Starting 9 for 2021

[jbb/james]

I think he would be a perfect dummy half, but I don't think any coach in the nrl would be willing to shift dce to 9. A lot of risk and the club wouldn't want to be mocked for having a 1.3 million hooker even if it could work well.

I think the 9 just has to do a job. Unlike this season we appear to have plenty of playmakers locked in for 2021. Foran, DCE, schuster. The 9 just has to provide good service and a little bit of brain. With what we have at the moment I vote Foran at 6 w/ Cust at 9 (Schuster lock) or Foran at 9 w/ Cust at 14. I'd look to england for some dummy halves in the meantime. Parcell or that Clark dude looks ok

Sure its a risk . That risk is somewhat negated if cut price halves schuster and foran deliver. DCE is more suited to hooker than either of those guys

It could be trialled. Ben hun t is a similar prospect in both price and deliverables at 7

If schuster and foz do work out and i concede the risk involved, the added bonus is that chez might not take up his option and become a bonko or similar giving manly some much needed wriggle room in the cap as they develop the transitional players required

 

[Deleted member 26876]

We won't be throwing the kitchen sink at a hooker Harry to play 3/4 of a season then play behind Faniu - unless they decided to still sub off Faniu during the game? I wonder if Dez sees Faniu as an 80 min hooker long term. If he does, we just need a depth signing for 2021. Peats on a cheap deal would see be a better hooker than Crocker as depth imo

I just don't see Fainu back for a while. But even if he gets back in the run for the finals we have the return of the Api and Fainu double-punch system of 2019 with Verrills and Fainu. Then in 2022 Schuster can move to 6, DCE 7, Foran to 14, Fainu to 9, Verrills to 13. Now that is a stacked spine and also a versatile forward pack. think Verrills would make our starting thirteen no matter what position.

That's just an option but I checked over on the chooks forum and a few of them are very worried that we will swoop in and take Verrills

 

[Waz13]

Sure its a risk . That risk is somewhat negated if cut price halves schuster and foran deliver. DCE is more suited to hooker than either of those guys

It could be trialled. Ben hun t is a similar prospect in both price and deliverables at 7

If schuster and foz do work out and i concede the risk involved, the added bonus is that chez might not take up his option and become a bonko or similar giving manly some much needed wriggle room in the cap as they develop the transitional players required

DCE to 9 will never happen. He’d probably do well I agree, but they won’t weaken the 7 to accommodate 9 short term.

The other consideration is what if Fainu doesn’t get off his charge or play at all next year? The more I’ve thought about this the more I think we need to look at signing a specialist 9 to start the season. Cust, Foran Schu can fill in the 6 and 14. And odd man out drops off. Or Schu to 13 as some have suggested.

The other reality is that no team fields the same 17 each week. Players will get opportunities in different positions throughout the year. 2021 will be interesting for sure.

 

[bSw]

Hopefully Fainu or someone not on that list.

I really hope Cust or Foran can be converted but it’s no sure thing.

This is the most important position for us. Des has a history of under-appreciating 9s at the dogs. It’s my only real worry about our roster.

Cust to start at 9. Young and full of energy, the defensive work will make him steely, and can kick and be creative...
Foran at 14. He's here to instill good training practice, tough and mature mentality. Come game time, he can come on at 9 as things loosen up or if cust is struggling. Otherwise great cover for 6 and 7, even 13(or Schuster could shift a little in or out depending on the injury). Definitely not a good idea to make plans around Foz as a starting 9 - that is a recipe for disaster

 

[pjayz]

If the plan genuinely is to play Foran at hooker, surely he will come off the bench to allow the youngster to absorb the generally more physical first 20 minutes of the game.

 

[Woodsie]

For the life of me with all the players departing ( it has to be 1.5 -1.7 million off) does anyone think Foran, Davey & Garner are it for 21???

Des hasn't upgraded T-Rex's contract yet .... and you do know he just loves the big mungo ...

 

[Clint]

What happened to that PNG hooker. We were pretty excited about his potential 12 months ago.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Des hasn't upgraded T-Rex's contract yet .... and you do know he just loves the big mungo ...

TREX gooorne!

 

[Woodsie]

TREX gooorne!

Mate ... I thought we put a stake through his heart 9 years ago .... but Dr. Des Frankenfurter brought him back to life ... I am waiting for the announcement of a 3 year $mil deal ....

 

[Tomay]

Cust to start at 9. Young and full of energy, the defensive work will make him steely, and can kick and be creative...
Foran at 14. He's here to instill good training practice, tough and mature mentality. Come game time, he can come on at 9 as things loosen up or if cust is struggling. Otherwise great cover for 6 and 7, even 13(or Schuster could shift a little in or out depending on the injury). Definitely not a good idea to make plans around Foz as a starting 9 - that is a recipe for disaster

In an ideal world it all works out. However there’s more to hooker than having energy.

Does he have the vision to distribute the ball where it is needed?
Can he listen to, understand and follow the coaches attacking game plan?
Is his passing crisp and accurate on both sides of the body?
Does he have the ability to draw in ruck defenders with a step or two before distributing the ball (hardest skill to master, but very important)?
Is he good at going for a scoot when the markers are not square or there?

Can he maintain good line speed for the duration of his stint?
Additionally can he make strong first contact and stop forward momentum?
Is he good at covering inside men from marker?
Can he pressure kickers consistently?

There’s a lot of questions for him to answer before I’m convinced.

