Will we be suited by a big five-eighth?

So first up this is a blog about next year. However, I'm starting to wonder with our roster whether we might not be suited by a lock-style five-eighth.

Next year, I'm sure we'll seek to use Sandow as a dominant half back and given the role that Jarryd Hayne plays in our team, the five-eighth role almost becomes redundant. We certainly don't particularly need a skillful ballplayer, we don't really need anyone who kicks, so what we'll be looking for is a running game.

So would a player like Reni Maitua make a perfect five-eighth in those circumstances? Our new signing Joseph Paulo has also played a bit of five-eighth. And I note we had previously targeted Tom Symonds, who is another of those lock/five-eighth style players.

I remain of the opinion that Jarryd Hayne playing in his current role, and agree with the thread that was started after our last game, that Hayne's dominance as a playmaker stifles the halves. They're left without their traditional role so they struggle to get into the game. If you essentially take a second-lock in, you don't have that problem - Reni's running game closer to the ruck is going to be more difficult to handle than any light-weight six and he'll draw more defenders in, to leave more space for Hayne looping around the back. And if would certainly result in a much more solid defence line as opposition defences don't have a light-weight five-eighth to target.

Just throwing it out there...

Surely we were in on him, would have come cheap and if anything like his brother would hav been good value. Dogs might have got a good one :(NRL 2026: Transfer Whispers, news, rumours, updates, Jesse McLean to join Bulldogs in 2027, Casey McLean

"Paulo is a shadow of what he once was and is getting worse each year. He looks like he hates the collision these days. Sadly that is what he would display if kept around as a leader for our pack for others to follow. Sam T already seems to follow in…"

"Did you watch him play in this years final for Souths? He was owned by old man Gagai. Laurel went missing all game although he did pass the ball from dummy half a lot to the other outside backs to work it out of their end. Massive NO."

Replies

Make Parra Great Again June 29, 2011 at 11:57am

Ben Roberts ain't small??? Same or slightly heavier then Reni Maitua i reckon.

I am still in belief that Hayne is a 6, and should be there from next year.

I see his combo with Sandow better then Sandow/Roberts
the daniel June 29, 2011 at 12:02pm

i think he wont play that style of footy next season well nowhere near as often he will have 2 halves who can put him through a hole and 1 on 1 with defenders which will bring out more of hes running game and make hes effective passing game that much more enticing.

hes playing like a 5/8 now because he has to
Paul Flynn June 29, 2011 at 12:06pm

I think Hayne and Sandow with Marmin Barba as 1 next year would be ideal
Ryot Wilson June 29, 2011 at 12:07pm

ben roberts also isn't good
EelLectric June 29, 2011 at 12:16pm

We signed Joseph Paulo?

Oh dear....
Paul Flynn June 29, 2011 at 12:23pm

Could be worse we could of got Junior Paulo back to the club
Parraloft June 29, 2011 at 12:52pm

excuse my ignorance,who is this joseph paulo we signed please.Is it the panthers second rower?
Wild_Eels June 29, 2011 at 12:55pm

Junior Paulos brother, he is quite skillful.
- Parraloft > Wild_Eels June 29, 2011 at 1:12pm
  
  cheers
Wild_Eels June 29, 2011 at 12:56pm

Please bring back Mateo then. He will fit perfectly.