@mickb I was at the tunnel at the game he was quiet often pointing at the forwards where to run for the next play. In the second half during the huddle when Api was kicking Brooks was doing the talking.
Brooks has had some average games for us, I don't think yesterday was one of them. The storm game yes ordinary but that second half yesterday he was pretty good.
Our problem is he is not a 7 he needs to take the 6 role for the year. We need to get a 7 and at this stage none available at the club.
I think Brooks was also average yesterday, but it was a vast improvement on his previous games where he was diabolical.
@avocadoontoast second half he was pretty good much like the second half against dogs. First half not so much though.
Can someone let Sheens know please. Until Sheens thinks so, we will be stuck spinning our wheels with Brooks at halfback.@mickb I was at the tunnel at the game he was quiet often pointing at the forwards where to run for the next play. In the second half during the huddle when Api was kicking Brooks was doing the talking.
Brooks has had some average games for us, I don't think yesterday was one of them. The storm game yes ordinary but that second half yesterday he was pretty good.
Our problem is he is not a 7 he needs to take the 6 role for the year. We need to get a 7 and at this stage none available at the club.
Also, I think because Doueihi did his ACL as a landing "pop" rather than a classic tear under significant sideways pressure, he may have done less damage to his other ligaments and hence the initial swelling wasn't that serious / fast. It's the twisting ACLs in tackles that tend to be the worst, but AD basically did his by stamping.
I thought the same, but Sheens mentioned that it may be more than just the ACL. Fingers crossed for him either way.
or go and buy Dean Hawkins and get a release from souths for 2023
7. Hawkins
6 Brooks
I was sitting on the 30m line on the north eastern side of the ground yesterday. I could see our attack inside the 20m very closely. I saw players standing flat and each others pockets. I saw Brooks on the field doing zero talking and communicating.
When Parra attacked the same end, players stood deep in attack and Moses directed the traffic.
Our red zone attack has been absolute sterile for 6 weeks. The consistent factor in all of it is Brooks. I'm happy to hear people who say he should stay in the side but my view is that I would pay him the rest of his contract tomorrow to leave us immediately. He is a complete handbrake on the team.
There are more than one consistent factor than Brooks. Do you wonder why in the second half our attack looked dangerous 30-40 out and Brooks looked like a halfback as opposed to how we looked inside their 20 in the first half? Could it have something to do with the line and pace that the outside men are running?
im not suggesting for a second that Brooks is playing well, he is not but at times in there 20 Brooks is jogging across looking at 3 blokes flat footed and I’m not sure how he turns that into something. My biggest complaint with both halves in their 20 is our lack of short kicking game. Our whole structure is poor in attack in their 20. For me that is on Sheens
Sorry, one other change i'd make is finding someone with a bit more impact than Twal.
yeah Twal is not in my future team. A shame because he seems a great guy and clubman but I have to assume the club moves him on to the Uk because our impact seriously drops when he comes into the rotation. Watching KOE yesterday and James still seems a little way off but by next season I feel like we will have a better bench option that Twal.
What about Fainu? I know he's top 30 but has he played well lately in lower grades? I'd also be considering giving Saukuru a run at centre with Naden out. He's a massive body.
I'd be running out with:
1. Staines
2. Tupou
3. Kepaoa
4. Saukuru
5. Bula
yes saukuru looks hard to handle. Still think the club will go with toa given he has more experience. Bula on the wing is something that I really hope we see a lot of later this season. Any idea on what his injury is?
hasnt Saukuru signed elsewhere. I’d let him rot in Reggie’s. No point developing him for others
There are more than one consistent factor than Brooks. Do you wonder why in the second half our attack looked dangerous 30-40 out and Brooks looked like a halfback as opposed to how we looked inside their 20 in the first half? Could it have something to do with the line and pace that the outside men are running?
Attacking structure 50m out is very different to 20min out because the defensive line can crowd the play by rushing off the line and the fullback also often defends in the line. Attacking in the 20 is more like setting up a move in chess, it requires planning and sometimes you make moves (like moving the play to a certain part of the field) to setup the actual attacking opportunity a tackle or two later. That is why brooks sucks in the 20 because he doesn’t think, he is an instinct player and he has certain physical attributes that make him more dangerous in more open play (he’s fast). He is the worst 7 in the comp because of this lack of organising ability and game management but he is a better than average 6 in my view. The worst thing is that the club and multiple coaches have stubbornly tried to add the organisational element to his game (he must be a great person and great trainer so people are constantly trying to help him succeed). After this contract he will probably go to a club and have to play a more limited role as a 6 or utility and he will do great. Sheens just needs to make him a 6 and be done with it. The only hope is that somehow we jag an aging experienced 7 who pushes him out of that role for a while and he can thrive as a 6. Hastings gave us a glimpse of that (although again the coaching staff tried very hard to avoid a Hastings 7/brooks 6 combo so mostly it was Hastings 13 playing as a lock in defence and a 7 in attack). Sezer or Pearce are probably our only chance at giving this a real shot as any young half that comes in will be subservient to brooks which would be a mistake.
