2026 NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg

[RufusRex]

Also - with respect to Burton in flegg. He appears to be killing it as a centre even if he isnt getting the ball that that right see. His try on the weekend very good and the bomb take also quality.

Across the NRL though, the trend is more and more the smaller livewire fullback not so much the bigger one (not making a value judgement on this) ...

Is Burton happy as a centre? Is that his future pathway through the grades, Centre and then when Drinkwater leaves reassess?
Will retaining him be a constant struggle given he is with Crown?

Obviously he has massive talent and it would be a sad reflection on the club if he wasnt nurtured appropriately through the grades.

 

[GCRV]

Also - with respect to Burton in flegg. He appears to be killing it as a centre even if he isnt getting the ball that that right see. His try on the weekend very good and the bomb take also quality.

Across the NRL though, the trend is more and more the smaller livewire fullback not so much the bigger one (not making a value judgement on this) ...

Is Burton happy as a centre? Is that his future pathway through the grades, Centre and then when Drinkwater leaves reassess?
Will retaining him be a constant struggle given he is with Crown?

Obviously he has massive talent and it would be a sad reflection on the club if he wasnt nurtured appropriately through the grades.

The trend is for smaller fullbacks but the best at present, Ponga, is similar build to Burton. Though Burton will probably end up bigger. When fit Tom Turbo might be second best. Tedesco and Edwards are also far from small.

If he is fit enough, he can play wing or centre in the near term then fullback.

 

[RufusRex]

i mean i dont hate that at all. Just feels like his immediate pathway is centre, an area we are not strong in.
Fullback after that would be icing.

 

[TheRev]

You just can't predict the exact position they make it in, Faulalo another who was an out and out fullback but is a gun 1-5 fullstop.. Koula not quite the same but again would walk into 1-5 at our club.

Rokko is a bit more light weight agile back, I think he is more likely to be the modern day 1, but 1-6 is possible for sure..

Burton I think 1-5, lets just see how big he gets in the next 2yrs... and whether his best skills are running or ballplaying etc.. either way he probably does his first year as wing or ctr.

I dont think big fullbacks are a thing anymore also.. too many miles, too many injuries.. Tommy and Latrell have never been able to maintain it.. but its more about being light weight... you dont have to specifically be a short-king ala TPH or Kini.. i.e. Teddy, Bula etc they arent short short.. but they are light and agile... Walker and Burton dont seem short at all.

 

[Dave03]

You just can't predict the exact position they make it in, Faulalo another who was an out and out fullback but is a gun 1-5 fullstop.. Koula not quite the same but again would walk into 1-5 at our club.

Rokko is a bit more light weight agile back, I think he is more likely to be the modern day 1, but 1-6 is possible for sure..

Burton I think 1-5, lets just see how big he gets in the next 2yrs... and whether his best skills are running or ballplaying etc.. either way he probably does his first year as wing or ctr.

I dont think big fullbacks are a thing anymore also.. too many miles, too many injuries.. Tommy and Latrell have never been able to maintain it.. but its more about being light weight... you dont have to specifically be a short-king ala TPH or Kini.. i.e. Teddy, Bula etc they arent short short.. but they are light and agile... Walker and Burton dont seem short at all.

Campbell Graham was saying loads have increased heaps, even at centre. I don't think that tall fullback body type can handle the increased loads for a duration of the season. Maybe could see backline players swap positions in attack & defence in the future. Younger players with position flexibility would be good for the future imo. A silver lining of someone like Hamish playing 2rf this year rather than lock, get reps & experience into him now while we still suck.

 

[RandomDragon]

Nothing wrong with Burton starting on the wing and moving in etc.