Deja vu

[Matabele]

This time last year I was a passionate advocate for Kennedy as captain. Instead we were lumped with Monaghan and the rest is history.

Now every tom, dick and harry jumps on the bandwagon. How amused I've been to read every pre-season review from the "experts" saying how BK is so obviously the best leader in the club and the only man for the job of skipper. Too bad the club didn't listen to reason 12 months ago. :naughty: :naughty:

This season I've been equally insistent that Ballin should start the season in First Grade as hooker. He won't and this may already have caused irreperable damage to our cause:

1. After a roaring pre-season it's better to give a young talent their head in the first week of competition than have them cooling their heels behind a 30 year old hack (Dunley) and a cry-baby (Monaghan).

2. The excuse that he needs development time in PL is a nonsense. That's what last year is for. The man is obviously ready and has ten times the talent and potential than Dunley.

I really, really hope we don't end up losing this young fellow. He has green and gold written large all over him. The closest Dunley will ever get to green and gold is the colour of the mucous he directs at opposing players.

(The same goes for Moanas).

 

[Pepi]

Sadly i agree, why the hell would Ballin hang around and play PL when other teams would love to have him on?
I was speaking to Cuthbo at a 21st birthday a few months back, and he was telling me how players like himself and Ballin were sick of 2nd rate players being picked ahead of them.
Cuthbo was within a whisker of being signed by the Tigers, isnt Ballin off contract at the end of this year?

 

[Dan]

Pepi thats bad to hear. I rate Cuthbo well and truly above cane cleal, deadwood and the others

 

[Garts]

!pray: Dunley only starts a handfull of games before Ballin is picked in the No 9.

 

[Ryan]

I agree Mata. We have:-

Monaghan - (5/8 / Hooker)
Dunley - (Hooker)
Burns - (5/8 / Hooker)
Williamson - (5/8 / Hooker)

How many in one team do we need????

Why not give the person that stood out in the trials a go? Are trials worth anything these days?

I don't see the value in this scenario:-

Dunley starts game and loses impact value and tires. A 5/8 then switches to Hooker, so a 2nd rower can go into 5/8. As that 5/8 is a Hooker / 50 minute player, he is replaced at 5/8 with a specialist 1/2 back. (What the !!!)

As upposed to:-

A specialist Hooker (Ballin) running on to start, tires, and Dunley replaces him to add impact off the bench who is also a specialist Hooker. We have a 5/8 who will STAY at 5/8, and build up consistency and combination with those around him. Williamson can then play reserve 2nd row, as it appears Dessy is adverse to having a 2nd rower on the bench, even though ours (2nd row / lock) are currently 31 and 32.

We have to remember the logic of these positional plays are being created by an ex footballer here Mata. I can just see how that 1st scenario works....NOT.

Dessy went with his trusted, faithful group in 04 / 05 in Harris, Randall, Donald, Mullane etc etc, and only changed after it was too late....yet Witt, who was performing well, had one poor game, got pulled, only to be injected again in the 1st trial !!!

I'll tell you all this. Either Matt Ballin or Adam Cuthbertson will be playing with a big name club in a matter of 12-24 months. They just aren't being given the confidence motivation by Des Hasler.

I said this in another thread...but I am miffed that people say Willow adds more impact / ability than Cuthbertson.

I am still amused that Hasler thinks either King (Who Hasler names as a leader in the group !!!) or Bryant add more than Rose, but the proof will be in the pudding:-

 

[mcatt]

This time last year I was a passionate advocate for Kennedy as captain. Instead we were lumped with Monaghan and the rest is history.

Now every tom, dick and harry jumps on the bandwagon. How amused I've been to read every pre-season review from the \"experts\" saying how BK is so obviously the best leader in the club and the only man for the job of skipper. Too bad the club didn't listen to reason 12 months ago. :naughty: :naughty:

This season I've been equally insistent that Ballin should start the season in First Grade as hooker. He won't and this may already have caused irreperable damage to our cause:

1. After a roaring pre-season it's better to give a young talent their head in the first week of competition than have them cooling their heels behind a 30 year old hack (Dunley) and a cry-baby (Monaghan).