There are more than one consistent factor than Brooks. Do you wonder why in the second half our attack looked dangerous 30-40 out and Brooks looked like a halfback as opposed to how we looked inside their 20 in the first half? Could it have something to do with the line and pace that the outside men are running?
Attacking structure 50m out is very different to 20min out because the defensive line can crowd the play by rushing off the line and the fullback also often defends in the line. Attacking in the 20 is more like setting up a move in chess, it requires planning and sometimes you make moves (like moving the play to a certain part of the field) to setup the actual attacking opportunity a tackle or two later. That is why brooks sucks in the 20 because he doesn’t think, he is an instinct player and he has certain physical attributes that make him more dangerous in more open play (he’s fast). He is the worst 7 in the comp because of this lack of organising ability and game management but he is a better than average 6 in my view. The worst thing is that the club and multiple coaches have stubbornly tried to add the organisational element to his game (he must be a great person and great trainer so people are constantly trying to help him succeed). After this contract he will probably go to a club and have to play a more limited role as a 6 or utility and he will do great. Sheens just needs to make him a 6 and be done with it. The only hope is that somehow we jag an aging experienced 7 who pushes him out of that role for a while and he can thrive as a 6. Hastings gave us a glimpse of that (although again the coaching staff tried very hard to avoid a Hastings 7/brooks 6 combo so mostly it was Hastings 13 playing as a lock in defence and a 7 in attack). Sezer or Pearce are probably our only chance at giving this a real shot as any young half that comes in will be subservient to brooks which would be a mistake.
Then you agree with me. There is more than one consistent factor than Brooks. There is also the coaching and his support players. Iagree with you that Brooks is playing poorly in their 20, I just think it is miopic to say Brooks is the one consistent factor.
Its like some people think that on the 4th tackle, 15m out the halfback is supposed to think to himself. "I know what we need here, I need the dummy half to do this, then I need the 2rf to run from here to here and the centre to run from here to here with the winger doing this, then this.....just let me communicate all of this to everyone with a knowing look and make it happen. It simply doesnt happen like that. It is coached and drilled over and over and over. YES attacking structure is different 50 out to 20 out but are we seeing a structure 20 out? I dont see it, I see players outside the half jogging on the spot until they receive the pass/get smashed.
@tiger5150 yeah I don’t know what’s happening. I assume there is red zone structure coaches during the week and it is the lack of play calling in the right circumstances that is the issue. Hastings last year pretty much did do the yelling shouting and pointing etc.
or go and buy Dean Hawkins and get a release from souths for 2023
7. Hawkins
6 Brooks
I was sitting on the 30m line on the north eastern side of the ground yesterday. I could see our attack inside the 20m very closely. I saw players standing flat and each others pockets. I saw Brooks on the field doing zero talking and communicating.
When Parra attacked the same end, players stood deep in attack and Moses directed the traffic.
Our red zone attack has been absolute sterile for 6 weeks. The consistent factor in all of it is Brooks. I'm happy to hear people who say he should stay in the side but my view is that I would pay him the rest of his contract tomorrow to leave us immediately. He is a complete handbrake on the team.
There are more than one consistent factor than Brooks. Do you wonder why in the second half our attack looked dangerous 30-40 out and Brooks looked like a halfback as opposed to how we looked inside their 20 in the first half? Could it have something to do with the line and pace that the outside men are running?
im not suggesting for a second that Brooks is playing well, he is not but at times in there 20 Brooks is jogging across looking at 3 blokes flat footed and I’m not sure how he turns that into something. My biggest complaint with both halves in their 20 is our lack of short kicking game. Our whole structure is poor in attack in their 20. For me that is on Sheens
Point well made. Zero kicking game from anyone in our side. Sheens is ultimately responsible for attacking structures. He could be telling them to stand flat.
