Hastings needs a big offseason

[Rooster_6]

Pearce plays closer in field than Maloney. What people don't realise about (Pearce/SBW/any other name) who don't make as many line breaks as they used to, is teams adapt and mark them more heavily. This creates extra space around them. I can still remember last year SBW being heavily criticised for not make as many line breaks but it also coincided with Pearce making many more line breaks in and around SBW.

Yep I made a similar post earlier in the year when there were some signs starting to show that RTS & Fergo were starting to get a lot of space down our right edge with the way teams were numbering up on Pearce & his second rower. It was only a matter of time before RTS started to get his ball playing game to a standard where he could take advantage of those half opportunities.

[Rooster_6]

Hastings 7 Pearce 6.

Makes absolutely no sense at all.

Hastings will be there to create points, 2nd receiver is where he needs to be. Pearce is there to organise the side, first receiver is where he needs to be.

I'd liken it to JWH passing the ball from dummy half onto Jake Friend to take the hitup.

[Guest]

Makes absolutely no sense at all.

Hastings will be there to create points, 2nd receiver is where he needs to be. Pearce is there to organise the side, first receiver is where he needs to be.

I'd liken it to JWH passing the ball from dummy half onto Jake Friend to take the hitup.

Rubbish. Hastings has more time than Pearce so 7 takes pressure of Pearce[not something Pearce copes with in big games]. Pearces game at Roosters would be better served at 6. [Run Mitchell Run]. Not sure where your coming from?

[Double]

Rubbish. Hastings has more time than Pearce so 7 takes pressure of Pearce[not something Pearce copes with in big games]. Pearces game at Roosters would be better served at 6. [Run Mitchell Run]. Not sure where your coming from?

If we can develop a little more variety in our forward play then I think the switch can work. Plus I like the idea of letting Hastings play 7 with less structure.

[Rooster_6]

Rubbish. Hastings has more time than Pearce so 7 takes pressure of Pearce[not something Pearce copes with in big games]. Pearces game at Roosters would be better served at 6. [Run Mitchell Run]. Not sure where your coming from?

Hastings hasn't even learnt how to build a set yet, we saw that throughout the finals series. That is only the basics of halfback play, I guess I just take into consideration more than running games. The kid is good and will one day be a great player there's absolutely no doubt in my mind about that.

But he has what seems to be a rare ability among halves these days, vision. He doesn't need to get bogged down in running the side, he needs get the ball in his hands where & wherever he likes and he just needs to be allowed to play what he sees and create points for the team.

Later in his career as he matures he'll be the obvious successor to Pearce but for now we just have to let the kid play. He's far more creative that Pearce and Pearce is the far better organiser.

[Double]

Hi Rooster_6,

For the most part I agree with what you are saying, and yes I'm trying to consider more than a running game as well. But I think at 7 Hastings has the option to either play what he see's or spin the ball and play the structure. I think Pearce then at 2nd receiver becomes even more dangerous with options inside and out, or with the long ball. IF we can build in some forward variations center field then we can buy these two time and space. If we can play with a little more depth let oppositions try and shut down our 6 & 7. With OPTIONS either side that's a dangerous gamble given our personel and attacking prowess on the fringes.

I accept it would take a major rethink of our forward play but if we had go-to options either side of the ruck or down the guts the pressure is immediately on the opposition's defence.

[Bigchook]

Agree with this, teams see Pearce as such a dynamic ball runner hence the line breaks dried up. Halves with poor running games like Thurston, Ben Hunt, Milford, Morgan make more line breaks because opposition defences know these guys don't pose the sort of threat Pearce does.

Hunt and Milford have poor running games?

[2026]

I'd rather Pearce demand that i take another hit up whilst my a*se is hanging out than an overconfident 19/20 year old.

[Guest]

I'd rather Pearce demand that i take another hit up whilst my a*se is hanging out than an overconfident 19/20 year old.

Won't change with Pearce at 6.

[Bowie79]

Hunt and Milford have poor running games?

Exactly! Considering they tore us a new arsehole just last week some people have short memories..

[Cockadoodledoo]

Hunt and Milford have poor running games?

I didn't think i needed a sarcasm emotion but then again i forgot i wasn't posting on the mensa forum.

[2026]

Won't change with Pearce at 6.

Assuming we play with split halves otherwise he'll need a loud hailer from second receiver.