We will never win a comp with Jake Friend at hooker !!!

[chook 56]

Smith hasn't got the balls to send Anasta to Newtown. Is there still time for the Tigers to pull out of the deal ?

Just let em try

[Guest]

Forget about winning the comp.

We struggle to make the 8 with him at hooker.

A year ago I said in here that he's one of the worst and slowest hookers in the comp. All bar two of you on here laughed at me. One of the few that agreed with me was cogburn.

[Guest]

Where are all the experts that think he's next in line for origin after cam smith? Rooster_6 rings a bell.

[melon....]

Correct funky. I've reviewed the reply and whilst not alone he was a big factor.

[melon....]

Forget about winning the comp.

We struggle to make the 8 with him at hooker.

A year ago I said in here that he's one of the worst and slowest hookers in the comp. All bar two of you on here laughed at me. One of the few that agreed with me was cogburn.

I can't believe anyone thinks we will make the 8. We're double figures position ally. 10th will be flattering.

[Spanner in the works]

He is just fine at hooker. Our biggest problems are at 5/8 and fullback. They are monster issues that need immediate attention to salvage this season. Bring on Maloney.

[Guest]

Friend isn't playing great atm, I agree...but it's a lot more than that. There is no structure when we are in possession. It all starts from dummy half. Put aside that Cameron Smith at Melb is a brilliant player...just look at the structure that team has at the ruck, now imagine that well drilled side with a well coached Friend in it. My point is, that Friend does have the ability, just him and our team have NO structure. Dummy half running from our wingers in the first tackle and then wing it from there. Dissapointing to watch week in week out. Brian Smith is the real culprit.

[redwhiteblue]

Where are all the experts that think he's next in line for origin after cam smith? Rooster_6 rings a bell.

Mal Meninga has actually been grooming him for the spot Fred. He's been attending special camps for the past 2 seasons as has Martin Kennedy. The Maroons think ahead to the next generation and prepare for the future, hence their success. Makes me ill as a Blues fan, but there you have it.

[Guest]

I think meninga has got him into that emerging camp solely so he can make sandwiches.

[Guest]

He has been dreadful to say the least...

It's his indecision that is killing us the most...

It looks as though he doesn't decide what he's doing (who he's passing to, left or right, passing or kicking) until he's picked the ball up had a look around, run a couple of steps and by then the defence is up in our face and we can't do anything about it. He then rushes a pass and it's usually way off the mark (or goes over the sideline like it did last night)...

If/when he gets the ball to Pearce, he has to grab it over his head or around his toes with opposition forwards in his face.

I watched Danny Buderus closely on Friday night and the speed and quality of service from dummy half was exceptional...

Everyone can see it, I just don't understand why none of the coaching staff have picked up on it (or at least is seems they haven't).

I don't think Anthony Mitchell is the long term solution but perhaps a good wake up call for Friend.

Great post was going to say the same thing, only you say Mitchel would give Friend a wake up call. Friend dosnt have the capacity to get any better because of his body structure and hand skills.
When Mitchell was in for him a couple weeks ago we had our team going forward at speed for the first time in years, was a breath of fresh air for the defence not to be in out face as we receive the ball..
Mitchell should be starting hooker and Morts on bench, I have been calling friend to Newtown ( and stay there unless required )for some time.
Juts as someone posted about Bederus earlier.. Its up to the forwards to keep up with the dummy half/hookers pace of game, Jake is a slow and indecisive player.

[Spanner in the works]

He'll be the next regular Queensland Origin hooker in my opinion. By the time Smith retires, Ballin will be too old, and who else is there? Srama hasn't got back to where he was playing last season, Kingston is older than Ballin and Smith, McCullough doesn't have the toughness for Origin, and there isn't anyone else.

[Guest]

By the time Cam Smith retires from SOO Friend will be playing park footy somewhere

[Spanner in the works]

By the time Cam Smith retires from SOO Friend will be playing park footy somewhere

How do you figure that?

[Guest]

How do you figure that?

Coz he's only an average 1st grader now & he ain't improving any. Smith has at least another 5 years in him.

[stsae]

Coz he's only an average 1st grader now & he ain't improving any. Smith has at least another 5 years in him.

Agreed mate.

Even his best attribute, his defence, is questionable. He can't stop giving penalties away, the holding down stuff and hand on the ball is a real killer.

1, 6 and 9 we are by far the worst in the comp sadly.