Gordon Chan Kum Tong

[maxta]

I agree with Croker’s shortcomings and certainly think his lack of natural instincts for the position are a problem, but when you factor in defence, he is the lesser of two evils, which is probably why he keeps getting picked.

It’s no good having Gordon’s eyes up footy and crisp service in the middle defence if it’s open season for the opposition. We’re having a hard enough time controlling the opposition as is, and Croker is a great defender in the middle. A young, unseasoned rookie is only going to exacerbate things further.

I think it's a great thing adding to an area we have shortcomings in attack, as there is zero momentum or platform to set up good field position and a Big reason we are camped on our line adding to the defensive pressure you mention.
As mentioned I'm not sure Tong is the answer and others on here seen defensive frailties I must have missed - thought he tackled well on the bigger Tigers forward ??,
1 thing I am sure of, is the current setup is not working and the critical 9 position to provide spark and good service is hindering momentum, field position and adding ultra pressure on the defence.

 

[Snake]

I think it's a great thing adding to an area we have shortcomings in attack, as there is zero momentum or platform to set up good field position and a Big reason we are camped on our line adding to the defensive pressure you mention.
As mentioned I'm not sure Tong is the answer and others on here seen defensive frailties I must have missed - thought he tackled well on the bigger Tigers forward ??,
1 thing I am sure of, is the current setup is not working and the critical 9 position to provide spark and good service is hindering momentum, field position and adding ultra pressure on the defence.

No doubt we have problems, I agree 100%. I just don't think a young 9 with no FG experience to speak of, is ready to keep that middle as tight as it needs to be. He might handle it for a couple of games, but the toll on his body would catch up with him pretty quickly and we'd have a different problem to the one we have now; defence instead of attack.

I know Gordon personally and he is a great kid with a fantastic attitude, but he was never earmarked to be special. He's just a promising young footballer who will no doubt keep progressing. I think Lawton is a better alternative if we must look elsewhere right now. Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[Dan]

Really not what I thought when I was told we had a chinese hooker

 

[maxta]

No doubt we have problems, I agree 100%. I just don't think a young 9 with no FG experience to speak of, is ready to keep that middle as tight as it needs to be. He might handle it for a couple of games, but the toll on his body would catch up with him pretty quickly and we'd have a different problem to the one we have now; defence instead of attack.

I know Gordon personally and he is a great kid with a fantastic attitude, but he was never earmarked to be special. He's just a promising young footballer who will no doubt keep progressing. I think Lawton is a better alternative if we must look elsewhere right now. Just my 2 cents worth...

Fair enough Snake - I just feel "something" more is needed out of the 9....and even Lawton is a fair call, but also has not been too slick from dummy half.
Though I would love a bit more spring and zest through the middle and our bigger, slower forwards are having their lack of agility enhanced by such slow distribution.
Croker, the blokes a heart on legs....but after really wanting him to be enough at 9 to just "get it done"...I am having serious doubts as every big, physical game, this is a key area the rot is setting in...and from a different footy perspective, a heap of the defensive issues are being baked in the oven by lack of go forward and terrible field position, which does start here.
Maybe being a little over the Top with expectations of a rookie jumping in and automatically resurrecting a flagging middle....and I don't expect that, but I would prefer to fall short in 2022 having tried to improve positions that we predictably fall short on come finals....you just never know...
Also Snake, let Gordon know I was impressed with his performance in the trials and keep up the hard work on the training paddock and most importantly - keep away from the "Maxta" diet going forward !!

 

[Snake]

Maybe being a little over the Top with expectations of a rookie jumping in and automatically resurrecting a flagging middle....and I don't expect that, but I would prefer to fall short in 2022 having tried to improve positions that we predictably fall short on come finals....you just never know...

I feel this way about a few positions in the team...if you look at last year, we improved when Des gave the likes of Haumole and Schu a run...albeit due to injury but it certainly turned our season around. I can totally understand this line of thinking.

 

[Snake]

I was impressed with his performance in the trials

He did a good job of providing a link and engaging defenders on those sweeping plays...Ray ended up with try because of it. He's always been super professional when it comes to training and is always part of leadership groups because of his attitude.

 

[Kalvin]

Snake whatever happened to Jack Birt?

I'm not 100% but in think he may have done an acl in the first game of the season or trial or something

 

[Simonmyers11]

I think it's a great thing adding to an area we have shortcomings in attack, as there is zero momentum or platform to set up good field position and a Big reason we are camped on our line adding to the defensive pressure you mention.
As mentioned I'm not sure Tong is the answer and others on here seen defensive frailties I must have missed - thought he tackled well on the bigger Tigers forward ??,
1 thing I am sure of, is the current setup is not working and the critical 9 position to provide spark and good service is hindering momentum, field position and adding ultra pressure on the defence.

I agree. Such an important position. We look so pedestrian without a decent 9 to start the attacking sets.

Cannot keep blaming forwards either, last weekend Paeska ran over a few blokes, half break got us in front foot and Crocker looked like a deer in headlights

 

[Simonmyers11]

I'm not 100% but in think he may have done an acl in the first game of the season or trial or something

Bloody hope not, was hoping he could be given a chance at some stage this season.

 

[castle eagle]

Is Gordon’s nickname GeeCeeKayTee?

geez i hope not,imagine having to say that on the field in a hurry?

 

[Snake]

Snake whatever happened to Jack Birt?

Not sure what’s going on there. He was train and trial at one stage. He hasn’t been named or played in Flegg or Cup at all this year.

 

[aidos]

I'm not 100% but in think he may have done an acl in the first game of the season or trial or something

I think you’re thinking of Troy Dargan.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Snake whatever happened to Jack Birt?

Think he is playing Union on the Central Coast.

 

[Kalvin]

I think you’re thinking of Troy Dargan.

Yep that could be the one!

 

[Budgie]

he is a great kid with a fantastic attitude, but he was never earmarked to be special. He's just a promising young footballer who will no doubt keep progressing. I

They said the same about Cooper Cronk.

 

[maxta]

I think you’re thinking of Troy Dargan.

Yep Darian season ending injury, was rated well at South's but was sitting behind 2 pretty good halves

 

[skeagle]

A thread about the great gordy

 

[alafua siaosi]

Congratulations to Gordon for securing a top 30 spot .

 

[BOZO]

Move over Harry Grant

Gordon the new Gun Hooker is the New Sensation

 

[Eagles4Life]

Congratulations to Gordon for securing a top 30 spot .

100% congratulations. His top 30 contract is for season 2024, not for season 2023. I hope he has been signed for three years.