Pearce, Fpn round of applause

[ChookMaster]

Both played really well today, Pearce looked composed, got a few goal line drop outs & even kicked a 40/20 . Mr fpn played his heart out today. Might have something to do With the motivational speech today? Great hit ups and quick play the balls.

[top_joe]

Really impressed with FPN tonight, gave JWH a little longer on the sidelinesbecause of his effort, which helped us on the back end of the game.

[milanja]

I think FPN has had his best start to a year yet.

[Guest]

Agreed! Whole team really performed!

[Roosterfarian]

How predicable..fpn only fires up for contract extensions or NZ test trials.

[milanja]

How predicable..fpn only fires up for contract extensions or NZ test trials.

His contract has been extended, pretty sure he hasnt been aiming up all year for the one test match of the season.

[Guest]

I'm a big Pearce fan but that's about the only 40/20 I can ever remember him kicking????? Surely there were other times though ..

[Roosterfarian]

His contract has been extended, pretty sure he hasnt been aiming up all year for the one test match of the season.

Didnt say his contract was up.

Not sure who you are talking about as his stats over the last few years have been atrocious.

[stsae]

Didnt say his contract was up.

Not sure who you are talking about as his stats over the last few years have been atrocious.

Stats are one thing and I agree FPN has frustrated me at times watching him play but like SKiD and Mini the three of them are well respected by the rest of the team and play a part that maybe doesn't translate to stats alone.

Every team has those sorts of blokes who frustrate fans but coaches and other players love.

We have a few at our club.

[Roosterfarian]

I agree backwards but sorry fpn isnt one of them.

Please explain what value he provides? The odd decent hitup with an offload? Or the annoying shove in the opposition faces which generates the usual bravado on his behalf with little substances?

[Yak]

I agree backwards but sorry fpn isnt one of them.

Please explain what value he provides? The odd decent hitup with an offload? Or the annoying shove in the opposition faces which generates the usual bravado on his behalf with little substances?

In my opinion FPN's value is his defence. To me it looks like he's the sort of bloke you want next to you. He gets labelled lazy because he doesn't take that many runs but in defence if you actually watch closely he is far from lazy. Always covers extremely well behind the ruck, works hard out of marker especially on the last to put kick pressure on (best in the team in my opinion) and also always has solid initial contact. His value in attack is not his workload. It's the impact his runs have on a set. Makes a lot of metres before contact and can drive 10 after contact and compress a defence by bringing more defenders in to either stop him or cover his offloading ability. He's a 3rd tackle specialist but is very reliant on his other props having reasonable runs earlier in the set. With a quick play the ball which he normally gets he has the ability to make a good set a scoring set. And I feel that gives the team great balance. You don't want every bloke in the team to take 18 runs but never make it over 8m. While FPN is on so is Cordner and SBW, both very active edge players when it comes to taking hard hit ups. FPN does not need to take a run every set. His job coming on as lock is to plug up the middle of the field in defence and make sure the roll down the field continues in attack.

One thing I wish he would develop in his game is his support play. You look at a guy like Isaac Liu, arguably not as naturally talented but works very hard off the ball running off his other prop and giving his half an inside option. I'd imagine his asthma really limits his workload in attack. Much more important that he saves that energy for defence in my opinion given his role.

[stsae]

I agree backwards but sorry fpn isnt one of them.

Please explain what value he provides? The odd decent hitup with an offload? Or the annoying shove in the opposition faces which generates the usual bravado on his behalf with little substances?

Mate I'm no expert but the way I look at it FPN has been in the side now for what 7-8 years.

He's re-signed a few times in that timeframe under various coaches.

He must be providing something they all want???

I believe he's played his best footy under the current coach, as they all have. And IMO coming off the bench is the best I've seen him play. Last week he saved a few tries with last ditch defence. I thought he did some tough hit ups this week, those arse runs where you're running into a wall of defenders coming at you. In defence he often dislodges the pill with aggression.

I guess it's like watching Maubs. He's no $BW but it's the little stuff that doesn't grab headlines. The tough run or the try saver. Or that dive on a loose ball. Even forcing a loose ball.

Stats don't show everything in a game. Where and when little things happen. Little things that set up the big play.

Not rubbishing your opinion mate. It's all good.

[Guest]

Fpn also strikes me as someone other teams don't like playing against. Looks like it hurts to shape up in defence to him. And I can't recall anyone taking him on when he plays the tough guy either.

I can see why his style of play and wanna be gangsta stylings aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I like having him in our team.

The fact that fitzy saw enough to mentor him when he was coming through says something too.

[Roosterfarian]

Mate I'm no expert but the way I look at it FPN has been in the side now for what 7-8 years.

He's re-signed a few times in that timeframe under various coaches.

He must be providing something they all want???

I believe he's played his best footy under the current coach, as they all have. And IMO coming off the bench is the best I've seen him play. Last week he saved a few tries with last ditch defence. I thought he did some tough hit ups this week, those arse runs where you're running into a wall of defenders coming at you. In defence he often dislodges the pill with aggression.

I guess it's like watching Maubs. He's no $BW but it's the little stuff that doesn't grab headlines. The tough run or the try saver. Or that dive on a loose ball. Even forcing a loose ball.

Stats don't show everything in a game. Where and when little things happen. Little things that set up the big play.

Not rubbishing your opinion mate. It's all good.

I know you're not brother. Always respect your opinion as well.

[Guest]

I agree with the farian his stats are sometimes questionable, he does bring a bit of steel. Who can forget his hit of Georgey Porgey Burgess for the minor premiership.

He's a contradiction ole FPN, he's mad religious but likes to listen to gangster rock.

Anyway he is playing much better off the bench.

Chook.