***Official*** NRL 2008 Thread

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Can't understand people tipping the Tigers ahead of a full-strength Titans team. Is it the myth that they don't travel well?

Myth? I don't feel like doing it myself, but I'd like to see their comparative win ratios home/away since inception. Feel as though you'd be in the absolute minority calling it a "myth".

 

[Son Of Coco]

Queensland missed Price more then they missed Lockyear or Prince IMO. Webb, Thailday, Hannant and Myles are all good footballers and up to SOO standard, but Price if a class above. Really lacked someone else up front to lead the way with Civ.

Hunt wasn't great at 5/8, but really they should have rotated him Inglis more in defence, if not is attack as well. There was all this talk from Mal that if things weren't going right at 5/8 they had other options. But not once did they try any other options. Not doubt if they played Prince they would have more options in attack. But there is potential of line breaks all over the place. Hunt defensive work at 5/8 was up there with best performances in defensive I have seen in while from a playmaker.
The big thing about NSW performances was that no really stood out. They all had a good game and got their job. Reminded me a fair bit of the early day Storm under CB.

Only problem was...he didn't playmake.

 

[Simon]

I defended the decision to pick Hunt as much as anyone, but to say he was great in defence as people are suggesting is a joke. He made 19 tackles and missed 7. I think people are getting carried away with the fact he put on three or four big hits.

 

[Simon]

Myth? I don't feel like doing it myself, but I'd like to see their comparative win ratios home/away since inception. Feel as though you'd be in the absolute minority calling it a "myth".

Agree, they've won three games away ever and I still think back to their pathetic performance against a poor Dragons side earlier this year.

 

[Burgey]

I defended the decision to pick Hunt as much as anyone, but to say he was great in defence as people are suggesting is a joke. He made 19 tackles and missed 7. I think people are getting carried away with the fact he put on three or four big hits.

Did the irony of those shoulder charges escape anyone, in light of his defence last year of "I never do shoulder charges" at the judiciary last year?

 

[howardj]

Can we finally bury the Carl Webb myth, after his game the other night.

He was dead set ordinary, and will be lucky to retain his place.

 

[Simon]

Can we finally bury the Carl Webb myth, after his game the other night.

He was dead set ordinary, and will be lucky to retain his place.

He's always had an impact off the bench, it's a good role for him.

 

[Burgey]

Sea Eagles v Dragons
Rabbitohs v Storm
West Tigers v Titans
Warriors v Roosters
Bulldogs v Sharks

 

[howardj]

It would be one of the more stupidly impulsive acts of my life, but am seriously contemplating smacking $1000 on Melbourne to win $220 against the Bunnies tomorrow night. With Melbourne on the rebound after a last start loss, it has to be as close as you get to a sure thing.

 

[Simon]

Think Manly at $1.37 against the Dragons tonight would be a better bet.

 

[Craig]

It would be one of the more stupidly impulsive acts of my life, but am seriously contemplating smacking $1000 on Melbourne to win $220 against the Bunnies tomorrow night. With Melbourne on the rebound after a last start loss, it has to be as close as you get to a sure thing.

At least it your not like that punter who threw down $700,000 for Queensland to win Game 1.

Why? If you have too much money in the first place, donate some to charity, and by that I don't mean the bookmakers back pocket.

 

[Mister Wright]

Couldn't believe the Footy Show talking up Slater's game. Fair enough he was courageous hitting the ball up at the back, but he isn't the best fullback in QLD and really didn't do enough. The ball he threw out during an attacking movement early in the game was disgraceful. Hunt should be fullback, no more questions asked.

 

[chaminda_00]

Gun we got Chris Bailey. Probably the perfect players for us, as he can play a bit of backrow. So Des wont have any issues about playing him at 5/8.

 

[Simon]

Gun we got Chris Bailey. Probably the perfect players for us, as he can play a bit of backrow. So Des wont have any issues about playing him at 5/8.

Eagles have bought him to play five eight, he's a lock forward and really not the answer for Manly.

 

[chaminda_00]

Eagles have bought him to play five eight, he's a lock forward and really not the answer for Manly.

Des basically wants a lock, with better then average 5/8 skills. Perfect for what he wants tbh. Would rather a proper 5/8 personally, but we all know Des would never play them ahead of Lyon or a backrower. Just look at Travis Burns last season.

 

[Johnners]

He's a better lock than he is a 5/8 imo, but yeah good signing for your lot (unless he cost ****loads). Means Lyon to centre, where he should be.

 

[Simon]

He's a better lock than he is a 5/8 imo, but yeah good signing for your lot (unless he cost ****loads). Means Lyon to centre, where he should be.

$500k over 3 years, probably about fair if he plays lock. If they expect him to play five eight its a lot to play for a NSW Cup player.

 

[NUFAN]

$500k over 3 years, probably about fair if he plays lock. If they expect him to play five eight its a lot to play for a NSW Cup player.

He hasn't been signed to play for NSW Cup.

He's a very good chance to be starting 6 for Manly next season.

 

[Simon]

Des basically wants a lock, with better then average 5/8 skills. Perfect for what he wants tbh. Would rather a proper 5/8 personally, but we all know Des would never play them ahead of Lyon or a backrower. Just look at Travis Burns last season.

Pretty confused by what Des' future game plan and strategy is tbh, they threw the house at a genuine half in Todd Carney and now they settle on Chris Bailey, wonder what sort of game Manly will play next year.

 

[Simon]

He hasn't been signed to play for NSW Cup.

He's a very good chance to be starting 6 for Manly next season.

Yeh I'm aware of that, but I can't see him being an NRL standard ball player, see a lot of Ash Harrison, Matt Hilder, David Stagg type player in him. Maybe slightly more creative but he's a capable stand in, but to expect him to play five eight for three years is beyond him imo