So everyone’s got an opinion, let’s see if group thinking can predict which half combo will start round 1 in 2025.
General Starting half combo round 1
- Thread starter wizard of Tauranga
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Jones and Freeman…
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Small bites CHT, small bites.
He’s had a few go’s at it now from his shootouts with Adam Keighran and Kodi Nikorima for the starting halves role. I certainly wouldn’t be feeling confident with his goal kicking or a golden point field goal but thought his form overall was quite good apart from those unfortunate situations. Thought he and TMM played well together in the dolphins win. The common thread in our best performances seem to be TMM though, and it seems odd he wouldn’t be in the mix? He’s certainly in preseason pictures, think it’s a good thing though if these guys are pushing each other and hard work is genuinely paid back. It doesn’t set a good example for young guys to see players given their spot just on their name I don’t reckon
Lots of questions, unknowns and uncertainties with all our halves and whatever combinations they use that probably cant be answered until they roll them out.
The fact Metcalf seems hell bent on seeing himself as a 7 is disconcerting to me, ive always regarded him as fullback playing in the halves.
Imo both CHT and Metcalf have never shown a halfback's understanding of tempo, or how to manipulate it, let alone thinking multiple plays ahead to the parts of the field they want to be in or the ability to create the shapes (or look) they want around them to take advantage of that.
Boyd appears to have a basic understanding of this but lacks the talent to really impress this or stamp his mark on a game.
And the big question mark for TMM is if he can extrapolate that stellar month long form he showed last year over a 26 week season? Which would be a big ask.
I think TMM still probably deserves the starting 7 jersey, and Metcalf to start in 6. Probably need to be fairly fluid in our approach tho cause i wouldnt be too confident that that would be the combo that see's the whole season out.
They’ve all got their pros and cons. Metcalf has by far the most upside but is injury prone and haven’t seen enough of him to see whether he can be the number one half at NRL level.
Martin is a good defender and has a very nice passing game. Played very well over a four week period last year. Doesn’t have much of a running game and his long kicking game is poor for a half.
Boyd is tough and has a good kicking game. Lacks creativity and was poor last year albeit in a terrible Titans team. Warriors forwards should be able to give him a good platform if he gets a crack.
CHT provides a left boot, good defender and always gives it 100%. Kicking game can be a bit erratic and lacks a bit of creativity. Always willing to take on the line but lacks the speed to cause problems.
I think Metcalf is a certain starter but I think you could make arguments for Martin and Boyd to partner him.
Martin is a good defender and has a very nice passing game. Played very well over a four week period last year. Doesn’t have much of a running game and his long kicking game is poor for a half.
Boyd is tough and has a good kicking game. Lacks creativity and was poor last year albeit in a terrible Titans team. Warriors forwards should be able to give him a good platform if he gets a crack.
CHT provides a left boot, good defender and always gives it 100%. Kicking game can be a bit erratic and lacks a bit of creativity. Always willing to take on the line but lacks the speed to cause problems.
I think Metcalf is a certain starter but I think you could make arguments for Martin and Boyd to partner him.
I think he'll select TMM at 7 and LM at 6 (especially as LM has shown nothing around being a 7) and see how they go. I don't think he'll drop Boyd straight in (primarily on the strength of his kicking game) cos he'll see how TMM and LM develop in that respect.
Personally, I'd favour trying Boyd and TMM (one for long kicking and one for short). Of course we have no knowledge of how they are tracking in pre-season. TMM as far as I've seen has by far the better passing, running and setting up his outside game over LM.
LM has to show more in team set up rather than self. Perhaps he's been working on that as I don't feel it comes naturally to him. For that reason alone I don't wish to see LM at 7 at the start irrespective of where he thinks he should be.
Personally, I'd favour trying Boyd and TMM (one for long kicking and one for short). Of course we have no knowledge of how they are tracking in pre-season. TMM as far as I've seen has by far the better passing, running and setting up his outside game over LM.
LM has to show more in team set up rather than self. Perhaps he's been working on that as I don't feel it comes naturally to him. For that reason alone I don't wish to see LM at 7 at the start irrespective of where he thinks he should be.
Putting byod over metcalf at 6 is an interesting take. I think that halves combo would create the blandest brand of footy the likes of the NRL have never seen before.
The best halfbacks seem to be able to take the ball deep into the defensive line and willing to cop a hit, that’s what made SJ so great in 2023. I recall that game against the raiders where he was absolutely cleaned up but got the most beautiful pass away to set up a try so committed he was. Bleeding from his face he then got an interception on the kickoff to score again. But it takes a lot of balls to be willing to take that hit and that’s why I worry about Metcalf with all the setbacks he’s taken and an apprehension. He’s got a little one to think of now and he really needs to show that the early hype around him was warranted
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