2017.... Strongest squad since 2002

[Cockadoodledoo]

How can a Rugby League player be termed World Class in any capacity? It is only played at a very high level in one country. FWIW Peace is a very good organizer, not a great one imo. Simply he lacks composure too often, particularly in the back end of tight games. He plays the game at 1 speed, at 100 miles an hour, I don't see an ability to slow the game down, to stay settled when a game is on the line.

[Bigchook]

How can a Rugby League player be termed World Class in any capacity? It is only played at a very high level in one country. FWIW Peace is a very good organizer, not a great one imo. Simply he lacks composure too often, particularly in the back end of tight games. He plays the game at 1 speed, at 100 miles an hour, I don't see an ability to slow the game down, to stay settled when a game is on the line.

I agree. The million dollar figure being thrown about is ridiculous considering his limited skillet. If a club is willing to pay him that than good luck to him but I think we could still keep him at a reduced price. Offload some fluff and have a crack at 2-3 stars for 2018.

[Rooster_6]

How can a Rugby League player be termed World Class in any capacity? It is only played at a very high level in one country. FWIW Peace is a very good organizer, not a great one imo. Simply he lacks composure too often, particularly in the back end of tight games. He plays the game at 1 speed, at 100 miles an hour, I don't see an ability to slow the game down, to stay settled when a game is on the line.

World class is just another way of saying among the best there is. Although it's a pedantic argument so I'll leave it at that.

As for ability to control the tempo of a game I couldn't disagree more, this is the part where we missed Pearce most in 2016. Every play the ball in good ball zone resulted in an attempt to score points, there was rarely a settler, the amount of short side plays we ran and the frequency of which we ran them was literally amateur hour, every spread was frantic, there was no consideration of the next play let alone where a kick was going. Pearce is very good at being able to slow the tempo of game down, only Cameron Smith does it better and he's the absolute master.

I think Pearce has struggled with the closing out of some games where people start to lose their heads around him and the play turns frantic because that's when those who can play off the cuff rise to the top and that's the part of the game that just doesn't come naturally to him.

[4 the all in brawl]

One of the very best organisers and second best at controlling the pace of a game lol. We finished second last for Christs sake in 2016.

Hodgson and Thurston for starters off the top of my head control the pace better. Possibly Corey Norman too who is an underrated organiser who most think is just pure instinct.