josie andrews wrote:[quote="TrueBlueWarrior]
I agree the Sam and MM situations are different simply due to Sam being injury prone and hit and miss for some considerable time whereas MM basically got 1 horrific injury and has always played good to excellent RL in my opinion.
I simply don't think they will go out on loan because of our injury situation, I think SW will want as many bodies around the team as possible, no doubt SP, Escare, Tommy, George and Lockers all have injuries and knocks and a fit Sam and MM could help us massively currently!!
Where does it say that the highlighted plays have injuries?
With SP getting his head bandaged up, George taken off early v Wire and limping a bit in the game before that, and Escare often coming out to warm up before others, I think it's reasonable to assume they've been carrying knocks - if not actual injuries.[/quote]
Oh right. I didn't know if I'd read it wrong ! Thank you for the explanation ????
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Just a bit of a comparison and perspective in the NRL, on the injured Tomkins :- Billy Slater had been out injured for two years, never went out on loan or played reserve grade but has just gone straight back into the Melbourne Storm team and actually immediately replaced his deputy Gavin Munster, who arguably was their best back over those two years, certainly in terms of both attack and defence.
Munster had been so outstanding, they actually moved him out of FB to find another position for him in the backs.
Just a thought here of what may happen when Sam returns.
Nezza Faz wrote:Just a bit of a comparison and perspective in the NRL, on the injured Tomkins :- Billy Slater had been out injured for two years, never went out on loan or played reserve grade but has just gone straight back into the Melbourne Storm team and actually immediately replaced his deputy Gavin Munster, who arguably was their best back over those two years, certainly in terms of both attack and defence.
Munster had been so outstanding, they actually moved him out of FB to find another position for him in the backs.
Just a thought here of what may happen when Sam returns.
I agree there are similarities but I would say billy slater has been top draw for years - he has proven he is the real deal - Sam (and I'm not a hater) has only really had 2 excellent seasons - outside of them he have been very average and for the last 5 years has gone from superstar to "oh yeah remember him"
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure
I'm sure Billy Slater's first game back put a few bums on seats. And Cameron Munster has been just superb. Better than ST ever showed in the NRL, frankly.
josie andrews wrote:[quote="TrueBlueWarrior]
I agree the Sam and MM situations are different simply due to Sam being injury prone and hit and miss for some considerable time whereas MM basically got 1 horrific injury and has always played good to excellent RL in my opinion.
I simply don't think they will go out on loan because of our injury situation, I think SW will want as many bodies around the team as possible, no doubt SP, Escare, Tommy, George and Lockers all have injuries and knocks and a fit Sam and MM could help us massively currently!!
Where does it say that the highlighted plays have injuries?
With SP getting his head bandaged up, George taken off early v Wire and limping a bit in the game before that, and Escare often coming out to warm up before others, I think it's reasonable to assume they've been carrying knocks - if not actual injuries.[/quote]
Escare only comes out and warms up early so he can practice his goal kicking.
josie andrews wrote:[quote="TrueBlueWarrior]
I agree the Sam and MM situations are different simply due to Sam being injury prone and hit and miss for some considerable time whereas MM basically got 1 horrific injury and has always played good to excellent RL in my opinion.
I simply don't think they will go out on loan because of our injury situation, I think SW will want as many bodies around the team as possible, no doubt SP, Escare, Tommy, George and Lockers all have injuries and knocks and a fit Sam and MM could help us massively currently!!
Where does it say that the highlighted plays have injuries?
With SP getting his head bandaged up, George taken off early v Wire and limping a bit in the game before that, and Escare often coming out to warm up before others, I think it's reasonable to assume they've been carrying knocks - if not actual injuries.
Nail on the head!![/quote]
Good assumption to make "his bandaged up"
"Nail on the head"
Reasonable assumption to make Mark
Apologies for bringing this message board back to the subject of Joel.
Not sure I can agree with those praising his performances.
I think he was found out defensivley a lot in the first half against Hull. the reason he does those tackles where he grabs their shirts is because they have already run past him and he is not close enough to effect a more effective tackle.
Not sure his problems in the 2nd row are all down to him.
I think Wane has, correctly, spotted that he can no longer run that outside arc and use his speed to break through the line.
Joel has then spent all of pre season 'bulking up' to play in the middle where he can still use his hands but where defence relies less on speed as the gaps between defenders are less.
Due to our injury list he has been forced back into the 2nd row and is compensating for his lack of pace which has been made worse by the added bulk he has put on.
The real question and evaluation of Joel for a new contract is not about how he is currently playing in the 2nd row but how good he is when he gets moved back into the middle of the park.
Nitsua who was faster and more agile? 1958 Billy Boston or 1964 Billy Boston? You need to factor in all players slow down/add bulk with age.
I agree it is just the way old age takes a player - tony clubb was a center no? and gaz hock was a 6. players lose pace with age but get stronger and are better middle players ... look at lockers no real pace but a very good middle unit
Just a thought. I cannot understand why posters think that when a player "bulks up" he will lose pace. 100m and 200m track athletes "bulk up" to to increase their pace.[/quote]
I understand what you are saying but those sprinters increase muscle mass in order to generate high energy over short periods. Traditionally they would struggle if it came to competing in a rugby match over 80 minutes. Remember Dwain Chambers at Castleford.
I guess I should have said that Joel had already lost his top end speed, imho, and bulked up for the more attritional nature of playing in the middle (more heavy duty tackles/carrys etc/less likely to get injured/more likley to gain ground).
