For the first time since Kieran Foran coming to Parramatta was rumoured, this weekend was the first time I've actually believe that a Foran and Norman combination could be work.
Now, I've been as critical of Corey Norman as anyone, and not because I don't think he can play. As I've said on here any number of times, technically he is as good as any player in the NRL. However, I've never had confidence in him to come up with the right play at the right time. For me, Norman needs to play inside a quality seven who takes the pressure off him.
That said, Norman is getting better at playing a more commanding role and last weekend's game was probably as good as any I've seen him play in that regard.
However, more importantly what I saw on the weekend was Kieran Foran showing that he just might thrive in the number seven jersey. He's not exactly a typical seven, but he plays so direct and with so much energy that I'm thinking he is really going to suit a forward-oriented squad, which we appear to be building towards. And he's a genuine money man so Norman doesn't need to be getting the ball on those high-pressure plays as he tends to do with us this year.
The other thing you saw on the weekend which was really interesting, was Brad Arthur playing with a much more traditional halves structure often stacking Sandow and Norman on the same side of the ruck. I think the few times that Norman has played within this structure, he's had a really good games. Norman has generally played the first receiver, where because his execution is so good, you get very crisp balls and scrambling defence which have come out for Sandow. Now Foran can obviously drop into second receiver into this scenario and his last ball options are so good that it's hard to see us not being an incredibly dangerous attacking team from this style of structure.
The other benefit is that Foran and Norman are both very good defensive players. Right now, I think you're seeing Sandow getting a lot of protection from the Terepo and Ma'u but that extra defensive responsibility is probably not what you want to be thrusting upon two of your main attacking weapons. With two halves who can genuinely hold their own defensively, your entire defensive line improves and their aren't a lot of NRL teams who don't have to protect their halves to some degree.
Where the combination probably most obviously falls down is in regards to kicking. Foran and Norman are not poor kickers, but neither is a dominant kicker either. And with Nathan Peats not being a noted kicker out of dummy half that's not ideal. Having a fullback who can kick would help, and I'm sure with Foran and Norman both being such exceptional athletes that can both improve this aspect of their game.
There are other benefits to this combination. I think with Foran steering the ship Arthur will get a player who will be able to carry out his plan and that's probably what he's been crying out for, since his arrival at the Eels. Also, while Ryan Matterson is a still project for the Eels but I feel he's well-suited in the kind of equal half combination that Foran and Norman would represent and makes a very suitable back-up. The Eels can concentrate their investment in an able back-up seven and there's a few floating around that are Top 25 quality but won't blow the bank either.
Finally, I think Bevan French complements this halves combination beautifully. He's very much a Brett Stewart-style fullback, who has the speed to go through gaps but also the creative ability to set up his outside men at the end of a structured play. French, Norman and Foran in many ways would all share the creative load and that gives Arthur and his coaching team plenty of options when it comes to architecting our attacking structures. I really feel the club just needs to bite the bullet next year and throw French in at the deep end. I think he'll swim.
All of this means, we don't need to throw big dollars at a half or fullback, who we all know probably demand the biggest dollars. It means we should have the money to throw at a rep-quality outside back and front row forward and, for me, that would leave us with a pretty bloody brilliant roster.
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As much as I have enjoyed watching Norman this year, I believe he is very inconsistent. Not quite as much as Sandow but quiet in games and not a great kicker. I would be signing a solid but relatively cheap half as we are desperately short on halves anyway and a half who can kick.
As for Fench, I agree on giving him a shot, particularly if at the end of the year if we are not finals bound.
French at fullback, Robbo to take Morgan's wing spot.
Great, well glad thats sorted then, call off the three decade search, we have 'a bloody brilliant roster' with a number 7 that has never played number seven who has struggled in the two positions he has played, that will do me Phil.
I'm with you Snake on this, also Phil, you appear to have forgotten that we have no goal kicker. Hard to win a game when this vital aspect is absent. I was a bit amused on the 'forward-oriented squad' you mention. One big mistake I am critical of with BA is that he has picked a small pack in the past which imo has cost us games and certainly does not help Sandow.
the system works when the crab isnt on the park
Not convinced about Norman's commitment / consistency
You pointed out the lack of attacking kicking expertise
Apart from that it sounds good
A couple of facts; (well at least thats how I see them)
1. Sandow is off contract
2. Norman has a year to go.
3. Foran has been signed.
4. Norman doesnt want to play FB
5. Eels fans are over paying for players to go early to other teams and play.
6. Sandows consistency is an issue
7. Norman is a 5/8th
8. Foran is a 5/8th
9. Sandow has the best kicking game out of the 3.
10. To date, Norman and Foran follow game plans and Sandow struggles to do it.
Chris is at the crossroads, he's had his good game and now he has to prove to BA that he now understands that consistency is the key to being a FG half. If he can keep playing like last week for the next 4 weeks, he'll really give BA a headache. Whether BA keeps him at half over Norman.
If he drops back in his consistency (as he tends to do) then I think BA will only have one choice and thats a Foran/Norman halves combo next year.
Sorry Phil, but that horn of yours is out of control. Brilliant roster? I cant agree, but a very good one and we'll have to wait to see whether the Foran/Norman halves combo works, but we still may need to go shopping for a true half, we'll have to wait and see.
Im also still waiting to see if Taka is a true centre that can be consistent. He's shown some glimpses of brilliance and some very slow and badly positioned defense. But to be fair he's been carrying a leg injury most games.
I dont want us panicking and buying just anyone.
Arthur probably knew about Foran's feelings towards the Manly saga and like Watmough, felt a close alliance tho BA.
If we had tried to target DCE first it could have backfired and we'd be left with only Kelly for 2016.
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