Pre-Season Scrimmage & Trials

[jodragon40]

I genuinely think he's going to kill it in the next couple years with Gutho teaching him the ropes, I've been so impressed by his attitude and willingness to get stuck in and learn from him instead of kicking stones. Finally having a proper mentor is going to do him, and a bunch of others, the world of good cause theres no doubt he has the ability to be an absolute weapon.

Agree back in my day it was extremely important that we had a couple of battle hardened, well respected players whether they were in the twighlight of their careers or not in our team. Like any job, experience and the ability and willingness to communicate those qualities that they possessed to our younger players more often than not was an asset not only to those individuals but the club as a whole. I am excited to learn that young Sloan is taking his medicine which augurs well for our and his future.

 

[jodragon40]

I guess 94kg is about the same as JAC for example. He was the best winger in the competition for several years.

There is a fine balance between bulking up and retaining your natural speed, wont affect your natural ability but may affect your evasiveness and ability to be in the right place at the right time. We all know that the wingers always had the cleanest jersey

 

[jodragon40]

Amen. Been saying it since before the end of last season. It would of taken an entire pre-season of retraining so can forget about it at least for most of this season.

As I mentioned numerous times before it is extremely difficult for a career back to be remodelled into a forward.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

He’ll drop 2-3 Kg’s by midseason, still needs to bulk up a bit but that’ll happen over the next 12-18 months during preseason

 

[Chris M]

As I mentioned numerous times before it is extremely difficult for a career back to be remodelled into a forward.

No doubt but it happens. Look at Euan Aitken.

 

[Chris M]

He’ll drop 2-3 Kg’s by midseason, still needs to bulk up a bit but that’ll happen over the next 12-18 months during preseason

I think more like 1 or 2 if that.

 

[Wild383]

No doubt but it happens. Look at Euan Aitken.

As I mentioned numerous times before it is extremely difficult for a career back to be remodelled into a forward.

I get what your saying but have to agree with Jo. There's a very big difference between someone like Aitken, using your example, who was already a very solid long term centre moving 1 in to second row, particularly with the defensive systems they use. Versus moving a career winger into the middle, very different set of skills and a completely different defensive structure to learn. Not saying it can't be done but in the modern game they are very different positions and it would take a lot or time and effort, it's not as simple as 'he's 115kg chuck him in the middle cause he's big enough'.

 

[jodragon40]

I get what your saying but have to agree with Jo. There's a very big difference between someone like Aitken, using your example, who was already a very solid long term centre moving 1 in to second row, particularly with the defensive systems they use. Versus moving a career winger into the middle, very different set of skills and a completely different defensive structure to learn. Not saying it can't be done but in the modern game they are very different positions and it would take a lot or time and effort, it's not as simple as 'he's 115kg chuck him in the middle cause he's big enough'.

My point exactly

 

[Wild383]

Also I was dubious on the CT signing at first but to me he was one of our strongest last year and deserves his spot at this stage, and offers a heap of good moral and hype on the field. It's up to the others to fight it for the right wing instead of trying to turn an already good player into a different position.

 

[jodragon40]

No doubt but it happens. Look at Euan Aitken.

It's rare

 

[GCRV]

Also I was dubious on the CT signing at first but to me he was one of our strongest last year and deserves his spot at this stage, and offers a heap of good moral and hype on the field. It's up to the others to fight it for the right wing instead of trying to turn an already good player into a different position.

He was good. On the end of a very speedy backline he'd be much better.

 

[Chris M]

I get what your saying but have to agree with Jo. There's a very big difference between someone like Aitken, using your example, who was already a very solid long term centre moving 1 in to second row, particularly with the defensive systems they use. Versus moving a career winger into the middle, very different set of skills and a completely different defensive structure to learn. Not saying it can't be done but in the modern game they are very different positions and it would take a lot or time and effort, it's not as simple as 'he's 115kg chuck him in the middle cause he's big enough'.

Would have to be retrained but he's still young. I think early 20s. If he wants a long first grade career, middle forward is his spot.

That being said, I think he was good last year. A few issues with his lack of speed but made up for it in other areas. But long term, not fast enough to be a good winger.

That's the way I see it anyway. As always, I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[jodragon40]

Would have to be retrained but he's still young. I think early 20s. If he wants a long first grade career, middle forward is his spot.

That being said, I think he was good last year. A few issues with his lack of speed but made up for it in other areas. But long term, not fast enough to be a good winger.

That's the way I see it anyway. As always, I hope he proves me wrong.

He's not going to fly through the air from 3m out and score. He's going to use his size to bulldoze his way over the tryline. That's the facts until loss of form or injury he will be on one wing

 

[Chris M]

He's not going to fly through the air from 3m out and score. He's going to use his size to bulldoze his way over the tryline. That's the facts until loss of form or injury he will be on one wing

I'm more worried about opposition wingers getting on the outside of him due to their speed vs his.

Agree about his bulldozing runs and tries. He could also do that as a forward.

 

[jodragon40]

I'm more worried about opposition wingers getting on the outside of him due to their speed vs his.

Agree about his bulldozing runs and tries. He could also do that as a forward.

I beg to differ. He knows his strengths and weaknesses so do the coaching staff. You won't see him darting 10m in field to shut down an attack ala Rav and miss

 

[jodragon40]

Bloody he'll why couldn't we have signed AFB if he isn't the best prop running around hes the next best thing. He is a big plus for the Sharks and most probably ensure a semi final spot is in the taking, perhaps even top 4 depending on injuries

 

[Ryan]

Bloody he'll why couldn't we have signed AFB if he isn't the best prop running around hes the next best thing. He is a big plus for the Sharks and most probably ensure a semi final spot is in the taking, perhaps even top 4 depending on injuries

They are paying him 1 mil a year. Very good prop but whether he is still worth a mil a year or ever was is debatable.

 

[Ryan]

I beg to differ. He knows his strengths and weaknesses so do the coaching staff. You won't see him darting 10m in field to shut down an attack ala Rav and miss

Sometimes that's exactly what is needed. Rava just gets it wrong far too often and teammates inside of him haven't been fast enough to recover the situation.

 

[jodragon40]

They are paying him 1 mil a year. Very good prop but whether he is still worth a mil a year or ever was is debatable.

Time will tell. He will win them more games than lose them

 

[jodragon40]

Sometimes that's exactly what is needed. Rava just gets it wrong far too often and teammates inside of him haven't been fast enough to recover the situation.

You don't practice defensive structures based on your winger deciding not to stick to his job. Yes sometimes it needs to be done some initiative but don't get it wrong. He has got it wrong far too often