Hypothetical - Number 7

[Bates]

Yes he's a great player but so is Hynes. There's not much difference between them however I think Hynes is the more valuable player and he's still developing his game.

Critical Elements
Game Management/Organising skills - Cleary
Playmaking ability - Hynes
Kicking game - Cleary
Ball playing both sides Hynes
Running game -Hynes

Secondary Elements.
Vision - Hynes
Composure/Big moments under pressure - Cleary

[Ray Stehr]

Walker is also locked up until the end of 2025.

I think you're getting Walker mixed up with Jaryd Hayne.

[Thirteen]

Yes he's a great player but so is Hynes. There's not much difference between them however I think Hynes is the more valuable player and he's still developing his game.

Critical Elements
Game Management/Organising skills - Cleary
Playmaking ability - Hynes
Kicking game - Cleary
Ball playing both sides Hynes
Running game -Hynes

Secondary Elements.
Vision - Hynes
Composure/Big moments under pressure - Cleary

I think that’s an excellent summation. I just prefer Cleary as he’s been there and done that. Experience counts for a lot. Plus he’s a year younger (not that that makes a huge difference).

[Thirteen]

I think you're getting Walker mixed up with Jaryd Hayne.

Nice one Ray but I suspect Hayne will be locked up for longer.

[Johnny Brass]

Yes he's a great player but so is Hynes. There's not much difference between them however I think Hynes is the more valuable player and he's still developing his game.

Critical Elements
Game Management/Organising skills - Cleary
Playmaking ability - Hynes
Kicking game - Cleary
Ball playing both sides Hynes
Running game -Hynes

Secondary Elements.
Vision - Hynes
Composure/Big moments under pressure - Cleary

I'd also list defending as a critical element as it's roughly half the game and Cleary is the best defensive half since Johns, he tackles like a backrower and doesn't get spotted which is our big problem with Walker and Keary.

[Mickie Lane]

I would go with Nicho Hynes because he is my favorite player in the NRL.

[Noosa Rooster]

Hi NR, Cronk. Thurston, Cleary would look average in that Dragons team. Look at the the way Api Koroisau is playing for the Tigers. Ditto Kikau for the Bulldogs before has was injured. It all depends on how the team is going. Hunt was outstanding for QLD last series. One of the best!

Hunts strengths are quite similar to Cronk. This suits the Robbo Roosters playing system.

All that may be correct. I just can’t forgive him for the times he’s beaten us either at the death or in golden point.

Anyway, I thought he said he didn’t want to play under a new coach at this stage of his career so I expect if Griffin gets chopped it may be off to the Dolphins for Ben.

[Bates]

I'd also list defending as a critical element as it's roughly half the game and Cleary is the best defensive half since Johns, he tackles like a backrower and doesn't get spotted which is our big problem with Walker and Keary.

Hi JB. there's not much in it.

2023

Average tackles made

Cleary 19 per game
Hynes 18 per game

Average missed tackles

Cleary 1.6 per game
Hynes 1.5 per game.

[ism22]

Cleary is the best player in the game and the most valuable with his boot.
Hynes rise to becoming a star half underlines the genius of Bellamy in turning fullbacks into great running halves along with the likes of Hughes and Munster

I'm not saying Robbo's shyte but I think one of the things he's yet to prove he can do is develop talented young halves.

He's had SOS, Hastings, Nikorima, Lam, Flanno, Volkman, Walker and others under his stewardship without any success yet. His two favourites have been Watson and Hutcho... I'd argue possibly because neither talk back to their seniors. Rather, they follow his orders to shut up and play a simple game while somebody they know is a more complete player rots away in reggies because they spoke their mind.

I get the whole fact you've gotta earn your stripes before you go talking back to Cronk/Teddy/Manu/Robbo/Cords/Friend...etc. However at the same time, I think halves NEED to take control of the gameplan. Thus if saying 'SHUT UP FRIENDIE, I HAVE A BETTER PLAN!!!' is gonna result in Friend actively refusing to pass you the ball all game (plus you getting sacked) then your hands are tied in terms of how much direction you can provide. As in... who's directing the team around, the halfback or the senior players who've earned their stripes? Not criticising the senior players (or Robbo) but I think it's a find balance.

IMO it's just really unfortunate that out of all the talented young halves we've had, our hit rate's been really low. I'd say part of this is that by backing his senior players Robbo has secured the long-term service a LOT of established players on less than what they'd earn elsewhere (e.g. JWH, Collins, Cords, Toops, Manu, