Half’s dilemma

[RoosterBooster]

I think last nights game proved again that you need one half that can kick long, offer quick service to his outside men, set up plays for other teammates and generally control the game. Think, DCE, Reynolds, Nathan Clearey.

Come the beginning of the 2024 we have:

Walker who is not this style of player and I hope they don’t try and coach him to become it, his natural ad-lib game is what makes him special

Sandon Smith could become this half , but is a rookie so we would need to accept another couple of seasons of learning before challenging for a comp

Luke Keary, we have tried this and clearly it’s not his game

Hutchinator- Sadly he is actually the most suited for the role at the current moment but is limited in his ability and won’t win you a comp.

I don’t actually know the way forward, I have a feeling they will try Keary/Walker again but this is not the answer for me.

This for me this is the biggest thing we need to work out going forward if we want to compete

[HunchoRooster]

I think last nights game proved again that you need one half that can kick long, offer quick service to his outside men, set up plays for other teammates and generally control the game. Think, DCE, Reynolds, Nathan Clearey.

Come the beginning of the 2024 we have:

Walker who is not this style of player and I hope they don’t try and coach him to become it, his natural ad-lib game is what makes him special

Sandon Smith could become this half , but is a rookie so we would need to accept another couple of seasons of learning before challenging for a comp

Luke Keary, we have tried this and clearly it’s not his game

Hutchinator- Sadly he is actually the most suited for the role at the current moment but is limited in his ability and won’t win you a comp.

I don’t actually know the way forward, I have a feeling they will try Keary/Walker again but this is not the answer for me.

This for me this is the biggest thing we need to work out going forward if we want to compete

Keary needs to go for the long-term benefit of the team. Walker and a big boot half is the future. It's not Hutch as we have said he is limited and if Walker was in his prime or Keary was in his prime, then he'd be a decent solid foil for them. They aren't so we need a bit extra from the bigger half. Hutch ain't it although was excellent last night and shows his worth when played IN position instead of Robinson trying to make him an Aubo clone.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I actually thought Hutch went OK last night. Great 40/20. I have to lay off him, I know he does his best.

[Roosterfarian]

Walker / Hunt - perfect combo.

[The Marshall]

I think last nights game proved again that you need one half that can kick long, offer quick service to his outside men, set up plays for other teammates and generally control the game. Think, DCE, Reynolds, Nathan Clearey.

Come the beginning of the 2024 we have:

Walker who is not this style of player and I hope they don’t try and coach him to become it, his natural ad-lib game is what makes him special

Sandon Smith could become this half , but is a rookie so we would need to accept another couple of seasons of learning before challenging for a comp

Luke Keary, we have tried this and clearly it’s not his game

Hutchinator- Sadly he is actually the most suited for the role at the current moment but is limited in his ability and won’t win you a comp.

I don’t actually know the way forward, I have a feeling they will try Keary/Walker again but this is not the answer for me.

This for me this is the biggest thing we need to work out going forward if we want to compete

The answer is
1. keep Walker as is
2. move on Keary
3. continue to develop Sandon
4. accept Hutch in the role until you develop Sandon or find a short to medium term alternative

[ism22]

Who won the game again though?

Yes DCE got a lot of risky points through kicks, but that was after a shyte call reduced us to 12 for ~20 minutes. DCE didn't win them the game, he saved them from complete embarrassment.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I hope we see Walker back soon, he and Keary will work fine.

[Thirteen]

I think last nights game proved again that you need one half that can kick long, offer quick service to his outside men, set up plays for other teammates and generally control the game. Think, DCE, Reynolds, Nathan Clearey.

Come the beginning of the 2024 we have:

Walker who is not this style of player and I hope they don’t try and coach him to become it, his natural ad-lib game is what makes him special

Sandon Smith could become this half , but is a rookie so we would need to accept another couple of seasons of learning before challenging for a comp

Luke Keary, we have tried this and clearly it’s not his game

Hutchinator- Sadly he is actually the most suited for the role at the current moment but is limited in his ability and won’t win you a comp.

I don’t actually know the way forward, I have a feeling they will try Keary/Walker again but this is not the answer for me.

This for me this is the biggest thing we need to work out going forward if we want to compete

You have a feeling our halves will be playing in the halves?

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

While being fair from our #1 choice Hutch is best suited to the halves. His long kicking game is solid. He needs to fine tune his short kicking game (a few of those high kickers to the wingers last night were continually off the mark). For me the main problem playing Hutch anywhere on the filed is that he is as slow as a slug..... which is something that probably won't change, and so he will always remain a backup IMO.

[Thirteen]

I actually thought Hutch went OK last night. Great 40/20. I have to lay off him, I know he does his best.

Yes he played where he belongs. It’s not his fault the coach plays him where he’s no good. Either way he always does his best.

I thought Sandon gave much better service from dummy half than Cheese.

[Steggles]

I really liked the work that Hutch delivered last night. If he could play like that each week, we could do a lot worse than having him at 7. With a more dynamic halves partner like Walker instead of an aging Keary, I think it could work a treat.

[roosterchook]

My take is that after many wonderful years of service Keary needs to retire and make way for youth. That’s footy life.

[Danish]

Tell you what Hutch being the best choice halfback by season’s end is not something I thought would happen this year.

hutch has a ceiling, which means he can never be our primary halfback if we want to challenge for a premiership. He also has a good though, which means you can get a reliable game out of him every time he sets foot on the field.

id like to see him in the halves from now until we sign a replacement

[Rooster1908]

Maybe Hutch is coming of age as a half . Stranger things have happen and with Walker as a organizer and playing of the cuff this may just work . Think Luke as good as he has been for us and he wasnt to bad last night is not what we need moving forward .
KS is loving this thread

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Hutch is playing to get his next contract now. Was unlikely to be with us, but if he gives another good performance next week Robbo may decide he still has a spot in the top 30.