News on Fergo

[Guest]

Roger for fullback.

[Johnny.]

If I'm not mistaken, he broke his leg and that takes a while to come good from. And with Mini's farewell tour taking precedence over rational positional choices, he was back and forth all year.

[Roostarz]

This might not go down well here, but...why not steal a play out of Souths book?

Dylan Walker was playing centre yet he was popping up all over the field and was arguably the centre of the year. I know they are different players but rather than playing around with RTS' position why not just give Ferguson a free role if centre isn't enough?

[ism22]

This might not go down well here, but...why not steal a play out of Souths book?

Dylan Walker was playing centre yet he was popping up all over the field and was arguably the centre of the year. I know they are different players but rather than playing around with RTS' position why not just give Ferguson a free role if centre isn't enough?

Could be... my guess is that Robbo's going to be experimenting with our backs this season. Things might not click 100% until mid-season (or next season). Lots of talent though! I reckon out players will make it clear what they are capable of.

[stephenj]

in robbo I trust

[fletch]

Fergo will struggle to be fit for round 1, that is one serious ankle injury he is recovering from.

if the NRL actually register a contract for him it wouldn't shock if he spends the first month next season at Wyong.

[Guest]

Maybe Nene McDonald would make a good FB.

[davos]

Maybe Nene McDonald would make a good FB.

big statment I will make, but I reckon Nene may end up being a better player than toops one day.

[Johnny.]

big statment I will make, but I reckon Nene may end up being a better player than toops one day.

I certainly don't judge him on that bad game he had being thrown into the deep end.

[ism22]

Maybe Nene McDonald would make a good FB.

Maybe. Although, IMO the FB should be an experienced player who's really good at reading the plays and communicating with the wingers/centres. I don't think he has enough experience to be a good FB yet. Promising though! First time I saw him I kept calling him Tupou, then I went 'wait isn't Tupou out?!??!' My line then changed to 'who the fark is McDonald?!??! Never heard of him and he's just scored a crazy try!! They sure it's not Tupou?!?!?'

He's got a lot of talent.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Not too sure about him being slow. I haven't seen him too many times in open space to be able to verify that. He is not much smaller than Jennings or SKD. I think it's the way that he runs that makes people think he is small. around the 6 ft mark from memory.

I think that his best attack is when he is in the middle third of the park and running onto offloads or sidesteping forwards. FB will suit him.

Shek's not big enough for modern fullback at all. Until he puts on another 10 kg.

I don't think he's fast enough either.

He's most dangerous close to the line. He's a future five eight.

[Guest]

Shek's not big enough for modern fullback at all. Until he puts on another 10 kg.

I don't think he's fast enough either.

He's most dangerous close to the line. He's a future five eight.

A very good point. Last year there were comparisons between RTS and Dylan Walker. IMO this year there is no comparison. Walker demonstrated how much difference extra size and speed makes.

[The Rooster Oracle]

When it comes to Fergo I would alternate him between centre and wing, and have him as either the second or third alternate for fullback in case RTS is unavailable at any stage or simply doesn't work out in that position. Ideally you need two backups for RTS at fullback to play it safe. One would be Fergo, the other out of SKD, Toups and Macdonald.

The way I would normally work it with Fergo is have him defend on the wing, which would then allow him to keep that bit more fresher in attack and give him the opportunity to go back for kick returns and be given opportunities to attack from the back. In attack have him at centre so that he can get his hands on the ball more and set SKD up outside him. Watching those highlight videos of Fergo you can see how devastating he is when under attacking kicks. On last tackle kicks when on the attack, have Fergo on the wing for cross field kicks.

[Rooster_6]

Shek's not big enough for modern fullback at all. Until he puts on another 10 kg.

I don't think he's fast enough either.

He's most dangerous close to the line. He's a future five eight.

Yeh because Slater, Moylan, Barba & Milford have all shown in recent years that you can't be a success at fullback these days unless you're huge.

People really need to get over perceived size issues, they're just flat out not relevant in this discussion.

[Guest]

Yeh because Slater, Moylan, Barba & Milford have all shown in recent years that you can't be a success at fullback these days unless you're huge.

People really need to get over perceived size issues, they're just flat out not relevant in this discussion.

Only 1 of those 4 have proved themselves. Barber or Milford will not play FB long term & I honestly see Moylan moving up to play 5/8.
I don't think you need a Greg Inglis size FB even though in todays footy I think his size is best suited to FB but IMO you have to have a FB the size of Brett Stuart or bigger. Fullbacks have to be powerful runners (Karmichael Hunt was the best Ive seen)not Fred Astaire movers.

I bet you RTS does not last at FB. I will put a wager on it.