Hastings

[TheBigFella]

In all the games that Nikorima played I never saw him kick the ball whether it be a grubber, chip or for distance. I haven't really seen Watson do it either. Friend can't kick for shit so everybody knows that all our kicking comes through Pearce.. And it's not like he has much variety.
Last season Hastings was running the side well with Maloney in the absence of Pearce.

[Bronte Chook]

Never had nothing but praise for him. He did a great job for us off the bench filling in at hooker for his debut season of a handful of games. He was awesome for us last yr when we needed him. And he was thrown under the bus in an underperforming and injury ravaged side this year, despite his age and inexperience. He may be slow but he can kick and pass and his selection of when to kick or pass has been pretty good in my opinion. He will be a very solid player elsewhere. I have less of an opinion of Watson who seems to get so much praise because he has speed.. Speed will only take you so far as a half. It can carry wingers and centres through careers but to be a 5/8 he will need a lot more than I've seen. Hopefully he can learn to settle down mentally whilst playing fast physically.

Hastings isn't instinctive enough. The 5 on 2 on Anzac Day when he ran it himself and got tackled is something I wouldn't expect from a prop forward. His bombs don't carry any weight and like Pearce he does the easier to catch end over end bombs. Unfortunately, he also lacks a long kicking game and I'm yet to see him run to the line and throw a short ball. In his defence, there aren't many able to do this as the boring behind the back play seems to rule these days.
If you're in an important position such as Hastings you either need to have the majority of skills in running, passing, kicking and steering the side around. Hastings, in my opinion doesn't excel in any of these.

[Headless Chook]

Niko the kiwi/ qld blow in may have all the skills but I am not confident with his mental capacity nor am I convinced with Lattrells In comparison to Watson his mental toughness streets ahead at this stage of the 3 debutants. Niko better suited to yawnion and its 7s game.

Give Watson a couple of more cracks in the top grade and lets see how he handles it when the ravenous mob in here start baying for his blood because he's not the next Brad Fittler then we will see how his mental capacity is. I can't see how you can doubt Latrell's mental toughness, the kid has played with injury a number of times and has been our one shining light and go-to player. That's a massive ask for a kid who has just turned 19. I wish I had been as mentally strong as him at the same age

[Bigchook]

Hastings isn't instinctive enough. The 5 on 2 on Anzac Day when he ran it himself and got tackled is something I wouldn't expect from a prop forward. His bombs don't carry any weight and like Pearce he does the easier to catch end over end bombs. Unfortunately, he also lacks a long kicking game and I'm yet to see him run to the line and throw a short ball. In his defence, there aren't many able to do this as the boring behind the back play seems to rule these days.
If you're in an important position such as Hastings you either need to have the majority of skills in running, passing, kicking and steering the side around. Hastings, in my opinion doesn't excel in any of these.

He ****ed up that play against the dragons. But the judgements on his ability to play in the nrl based on that one play are ridiculous. When Hastings entered our structures last year he was great. This year he's played with 4 other halves. Most with less experience than him. The early rounds arent an accurate representation of his ability. He had no time to gel with nikorima and was forced to be the lead play maker, a role he wasn't ready for.

[Bigchook]

In all the games that Nikorima played I never saw him kick the ball whether it be a grubber, chip or for distance. I haven't really seen Watson do it either. Friend can't kick for shit so everybody knows that all our kicking comes through Pearce.. And it's not like he has much variety.
Last season Hastings was running the side well with Maloney in the absence of Pearce.

I saw him kick once. I think it cost us about 40m. But again him and Hastings playing behind a busted forward pack just had no time. They weren't given a chance.

[Bigchook]

I'd just love to see Niko play next to Pearce. Niko would appreciate having someone organise the team and let him just inject himself as required. I think Pearce would enjoy having someone who can create something..

[Mickie Lane]

I'd just love to see Niko play next to Pearce. Niko would appreciate having someone organise the team and let him just inject himself as required. I think Pearce would enjoy having someone who can create something..

Watson is doing a top job of playing 5/8. I dont know why you keep going on about Nikorima, he had his chance & didnt aim up & will probably be moved on next year because the Roosters dont need him.

[Bigchook]

Watson is doing a top job of playing 5/8. I dont know why you keep going on about Nikorima, he had his chance & didnt aim up & will probably be moved on next year because the Roosters dont need him.

Watson having a good game against awful opposition. I'd like to see him play against Melbourne with Hastings next to him and no cordner or jwh.

[Mickie Lane]

Watson having a good game against awful opposition. I'd like to see him play against Melbourne with Hastings next to him and no cordner or jwh.

Stop bagging the bloke, his first game at run on 5/8 was against Cronulla 2nd game was against Melbourne the two heavy weights & he played with more spirit & enthusiasm than Nikorima ever did & then backed it up with a classy effort tonight until he got injured. Forget Nikorima & embrace Watson.

[stringaz]

I think Hastings is our surplus half, only cause he and pearce don't compliment each other and he's more ready for first grade than jayden.

I'd like to hold onto nikorima tho, I have an infatuation with speed in a players kitbag

[bondi paul]

Watson only 2 years out of school and a tad older than Lattrell - most here go on about Mitchell being 19 and to give him a break yet Watson plays up in the front line as opposed to Mitchell at FB or the wing. If Watson was around in the Gibson era at Easts he would have been held in high esteem.

[mightyrooster]

Stop bagging the bloke, his first game at run on 5/8 was against Cronulla 2nd game was against Melbourne the two heavy weights & he played with more spirit & enthusiasm than Nikorima ever did & then backed it up with a classy effort tonight until he got injured. Forget Nikorima & embrace Watson.

Agree Mickey. But I think we need to hang onto Niko. He's got great potential imo. He was thrown in at the deep end too young and his confidence was shot.

[Bigchook]

Stop bagging the bloke, his first game at run on 5/8 was against Cronulla 2nd game was against Melbourne the two heavy weights & he played with more spirit & enthusiasm than Nikorima ever did & then backed it up with a classy effort tonight until he got injured. Forget Nikorima & embrace Watson.

How am I bagging him? I said he was having a good game but the comparisons between him and Niko are unfair.

[TheBigFella]

Robbo said after the game that they are going to start on Watson's kicking game as well now.

[Andrew Walker]

Watson having a good game against awful opposition. I'd like to see him play against Melbourne with Hastings next to him and no cordner or jwh.

Watson has been the find of the season for us High quality footy player whom I think is a class above Nikorima