Angus Return Date

[Inflictor]

Nat Butcher is comfortably a better 80 min edge option than Sitili.

Sitili's best footy for us has been as an impact bench player for 25min stints in the middle where his explosive running works against tiring defence and he helps break open play. For that reason alone, he has a spot in our 17 whenever he is fit.

I've said it time and time again, its not up for debate... if you don't see it, you either don't know footy or you are thinking on potential as opposed to what you see in front of you. Sitili's defence on an edge is absolutely not up to first grade elite standard.

He is unable to differentiate between playing the man with the ball and the lead runner, he is constantly drawn out of position and cannot defend laterally. It is a tough position to play and is not an easy transition from the middle where defending is largely restricted to smothering players with quick footwork and always having 1-2 bodies around you to secure the ball runner should you misread or get drawn out of position at first.

Sitili defends fine in the middle. Just like Egan Butcher did, he was a world beater as a bench lock now everyone wants him shot into the sun because he can't defend on an edge. Sitili is the same. Nat lacks the penetration of Sitili and the aggression of his brother at times, but his defence is absolultely pinpoint all the time and he has the ability to defend on an edge, just like Aubo. Therefore, he picks himself there.

Didn't you say "Mitch Moses is comfortably in the Top 10 players of the game"?

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

The way Gus positions himself as this kind of fatherly authority that speaks for the whole NRL is a joke. He is an employee of the Bulldogs. He wants them to succeed and others to fail. This guy is not a Rooster. His opinions are meaningless and self-serving. He would love to have JS for the next 2 seasons. What a stupid old fool Gus has become. A poor man's Bennett.

[HunchoRooster]

Didn't you say "Mitch Moses is comfortably in the Top 10 players of the game"?

He certainly is in my eyes yes. Not saying much of the current crop of halves running around. I'd have him around 8th best in the comp.

[HunchoRooster]

I'm so glad you're here to tell us what's up for debate and what definitely isn't - imagine the time we would waste if you weren't.

are you Phil Gould? If so congrats on the weight drop and dropping the red dye - you look much better this year.

Quality banter...

Unfortunately I am not Gus Gould and me spouting my opinions on RL to anyone that will listen does not pay my bills...

Seriously though, surely anybody who has watched footy can't debate that Sitili's defence on the edge is awful. Still love a bit of Sitili but geez...

[Rooster90]

So do you think Sitilli is one of the worst defenders in the NRL?

I think he is one of the worst starting backrowers in defense, yes

[HunchoRooster]

Egan Butcher is a terrible defender in the run on side....your argument is not very strong

I like Sitili (and Egan)..... just in short stints in the middle, both have shown at this stage in their career they can not play a full 80 without a couple of braindead moments

100% spot on.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

People don’t appreciate Sitili Tupouniua enough he’s one of the best hole runners in the game

I'm a fan. I like Sitili a lot.

[SamKerrSimp]

I'm a fan. I like Sitili a lot.

Glad to see he has some fans left here. You’re also on the money about Phil Gould he is not to be trusted and nothing he says on television should be taken at face value

[mattyh]

phil gould will forget more about rugby then anybody on this forum will ever know ...flame away

[Johnny73]

If it means the difference between Angus being found in a car and him living a long life then he should take all the time he needs.

[Water boy]

lol.
Such a silly comment.
If Sitilli was one of the worst defenders in the game he would not be in the run on side like he was before he got injured, trust me.
Robbo rates him & so do I.

Hutch is on the run on side ffs. You give rainbow robbo way too much credit

[Mickie Lane]

Hutch is on the run on side ffs. You give rainbow robbo way too much credit

He’s the best thing that has ever happened to the Roosters.
No one is perfect but Robbo is pretty close most of the time.

[Chookies74]

"He is unable to differentiate between playing the man with the ball and the lead runner, he is constantly drawn out of position and cannot defend laterally. It is a tough position to play and is not an easy transition from the middle where defending is largely restricted to smothering players with quick footwork and always having 1-2 bodies around you to secure the ball runner should you misread or get drawn out of position at first."
thank you for explaining this so succinctly. I've always wondered why both Sitili and Egan, whom i rate highly as talented footballers, seem to get caught out so easily on the edge, at least once or twice a game, esp inside shoulder. moving from the middle to the edge due to the needs of the team - lots harder than it would seem. Goes to show how great Cordner and Aubs were.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

He’s the best thing that has ever happened to the Roosters.
No one is perfect but Robbo is pretty close most of the time.

and Mr. Politis

[Paddo Colt 61]

I don't see Sitili's lapses as being chronic. I also don't see Hutch as a liability, he has a sound football brain and an impressive pedigree if you care to research. The Chooks under Trent win games methodically. Lacking size, they usually out think the opposition and cool heads like Hutch prevail. He's no wrecking ball or will o'the whisp but he's got smarts and a lot of experience. Those are big reasons that he's there week after week.