TWITTER: Friend and Linnett gaaawwwwnnnn

[Vasco]

Linnett is OK at best.

We need strike in the centres.

Friend is a tireless worker but I don't think he is dynamic enough for dummy half.

When we played the Sharks I thought the difference was the two dummy halves. Can't remember his name (he came off injured in the second half) but he killed us around the ruck.

We lack spark in this area big time.

Caught a bit of the U20s second half. There was a bloke in the centres carving. I asked the guy next to me for his program and saw it was a bloke called Moga.

Not big on praising youngsters but he looks the goods.

[Cockadoodledoo]

I have never seen Moga play but he was touted at the start of the year as something really special.. We heard the same about Damien Mostyn and Trent Clayton and Ryan Williamson but apparently he towelled up SG Ball and is doing the same in NYC.

[Yak]

The ease with which Moga motored around the fullback last night for one of his tries was awesome for a bloke that his 105kgs. The difference between he and Williamson is that the latter never showed a bloody thing once he got into 20's and his defence was shown to be heartless. That is something that Moga has to work on though. One poor read that I saw last night that led directly to a try but he has a lot more heart and strength in defence.

With regards to Linnett, I think calls that he doesn't have the build to be a strike centre are off the mark. One thing he has definitely improved on since last year is his ability to make metres in a tackle after first impact and even bust through the first tackler. I do however think he may have lost some confidence in defence since his shoulder dislocation, understandable given it probably needs surgery to repair fully. Probably won't be re-signed though as a result of Anasta stealing such a ridiculous chunk of the cap to throw intercepts and kick out on the full.

[Guest]

The bottom line is, none of us know what Friend/Linnett could/will be.

Friend has the base to build a very, very classy hooking game. Great defence, good service, and his vision is reasonably good.

Linnett is pacey, with decisive defensive reads. There are question marks over his size.

If we were making a straight forward recruitment decision based on salary cap pressure from good players, then I agree - both (moreso Linnett) could be justifiably released.

Unfortunately, we are not.

Braith Anasta is affecting the futures of these two players both on the field, and off it. Firstly, the fact that we're considering releasing players to accomodate Anasta is a disgrace, because he is a heartless waste of space on the field. In fact, this waste on the field is why these two players aren't developing. His pathetic workrate is why Friend's attacking game is stunted, because Jake is required to do masses of defence. Linnett doesn't have a strong, hole-running, space creating backrower inside of him, because we can't play two of those, we have to accomodate Anasta instead, who stands and throws passes behind our three-quarters, often Finch-style into touch/row 10.

With Anasta, we are an imbalanced side, on and off the field. And other players are suffering, on and off the field. We aren't making legitimate recruitment decisions, we're looking to cut players to accomodate, well... nothing.

A nice solution? **** off, Braith.

The worst part of it all? Neither Smith nor Politis seem to see this.

[Rooster_6]

Sterlo said Parra have signed a good centre, seriously can't think of any other decent centres off contract?

Then again they're going to pay Sandow 400 - 500k a season so judgement isn't really their strong point.

[Guest]

They signed Esi Tonga from the tits

[theGman]

Sterlo said Parra have signed a good centre, seriously can't think of any other decent centres off contract?

Then again they're going to pay Sandow 400 - 500k a season so judgement isn't really their strong point.

So it seems Parra have let go of Joel Reddy. Does anyone know or heard where Reddy may be headed next year?
I wouldn't mind it if Parra & Roosters have done a swap btw Reddy & Linnett.

[Rooster_6]

Yeh I know that.

Sau is still off contract? might be him.

[Guest]

Its Willie tonga guys

[Chookies74]

I wouldn't mind it if Parra & Roosters have done a swap btw Reddy & Linnett.

Please no, Linnett offers way more than Reddy.

[theGman]

Please no, Linnett offers way more than Reddy.

Yes, Linnett is younger, has good speed however Reddy is experienced, more versatile....can play f'back, wing & centre and is
better defensively for mine. With time Linnett's defence will improve but going off this season, he's been dreadful in defence (but they
all have).

[Guest]

reddy is headed to the dogs... and i'm pretty sure sau has already re-signed with knights

[Cockadoodledoo]

Its Willie tonga guys

Esi not Willie

[Guest]

BREAKING NEWS: Eels poised to sign Willie Tonga to a rich deal!

[Vasco]

So it seems Parra have let go of Joel Reddy. Does anyone know or heard where Reddy may be headed next year?
I wouldn't mind it if Parra & Roosters have done a swap btw Reddy & Linnett.

Reddy is absolute garbage.

I would prefer Sandy Campbell or Matt Burke in the centres.