Tom T to 5/8

[Bearfax]

He's not a five-eight. His best position (in attack) is at fullback or the equivalent of an old school outside centre i.e a second fullback (think Manu at the Roosters), with a licence to roam (think Manu). He would still defend in the fullback position. With Koula and Weekes interchanging from the centres, and rotating to play fullback in attack, we would very quickly have one of the more exciting back five combinations in the NRL.
Turbo
Saab
Koula
Weekes
Garrick
PS This will never happen

I like that three quarters

 

[Seagles68]

I like that three quarters

It would be good to see them pair in a trial game next year, to see if Weekes could be a centre.

 

[wombatgc]

Id reply like to see TT to 5/8, similar to how Lockyer, Wighton, Muenster made the transitions.
If he's fit n healthy, his Defence won't be an issue, is a big body with strength and a skill set to match any opposition.
DCE will be under immense pressure in 2023 with Schusters inexperience beside him, however with someone like TT in the halves attracting plenty of attention, DCE will have less pressure to be in/setting up everything.
Schuster to lock, Jake to prop full time (handles it in SOO), either Koula or Garrick to remain at FB.
Thoughts ???

Hell no!

 

[wedgetail eagle]

It would be the same look he has when Suli takes the last piece of KFC at the bottom of the bucket.

What if Des threw both, the No6 jersey & the fried chicken, I wonder which way he’d go….? 🤔

 

[dave from dubbo]

I'd just like to see Tommy on the field. Where he plays doesn't bother me.

Fair call

 

[dave from dubbo]

Hell no!

Yes, your probably right. The current setup has been working beautifully so definetly no need to do anything to differently.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yes, your probably right. The current setup has been working beautifully so definetly no need to do anything to differently.

But a good option to discuss Dave so don’t be despondent that most haven’t agreed with it.

The trouble with 5/8 today is there’s so much defence you have to do.

When I played as a kid the 6 & 7 didn’t do that much tackling , they were just there to distribute the ball as quickly as possible.

But these days the 5/8 and 7 are almost like the locks and second rowers of years gone by.

 

[dave from dubbo]

Tom makes half a dozen tackles a game max, often less... yet has managed to miss huge chunks of footy with a season ending pec tear and a season ending shoulder reco. Putting him in the front line and asking him to make many many many more tackles as the spot defender for 110kg backrowers doesn't seem the answer to me to put it mildly.

Oh and he's the best fullback in the game ( when fit )

Tom makes half a dozen tackles a game max, often less... yet has managed to miss huge chunks of footy with a season ending pec tear and a season ending shoulder reco. Putting him in the front line and asking him to make many many many more tackles as the spot defender for 110kg backrowers doesn't seem the answer to me to put it mildly.

Oh and he's the best fullback in the game ( when fit )

They said the same about Lockyer many moons ago. He's not fit enough, too much defence will bust him, Oh and he was the best FB in the game at that time. I think TT could actually turn out to be better then DL.

 

[winnyason]

No to Tom at 5/8 dumb idea

 

[dave from dubbo]

But a good option to discuss Dave so don’t be despondent that most haven’t agreed with it.

The trouble with 5/8 today is there’s so much defence you have to do.

When I played as a kid the 6 & 7 didn’t do that much tackling , they were just there to distribute the ball as quickly as possible.

But these days the 5/8 and 7 are almost like the locks and second rowers of years gone by.

Thanks Mark. Lockyer for example was the best (subjectively) FB in the game in his era, everyone said he wouldn't survive the 5/8 role due to the workload. Didn't work out to bad in the end though.
Muenster/Wighton are similar positional changes as well.

 

[dave from dubbo]

No to Tom at 5/8 dumb idea

Would you care to elaborate ?

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Thanks Mark. Lockyer for example was the best (subjectively) FB in the game in his era, everyone said he wouldn't survive the 5/8 role due to the workload. Didn't work out to bad in the end though.
Muenster/Wighton are similar positional changes as well.

Plenty make that swap. Drinkwater has played 5/8, Moylan was a fullback. Jahrome Hughes started as a fullback. Hynes was half in the Manly junior teams, became a fullback at Storm, now a halfback.

 

[dave from dubbo]

Plenty make that swap. Drinkwater has played 5/8, Moylan was a fullback. Jahrome Hughes started as a fullback. Hynes was half in the Manly junior teams, became a fullback at Storm, now a halfba

Tom is the best runner in rugby league.

At 6 he would be a ball distributor and not get much space.

At 1 he can run in space and chime in at playmaker at the right time.

The moral of the story? Don’t

Tom is the best runner in rugby league.

At 6 he would be a ball distributor and not get much space.

At 1 he can run in space and chime in at playmaker at the right time.

The moral of the story? Don’t put him at 6.

Hmmm. Best runner in the game and a ball distributor, pretty good combo i reckon

 

[Pete W]

Id reply like to see TT to 5/8, similar to how Lockyer, Wighton, Muenster made the transitions.
If he's fit n healthy, his Defence won't be an issue, is a big body with strength and a skill set to match any opposition.
DCE will be under immense pressure in 2023 with Schusters inexperience beside him, however with someone like TT in the halves attracting plenty of attention, DCE will have less pressure to be in/setting up everything.
Schuster to lock, Jake to prop full time (handles it in SOO), either Koula or Garrick to remain at FB.
Thoughts ???

Actually think it's a great idea but will never happen, especially after all the Schuster business. He would make a killer 5/8 but when injuries come knocking it would be just as disruptive as now with him at fullback. I believe we should have a spine that doesn't rely on Turbo, so when the inevitable happens we still have continuity. Whe he is actually on the park, a roaming centre would add exceptional x factor against the top 4 sides. But love the innovative suggestion

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Thanks Mark. Lockyer for example was the best (subjectively) FB in the game in his era, everyone said he wouldn't survive the 5/8 role due to the workload. Didn't work out to bad in the end though.
Muenster/Wighton are similar positional changes as well.

You are correct in that summation.

As others have alluded I do however wonder is Tom’s physique suited to 5/8 though.

Locky / Pappy / Munster all Vern similar in shape / size.

 

[manlyfan76]

Tom has the best footy brain in our side. Reads defence so well.
With DCE, croaker, Schuster plus Weekes we have lots of long kick options.
I vote yes.
Garrick fullback
Schuster 2nd row.

 

[wombatgc]

Yes, your probably right. The current setup has been working beautifully so definetly no need to do anything to differently.

Oh, I love sarcasm. Can he play 5/8?

 

[Jerry1]

If that happens, the Shoe will walk.

Kinda like a regular game then...

 

[Jerry1]

Would you care to elaborate ?

Don't think it needs elaborating.

 

[R3]

He's not a five-eight. His best position (in attack) is at fullback or the equivalent of an old school outside centre i.e a second fullback (think Manu at the Roosters), with a licence to roam (think Manu). He would still defend in the fullback position. With Koula and Weekes interchanging from the centres, and rotating to play fullback in attack, we would very quickly have one of the more exciting back five combinations in the NRL.
Turbo
Saab
Koula
Weekes
Garrick
PS This will never happen

I LOVE this vision!