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**Guest** · 10-09-2012, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by Rooster_6 View Post

Setting up tries doesn�t necessarily fall under the category of creativity. Pearce plays his football in a very structured manner, he likes his fringe players to run good overs and unders and selects his passes very well. Creativity is the ability of a player to go outside of an attacking structure and create an opportunity with their flair. For example even though Pearce set up more tries than someone like Todd Carney there�s no way in the world I�d even begin to suggest that Pearce is the more creative player or even had the more creative season. The issue with creative players is genuinely they don�t make good make good halfbacks because they lack the organising skills & decision making as they�re always looking to play �off the cuff�. Look at the trouble Benji has got the Tigers into when he plays halfback, playing ridiculous short side plays on last when he should be kicking, Sandow another great example. It�s not Pearce�s fault we lack creativity because he�s a traditional halfback and that�s role we need him to play every team needs one, he plays structured attack and organises the side; these are his primary roles. A good halves combination would then be a creative player either at 5/8 (or in some teams at fullback) it�s why he and Carney worked so well together, Carney provided the flair and Pearce the organisation. I�m not sure why I need to explain this to you�

On to dominance, like I stated earlier it�s the responsibility of the forward pack to establish dominance, without it the halfback can�t truly be effective. Even though Pearce played behind arguably the least dominant forward pack in the NRL this year it doesn�t mean you still can�t judge him on his kicking game & organisational abilities it just means he�s not the reason why the team struggles to dominate games. As I�ve already pointed out and I�m sure many people are aware of this again it really shouldn�t need explaining we just don�t have good enough go forward and we lack discipline.

If the basics of the game still don�t make any sense to you then let me know and I�ll draw a picture�

yes 6, that's all fine and I understand what you're getting at, but you manufacture reality to suit your position.

Look at the trouble Benji into when he plays halfback, because he occasionally takes a wrong option? Benji's been the Tigers best player since he started at the joint, no matter where he plays. I'd have Benji here instead of Pearce in a heartbeat, and so would anyone. Thurston and Johnson aren't actually creative halfbacks, they're just playing there to get more ball? Thurston in particular has been the premier halfback in the game for years, and you claim we should ignore his creativity because "he's really a 5/8"

That's just errant nonsense, all so you can make a case that says "Good sides don't need creative halfbacks, so don't worry about the fact that Pearce isn't one"

**theGman** · 10-09-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by The Axe View Post

All valid points from everyone and I'm certainly not Pearce's #1 fan, but I'll reserve Pearce judgment until the following occurs, as he has been encumbered with many ills woking against him:
1. He has a coach with a game plan and some structure to benefit the spine
2. Anasta not there to stiffle the play (don't understate the importance of this) Maloney will be 100% better becasue Braiff was a handbrake in attack3. Mini to the wing or told to stay out of 1st receiver (back to game plan and strong coach)
4. Nafi's creativity to complement Friend.
By 1/2 way through 2013 we should see the REAL player (good or bad) and make true decisions of what's best for the club.

Yeah spot on there mate, especially points 1 & 2.
Ever since Pearce debuted, BAnasta has played alongside him in jumper 6 & unfortunately IMO they never fully gelled. Their style of play did not compliment each other. Come 2010 when Carney was moved from fullback & replaced BAnasta at five-eight our halves & Jake Friend clicked and surprise, surprise we got to the finals.

I believe (& hope) that Maloney and Pearce will blossom.

**Guest** · 10-09-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Rooster_6 View Post

Setting up tries doesn’t necessarily fall under the category of creativity. Pearce plays his football in a very structured manner, he likes his fringe players to run good overs and unders and selects his passes very well. Creativity is the ability of a player to go outside of an attacking structure and create an opportunity with their flair. For example even though Pearce set up more tries than someone like Todd Carney there’s no way in the world I’d even begin to suggest that Pearce is the more creative player or even had the more creative season. The issue with creative players is genuinely they don’t make good make good halfbacks because they lack the organising skills & decision making as they’re always looking to play ‘off the cuff’. Look at the trouble Benji has got the Tigers into when he plays halfback, playing ridiculous short side plays on last when he should be kicking, Sandow another great example. It’s not Pearce’s fault we lack creativity because he’s a traditional halfback and that’s role we need him to play every team needs one, he plays structured attack and organises the side; these are his primary roles. A good halves combination would then be a creative player either at 5/8 (or in some teams at fullback) it’s why he and Carney worked so well together, Carney provided the flair and Pearce the organisation. I’m not sure why I need to explain this to you…

On to dominance, like I stated earlier it’s the responsibility of the forward pack to establish dominance, without it the halfback can’t truly be effective. Even though Pearce played behind arguably the least dominant forward pack in the NRL this year it doesn’t mean you still can’t judge him on his kicking game & organisational abilities it just means he’s not the reason why the team struggles to dominate games. As I’ve already pointed out and I’m sure many people are aware of this again it really shouldn’t need explaining we just don’t have good enough go forward and we lack discipline.

If the basics of the game still don’t make any sense to you then let me know and I’ll draw a picture…

Exactly, Cronk is a structuted #7 in a team with structured and has Slater and Hoffman as tight options, with the rest of the backs knowing thier jobs and where the need to be when Cronk has the ball. Pearce has never had that luxury! The wheel is a twit.

**Rooster_6** · 10-09-2012, 05:36 PM