Its the off season so it’s time to start dreaming of “next year will be a better year than the last”. And for as long as Rugby League was invented, having a well balanced and dominant halves combination is the key to a successful team.
In a loosing side, Corey Norman was week-in week-out our Mr Consistent. The weigh on his shoulders were even more pronounced when Sandow decided to kick the tin. Without a recognised fullback and a dud called Kelly, miracles happened far and few between when it counted.
Enter Kieran Foran.
Although he did not have his best year in 2015, in my mind he’s a top 5 half in the competition.
Only Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and maybe Shaun Johnson are better players in their own right. Even though the first two are absolutely freaks, one would argue if they are the right buy for the Eels even if they were available. Both at the age of 32, they have 1 maybe two more solid years ahead before they get slower and less physically capable for the modern game. Johnson is a machine on the international stage but have patches of brilliances at a club level. But does he bring it on every week – that’s a No.
Some might also argue I have left out Daly Cherry Evans, Ben Hunt and maybe even Mitchell Pierce. True, all three are obvious talents. DCE provides more “X” factor than Foran, Hunt is that hard working no 7 getting involved with everything with a precision kick. Pierce well he is the incumbent Blues half.
But would I have any of those three players ahead of Foran – definitely no.
Why you might ask?
Foran as a Kiwi Test #6 when fit, will give us full 26 rounds of game time. Now for an international class player that is a massive bonus during the origin periods.
For the past two seasons, we were 2 or 3 Wins from making the 8. In 2015 if I recall correctly, we managed just 1 W out of those 3 against teams heavily represented in the origin. Queue the start of the year when we lost our Scnitz against games like the Cowboys, it would have been a very different story.
Now I ask you, as a combination in the NRL for next year – how do you rate the Norman / Foran combination ranking the Top 5’s?
Which team will have a better 6 / 7 than the Eels?
For me, I would only both Morgan/Thurston, Cronk/ Green ahead.
On par I would say Hunt / Milford, Maloney / Bird, Pierce / Hastings, Reynolds / Keary.
P.S. I didn’t drink any unicorn juice today.
Replies
I thought he was in and out of games, he has brilliant running talent, but doesn't touch the ball enough. Hopefully with Foran he doesn't take a backseat and gets more involved.
For mine, he didn't get involved enough, but when he played fullback, he was forced to run the ball often and was brilliant.
Johnson ffs?
We will finally have a decent combo, how good we will see next year.
I think it's hard to argue the Maroons dominance over the past 8 years was on the back of Cronk and JT.
Yes, they are better player IMO because they make the best clutch decisions when their team need it most.
Both of those will be immortals.
(and no i am a blues supporter if you were wondering)
As halves I don't really rate Reynolds and Keary. Behind the souths pack they get heaps of time so that helps them a fair bit.
Agree with the Bunnies 2.
Somehow, I just think Milf and Hunt played above their weight (no pun intended) in 2015. Similar to 2014 when Bunnies won the comp.
I think coaches will do their homework over the off season on Milford and dramatically cut his "thinking time". He was effective this year when he was allowed to roam and dance across the field.
Thurston/Morgan
Hunt/Milford (milf, milf, milf)
Foz/Normie
Johnson and whoever (the Warriors were in the top 4 before this bloke went down)
DCE and Lyon?
They're all outstanding - the forwards will have a huge say in who ends up on top I reckon.
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