 

[Highflier]

If all are fit, i have said this before. Id have schuster and foz in the halves. DCE to hooker. His kicking out of dummy half if he chooses to , could be a big win for the team . He wont go to the line to kick currently choosing to kick from way behind the ruck, which is a major hurdle to our field position. From dummy half he Is much better placed to take advantage of his mighty kick

His general kicking game sucks 90% of the time and the pressure would be off him by giving the shoe and foz the responsabilities of running the team

Chez is quick off the mark and would be pretty good off a quick play the ball at 9 , and would be much better placed to use his trick shots

Chez has skills but needs too many other people to shine to showcase them. He likes to play what he sees in front of him, but is poor at planning and execution of a game plan. His frantic approach to footy is ideal at 9

Hooker is the only position that allows him to play the natural game that he seems determined to play rather than adjust to what the team needs

Its best for the team and in his option year will allow himself to self evaluate his own worth. If he hasnt started to develop into a thinking half by now, he never will.

If schuster is as good as he seems and foz stays on the field he won't be missed in the halves. I presume he could set a nrl record of 40/20 from dummy half if switched on. The added attention on him would make the teams attack more potent and at hooker he is perfectly positioned to showcase his greatest attribute of being a back up merchant

Fitness shouldnt be a concern

he wouldn't be the 1st 1/2 to go to hooker.His defense is top shelf ,his passing is 1st class,he is fast as any hooker off the mark (Cook maybe the exception) and your right his non going to the line to kick would be negated at 9 and as left field as it sounded at first maybe its way to go at least until Fainu is back on deck.The only question then is the howling from everyone that now we are paying 1.2m for a 9 .Of course the other oblivious issue is can Foz stay on the field to make it all work

 

[maxta]

In an ideal world it all works out. However there’s more to hooker than having energy.

Does he have the vision to distribute the ball where it is needed?
Can he listen to, understand and follow the coaches attacking game plan?
Is his passing crisp and accurate on both sides of the body?
Does he have the ability to draw in ruck defenders with a step or two before distributing the ball (hardest skill to master, but very important)?
Is he good at going for a scoot when the markers are not square or there?

Can he maintain good line speed for the duration of his stint?
Additionally can he make strong first contact and stop forward momentum?
Is he good at covering inside men from marker?
Can he pressure kickers consistently?

There’s a lot of questions for him to answer before I’m convinced.

Tomay - not to be rude, but Foran apart from being busted...is probably up with Cam Smith for vision and though lacks his old speed, has enough between the ears to generate the momentum we have lacked in 2019 and a real key area, will rev up these lazy, slow play the balls to win the contest and get us on the front foot....I certainly share your concern in relation to the workload and will not be an 80 minute player again, but this is 1 tough footballer, who will give his best while he can stay on the field.
in saying all this, Manaise will be back and will be the best 9 in the game....happy to be quoted on this down the track.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

Mate ... I thought we put a stake through his heart 9 years ago .... but Dr. Des Frankenfurter brought him back to life ... I am waiting for the announcement of a 3 year $mil deal ....

nahhh.... not this time!

 

[bSw]

In an ideal world it all works out. However there’s more to hooker than having energy.

Does he have the vision to distribute the ball where it is needed?
Can he listen to, understand and follow the coaches attacking game plan?
Is his passing crisp and accurate on both sides of the body?
Does he have the ability to draw in ruck defenders with a step or two before distributing the ball (hardest skill to master, but very important)?
Is he good at going for a scoot when the markers are not square or there?

Can he maintain good line speed for the duration of his stint?
Additionally can he make strong first contact and stop forward momentum?
Is he good at covering inside men from marker?
Can he pressure kickers consistently?

There’s a lot of questions for him to answer before I’m convinced.

Absolutely agree. It is the most crucial position these days (along with fb)...
In answer to all of the above, I've watched Cust closely and believe he has the POTENTIAL to tick all these boxes - but will need high quality specialist coaching, a little time, and most importantly, the right attitude

 

[bSw]

Tomay - not to be rude, but Foran apart from being busted...is probably up with Cam Smith for vision and though lacks his old speed, has enough between the ears to generate the momentum we have lacked in 2019 and a real key area, will rev up these lazy, slow play the balls to win the contest and get us on the front foot....I certainly share your concern in relation to the workload and will not be an 80 minute player again, but this is 1 tough footballer, who will give his best while he can stay on the field.
in saying all this, Manaise will be back and will be the best 9 in the game....happy to be quoted on this down the track.

I think he's more referring to cust? @Tomay

 

[maxta]

I think he's more referring to cust? @Tomay

Aaaah my bad - in that case pretty accurate summary and till Fainu is back....Foran and Cust imo, will share the duties at 9

 

[ManlyArmy]

Don’t howl me down but as a fill in until the possible return of Fainu how about Nathan Peats ??

Yeah I know his best is way past him BUT is he better than Lachlan Croker ??

One year contract , transitional year , won’t win us a GF but at minimum $$$$??????

AND don’t just say no no no no come up with a viable alternative!!

Mitch Rein looked quite good when he came in for Peats later in the season at the Titans.

I'd be looking at him on a one year deal as he looks lively.

 

[40 years an eagle]

in saying all this, Manaise will be back and will be the best 9 in the game....

He won't be if he is found guilty in court.

 

[pjayz]

in saying all this, Manaise will be back and will be the best 9 in the game....happy to be quoted on this down the track.

If he is back, I 100% agree. He is a very special talent. He just needs to realise what a blessing he has and not to throw it away with off-field stuff.

 

[maxta]

He won't be if he is found guilty in court.

Well that's your assumption - mine is he will play - in 2021....guess 1 of us will be right.