The "Not Happy with Blake Ferguson at FullBack" Thread

[Original Stumpy]

Anyone else feeling uneasy about this move?

For me, it's weakening one position significantly in order to move Blake into a position where he may or may not do well. We can forget some of the darker days of Skids in the centres. Blake Ferguson is one of the most dynamic, powerful, gun centres in the game and we've only seen glimpses so far of how good he'll be for us. Remember those two tries against the Broncos in the semis?

I say start with Slaimankhel or the kid Mitchell in there. Slaimankhel is 23 - he'll handle it. Why buy him if we don't try him ? I know Mitchell is young etc but has everything. If it's Mitchell throw him in the deep end and give him 12 months.

At least until the Hayne-plane finally touches down in the car-park at Moore Park ....

[Tommy Smith]

It significantly weakens centre. And weakens the wing where SKD was amazing last year.

But, fullback is a crucial position so if Robbo thinks he's the best option then he has to play Fergo there.

My other issue is Fergo's flimsy ankles. I don't think he'll be up to the rigours of fullback and he'll almost certainly miss a chunk of the season through injury.

[TheBigFella]

I've been trying to convince myself that this is a good move but I can't. I don't see it working & am worried about our other options. We have an abundance of wingers & centres but no ready made replacement in the 1 jersey.

[roostersrule2]

I love Fergy Ferg but I agree that moving him to FB is a bad move.

Put Mitchell there, there's no place to learn FB better then FB.

[ism22]

AKA the 'lets have a whinge coz it's pre-season and I'm bored' thread.

IMO Mitchell is our long-term fullback and while RTS was dally m fullback, he's too short and relied on our winning structure. Also, when he started asking for more than $800k... it's too much for one player! Especially when guys like Toops are taking pay cuts just to stay here.

POS has a solid track recrd when it comes to choosing backs and spine players. This will be a test of his expertise... but I think he's on the money when I read that a lanky 18 y/o Mitchell (with speed to burn) is 104kg.

IMO Fergo will be a good test for this model too. We're moving away from a shortish FB with a good step, towards big, SUPER athletic indigenous boys. Without a pre-season (and with serious injuries) Fergo was a freak last year. Give him more ball and more freedom this year and we'll see the Origin-grade Fergo come out. Give it another year and he'll have a younger, faster bloke taking over. Combine this with creative kicks from Hastings/Pearce and I can see many more years of success for the RWB.

[Original Stumpy]

AKA the 'lets have a whinge coz it's pre-season and I'm bored' thread.

IMO Mitchell is our long-term fullback and while RTS was dally m fullback, he's too short and relied on our winning structure. Also, when he started asking for more than $800k... it's too much for one player! Especially when guys like Toops are taking pay cuts just to stay here.

POS has a solid track recrd when it comes to choosing backs and spine players. This will be a test of his expertise... but I think he's on the money when I read that a lanky 18 y/o Mitchell (with speed to burn) is 104kg.

IMO Fergo will be a good test for this model too. We're moving away from a shortish FB with a good step, towards big, SUPER athletic indigenous boys. Without a pre-season (and with serious injuries) Fergo was a freak last year. Give him more ball and more freedom this year and we'll see the Origin-grade Fergo come out. Give it another year and he'll have a younger, faster bloke taking over. Combine this with creative kicks from Hastings/Pearce and I can see many more years of success for the RWB.

Mate, I've never heard of you but starting your reply with that smart a&^e comment is just broadcasting your arrogance. I am neither bored nor having a whinge. If you have a response to make to a genuine query, just make it, which you have done - and a reasonable comment at that.

[dj_sta]

What I don't understand is, Robbo was happy to throw Hastings in to FG when he was 19. So why not Mitchell? I understand there is a lot of responsibility with the FB position and he is only young so may not be confident enough to tell the bigger, more senior guys like JWH and Moa where to go but he will learn. The longer we keep him under wraps the more pressure the media and fans will put on him expecting this amazing super star player.

If there was ever a time to give him a crack it would be the start of the season so he has time to learn and the team has time to adjust. Rather than play Fergo at FB, he gets selected for SOO and then we have to push Mitchell in to FB and he makes a vital mistake and loses us the game and puts more pressure on us for the season or even worse, Fergo gets injured in Rd 23 and Mitchell is thrown in for some do or die games!

[zac]

Fair thread - and I suppose you don't know how it will work out until it happens. But there were some who were doubting RTS at this stage last year.

At a basic level, a move that puts the ball in Fergo's hands more often can't be all bad.

[Drumstick]

What I don't understand is, Robbo was happy to throw Hastings in to FG when he was 19. So why not Mitchell? I understand there is a lot of responsibility with the FB position and he is only young so may not be confident enough to tell the bigger, more senior guys like JWH and Moa where to go but he will learn. The longer we keep him under wraps the more pressure the media and fans will put on him expecting this amazing super star player.

If there was ever a time to give him a crack it would be the start of the season so he has time to learn and the team has time to adjust. Rather than play Fergo at FB, he gets selected for SOO and then we have to push Mitchell in to FB and he makes a vital mistake and loses us the game and puts more pressure on us for the season or even worse, Fergo gets injured in Rd 23 and Mitchell is thrown in for some do or die games!

Mate, have you watch all of Mitchell's games in the 20s ?? He is clearly not ready.. He makes so many mistakes, handling, catching bombs under pressure, his defence is poor, he let in 3 tries against Manly at Brookvale oval in one game. He needs to watch his weight and fitness as he could end up in the forwards like his brother. This is why Robbo doesn't have him as the first grade fullback and if he played there now he would be ridiculed

[ism22]

Mate, I've never heard of you but starting your reply with that smart a&^e comment is just broadcasting your arrogance. I am neither bored nor having a whinge. If you have a response to make to a genuine query, just make it, which you have done - and a reasonable comment at that.

You'll get to know the Jizz Meister mate... yes, I'm an arrogant smart@rs3 who loves taking the p!ss on here. Deal with it bro

[theGman]

You'll get to know the Jizz Meister mate... yes, I'm an arrogant smart@rs3 who loves taking the p!ss on here. Deal with it bro

The club will transition/ease Mitchell into the fullback role ala RTS. There's no way Robbo will throw him into the deep end at the infancy stage of his career.

[eddie]

[SIZE=12px]Anyone else feeling uneasy about this move?

Yep, and I think you summed it up pretty well.
Fergo is a centre, and SKD is a winger.

Problem is, from what I've seen, Slamenkle isn't up to nrl standard, especially in defence........and Mitchell should probably play a season for Wyong.
Signing players like Burgess and the hooker(forget name) has me confused.

Anyway, I like the Fergo/SKD combo, but have no answer.

[Easts75]

The bloke is a freak athlete and extremely competitive. He will kill it but i do agree it weakens us in the centres.

[Original Stumpy]

You'll get to know the Jizz Meister mate... yes, I'm an arrogant smart@rs3 who loves taking the p!ss on here. Deal with it bro

Jizz-Meister?? ... Really? Fair enough Mr Jizz..Meister ...
And you'll get to know me.
We who have haunted this joint (and the old Wall) for 15 years have seen blokes like you come and go.
You obviously have good points to make. I don't have to deal with your BS. Far easier if you don't sprout it in the first place. Then we'll stay a big happy family just rooster-lovin' together.

Now what was that point you made about Ferguson? It wasn't too bad ....

I'll let loose Melon, Tobin, Brain, BigFella, Pimp or trewhella for the rest.

[Johnny Tobin]

We had our pants pulled down with no other option. Just have to hope it works.