Am keen to float some possible five-eigth/halfback combinations, as this is clearly every Eels fan's biggest concern. Firstly, is a standout no. 7 the essence in winning a premiership? Casting back over the years: Johns, Langer, Stuart, Sterling, Orford, Thurston, even Cronk - then one would suggest that, 'yes', a brilliant halfback is essential. The only one i could really think of who was a good average player (albeit probably a bit underated) is Craig Polla-Mounter for the dogs in '95. But having said that, they won that year on the back of some disgraceful refereeing - remember Dymock's 'touchdown pass' and Annesley's trialling of the '7th tackle rule' on such a big occasion. So maybe Polly's the lucky one in this argument.
Most pertinant - by virtue of the fact he's the incumbent - is Jeff Robson not capable of being one of these players? He's by no means a superstar at this stage (and at 29 probably won't get any better), but he did steer a juggernaut of a team around the park to the gf in '09. Could the Hayne's, Fui's and Mortimer's done what they did without him in the no. 7 seat? Sound kicking game, quiet and unassuming old fashioned style. Surely not without a chance despite a mediocre (and disrupted given he was shifted all over the place) 2010.
So combinations, should Robson see more Wenty than he'd like - "where do you go" begs a tragic latino fueled No Mercy wailer (just disregard that, i'm too lazy to backspace).
I like the idea (granted, one borrowed from P. Sterling esquire) of Tom Humble, i think his passing game complemented by his speed and unknown quantity to opposition sides could be massive - and physically he's NRL ready. One reservation: Is he a halfback? Let's hope there's enough air in his dingy to get him out of Roma and back through Sydney heads.
6. Mortimer
7. Humble
I'll leave it open for discussion, as i'm fascinated. One final offering, could Justin Horo be a pinch hitter in the no. 6?
Replies
Horo's kicking game?
Does he have one?
To us dumb supporters the combinations are endless.
Robson 7 / Mortimer or Humble
or reverse those two options with Morts at 7
Murray 7 / Mortimer or Humble
Burt at 6 with any of the above at 7
Horo same - but who will be your 13?
McGuire could figure somewhere in the mix as well with MK / Robson / Mitchell / Humble at 9 and / or 14
Remember Matua is out till rd 11 I think - and I would expect him to play a couple of games with Wenty before being brought up to 1st grade so Horo I think would remain lock until this happens.
Who would want to be a coach or selector?
Billy Rogers 13
Mortimer 9
Humble 7
Horo 6
Hayne 1
Maguire 14
Webb 15
Shackleton 16
Fui 17
The equations are endless
My starting side would be;
1. Hayne
6. Morts
7. Robson
9. McGuire
With Humble and Murray fighting for a possible 6 or 7 gig but i think Morts will own the 6 jersey if we are not switching Hayne to 6 which isn't happening and Murray would be a very good 7 but don't know if he is ready to quite yet.
M Keating might get a look at 9 but would need to vastly improve out of sight in his attack, defence is good but we need more attack out of dummy half which Mitchell can provide as a utility but again depends if Kearney wants to play double Hooker or Mcguire could always become utility because he can play anywhere. But what about when Matuai is fit? He is certainly worthy of a spot in the 17 once fit etc.
Good news is we have a lot of competition for spots and options so i don't know what all the BS is about we have no team or no players or no depth. We have heaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
horo at 5/8 are you mad man, he's a forward , and has no kicking game or real passing game, hes a runner off others.
mortimer may end up half, sk i saw on blogs thinks he a lot like cronk.
humble may be 5/8 in time or full back., depends on where sk needs hayne.
it seems like murray will end up half, he has the total game needed, but is he up to n.r.l standard time will tell.
mcguire may be half or 5/8, but maybe hooker dummy half.
i think the big puzzle is burt where will he play, on blogs, sk says he wants more pace on the wings, more better finishers.
burt defence is poor, may end up 5/8 or fullback, depends on sk with hayne.
hayne may end up 5/8, but fullback, i think sk has a plan, after the trials we all may see hes team unfold.
i think he will play walker/ hicks on the wings.
reddy /smith in the centres, or reddy /loko.
5/8 mcquire, half morts, the forwards, carl webb/ poore/ hindy /smith/ or hindy/ shacks/ 2nd row.
lock horo/ you pick the the rest, we seems to have a great pack..
burt may be on the bench, hicks the goal kicker.
Sounds like alot of support for this Murray kid at no. 7 - and he hasn't even played a game! I don't think Horo as a full time option at 6, just the odd cameo here and there, esp. when the opposing line is tiring - wouldn't rely on him for inch perfect 40/20's!
I pondered the burt at 6 possibility also, but if his defence is suss he might be targeted and it could be mortimer 2010 all over again. Either way, i think Burt is a walk up in the starting 13.
Keating is merely accumulating his super at the club now, Mitchell's got him covered.
Horo is not a 6 end of story...
I don't think our halves situation is that complicated.
I think Robson and Murray can fight it out for 7 (definately not Morts)... and Humble and Morts can fight out the 6 position.
I would perosnally play Humble in the centres or Morts at 9 but I doubt this is going to happen.
Most likely we will see:
6. Morts
7. Robson
I'd also like to see Humble get a decent chance this year though. I'm not sure where he'd fit into my equation though because I'd have McGuire starting at hooker with Mitchell on the bench. The problem with this is that we don't need Humble and Mitchell on the same bench. I'm not sure what I'd do with Keating either, he might push McGuire out?
But getting back to the halves situation, I've heard a lot of enthusiasm about Murray on this site. I actually haven't seen him play so I can't judge whether he should be in the side or not. As a side note because I don't want to change the idea of this blog, but has there been any further word on his future, or his involvement in the betting scandal?
As I initially stated, it's hard (or easy) to choose a side without seeing what goes on behind the scenes. I hope the hard workers are rewarded and make the most of the chances they are given. We have a lot of depth in many positions and I hope we keep and utilise the best.
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