Brian Smith eyes fullback role for Todd Carney

[Guest]

Maybe this is just the club putting interesting stories in the media to generate interest in FOOTBALL rather than Mason's current rubbish and all the other crap that went on this year.

Tell you one thing, I'd rather read about Smith working through combinations for the squad than just about any other story I've read about the roosters this year.

[Guest]

Can't blame them for exploring all the options, but surely they need to bite the bullet with Anasta. He is simply too slow to be 5/8. Our attack is totally stilted by having him there. And to play Minichiello on the wing would be a disaster. His defence is not up to it. Carney is the 5/8 solution we've been seeking for so long

[Guest]

SYDNEY Roosters coach Brian Smith has confirmed he will use the pre-season to find out whether Todd Carney is a realistic option at fullback.

Carney, who began training with the Roosters on Monday, was expected to slot in alongside Mitchell Pearce in the halves.

However, Smith said yesterday he was ready to trial the former Canberra half at fullback after speaking to the club's recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.

"I have talked a bit about it with the coaches and I had a real good chat to Peter O'Sullivan,'' Smith said. "It was Peter who suggested we should have a think about him as a fullback. I have chatted briefly to Toddy about that so he had a chance to think about it a bit himself.''

Playing Carney at fullback would allow captain Braith Anasta to remain at five-eighth, relieving Smith of at least one headache.


Though it would mean a move for former NSW and Australia fullback Anthony Minichiello, the game's best No 1 before being struck down by a series of back injuries.

O'Sullivan said of a Carney positional move: "It's worth a look. His pace, his power, his running game, along with his passing and kicking game, especially on the left-hand side of the field would make him extremely difficult to defend against.''

The Roosters' willingness to trial Carney at the back highlights the evolution in the position. It's arguable only halfback is a more important role in modern football.

While no one doubts Carney's ability with the ball, the bigger challenge will be acclimatising to the other demands of playing fullback.

"The picture in my mind is certainly of the attacking aspects of the game,'' Smith said. "I couldn't see how Todd would have a problem with that. In fact, he could be made for it. There's obviously a lot of other things -- receiving kicks and defending and all that stuff.

"We need to give him a chance to get his head around that and have a practice at it before we test him out.

"He has a terrific, athletic body. He has speed, strength - all those items. He's done it and proven it. Being out for 18 months . . . he looks pretty good.

"He'll look better in three or four months with a proper preparation. But he's keen, he's enthusiastic.''

The temptation to play Carney at fullback must also be balanced against what he offers in the halves.

In Pearce and Carney, the Roosters have two players with immense talent who can form a combination at the club for years to come. Minichiello's ability to capture his best form will also play a part in Smith's decision, although the former NSW and Australian fullback is equally at home on the wing.

Smith is notorious for foxing with his teams, it appears he has started early in this case.

At least you're talking about footy and looking forward to the make up of the team.

[Guest]

Can't blame them for exploring all the options, but surely they need to bite the bullet with Anasta. He is simply too slow to be 5/8. Our attack is totally stilted by having him there. And to play Minichiello on the wing would be a disaster. His defence is not up to it. Carney is the 5/8 solution we've been seeking for so long

Yep,just like the last time he played on the wing in 2002...oh wait a minute

[melon....]

Don't be so sure mate.

Im not. i dont know anymore. and i dont care. But Im just highlighting the media has no idea either.

[melon....]

1. Carney
2. Perrett
3. Williamson
4. Graham
5. Minichiello
6. Anasta
7. Pearce

Ill be satisified with that to be honest.

Why? our best fullback is playing Wing and our best 5/8 is playing fullback. Yo want another spoon dont you? go on admit it.

[TheLoneRooster]

I would love to see a Roosters team with players playing in their most natural and accustomed positions and a bonus would be to see those players play in those positions all year! How revolutionary that would be!

[Guest]

It seems Anasta still wants to play 5/8 and he has recruited O'Sullivan to sell his case to Smith. If O'Sullivan wants to start telling Smith what is best for the team I predict him to be the next to be cut from the club.

[Guest]

Yep,just like the last time he played on the wing in 2002...oh wait a minute

mate, if you actually believe you can make a case for Minichiello to be on the wing in 2009, by pointing to the fact that he played on the wing a couple of times 7 years ago, prior to all his injuries, and when he was twice the player he is now, then yes, you are confused.

The fact with Minichiello is that in 2009, he's nowhere near the elite fullbacks in the game. Not in the top 5, possibly not in the top 10. But it's absolutely the only place he can possibly play. Centre - ridiculous, Wing - ridiculous. Can you imagine him trying to stop Taniela Tuiaki or Manu Vatuvei? He'd get slaughtered

[Guest]

A winger has to defend against a minor portion of the opposition, where as a fullback has to potentially defend the whole of the opposition.

Mini hardly had a go last year to really assess his playing ability.

[Vasco]

mate, if you actually believe you can make a case for Minichiello to be on the wing in 2009, by pointing to the fact that he played on the wing a couple of times 7 years ago, prior to all his injuries, and when he was twice the player he is now, then yes, you are confused.

The fact with Minichiello is that in 2009, he's nowhere near the elite fullbacks in the game. Not in the top 5, possibly not in the top 10. But it's absolutely the only place he can possibly play. Centre - ridiculous, Wing - ridiculous. Can you imagine him trying to stop Taniela Tuiaki or Manu Vatuvei? He'd get slaughtered

I believe his best game in a few seasons was on the wing in a Monday night football game this year.

[Johnny Tobin]

I believe his best game in a few seasons was on the wing in a Monday night football game this year.

Wasn't that his only game for a few seasons?

Seriously though, I will be surprised if Mini comes back and becomes anything but a solid first grader.

[Guest]

mate, if you actually believe you can make a case for Minichiello to be on the wing in 2009, by pointing to the fact that he played on the wing a couple of times 7 years ago, prior to all his injuries, and when he was twice the player he is now, then yes, you are confused.

The fact with Minichiello is that in 2009, he's nowhere near the elite fullbacks in the game. Not in the top 5, possibly not in the top 10. But it's absolutely the only place he can possibly play. Centre - ridiculous, Wing - ridiculous. Can you imagine him trying to stop Taniela Tuiaki or Manu Vatuvei? He'd get slaughtered

So you would prefer SKD or Sonny on the wing to defend these guys,as they are our only other choices at this stage,then please,you are the one confused...
PS,Mini played every game of 02 on the wing,not a couple as you hazard to guess.Have you forgotton Diamond already?

[Guest]

A winger has to defend against a minor portion of the opposition, where as a fullback has to potentially defend the whole of the opposition.

Mini hardly had a go last year to really assess his playing ability.

Defend against the whole of the opposition? What rubbish.

Defense from a fullbacks perspective is a lot more about defusing kicks than it is about tackling. Fullbacks make very few tackles in a match, and when they do, it's usually side on against a player trying to run around them. Not against a big fast winger trying to steamroll them Those big wingers I mentioned would obliterate Mini if he was forced to try and stop them head on. And that's not withstanding his injuries. I'm not sure trying to stop big Manu 10 times a game is really what we're looking for in terms of managing his back injuries

Additionally in attack, a winger has to be strong enough or quick enough or evasive enough to stay in the field of play. Mini is neither of those things anymore.

Anyway, if he does get a go on the wing, you'll see what I mean

[Geohood]

Everytime Mini has come back to Fullback or Wing he has been solid at worst... he played his last few games at 5/8 this year which was ridiculous so I don't know why you're writing him off as of yet.