Are centres now overrated and overvalued

[MuzztheEagle]

With all the discussion around Walker potentially leaving at season's end and Kelly leaving at the end of last and then all the potential replacements (Hopas W & A, Gutho, Aitken, Tom!...) I've been wondering. Do we really need a superstar centre in the modern game?
Over the past decade or so Manly has been blessed with some of the best centres of all time so there is obviously a bias for us to want to continue the trend. The best centres have the ability to tear a game apart and you see this plenty of times from players like Walk, Roberts, Mitchel etc. but over the past couple of seasons has their overall impact been that great. One of the reasons could be the position is evolving and is no longer as important as it used to be. Wingers are being used for runs infield, halves roam wider than before and fullbacks are the true weapons for hitting gaps in defense. I've mentioned this a couple of time previously and also saw the NRL actually did an article on this last year:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/20/in-from-the-cold-how-wingers-are-now-more-valuable-than-centres/
To me centres are turning into just another body in an attacking line and personally I'd rather a world class winger and solid defensive centre. Thoughts?

 

[Harmless27]

Totally agree. The majority of centres are just glorified wingers who are able to tackle a little better and pop a pass.

The key is - the BEST centres are actually like having an extra #6 in the side - so they take on workload (kicking or playmaking).

There are then other skills (which any player can have) which, when added to the package, make an outstanding player (such as leadership, composure etc). This is what made Jamie Lyon so good. He was a good centre - but he was also a leader, had #6 skills, and added bonus of experience early in his career. Plus he was a Manly player.

SO in short - I agree that centres are over rated. But I also believe that great players (who are leaders, and additional skills beyond their core role) are truly great players.

 

[The Who]

Too esoteric for me.
That's a question for Technical Coach.

 

[MadMarcus]

Centre is one of the hardest positions in defence. I agree they are probably used less in attack than they used to be, but a good one is still certainly a weapon. I still think it’s worth investing in at least 1 top shelf centre.

 

[Peter C]

With all the discussion around Walker potentially leaving at season's end and Kelly leaving at the end of last and then all the potential replacements (Hopas W & A, Gutho, Aitken, Tom!...) I've been wondering. Do we really need a superstar centre in the modern game?
Over the past decade or so Manly has been blessed with some of the best centres of all time so there is obviously a bias for us to want to continue the trend. The best centres have the ability to tear a game apart and you see this plenty of times from players like Walk, Roberts, Mitchel etc. but over the past couple of seasons has their overall impact been that great. One of the reasons could be the position is evolving and is no longer as important as it used to be. Wingers are being used for runs infield, halves roam wider than before and fullbacks are the true weapons for hitting gaps in defense. I've mentioned this a couple of time previously and also saw the NRL actually did an article on this last year:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/20/in-from-the-cold-how-wingers-are-now-more-valuable-than-centres/
To me centres are turning into just another body in an attacking line and personally I'd rather a world class winger and solid defensive centre. Thoughts?

Give me Latrell Mitchell any day

 

[MuzztheEagle]

Give me Latrell Mitchell any day

But at what price? He is an absolute superstar but if you weaken the players around him (and you would have to if he came to Manly) his effectiveness as a centre would drop off considerably. Look at Walker, huge amount of talent but over the past 2+ years can't capitalise without good ball at centre and isn't a half.

 

[maxta]

By next season we will probably be happy with a young bloke named Hopoate.
I also like a solid centre like Croker who does not cost the earth, gives his winger EVERY opportunity, kicks goals and defends well....and will add available for 2020....I think...

 

[Fluffy]

With all the discussion around Walker potentially leaving at season's end and Kelly leaving at the end of last and then all the potential replacements (Hopas W & A, Gutho, Aitken, Tom!...) I've been wondering. Do we really need a superstar centre in the modern game?
Over the past decade or so Manly has been blessed with some of the best centres of all time so there is obviously a bias for us to want to continue the trend. The best centres have the ability to tear a game apart and you see this plenty of times from players like Walk, Roberts, Mitchel etc. but over the past couple of seasons has their overall impact been that great. One of the reasons could be the position is evolving and is no longer as important as it used to be. Wingers are being used for runs infield, halves roam wider than before and fullbacks are the true weapons for hitting gaps in defense. I've mentioned this a couple of time previously and also saw the NRL actually did an article on this last year:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/20/in-from-the-cold-how-wingers-are-now-more-valuable-than-centres/
To me centres are turning into just another body in an attacking line and personally I'd rather a world class winger and solid defensive centre. Thoughts?

Personally think either centre or second rower needs to be very good and own that side of the field, especially in defence.

