RufusRex
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Apparantly Atkinson was there to concentrate on last play kicking and Kyle was going to organise things ... that is why we looked shit until the last play kick.
Apparantly Atkinson was there to concentrate on last play kicking and Kyle was going to organise things ... that is why we looked shit until the last play kick.
I disagree, if that is one of your strengths you dont lose that ability, you may be a bit rusty but you need to reintroducing that skill back into your game.Like I said, to expect it from Atko this early on in his halfback role is unrealistic on top of kicking, organising & defending demands of his role. Again, burdening the past issue onto him is not going to do him any good. I think it's unfair to expect him to do everything straight away. I'd say we were in our half for most of the game, how many times have you seen halves run the ball inside their own half?
He also then needs to get in position to kick the ball on tackle 5 because he's our main kicker. It's a hell of a lot manage this early on, the smarter play is to develop his kicking game & gain confidence in that area.
Correct that is his role, but that doesn't mean he doesn't demand the ball in hand on the 3rd and 4th play and in those plays , he plays eyes up footy and runs if the opportunity is there to do so.Apparantly Atkinson was there to concentrate on last play kicking and Kyle was going to organise things ... that is why we looked shit until the last play kick.
It's true. This needs to be talked about more.The Dragons were fuming after being beaten by the Bulldogs at Allegiant Stadium and yes, they needed to wear plenty of the blame. They didn’t throw a whole lot at Canterbury. They defended grimly but they carried very little threat.
Lomax will be playing for the Storm next week. Going to be a tough matchLiddle will come back this season RVH not next season! Maybe in the next game against the Storm??
Savala is the biggest myth in rugby league. He’s another Flanagan but he’s 6 foot 3 and has a big bootneither Kyle/LKT or Atkinson are 7s ...
We either need to promote Reed or have another crack at borrowing Savala for 12 months.
Savala is the biggest myth in rugby league. He’s another Flanagan but he’s 6 foot 3 and has a big boot
Can’t create opportunities for himself + slow and he’s playing behind a great pack with studs around him
If it was up to me if LKT shows in Reggie’s that his defence has improved over 3-4 weeks and Kyle offers nothing in first grade I’d be soft benching Kyle so he’s still technically in the game day 19 but doesn’t play unless a half or hooker is hurt
Won’t happen but that’s my take on it
It's true Kyle is tenacious and tries hard, as Flanno says but it's obvious he's not good enough for first grade. Everyone knows it. What can be done with a coach who continues to pick him anyway?He’s too limited to even bother with to be completely honest mate. Doesn’t move the needle
Plus in a years time when he would be here Reed IMO will be ready to go in first grade
We’re just in an awkward spot at the moment because everyone knows Kyle’s not good enough to play as a half in the NRL but Shane’s gonna play him there anyway this year. His lack of threat is accentuated by the lack of strike at fullback to cover his deficiencies
LKT probably signs elsewhere for more opportunity at the end of this year (If we extend Jasais Ah Kee then I’m happy to let LKT go)
We are in a tough spot because we’ve just signed Atkinson on 500k a year and we’ve got a stud halfback coming through so DA and Flanno must be thinking fullback is the spot they need to sign a Marquee but who’s available now that Koula’s extended with manly and Bula prefers to stay with the tigers
Tricky situation
Agree with all but unfortunately none of that will happen Dave.Why is it that we have to wait for Atkinson to get a bit more game time to acquit himself better in the #7 jersey? How much more time will he need? We are now virtually in the same position as in many years ago after we had Ben Hornby as our specialist halfback up to the end of 2012 and in 2013 we had Nathan Fien, in 2014 we had Michael Witt for a bit followed by Benji Marshall, 2015 - Benji Marshall, 2016 - Benji Marshall (Benji had to play #7 when his best position was #6 but Gareth Widdop had that number and he was great as the 5/8th). 2017 we had Josh McCrone and then from 2018-2024 we had Ben Hunt who was signed up as our specialist half back happen Dave !!!and in 2025 - Kyle Flanagan, 2026 - Daniel Atkinson. We did have a few fill ins like Bud Sullivan for a game or three.
What I am saying is that looking at our halves going back to 2012, we have had just Ben Hornby, Benji Marshall and Ben Hunt as the best half backs - picking Marshall because he did show class but halfback was not his best position.
So Following the game on Sunday afternoon against the Dogs, we had Atkinson in the #7 and he will be given time to become "better" in that position when we know he is better in the 5/8th position. Therefore, we MUST either use Reed soon to play #7 and Atkinson moves to #6. We have no hope in getting a specialist half back for a year before Reed is older and stronger. Kyle Flanagan needs to go to Ressies for the remaining time of his contract.
Lomax shouldn't be playing RL, obviously the NRL have forced Parra's hand. Once again if your club is Melb then you get what you want !!!Lomax will be playing for the Storm next week. Going to be a tough match
It's really quite audacious for Flanno to keep picking Kyle.Our style of play would suggest that we will have multiple injuries towards the back end of the season, unfortunately with the players we have we have no other option and thats the way Flanno likes it. AsMug Fan has said this bash and grind style of play will lead us astray down the track. We all want speedier backs etc, whats the use of having them if one of our halves cant create anything. He defended great yesterday I'll give him that, but whats his primary role ?
Galvin smallVery physical game
Great defensive effort overall
Our younger forwards were awesome.
Our lack of speed out wide hindered our ability to score.
Our halves lack creativity so early in the season.
Atkinson is not a 7. He is a running 6.
Kyle lacks the creativity to organise an attack at NRL level.
The club needs to give LKT the opportunity to play 7.
Am unsure whether LKT’s defence has improved.
Val Holmes hasn’t recovered from injury or is not fit.
Suli is Suli. Average NRL centre.
Feagai looks sharper.
Our backline needs a revamp asap.
Reed is the answer. If he handles the physicality of Reserve grade after 4-6 rounds and our attack remains pedestrian, he must be promoted.
Galvin outplayed our halves and is both young and small. See no reason as to why Reed can’t play.
We know we’re not going to get it but we need more from Kyle to assist AtkoLet him build into it. If we're relying on our new inexperienced halfback to do everything from the start then we're screwed. Others can also run the ball or be running threats. His long kicking kept us in the game.
That right there are 2 young fellas that are our future. The passion shown in this picture is something that we have lacked under the previous coach and cpt. Personally I am looking forwards already to next season.