He runs hard and gives quick ball, but there’s no marker engagement or picking the right play.

We don’t have a genuine 9 in our top 30, simple. We should be orchestrating a swap deal for Taupau or someone and getting a 9 in

 

[HoldenV8]

Froggy's running game is obviously a work in progress. Last night he made a couple of good runs, but there were also some runs when he should have passed and it stuffed any attack big time. A few times in the first half especially, he crowded DCE which only helped the Chooks.

I get that he's an out of position half ... but after two years of pretty much only playing the one position, when does it become a permanent switch?

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Crocker caught our whole team off guard last night with his 2 runs from dummy half... had he have had any support up the middle we were a good chance of scoring!

Not sure if Tommy is carrying a niggle or just off guard/off game atm

It was such a shock when he made that early run and break. Hopefully he watches the replay and realises it really adds a dimension to our attack. Needs to do it way more often if he is to stay in this position all year

 

[Ryan]

Our recruitment has been deplorable. Look at that article about Crusher (basically money and a job for the boys), but absolutely no holes filled. No progression roster wise. This failure around the ruck, and our failure in the forwards is on them, not the players, who are busting their arses, but just not up to standard.

 

[Shoe1]

It was such a shock when he made that early run and break. Hopefully he watches the replay and realises it really adds a dimension to our attack. Needs to do it way more often if he is to stay in this position all year

That first one he should have just pinned the ears back and gone hard. He paused a couple of times and got passive looking for support. Just go son, you’re in a yawning gap ffs. It seems to be a mental thing with him, a lack of belief. A complete contrast to his junior highlights where he runs like the wind into gaps. Believe in yourself froggy.

I know Lawton wasn’t great at hooker in that final last year, but I think his energy and belief in going forward is preferable to a passive croker.

 

[Rocky]

This was said last year and its beginning again this year. But DCE should be moved to hooker with Schuster and Foran in the halves. It wont happen given DCE i'm sure doesn't want to play there (likely due to defensive workload and the fact he would think it was a demotion given he's an international 7). But while we have this Fainu thing hanging over our heads it would be the best solution. Croker and Lawton have showed they are servicable but we need much more than that.

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Tuipulotu
5. Garrick
6. Schuster
7. Foran
13. Jake
12. Davey/Lawton
11. Guaca
10. Keppie
9. DCE
8. Aloiai

14. Walker
15. Paseka
16. Marty
17. Davey/Lawton

 

[Stewbojevic]

This was said last year and its beginning again this year. But DCE should be moved to hooker with Schuster and Foran in the halves. It wont happen given DCE i'm sure doesn't want to play there (likely due to defensive workload and the fact he would think it was a demotion given he's an international 7). But while we have this Fainu thing hanging over our heads it would be the best solution. Croker and Lawton have showed they are servicable but we need much more than that.

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Tuipulotu
5. Garrick
6. Schuster
7. Foran
13. Jake
12. Davey/Lawton
11. Guaca
10. Keppie
9. DCE
8. Aloiai

14. Walker
15. Paseka
16. Marty
17. Davey/Lawton

Unfortunately that won’t happen for the reasons you quoted… seeing Schuster in the halves would be ideal though

 

[Rackets]

Why not just play Segeyaro? He has a similar style to Api and he's a genuine 9. Dessie unfortunately is too loyal and other players only seem to get their chance when we're desperate due to injuries or suspensions and not because of form. Cmon Des surely you can see our attack is flat and zero spark out of dummy half. It needs to start this week with the dogs.

 

[Red Pill]

I think Croker is an asset to the team considering how little salary cap space he would be taking up. Is he premiership winning hooker? no way! Would he play better supported by more dominant forwards? Yes for for sure. Do we need a stronger player in this important position? He’ll yeah Croker is a back up at best.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

That first one he should have just pinned the ears back and gone hard. He paused a couple of times and got passive looking for support. Just go son, you’re in a yawning gap ffs. It seems to be a mental thing with him, a lack of belief. A complete contrast to his junior highlights where he runs like the wind into gaps. Believe in yourself froggy.

I know Lawton wasn’t great at hooker in that final last year, but I think his energy and belief in going forward is preferable to a passive croker.