 

[Fluffy]

By next season we will probably be happy with a young bloke named Hopoate.
I also like a solid centre like Croker who does not cost the earth, gives his winger EVERY opportunity, kicks goals and defends well....and will add available for 2020....I think...

Absolute travesty if he ever leaves the faiders, one of those good 1 club players that should be celebrated by the NRL.

Just noticed he is now 10th all time highest points scorer at the ripe old age of 28

 

[Tomay]

This is why I don’t mind having brad Parker on the field. Just needs to tackle and draw and pass.

The ones that can get outside their man or power over the top of them are worth a bit more, it’s good to have one of those.

 

[Eagle thru 'n' thru]

Will Chambers.....overrated!
Greggy Inglis......overrated!
Justin O'Neill........overrated!
Dane Gagai.......overrated!
Mal Meninga.....overrated!
Gene Miles.......overrated

Danny Moore.......awesome!
Steve Bell..........legend!
Brian Kelly........possible immortal!
Dale Shearer......not very crap at all!
Chris Close....um.....good.

 

[Peter C]

But at what price? He is an absolute superstar but if you weaken the players around him (and you would have to if he came to Manly) his effectiveness as a centre would drop off considerably. Look at Walker, huge amount of talent but over the past 2+ years can't capitalise without good ball at centre and isn't a half.

True, but I would say that Walker is being paid more than Mitchell

 

[The better Robbo]

Totally agree. The majority of centres are just glorified wingers who are able to tackle a little better and pop a pass.

The key is - the BEST centres are actually like having an extra #6 in the side - so they take on workload (kicking or playmaking).

There are then other skills (which any player can have) which, when added to the package, make an outstanding player (such as leadership, composure etc). This is what made Jamie Lyon so good. He was a good centre - but he was also a leader, had #6 skills, and added bonus of experience early in his career. Plus he was a Manly player.

SO in short - I agree that centres are over rated. But I also believe that great players (who are leaders, and additional skills beyond their core role) are truly great players.

Agreed. Which is why will hoppa or a gutho at the right price would add so much value as a centre. The ability to set up your winger is so important ie killer, he was the best.
I feel there is not too many genuine centres with proper centre skills in the game anymore. Might be why it feels they are somewhat overrated.
I think of the likes of killer and Matt Gidley. If you get a genuine centre then they are certainly NOT overrated

 

[mave]

Defence wins comps.
Give me a great defensive centre, who can read the play coming towards him every day.

 

[Bearfax]

True, but I would say that Walker is being paid more than Mitchell

At least from the salary cap that is.

 

[manly al]

Plenty of good quality centres in the N R l right now and i am sure that every club would like to have two of the highest calibre if their salary cap or priorities permit . Role has significantly evolved in the last decade or so but don" t think that the position is overrated these days in any general sense .

 

[nightster]

Defence wins comps.
Give me a great defensive centre, who can read the play coming towards him every day.

that'd be one Steve Matai

 

[maxta]

Centres are a massive cog in any team still today, just there use is not as often and the quality of opportunity in attack is somewhat diminished...
Then again look at the importance of wingers compared to old school, where they were just skinny fast things that scored meat pies...hookers now far more explosive where the Krillich, Edge types were more designed to provide good service...props now athletic blokes ect.
I think from a technical point, there is less clean ball to the centres today.
A few examples include, every team uses decoy plays to set up an overlap with the beneficiary more often than not - the winger....and this also on many occasions will be a fullback throwing the final pass which is generally a faceball cutting out the centre and to the winger, the centres job is to run a direct unders line and draw in the defending winger....
Also the current game has many mobile back rowers who couls fill into the centres and often play like a centre running off the halves, usually aimed at opposition halves to scatter them and have a fullback in support after bending the line to offload into space, playing direct footy, which is needed.
Personally miss the centres getting early ball to create like Gidley, Lyons but the game has changed, still love the odd backline sweep when a centre hits that hole at 100mph and breaks the line.
Due to the structured style of tactics where possession is key, it also effects the centres where I feel today could really exploit opposition and trained my junior sides to do it and worked a treat.
On early tackles defensive lines are very compressed and if you can get some early ball to the outside backs can find so much opportunity....risk, well teams always fear turnovers....but I find as many spilt balls, by players hitting it up into that compressed traffic and getting whacked by 4 players...I like an early spread of the ball and have seen it always look dangerous even at NRL level or at very least creat momentum as you can find a 1 on 1 and win a quicker play ball.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Defence wins comps.
Give me a great defensive centre, who can read the play coming towards him every day.

That’s probably the centres biggest role these days, as you don’t see them scoring heaps of try’s.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

No way