Channel 9- James Maloney

[Burnt Rooster]

Hastings is going ok, but really needs to step up , as far as running the ball is concerned, all the opponents are soon learning, he just passes the ball from dummy half, he can run the ball, I have seen him do it, he just needs to get over his first grade jitters, have confidence in his own ability, and take on the other side, now and then with a run. I was hoping the club had freddy working with him this week.

[zac]

Thankfully we've got players who can do it all themselves if you just give them the ball early (Sheck, Jennings, Fergo). Maloney's playing well. Hastings shouldn't try to overplay his hand.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

On the Sunday Footy show, I don't think Fittler was very positive about where Hastings is at the moment. He described him as 'pointing too much' instead of rolling his sleeves and doing some ball running and creating things. If Freddy can see that, then that gives me a bit of doubt of how far Hastings can go but hopefully Jacko heades the advise and takes charge on the front foot.

That was quite interesting wasn't it?

Doesn't appear Freddys a big fan but that could be more due to the lads personality... He might have ignored Freddy at a bash or something.

I think Hastings is a shandy off starting to back himself more and we might see this on Friday.

Sterlo made the most relevant point about his playing direct and straight and how that opens up opportunities for his outside men...akin to the master halfback himself.

[Thirteen]

I agree with Johnny, we should have kept Maloney.

I feel a loyalty to Pearce. He's been here a long time. Maloney is around for 3 more years. Pearce is around for quite a few more.

[Bigchook]

I think the comments about Hastings are harsh. He's 19. He would have been told not to try and win the game. It's not the 20s and it's not his side yet. He's just there to steer us round. The big plays will come elsewhere.

[Yak]

I think Hastings did his job well the other night. He needed to direct the boys around to get us into good positions for the later tackles; Play direct; Kick well; and he needed to be strong defensively. That's it. No flashy plays because defence and good early ball to the backs was always gonna win us that game.

He looks good as a half in my opinion. He plays direct and with good tempo at first receiver which slows the line speed a good amount (why he appears to have more time) and keeps A and B tight. He's very competent with his passing. Watch closely how easy he fires medium-long balls to Maloney to get early ball to the backs. And they're always spot on too. His kicks have been good even though he doesn't have as big a boot as Pearce. With time and confidence I think he'll take a lot of the short attacking kicks because he looks very pinpoint. He's deceptively strong and dragged a few to within a metre of the line the other night with a straight run. He'll get the confidence to run overs soon and use his deceptive speed. And the more he does this the more defenders go sideways as the ball comes to him making the straight run off the left foot more dangerous. He's also a superior tackler to Maloney (who does his job don't get me wrong). Only 19 but very strong in tackles and made a try saver around the legs on Glenn I think it was when Ferguson rushed out of the line to jam the fullback, albeit they scored the next play because Fergo was still reloading which created a 2 on 1 for Oates. Best part is his age though. Robbo is a great coach and Hastings will be very malleable over the pre season and probably even throughout these final rounds.

[Johnny.]

On the Sunday Footy show, I don't think Fittler was very positive about where Hastings is at the moment. He described him as 'pointing too much' instead of rolling his sleeves and doing some ball running and creating things. If Freddy can see that, then that gives me a bit of doubt of how far Hastings can go but hopefully Jacko heades the advise and takes charge on the front foot.

That may well be relevance deprivation syndrome, a tragic affliction that affects a lot of people who once had fame. Or maybe it rankles Freddy that there has always been a 'Hastings was better' vibe that he couldn't handle at the Roosters.

[ROC181]

That was quite interesting wasn't it?

Doesn't appear Freddys a big fan but that could be more due to the lads personality... He might have ignored Freddy at a bash or something.

I think Hastings is a shandy off starting to back himself more and we might see this on Friday.

Sterlo made the most relevant point about his playing direct and straight and how that opens up opportunities for his outside men...akin to the master halfback himself.

I don't think Freddy would be that vindictive but in sure since he's at ground level he can see it all. He's one of the best so Jacko would be well advised to take some of his instructions.

[novice chook]

On the Sunday Footy show, I don't think Fittler was very positive about where Hastings is at the moment. He described him as 'pointing too much' instead of rolling his sleeves and doing some ball running and creating things. If Freddy can see that, then that gives me a bit of doubt of how far Hastings can go but hopefully Jacko heades the advise and takes charge on the front foot.

Is this the same Brad Fittler who has championed more than a few nuffies to play in the halves for us since he retired - blokes who came and went from the Chooks achieving stuff all??

I would take anything Fittler and Johns say on the Sunday Footy Show with a grain of salt - they are probably still under the influence from the night before.

The simple fact is that Hastings at this stage of his career would command half the money that Jimmy will be getting at the Sharks. I'd say it's good salary cap management by the Chooks.

NC

[Bansai Pipeline]

Not worried about Hastings and Maloney at all.

Would be more concerned if it were Hastings and Pearce for 4 weeks.

[Pass the Ball]

Not worried about Hastings and Maloney at all.

Would be more concerned if it were Hastings and Pearce for 4 weeks.

Totally agree for this year...

But that is the point, after this year we are losing Maloney and are stuck with Hastings and Pearce for however many years.

Bad, bad decision to let Maloney go....IMO

[Bansai Pipeline]

Totally agree for this year...

But that is the point, after this year we are losing Maloney and are stuck with Hastings and Pearce for however many years.

Bad, bad decision to let Maloney go....IMO

I agree.

Add RTS into the mix and we've lost half of our spine, presumably to resign prop, centres and wingers. Dynasty teams like Melbourne and Manly built their squads around the likes of Maloney and Sheck, as opposed to the other way around.

Next year will be interesting, put it that way.

[Johnny Tobin]

I agree.

Add RTS into the mix and we've lost half of our spine, presumably to resign prop, centres and wingers. Dynasty teams like Melbourne and Manly built their squads around the likes of Maloney and Sheck, as opposed to the other way around.

Next year will be interesting, put it that way.

We have too good a squad even without them. Confident we will be Top 4 again.

[Darkone]

Hardly any regrets,
Morley, Fitzy, SBW, RTS

Maloney is special, his forgiving nature

I, Along with others knowing he will guide us to another Premiership

I will miss him & his laconic personality more than any other....