Yes, yes, here I go again. Parramatta's lack of playmaking depth has to see Jarryd Hayne move immediately to five-eighth.
The release of Daniel Mortimer presents Parramatta with a dire lack of depth. Assuming you count Hayne as a fullback we go into next year with the following players in the half/hooking positions
6. Roberts
7. Sandow
9. Keating
14. McGuire
That's it, in terms of first grade-ready players in our squad. We're only able to cover one injury which would see McGuire drop into one of the other positions and . Yes, you could throw Burty or Maitua in there but having such a heavy reliance on players who are better suited in other positions as your back-stops makes it very difficult to prepare. Those should be your last-ditch options when no other options avail themselves.
When you throw Hayne into the halves, suddenly you've got a few more options. We have three options at fullback. Burt, Barba and Mullaney so we've got depth there.
It then gives us five halves and the ability to cover two injuries.
One crucial consideration is covering Chris Sandow. We have very few options for covering seven - really Ben Roberts moving into that position is the only option. For us to perform well with that configuration, he needs a strong six outside of him - Hayne is the only option here.
What all this boils down to is our lack of depth means that the likelihood of Hayne spending considerable time in the halves is pretty assured unless we happen to fluke an injury-free season. My issue with this, as I've said time and time again, is that until he makes a proper transition to that position, he'll never succeed at it. If he ends up going back and forth, never working on his defence or composure, he's always going to struggle. However, if we go into off-season where Hayne is continuing to play as one and then end up playing a considerable part of the season at six, it's not going to be an optimum result.
Stephen Kearney has always said that Hayne's position largely depends on what suits the rest of the roster. From my point of view, Daniel Mortimer's release significantly changes that roster and our lack of depth really does change how we need to approach the next season.
Replies
I think this year Hayne should play at FB unless injuries. Next year's offseason should focus on him tackling and being able to read the defence better whilst up in the attacking line and that way we can put him into that position and let him have an entire season to play at 6 before Hoppa comes.
Our lack of halves atm is worrying but many clubs have a lack of halves as their isn't a system in place to properly teach the younger guys how to handle these situations once they are in first grade. I find our depth of outside backs in the future a bit worrying. We'll probably have Burt and Tonga retire at the end of their contracts or not be resigned as we have some good backs coming through in: Sio, Hoppa, Pepa, Barba, Toutai, Gagan and I'm not sure how Eni Folau plays but he's another one to look out for aswell as Cheyse Blair. And add Loko and Morgan onto that and there's too many backs for us to hold on to
While I'm not totally convinced on Hayne at 5/8 at this stage of his career, it is obvious that he will end up there at some point. I certainly have more faith in him as a long term number 6 than Ben Roberts. It seems silly to leave Hayne at fullback until Roberts has a meltdown at some stage, which is highly likely.
I agree with Phil. With Mortimer gone there is very little depth in the halves. The smart way to go is to move Hayne to six now, thus giving him plenty of time to prepare for round 1 next year. Leave Roberts to prove himself from the bench.
He either stays at 1 for years or we move him to 6 first round 2012. He is no bandaid solution once Roberts finds either an injurty or inconsistent form. It is not good for Hayne or the team.
I hate the fact we move one of the worlds best players just to cover as depth. Darren Lockyer never went back to 1 when he was 6.
We have the option from round 1 next year to put on the park one of the most lethal and dangerous attacking halve combos in the comp. My advice is do it. Having someone like Burt with his experience or even livewire players like Mullaney or Barba take over at 1 shows we have plenty of dpeth in the 1 to cover for the transition of Hayne.
As for the 7 it is a tricky one. McGuire would be the obvious choice but he used Burt there last round last season and Roberts could provide handy depth for the 7 slot. Unless we sign Arana Taumata on an incentive contract?
You have hit the nail on the head, we lack depth in a few positions and whilst you are there we need more depth in the hoooking dpeartment. MK and CM will work well together but what if one goes down? That also effects the structure of how the team will play.
Hayne has pulled out of rep duties due to his groin. All year he didn't take drop outs. After the 60m field goal attempt aginast rooters ( think) he went down for a stretch immediately.
I think Hayne played with pain and injury all year and it was hidden. I would start him at 1 in the hope his running game is back.
I agree,to me it looked like he carried that injury all year.
Hopefully pulling out of reps was to get it 100% and not because further damage was done.
It is a concern but isn't there extra cash now to get another playmaker seeing as though Mortimer is gone.
I'm not sure how it works but I assume if Mortimer is under contract with the Roosters next season then we won't have to pay him anything. His contract will be null and void because he has agreed to end it.
I would think that the money we were paying him could buy a decent playmaker. I don't know who is available but we need a player who is a good ball player, has speed, and has a bit of size.
Losing Humble and Mortimer has left us with a lack of depth though.
Does Mullaney play in the halves?
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