If Jarryd Hayne does make a permanent move to five-eighth, I think Ben Roberts may make a quality alternative to Luke Burt at fullback.
Roberts has a decent running game, but importantly can chime into the backline as that second playmaker. In the games, I've watched Roberts play this year at NRL level he still strikes me as taking too many bad options to play in the halves. There was one play I think last week where the ball was spread wide and he had a decent overlap if he got the ball outside and he instead put in a nothing chip that went straight to the winger. They flipped the camera to Moore, who was rightly ropable.
That's how I see Ben Roberts - all of the skills but he doesn't have the footballing awareness in my view to play week-in, week-out in the halves. However, his skills I well suited to playing that creative fullback role.
I wouldn't put him in front of Luke Burt but I think if this is the way it goes, he'll make a quality understudy across both five-eighth and fullback (and subsequently he'll play plenty of games for us).
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How is Humble playing for Wentworthville at the moment? We heard that Reni played strongly for the Magpies and Morts has had a few good games but no commentary about Humble? You'd have to think that if he's killing it down there he'd get a chance.
I know it's been discussed before, but given his versatility in being able to play centre, lock and five-eighth, is that a possibility for 2012 to consider?
Like your thinking Ricky.
I can imagine Roberts outside Hayne.
Reni gets roving commision as running backrower and all hell could break loose for the opposition.
Sandow - completely unpredictable - ie. no one knows what he may do in attack. plus great kicking game
Hayne - playmaker extrodinaire with great kicking game.
Roberts - fast agile and can kick when he thinks about it. Line breaker.
Reni - again he is fast and can break the line
All the above with a good offload or passing game.
Burt lurks around the broken play and BINGO - WE HAVE A WINNER !!!!!!!!!!!
Shite - I think I am starting to get very excited about the possibilities next year.
Wreckingball Fui
McGuire / Keating (if he keeps up the good work of late) @ DH
Mannah - Lasalo - Smith - Horo - Shacks - Allgood - O'Hanlon - Hindy - Poore - Webb(?) - Loko - Morgan - Atkins - Walker(?) - Morts - Humble(?) - Esi Tonga - Willie Tonga(?) - Mystery man.
Not looking too shabby at all.
I think his long-term position is hooker anyways, so he can perhaps provide that Kingston type spark off the bench that we had in 09.
That is taking nothing away from Matt Keating though.
most definatly not taking anything away from keating but morts will have the ability next season to turn a match on its head for us he has great support play he isnt a liability in defence and could really spark something for us.
i still think we look a far better side with 1 hayne 6 roberts 7 sandow 9 keating 13 maitua 14 morts
rather than 1 burt 6 hayne 7 sandow 9 keating 13 maitua 14 roberts
I look forward to seeing how he approaches it all, and the decision that he makes.
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