What do we expect from our halfback?

[Guest]

There's been a lot said about Pearce and his inability to be a game breaker or that he lacks spark on the field to create a game winning scenario. However, he was close to the leading halfback in 2011 in try assists and line break assists and he's a good organiser of our very young forward pack.

Does he again sacrifice that focus on organising (which is very important imo given the youth of our pack) to become more of a game breaker or do we expect him to keep our young pigs rolling forward and leave the spark to others?

Andrew Johns changed what we expect from halfbacks imo. Years ago it was the responsibility of the halfback to organise the forwards and have a good kicking game. The spark was provided by the 5/8. Johns changed that by being able to do it all and as such I believe many current halfbacks suffer from comparison.

In 2010 Mitchell had Daryl's Drunken Dickhead as the spark and as such we looked like world beaters. In 2011 Pearce tried to do it all but failed.

Do we want him to try to do it all again in 2012 or revert back to what he does best, organise and kick long?

Chook.

[Guest]

I would like him to play at 6 with Ant Mitchell at 7 and Mortimer on the bench. Then the interchange could look like Mitchell off Anasta to 6, Friend as a running forward (help develop his game as per last year) and Mortimer to 9. Much maligned decision to have Anasta in the forwards but he has to play somewhere and this way he shouldnt get his knickers in a bunch as he will still get a shot at 6.

Pearce would have the freedom to move between 6 and 7. Only playing first receiver when Mitchell is off the ground. Also could place him in a better position to kick and perhaps create.

Of course I must add that this is only brought about because of Anastas mundane attacking ability.

[Guest]

I absolutely see Pearce as a halfback. I think a lot of the critcism is sunconsciously comparing him to Thurston who is really a six and (now that Locky has retired) is now moving back to 5/8. I also think people forget that Johns didn't become consistently good until he was a long way into his 20s.

I am with Chook, Pearce is a quality halfback (current Origin 7 has to speak for something) in the old school mode. There are not many players I would swap him for and I love the fact that we brought him through. He needs to keep doing what he does, organise and get the team around the park, and rely on the other positions doing their job.

I would love to say he will surprise many this year but I suspect it is more true to say that he will just keep doing his job very well and pissing people off for not being the second coming of Joey (yet).

Give me a Pearce over a showpony like Sandow any day.

[Chooky Chookerson]

Hey guys, long time reader, first time poster... Feels good to finally get amongst it

Just wanna say that i'm happy with pearce's role in the team, being an organiser. He is one of our more consistent performers week in week out and gives his all. I know there are some on here that will disagree but that is my humble opinion.

I personally wouldnt use friend as a running forward, although his running game is definitely improving. It would be good however to give mitchell a crack in the halves during origin just to see how he goes, although i'm sure it will be mortimer who gets first crack... did I just say crack too much? Oh well, you know where my mind is

C. Chookerson

[Pass the Ball]

Is Pearce a better halfback than Brett Sherwin was. Yes I think he is.

The dogs won a GF with Sherwin and Anasta in the halves, along with some very good forwards as well as some classy centres and an old head at fullback..

If our forwards dominate the middle, Pearce and Anasta will be more than sufficient in the halves IMO...

[melon....]

Is Pearce a better halfback than Brett Sherwin was. Yes I think he is.

The dogs won a GF with Sherwin and Anasta in the halves, along with some very good forwards as well as some classy centres and an old head at fullback..

If our forwards dominate the middle, Pearce and Anasta will be more than sufficient in the halves IMO...

The dogs won a gf with a halfback throwing passes to player's foreheads. That alfback was playing for easts. Unlike pearce He wasnt better than sherwin.

[Pass the Ball]

Check out this set. If our forwards run like this our halves don't need to do much..

[Geohood]

How good is that to watch! Bit risky but I believe we'll take a bit of that and focus out attacking game plan around it this year. Almost worked for Parra in 09.

[Guest]

what do we expect from our half back??? we have alot of hookers in our team..dont recall seeing a halfback for quite some years....adrian lam?if your talking about the guy who wears the number 7, then i expect him to wear a number 14, replacing Mr friendly for the last 20 minutes of each game

[Guest]

Mitchell 7 [this kid is a keeper], Pearce 6.

[Guest]

Check out this set. If our forwards run like this our halves don't need to do much..

Yes our pack is coming along nicely, will be one of the best in 012.

[Guest]

For the people saying A.Mitchell should be in the halves. What happens in 2013 when Maloney comes do we just disregard the current blues halfback?

[Guest]

Check out this set. If our forwards run like this our halves don't need to do much..

Hah! I'm the proud uploader of this vid.. =)

[Guest]

Hah! I'm the proud uploader of this vid.. =)

Nice one JJ.

[Guest]

I think Pearce actually needs the responsibility of the captaincy. Then I think you will see Pearce at his best.