2. The excuse that he needs development time in PL is a nonsense. That's what last year is for. The man is obviously ready and has ten times the talent and potential than Dunley.

I really, really hope we don't end up losing this young fellow. He has green and gold written large all over him. The closest Dunley will ever get to green and gold is the colour of the mucous he directs at opposing players.

(The same goes for Moanas).

I think 95% of fans on here have been as equally insistent that Ballin should start the season in First Grade as hooker

 

[Guest]

Time will tell if des has picked the right team but we just don't seem to have any impact players on the bench. He seems to have gone for safety first. maybe just giving some of the poor performing players from last year a couple of final chances in firsts before they face the axe.

I am amazed that Cuthbo is on the bench for PL and that ballin is not in firsts.

Des has got to make changes if the team doesn't perfom this year.

 

[Canteen Worker]

Note that Stuart has picked Soward ahead of Finch and Bennett has picked young players to start at Brisbane ahead of established stars.

Ballin and Cuthbo must be the same - they have the goods. Put them in for goodness sakes!!!

 

[Blunty]

Impact off the bench is what we need, Dunley, Leuluai, Rose and Cuthbo should be the bench.

 

[robbiea]

I think Ballin will cement a top spot this year.Des does seem to stick to tried & tested performers & unperformers.But i think for Ballin to get the nod ahead ,Dunley is going to have to have a shocker or the team lose a couple of games.If we are winning & Dunley is only playing average ,i dont think Des will change the team much.Dunley does get the job done ,but also lacks sudden impact & the other teams can read him like a book.I Dont expect to see him playing much by seasons end ,if we dont have injury issues.

 

[Fluffy]

Ive been on cothbos bandwagon since early last year. Thought he should have played 3 - 4 games last year so he had some experience under his belt which would help him train better.

Des did at least leave witt where he belongs.

and ryan - willo is a backrower who will play backrow in that line up

 

[Crushercleal]

Back to your bitter and ruthless best Mata. Whilst I haven't seen Cuthbo or Ballin play, and so can't comment on their skill etc, I DO believe that not picking talented youngsters from our junior ranks who are bursting for an opportunity, and instead picking older guys who don't offer any more value but are sitting on fat contracts, has the risk of seriously affecting and disabilitating our junior ranks and program for years to come, especially if Ballin and Cuthbo leave. I mean, what Junior will want to come here knowing that their opportunities are limited? Whereas, at the Dragons, Juniors know they will get the chance, and that breeds for better Junior programs. In saying this, Monas, Dunley and Willo could come out on the weekend and have a cracker of a game, but it still gives me grounds for concern.

 

[Matabele]

It feels good to be bitter and ruthless again but do wish that Hasler wouldn't keep fuelling the fire.

 

[Matabele]

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[Garts]

well hopefully this loss will result in some more deserving players given a shot. If that occurs the loss was worth it imo.

 

[Guest]

Is King the only prop in the NRL who takes the ball up 5 metres and then is pushed back 4 metres by the oppositon tacklers?

Rose has got to be on the bench next week with Bryant starting instead of King. Ballin to hooker and cuthbo on the bench instead of Williamson.

 

[Matabele]

I didn't think King went too badly to be honest.

 

[the_parts]

Is King the only prop in the NRL who takes the ball up 5 metres and then is pushed back 4 metres by the oppositon tacklers?

Rose has got to be on the bench next week with Bryant starting instead of King. Ballin to hooker and cuthbo on the bench instead of Williamson.

Totally agree, this needs to be done !

 

[Garts]

I didn't think King went too badly to be honest.

I just watched the game and was expecting a shocking performance from what I had read on the forums. Didnt think he was as bad as everyone made out, not outstanding but better than last season.

 

[the_parts]

Yeh he wasn't at is worst but nearlly every run/hit-up he went for he was forced back several metres. At least if he can't keep pushing forward he should surrender to the ground like Kite does so metres aren't lost.