Robbo's interview with Danny Weidler

[King Salvo]

As I said in another thread,,

Keary will be the sacrificial lamb for 2 reasons.

1. So Robbo minimises team harmony damage, or does not risk losing the dressing room as they say.
2. So Robbo keeps the fans/sponsors/stakeholders content

I reckon from the reaction on this forum, 50% want Pearce in & 50% want Pearce out. That's a lot of fans and memberships.

Yes, Keary will get the 'super sub" / utility role, and he will be at another club in 2019. Just like Connor this year. And don't be fooled cause he'll get about as much game time as Connor got.

Cronk and Pearce as the half combo`s with Keary as super sub - Develop Lachlan Lam for 5/8 role - Robbo woke up too late in giving Watson more game time once he signed with the Knights - should not make the same mistake twice with Keary as super sub- give him adequate game time - Keary as you should know is after more bucks than he is worth so 2018 could be it or him or before - develop Lachlan Lam to NRL standard- Pearce back to half and Lam 5/8 - Cronk kept on as a consultant to oversee halves and develop lower grade and junior rep halves- A win win In my view

[Steakface]

My first impression was that Robbo was simply being diplomatic in the interview. I can't see Pearce staying now.

It's just a matter of time, and I'd say he'll prob wind up a Sea Eagle.

There is just no logical fit for Pearce now that Cronk has signed. It now truly is a square peg, round hole situation.

[PeeGee]

My first impression was that Robbo was simply being diplomatic in the interview. I can't see Pearce staying now.

It's just a matter of time, and I'd say he'll prob wind up a Sea Eagle.

There is just no logical fit for Pearce now that Cronk has signed. It now truly is a square peg, round hole situation.

Mate, we could sure use the $$$. It's posted on the pen that Keary has knocked back a $600k 2 year extension. I also read he's after a 3yr deal and not 2. (Maloney all over again)

Of course this could all be bullshyte, I've got no idea. It's from the Cronkpen. lol.

I reckon this retention problem will apply to most extensions for contracts ending 2018.

[The Thracian]

Well the high I felt on Monday after Cronk signed has now come crashing down. Pearce at 5/8?? This is akin to shifting Wing to the bench to accommodate an underperforming Finch in the halves. Ho hum

Exactly my thoughts, plain stupid if true

[Lydon]

Cronk and Pearce the best half combo with Keary as super sub - Sterlo has a soft spot for the Chooks via Big Jack and Judy Gibson but he last played in the early 1990's

No way mate,Cronk and Pearce will take us back to the days of Pearce and Anasta..
Cronk needs a running 5/8th by his side,Keary fits that role perfectly..
Robbo needs to take his blinkers off and do what’s right for the team,not his loyalty..

[Tommy Smith]

Why did Latrell make 18 linebreaks? Because he's a gun..

It's not like he all of a sudden started breaking the line. Last year he made 15LB's, this year 18.

Why did Luke Keary make 15 linebreaks this year when for the other 63 games of his career he's only made 14 in total?

Will you apply the same train of thought you were hinting at with the Latrell question or will the bias blind you?

We're getting sidetracked. Let's keep it simple.

Who do you think is the better 5/8, Keary or Pearce?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Cronk and Pearce the best half combo with Keary as super sub - Sterlo has a soft spot for the Chooks via Big Jack and Judy Gibson but he last played in the early 1990's

Sterlo, despite his professional media diplomacy, can't stand Easts.

[roosterchook]

Robbo says Pearce will be playing in the halves. Guess that means Keary to the bench then. What a mess.

Yes such a mess. Keary has been in super form all year how can you put him on the bench? Pearce should go.

[Half time]

I believe the only way he stays is if he is promised a halves role,which Robinson is capable of doing unfortunately..

I've not let you down much in the past mate.

[stephenj]

interesting words from robbo " hes a half and he will be playing in the halves" sounds like keary getting the rough end?

[Lydon]

I've not let you down much in the past mate.

Always spot on HT

[The Thracian]

interesting words from robbo " hes a half and he will be playing in the halves" sounds like keary getting the rough end?

Sounds like Robbo is convinced Pearce has spat the dummy after their little chat and is correct, he will be playing halfback, elsewhere

[Half time]

Sounds like Robbo is convinced Pearce has spat the dummy after their little chat and is correct, he will be playing halfback, elsewhere

or maybe wyong.

[Mickie Lane]

I actually thought we looked quite strong at times when Connor Watson came on as lock. Think about some of the strengths of Pearce's game. I'd say his top 3 would be his line running in the middle third, his support play up the middle on a break, and his ability to square up a defence playing first receiver. Now think about the way we play under Robbo. Lots of short passing at the line to genuine support. Double blocks from the scrum line with the lock the initial distributor. Add to this Tedesco's ability to beat tired defenders on inside balls. Imagine that first receiver being a genuine half with a genuine run in him and pinpoint pass to Cronk or Tedesco inside. If Teddy is your inside option, Keary showed at the back end of the season that he can be the second sweep option on the right side as well. I'm not saying that's always the shape we play with but it would be a pretty threatening option.

The big issue with Pearce playing big minutes at lock would be his size and how that might take away from the presence of the pack. He'd definitely have to add some size. Pearce playing big minutes at lock would keep three middles on the bench fresher to rotate as props and maybe one rotate into lock with Pearce to hooker to give Friend a spell.

It's not the worst idea in the world if everyone buys into it. But it is a big gamble. It could change the game also. Teams are getting very good at defending block plays with passive defence and good hunt from the inside. Maybe angle plays around the ruck to deter that hunt will come back in fashion. Would certainly make for more interesting footy. It's almost like interchanges went down to 8 and no one adjusted to take advantage of that tiredness. So many teams persisted with block plays. The Blues showed for 50% of the series how you win a game in 2017 and then went back to 2012 footy and got caned, pardon the pun.

However it ends up working out its going to be a very interesting 2018 season.

I like reading what you & R6 contribute to the Chookpen but I must admit Im mystified about how you both feel Keary could come on & play lock. I just cannot get my head around it. If Pearce & Keary both remained & for some reason one of them had to play lock it would have to be Pearce even though I wouldnt even play him there either.

[Steakface]

Mate, we could sure use the $$$. It's posted on the pen that Keary has knocked back a $600k 2 year extension. I also read he's after a 3yr deal and not 2. (Maloney all over again)

Of course this could all be bullshyte, I've got no idea. It's from the Cronkpen. lol.

I reckon this retention problem will apply to most extensions for contracts ending 2018.

It could be bullshite, at least 85% of what you read on here is

I wasn't supportive of the Cronk signing in the first place - i was in the Pearce camp - HOWEVER, now that the deal is done, we've got no choice but to move him on surely. Keary is a no-brainer to extend for 3 years IMO. As has been said over-and-over again, his style compliments Cronk's perfectly.

Pearce and Cronk are much too similar for mine. Surely a Pearce/Cronk combination isn't the thinking here.

THE OTHER POSSIBILITY, is that Robbo is going to rotate both PEARCE and KEARY throughout the No.6 jumper and will play either one in the starting 5/8 role depending on the particular game and the strategy.