Side v Cows

[Rooster_6]

I think he did as well as the rest of the team allowed him too - the Warriors played better as a team, Volkman was in better field position more often as a result. Without Walker’s little touches of brilliance, it would have been a solid gold hiding. Sam’s good - great, in fact. But he’s not magic, and I think he’s being held to a far higher technical standard than anyone else in the team right now, bar none.

Walker is great, his potential is enormous. The most talented half I think I've seen come through at the Roosters.

But he needs to develop his halfback play, in Sundays reserve grade game both sides held the ball for 22minutes, we ran for more metres, had more effective sets and made more linebreaks. As a halfback it was his job to steer that team to a win, I don't buy that he didn't have the troops to do it. Napa, Whyte, Nathan Brown, Wong and El-Zakham... come on that's a tremendous pack in the NSW Cup.

He was great creatively as he always has been, that's the natural stuff, he'll never lose that. He showed some signs in the first half of playing some really good direct footy, had his edge backrower in Wong running really good lines off him but dont make excuses for him, we shouldve won that game with equal possession and an elite half of his quality.

[roosterproud]

And they say we rort the salary cap!.....anyway, GO TEAM!!

Utility. Not centre. Jaz could do better

[ism22]

Walker is great, his potential is enormous. The most talented half I think I've seen come through at the Roosters.

But he needs to develop his halfback play, in Sundays reserve grade game both sides held the ball for 22minutes, we ran for more metres, had more effective sets and made more linebreaks. As a halfback it was his job to steer that team to a win, I don't buy that he didn't have the troops to do it. Napa, Whyte, Nathan Brown, Wong and El-Zakham... come on that's a tremendous pack in the NSW Cup.

He was great creatively as he always has been, that's the natural stuff, he'll never lose that. He showed some signs in the first half of playing some really good direct footy, had his edge backrower in Wong running really good lines off him but dont make excuses for him, we shouldve won that game with equal possession and an elite half of his quality.

Thanks - good to see some analysis.

[Mickie Lane]

I cant believe Billy Smith doesnt get picked over Hutch, I dont mind Hutch but I think Smith is a better centre than him.

[Bates]

Walker > Should I stay or should I go?

[Steggles]

why all the aggro about Hutch? This is the guy who stepped up during covid and was instrumental in getting us to the finals. can kick, can defend, and can pass!

All poorly unfortunately.

[Steggles]

Agreed. Will be interesting to see what happens when Watson returns, cause there is no way we are carrying the both on the bench at full strength.

You’re right, Robbo will have Hutch in the starting side at centre, so only one utility on the bench.

[Danish]

Go back work on his game, improve and he will get his position back.

It's not complicated.

You don’t become a better half by playing against worse opposition.

It will take him 6 weeks just to learn the combinations with a new squad so don’t expect him back anytime soon.

plus if Manu actually does alright at 6 then there is nothing Walker can do to get back in the side (they aren’t going to drop Keary)

[HunchoRooster]

I'm just relieved my faith in humanity is restored as despite being 2-0 in recent weeks with the prospect of towelling up the Cows, my fellow penners won't cop Hutch in the centres.

Trent's attempt to seamlessly weave him into the side without incident will never be ignored and will be ridiculed every time he is in the 17 and rightfully so.

Also, nobody is a Hutch hater (at least I'm not). Nothing against the bloke other than his poor athleticism and performances when played out of position. The criticism is of Le Robbo the stubborn French aristocrat from SW Sydney. Its his doing. What is Hutch meant to do, decline to play? (I wish he would though)

[Rooster_6]

You don’t become a better half by playing against worse opposition.

I feel like this is a very generalised statement. It's not about improving all aspects of his play, just his organisational skills which I think he's very much at level in NSW Cup. He can certainly hone and improve those skills.

Just like Lindsay Collins didn't learn how to hit the ball up or defend any better in reserve grade but he did learn how to improve his ball controll.

Joey Manu didn't become a better attacking centre in reserve grade but he did improve his defence.

In my opinion you can certainly isolate and hone in on skills for development at NSW Cup level that aren't up to First grade standard.

[HunchoRooster]

Yeah you’re probably right. I mean look, if there’s one thing I’ve learned on the chookpen, it’s that random internet people know a lot more about coaching than professional coaches. Even multiple premiership winning coaches, they know virtually nothing compared to random internet people.

Do you use the same password for your King Salvo stats guru account?

[Steggles]

Le Robbo a perdu l'intrigue.

Even Hutch is probably sitting on the lounge saying to himself “FFS, Le Robbo has picked me at centre again. Why does he like to see me embarrass myself at centre when I’m better than Manu at 6”.

[Bates]

So Hutch when fresh has the turning circle of a Manly Ferry. That's not the best attribute when you're playing in the centres for 80 minutes.

[HunchoRooster]

I feel like this is a very generalised statement. It's not about improving all aspects of his play, just his organisational skills which I think he's very much at level in NSW Cup. He can certainly hone and improve those skills.

Just like Lindsay Collins didn't learn how to hit the ball up or defend any better in reserve grade but he did learn how to improve his ball controll.

Joey Manu didn't become a better attacking centre in reserve grade but he did improve his defence.

In my opinion you can certainly isolate and hone in on skills for development at NSW Cup level that aren't up to First grade standard.

I agree with you re: Walker development but do you honestly believe we are a better side with Joey 6, Hutch centre and one of the best young halves the game has seen playing cup?!

[HunchoRooster]

Le Robbo a perdu l'intrigue.

Even Hutch is probably sitting on the lounge saying to himself “FFS, Le Robbo has picked me at centre again. Why does he like to see me embarrass myself at centre when I’m better than Manu at 6”.

100% mate. That's what I've been saying. If you are gonna play the bloke, play him at 6 where his limited skill is at least used to some effect. Good boot, calm head, etc.