So disappointing to think that another season is wasted and we are only 6 rounds in. Sure parts of the second half got me out of my seat but back to work this morning knowing we lost again. Its really depressing 🙁
There are more than one consistent factor than Brooks. Do you wonder why in the second half our attack looked dangerous 30-40 out and Brooks looked like a halfback as opposed to how we looked inside their 20 in the first half? Could it have something to do with the line and pace that the outside men are running?
Attacking structure 50m out is very different to 20min out because the defensive line can crowd the play by rushing off the line and the fullback also often defends in the line. Attacking in the 20 is more like setting up a move in chess, it requires planning and sometimes you make moves (like moving the play to a certain part of the field) to setup the actual attacking opportunity a tackle or two later. That is why brooks sucks in the 20 because he doesn’t think, he is an instinct player and he has certain physical attributes that make him more dangerous in more open play (he’s fast). He is the worst 7 in the comp because of this lack of organising ability and game management but he is a better than average 6 in my view. The worst thing is that the club and multiple coaches have stubbornly tried to add the organisational element to his game (he must be a great person and great trainer so people are constantly trying to help him succeed). After this contract he will probably go to a club and have to play a more limited role as a 6 or utility and he will do great. Sheens just needs to make him a 6 and be done with it. The only hope is that somehow we jag an aging experienced 7 who pushes him out of that role for a while and he can thrive as a 6. Hastings gave us a glimpse of that (although again the coaching staff tried very hard to avoid a Hastings 7/brooks 6 combo so mostly it was Hastings 13 playing as a lock in defence and a 7 in attack). Sezer or Pearce are probably our only chance at giving this a real shot as any young half that comes in will be subservient to brooks which would be a mistake.
Hypothetical - Wayne Bennett rings Sheenius tomorrow and says 'if WT pay 3/4 of Brooks remaining 2023 salary, the Dolphins will take him off you for the rest of the year."
Would you take the deal?
For a bonus point, if Brooks does play out the year in the Dolphins 6 jersey, what is that team's win % over the final matches for 2023?
There are more than one consistent factor than Brooks. Do you wonder why in the second half our attack looked dangerous 30-40 out and Brooks looked like a halfback as opposed to how we looked inside their 20 in the first half? Could it have something to do with the line and pace that the outside men are running?
Attacking structure 50m out is very different to 20min out because the defensive line can crowd the play by rushing off the line and the fullback also often defends in the line. Attacking in the 20 is more like setting up a move in chess, it requires planning and sometimes you make moves (like moving the play to a certain part of the field) to setup the actual attacking opportunity a tackle or two later. That is why brooks sucks in the 20 because he doesn’t think, he is an instinct player and he has certain physical attributes that make him more dangerous in more open play (he’s fast). He is the worst 7 in the comp because of this lack of organising ability and game management but he is a better than average 6 in my view. The worst thing is that the club and multiple coaches have stubbornly tried to add the organisational element to his game (he must be a great person and great trainer so people are constantly trying to help him succeed). After this contract he will probably go to a club and have to play a more limited role as a 6 or utility and he will do great. Sheens just needs to make him a 6 and be done with it. The only hope is that somehow we jag an aging experienced 7 who pushes him out of that role for a while and he can thrive as a 6. Hastings gave us a glimpse of that (although again the coaching staff tried very hard to avoid a Hastings 7/brooks 6 combo so mostly it was Hastings 13 playing as a lock in defence and a 7 in attack). Sezer or Pearce are probably our only chance at giving this a real shot as any young half that comes in will be subservient to brooks which would be a mistake.
Hypothetical - Wayne Bennett rings Sheenius tomorrow and says 'if WT pay 3/4 of Brooks remaining 2023 salary, the Dolphins will take him off you for the rest of the year."
Would you take the deal?
For a bonus point, if Brooks does play out the year in the Dolphins 6 jersey, what is that team's win % over the final matches for 2023?
its a no from me. we literally only have two halves left in the club.
@mickb no simply being we would then have wakeham abd Laurie God help us. By default Brooks gets a gig in the halves this year.
Hypothetical - Wayne Bennett rings Sheenius tomorrow and says 'if WT pay 3/4 of Brooks remaining 2023 salary, the Dolphins will take him off you for the rest of the year."
Would you take the deal?
WT are losing with Brooks, so can just as easily lose without him.
If WT have no intention of resigning him.
Some reasons to do it would be,
hes blocking someone from an opportunity, Madden was an example of this last year but is now gone.
the salary saved could be used to upgrade other players, front load, etc.
