Canberra must surely be a little worried about Sam Williams' impressive debut on the weekend.
Reports this week suggest there is an offer on the table from them, but how are they going to manage having Williams, Campese and Orford on their rosters.
I've said a few times on this site, that Williams is the most impressive young half I've seen for a long time, so it didn't surprise me when he jumped up to NRL so well. He really does have a complete halve's game.
So let's say a club like Parra decided to make a proper play for him. You could offer him a first grade position and $250+k. Canberra is really only going to be able to offer him a two year deal, with a first grade jersey guaranteed in the second year and they aren't going to have a lot of cap to throw at him, especially for next year.
I reckon this kid is the real deal.
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I would definitely consider at least approaching him about a potential deal if I were Kearney, or Eels management, given the good form that he showed.
More like we got Bruest because he had Williams in front of him.
It's important to remember that Williams was far and away the best half in NYC last year, despite being a year younger than the likes of Murray etc.
I think it would be hard to get him out of Canberra, but if I was the kid I wouldn't be rushing to signing a deal right now.
I was disapointed with both the NYC halves. It was the first time I had seen Bruest play, and he did kick well I agree with that, though his running game was very poor and he often looked lost with the ball in hand.
Wehbe has a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng way to go. As a junior I thought this kid was going to be a superstar, for mine he seems to be struggling to keep with the speed of NYC, he's making a lot of mistakes however the positive is that he is still trying things, hopefully he keeps his confidence and with more experience at that level he will hopefully improve.
A half without a strong running game cannot make it at NRL level. Opposition defences quickly learn to hold off them and defend against their supports and it makes it impossible for them to create space.
I think we can give both of those kids more time. It always takes halves time to adapt to increase in speed when they step up a level. That said, we've got some pretty reasonable backups in Tavita, Barba and Picker so they won't have all-season to find their feet. Has anyone heard how long Barba is out for?
did barba play last night?
I think the thing that sets Williams apart is that he looks an out and out halfback, which are really hard to find these days. Most teams play with halves that are very similar stlye players and the smaller of the two players wears the number 7. Or often it is the five-eigth that is the dominant figure in the combination, i.e dragons, broncos, raiders (with campese).
Williams is only young and has a long way to go, but I think he's probably the best halfback to debut since Pearce who himself still has a lot to learn. Regardless he's a country boy and Canberra would be retarded to let him go especially since their last Golden boy is the reigning Dally M medallist for another club.
I think the Raiders are going to be a downright scary side in 18 months time, theyr'e good now but jeez once these kids have another season or so of 1st grade under their belts they are going to almost unbeatable imo.