I’d like to see lawton start to see how he goes

 

[wombatgc]

I think waiting 2 years is not the way. Let’s blood our good young players. Plenty of teams have 19 and 20 year olds doing well. Now is the time, and can be out there with experienced players, before they get dropped or fired.

The Cows proved that tonight. Two nineteen year olds, a 20 year old, and a just turned 21 year old.
But you know how bloody stubborn Des is, when bringing in young blokes.

 

[madmax]

True, his passing game lets him down somewhat in the big moments of the game. As a Manase fill in it's all we got !!

Lawton is actually a hooker…..

 

[Eagle 1]

Lawton is actually a hooker…..

True...we tend to regard Lawton as a utility type player though.

 

[ManEagle]

This was said last year and its beginning again this year. But DCE should be moved to hooker with Schuster and Foran in the halves. It wont happen given DCE i'm sure doesn't want to play there (likely due to defensive workload and the fact he would think it was a demotion given he's an international 7). But while we have this Fainu thing hanging over our heads it would be the best solution. Croker and Lawton have showed they are servicable but we need much more than that.

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Tuipulotu
5. Garrick
6. Schuster
7. Foran
13. Jake
12. Davey/Lawton
11. Guaca
10. Keppie
9. DCE
8. Aloiai

14. Walker
15. Paseka
16. Marty
17. Davey/Lawton

Agree, it won't happen like you said, but it would be best for the team.
Even when he jumps into dummy half on the occasion now, its crisper service and the opposition haven't a clue what is going to happen. I dare say even DCE doesn't.

He still be the captain and kicker but imagine the kicks from 2nd tackle he could take....ok last part was sarcastic. Still the opposition would be in two minds from the get go

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Loyalty can be blinding. You need to reward effort and dedication but you can’t afford to stick your head in the sand whilst suffering from stubbornness. Our 9 is a good footballer with plenty of heart but he is not the solution. Des makes it clear in interviews he sees that very differently. Foran is at the end of his career and whilst he tries hard and defends reasonably well he does create enough opportunities in attack due to not being quick enough and he rarely beats the first tackle. Our current centre combination is just not working. Grow or keep falling further behind and at the moment we are free falling. I was expecting them to thump the Roosters now I am concerned we are going to knocked off at home by pretty boy’s dogs. The thought of it makes me feel ill.

 

[Ryan]

Love your posts and passion mate. Help me understand your thought process here.

Tuilagi next year - great up and coming backrow from the Tigers. Frees up Schu probably to play 6.
Davey - brilliant back row option. Injury’s unfortunate.
Bullemor - great up and coming bench backrow thrown in the deep-end this year.
Saab - fantastic talent capable of changing a game by himself.
Tuipilotu - yet to get a chance.

Lots of great juniors coming through so recruitment I guess is super selective. Anyway, interested to hear your thoughts.

Our recruitment hasn't replaced our most glaring need being a specialist number 9. It's 2022, not 2006 (when Monaghan slotted in nicely). The best teams have Koroisou (who we let walk), Cook, Grant, Smith and others.

We are still yet to find a proper backup for Tom. Okay, we have decent fill in (Garrick has done a decent job).

Our forwards acquired are one dimensional. They lack that explosive speed that is the 2022 game, and are mostly lumbering power forwards that were yesteryears types.

We are playing a perfect centre (and huge upgrade on the players currently there) as a backrow utility , and in my view is the reason we've now lost the player that adds the most spark, in Walks.

We acquired Lawton, often injured, and I think sweet , we have our number 9 replacement. Nope. Plays backrow and gets smashed (literally) out of games.

Schuster has really bulked up. Looks to me like 15-20 kgs , to ply his trade in the backrow. He should have remained slim and played 5/8, and we attain a lean, fast, explosive backrower like Yeo (that type).

It's time to move Jake, and acquire a proper lock. Jake has a props frame and speed (is an amazing player), but Des is turning him into Aiden Tolman without the metres gained.

Bullemor (to me) was a Waddell replacement. Good depth. I think he may have been yanked this weekend by Des.

Not sure why we are persisting with two centres with absolutely no attacking flare, one of which (Harper) getting dominated most weeks physically.

Our halves are too sidewards. That's not how the game is played today. Don't resign DCE. Go with Humphreys , Weekes, Schuster and get Cust back. Cust was much better all round than Croker at 9. I don't get why we released him.

I don't want to go on, but here are some ideas.