Just some observations.
Junior was inspiring for Samoa yesterday. Have you ever seen him so fit? Of note, was he was also wearing the 13, presumably playing lock. The last time he wore a 13 in the NRL was...never. Not that long ago there was much not much difference between locks and props.
What really caught my attention was he was in many cases second receiver — yes that's like 5/8 — and his passing was so selective he made space repeatedly and showed what a different style of player he can be. He embodied that ideal link-man role that Yeo turned into the modern day 13.
Despite having a prop's body, it puts a difference perspective onto a 120 kilo behemoth with a thinking and deft passing game; and perhaps the road ahead at the twilight of his career. Add his leadership skills, and the Eels still have a winner on their books. And Future Club Legend.
And what about Moses on social media discussing drop kicks with Cleary? Some may remember me suggesting Cleary would not help Moses in a month of Sundays. I felt the body language still suggested that also that Reece Walsh would have liked to tell them both how to do it. Observation from afar is that Moses is not a good drop kicker and hopefully he managed to learn something, our goal line drops need some help. Gutho is as good as I have seen in doing them.
Although the magnificient Fox replaced Lomax on the Kangaroo Tour, he's still at the forefront of my mind. Is he staying? I have seen nothing to suggest otherwise. Am I missing something? Or Did V'landy's threats of a career ban persuade him to reconsider R360? There are at least 10 other players in the same boat without much conjecture about them playing next year; contracts hardly stopped clubs or players doing what they want.
Finally, one more thing on Lomax. Did you notice how the "Poms" effectively stopped Marky Mark aerobatics wizardry like few have in the NRL this season? Essentially, that is what everyone did to Lomax this season; blunting this great aerial weapon. We just need a little more subtlety and nuance to counter the counter-defence.
In closing, add in the Pezet deal that unhinged most fans, and this might go down as one of the craziest "orf seezuns" I can remember not withstanding my youthful 78 years on a healthy diet of selective memory amnesia. I wonder, what drama will unfold post November 1st? One thing is for sure, if we can't find any drama, we'll create plenty to make up for it.
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So does that mean we will have Walker, Debelin, Hopgood and now Junior playing the lock role. Hope someone wants to roll up their sleeves and do some grunt work up front, otherwise we are not going forward at all.
The bloke playing the lock role still needs to be a run threat or the defence will know he will just catch and pass. He needs to be able to hold up the defence.
I think we realise that Pou. on the other hand it seems that Bluey maybe prepared to come out of retirement and do some grunt work......his wife offered to help by taking over the cooking! Lol
Hopgood is now technically a Prop.
He is playing exactly like Bob O'Reilly. 2 or 3 wide of the ruck then playing what is in front of him. Either charging it up or being a ball distributor.
Poppa, when you say that "Gutho is as good as I have seen in doing them", I assume you are meaning the short 10 metre drop outs because you would have seen Dick Thornett drop kick 60-70 metres regularly, including field goals from that distance.
You will recall PT that whenever Dick got the ball the crowd would chant "Field Goal Dick" even when running out from our goal line. very funny!
The story goes that at training he could kick field goals from under the posts at the other end of the ground. I think the 2 point field goal is under used today.
Hi Tragic, I thought of the O'Reilly comparison as well PT.....and yes I was referring to the short drop outs.
I was at Cumberland when Dick kicked that field goal, it was a wet day with a wet ball......he certainly could time a drop kick.....better than average goal kicker as well PT.
I wonder how many people on here realise he was a Triple International ??
PS Are you being served.....Mr Grace to Mr Humpries.....saw your text on saturday Mark LOL
I would have backed Young Mr Grace if I saw it earlier. Just as well I didn't. I do have the perfect name for a horse if I ever get into a syndicate. I had a search and its available and very surprised its never been used.
I think The Bear played with Dick?
Well Sluggy could have told you the answer to that once upon a time PT, actually I am sure the Bear may have played with his own on various occasions, but it wasn't our Dick.
NB Was that the name you were going to give to the horse.....??
I have a better one it is called after every Parramatta Supporter ever born....its name is BOEHICA !!!
It stands for Bend Over Here It Comes Again!!! .............. Bluey you can relate to that one
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