General 2024/2025 Halves Discussion

[1995 Sufra!]

Nah bruv
Can’t goal kick
Doesn’t attack the line
Ever see him kick a 40/20?

 

[Cces]

Nah bruv
Can’t goal kick
Doesn’t attack the line
Ever see him kick a 40/20?

 

[Inruin]

How easy is it for a player to switch from #6 to #7? It appears Metcalf hasn't done much to date in that particular role.

According to RLP Metcalf as a #7:

• 3 wins from 12 appearances
• 1 NRL game - vs Raiders Round 1, 2025
• 8 games in NSW Cup from 2021-2024 (2 with the Warriors)
• 3 Pre-season NRL games
• (37 games at Five-eighth)

TMM in comparison at #7:

• 11 wins from 18 appearances
• 9 NRL games
• 8 games in NSW Cup from 2016-2024 (3 with the Warriors)
• 1 Pre-season NRL game
• (71 games at Five-eighth)

There's also now Tanah Boyd to consider at #7:

• 15 wins from 49 appearances
• 31 NRL games
• 14 games in QLD Cup from 2019-2022
• 3 Pre-season NRL games
• (24 games at Five-eighth)

It's hard to say what the best half combo is for 2025, but if you're aiming to build for the future is it better for Metcalf to spend some time in reserve grade to work on his game and confidence in the #7 jersey?

Thinking about this I'm finding it a bit hypocritical from the coaches/selectors where they will usually drip feed most young/inexperienced players into the squad and game - especially when your halfback controlling the game is a way more influential player than a bench forward.

You have TMM who stepped up and produced what he did last season in the 7 jersey with no reps there and a makeshift team. Close to 100 NRL games under his belt. 5 wins, 3 losses in that role, averaging 26 for and 18 against with the biggest loss being 2 points.

Metcalf had the whole off season training there and close to our strongest team. Still relatively new to first grade with 30

The difference between the two performances and experience is stark in my opinion. Metcalf and the team have huge improvement needed to get anywhere near where we were at last season with a TMM and CHT/CNK halves combo.

Seems like AW thinks Metcalf fits his game plan better rather than go with Martin and adjusting the plan to fit, in my opinion, the better player.

 

[1995 Sufra!]

I just found the whole Raiders match a hard watch
Especially again showing last years traits of no attack
Unlike the Raiders whose backs had a go
I know it’s only the first game
But Manly then Roosters will attack
If our inside backs continue to shovel on to someone else
Kick up in the air on 5th tackle everytime
We are screwed!
Rockstar forwards mean nothing
But Cuddles Webster can’t keep relying on players
Who offer nil options to go to line
Dylan Walker shows how it is done
Typical Ozzie

 

[John Nick]

You have TMM who stepped up and produced what he did last season in the 7 jersey with no reps there and a makeshift team. Close to 100 NRL games under his belt. 5 wins, 3 losses in that role, averaging 26 for and 18 against with the biggest loss being 2 points.

Metcalf had the whole off season training there and close to our strongest team. Still relatively new to first grade with 30

The difference between the two performances and experience is stark in my opinion. Metcalf and the team have huge improvement needed to get anywhere near where we were at last season with a TMM and CHT/CNK halves combo.

Seems like AW thinks Metcalf fits his game plan better rather than go with Martin and adjusting the plan to fit, in my opinion, the better player.

As you know I am not a stats person because of the large number of variables that stats don't take into consideration but hey that's me.
Facts are that tmm played a couple of great games in the 7 jersey but wasn't visible in the 6 but outside SJ.
On the other hand when LM came back from injury at the end of the season after a very long injury he was really good.
What can Webster see that's not so obvious is the question for mine