Looks like the kick last week....

[SunnyCoastChook]

that Sammy nailed from the sideline has seen an improved confidence with his goal kicking. Was good today

[Hawkeye]

I've noticed the improvement in his kicking coincides with him taking a lot more time over his kicks. Early on he was lining the kicks up pretty quickly with not a lot of success. Now he seems to take three times as long to line up his shot as he previously was. He now seems to walk up to the ball 3 and 4 times to adjust it ..... and now having a lot more success !
...Heck if he kicks them, I dont care how long he takes !

[ism22]

that Sammy nailed from the sideline has seen an improved confidence with his goal kicking. Was good today

That's two weeks without any missed conversions/penalties, right? (Noting that Momirovski took the conversion right after walker scored - guessing because Walker was a little bit beaten up).

Walker's also packing on the meat pies!!! How many has he scored now? Knows how to find that line...

[Seventy Five]

I wonder if Robbo persisting with Sam when he was kicking poorly was designed to get to this point.. Maybe the goal kickers amongst us will have clearer idea, but I wondered, if your missing, missing , missing does it eventually remove expectations and pressure and allow you to focus more on the process. At times I thought it was almost cruel to keep the kid kicking but perhaps there was a plan.

On a side note, I know he's scored try's of late but I'm really liking the way Sam is now rolling up his sleeves and running the ball from non attacking positions on the field. The kids got plenty of heart.

[rented tracksuit]

I wonder if Robbo persisting with Sam when he was kicking poorly was designed to get to this point.. Maybe the goal kickers amongst us will have clearer idea, but I wondered, if your missing, missing , missing does it eventually remove expectations and pressure and allow you to focus more on the process. At times I thought it was almost cruel to keep the kid kicking but perhaps there was a plan.

On a side note, I know he's scored try's of late but I'm really liking the way Sam is now rolling up his sleeves and running the ball from non attacking positions on the field. The kids got plenty of heart.

He looks great with ball in hand running at the line. On the opposite side though, Keary is worrying me. Running accross he looks great but I don’t see him taking on the line like he used to. He was amazing at stepping back in or slicing through a gap but all I see now is the offload which is becoming very predictable for the defence. I miss the Keary that woukd put them in two minds. Is it just confidence after his knee issues?

[Rooster_6]

Plenty to love about Sammy Walker at the moment, his short kicking game is ridiculous. His ability to find space close to the line is on another level.

He seems to have a really good balance at the moment between knowing when to run the ball, pass & kick. Something a lot of young halves struggle with early on in their careers.

[King Salvo]

He looks great with ball in hand running at the line. On the opposite side though, Keary is worrying me. Running accross he looks great but I don’t see him taking on the line like he used to. He was amazing at stepping back in or slicing through a gap but all I see now is the offload which is becoming very predictable for the defence. I miss the Keary that woukd put them in two minds. Is it just confidence after his knee issues?

Change of role for Keary playing half so it will take some time for him to get used to this new role running the team as an organising half.

Walker now has somewhat the 5/8 running role and can pick and choose when he wants to do this during a game.

Robbo tends to like the # 7 running the team to be an organsing half rather than a running # 7

Keary is a # 6 and Walker is a # 7 but the coaching staff obviously don't think Walker is ready at this stage of his career to be the # 7 and run the team and he may not play # 7 either when Keary retires- see below- Sandon Smith

Similar situation to young fullbacks that come into NRL they usually play them on the wing or centre until they are readly play fullback in NRL.

For an example Sandon Smith currently playing NSW Cup for North Sydney Bears as # 7 is an organising half and is being somewhat fast tracked -2021 was playing SG Ball and 4 or so games in Jersey Flegg before that comp was cut short due to covid.

Keary's current contract expires in 2024 -be 32 then - 33 in early February 2025 so it;s 1 year deals at that age.

Obviously there is a plan for Sandon Smith going forward as he did play in the NRL pre-season trials and is now playing NSW Cup instead of Jersey Flegg as he was in the Jersey Flegg Squad for this season.

I was thinking Ronald Volkman would be the Bears # 7 and Sandon Smith the # 7 in Jersey Flegg but it's the other way around. The Volkster is unfortunately leaving at seasons end in any case

[rented tracksuit]

Change of role for Keary playing half. Playing an organising role at 7 compared to the running halves role he played as a 5/8. Walker has somewhat the 5/8 running role and can pick and choose when he wants to do this during a game

Keary is a 5/8 and Walker is a 1/2 but the coaching staff obviously don't think Walker is ready at this stage of his career to be the 7 and run the team.

Similar situation to young fullbacks that come into NRL they usually play them on the wing or centre until they are readly play fullback in NRL.

agreed but Isee Keary still playing his old role from time to time just not as effectively. I’m sure he is being cautious considering his still coming back from a season ending injury.

[BillyBonkers]

agreed but Isee Keary still playing his old role from time to time just not as effectively. I’m sure he is being cautious considering his still coming back from a season ending injury.

Plus one knock on the scone from oblivion.
I know I'm probably on my own here, after all his head knocks and what he had achieved, gave it away.

[Headless Chook]

Plus one knock on the scone from oblivion.
I know I'm probably on my own here, after all his head knocks and what he had achieved, gave it away.

What head knocks? He hasn't had a head knock since 2019, 3 years ago. Finucane or Wade Graham will be the next guys retired due to head knocks

[ism22]

I wonder if Robbo persisting with Sam when he was kicking poorly was designed to get to this point.. Maybe the goal kickers amongst us will have clearer idea, but I wondered, if your missing, missing , missing does it eventually remove expectations and pressure and allow you to focus more on the process. At times I thought it was almost cruel to keep the kid kicking but perhaps there was a plan.

On a side note, I know he's scored try's of late but I'm really liking the way Sam is now rolling up his sleeves and running the ball from non attacking positions on the field. The kids got plenty of heart.

I suck at kicking but the week before he came good, Teddy noted he's been training hard and is actually a really good kicker.

IMO he just had a shocker during the first couple of rounds, which can become self-fulfilling if you don't address it. He seems to have addressed it now and by doing so, played himself into form.

Glad he has. However, I have NFI what I'm gonna do when he's replicating all this form for QLD.

[rented tracksuit]

What head knocks? He hasn't had a head knock since 2019, 3 years ago. Finucane or Wade Graham will be the next guys retired due to head knocks

My bet is on Liam Knight

[Hawkeye]

On a kicking note, wasn't one of the Chookpen member's wife meant to be kicking at halftime of the Warriors game...after it was washed out of the Manly game ........ dude what happened ?

[Headless Chook]

My bet is on Liam Knight

Yeah he's a definite candidate, but he's at Souffs and they don't seem to have a lot of duty of care for their players. Lost count of the number of times their players are taken off for HIA's only to return 15 mins later, or fail the HIA but play 6 days later

[BillyBonkers]

What head knocks? He hasn't had a head knock since 2019, 3 years ago. Finucane or Wade Graham will be the next guys retired due to head knocks

I'm aware when the concussions occurred, and their severity.

Any potential damage that occurred then (and no, I have no idea if any damage has happened), isn't annulled by the passing of a several years.

He would be very aware of any further head knocks.

I stand by my opinion, however much in the minority, that may be.