This heading is probably something we don't like admitting to. Yes it implies criticism but I don't want to start looking for blame or scapegoats, just accept it and move on.
The main issue in my mind is the "Pezet" experiment. It hasn't worked and the future has to be now. If its not, then it is a pointless exercise.
Back to Pezet. It occur's to me that just about everyone is in concurrence that he is not up to the 5/8 role.
The fact that our Reserve Grade side is struggling and do not have a proper half, it is a good opportunity to let Pezet fill this role and see what he can achieve, and how our long term 5/8 potential reacts to having a "proper" half!....????.
After all the real point of having Pezet was a backup half for Moses and the developing of our junior 5/8 talent. Well the 5/8 role ain't working.
He has no speed. His defence is poor. And he show's me nothing much as a link man.
I believe all the rhetoric and dislocation, not to mention the poor form of Moses is directly related to covering Pezet's shortfalls. That included the positioning of Williams at lock and the dropping of JDB to provide cover defence for the Pezet shortfall.
We are in a remarkable good position with 2 out of 3 games, whereas we could be zero and 3 and in deep shit.
Lets not abuse our good fortune. Let's act now.
There is no way we will beat Penrith going forward with this current make up.
Finally, I expected with our back ups and juniors coming through that we were good things for Reserve Grade. But we are now showing issues there. Our junior's are struggling as well. The issue is our upcoming 5/8's are not exactly killing it!
Have we overated our position and personell?
How does this happen? Well, we, Parramatta, are total optimists with the exception of a few and we always want to see the positives.
All that being said, I continue to believe in Ryles and our coaching staff and the reality is he is still learning as well.
Just a smokey to end this discussion. Bevan French.
I do not know the contract implications, but if we get cap dispensation on Hopgood, how about making an offer for French to take the 5/8 position? He hasn't played for Wigan yet this season and I would be not against making an offer he "can't refuse". Obviously this could simply be too hard, but we are a long way short of what we want to be!
Please don't bring up the "French" defensive issues, he is now one of the best players in the world and a lot stronger defensively than when he was with us.
Replies
God. Another Bevan French reference. Hes not coming mate. And so he shouldnt. Killing it over there, and we shafted him.
Respectfully disagree. Pezet's outstanding ability is to dig deep into the line. The first try we scored against Melbourne before the legs fell off I think is actually what Ryles is aiming for, and Pezet straightening and putting the defence in two minds opened up the space on the outside. He is good enough on his feet that he will ocassionally go through the line and that is going to keep defences in two minds. His kicking game is not Moses level, but it's better than any other five-eighth we'd had. He is young, inexperienced and learning, but he's going to get immeasurably better throughout the year. What he does has is confidence, and he'll try stuff and we'll get points from it. I think people will say 'he's lucky' but he makes plays that are going to depend on the bounce of the ball and sometimes it will pay off, sometimes it won't At five-eighth that exactly what you want. I'd be more worried from what I've seen this year, if I was Brisbane and you're banking on him being a dependable halfback. He is going to be ideal for us as a Moses foil this year.
Lorenzo is the one. You just very seldom see young halves progress through the grades like he has. Pezet fills a vacancy and gives us more depth around the halves, which is going to be critical as we work through the entire season have inevitably injuries rule players out at various times.
Everything is fine.
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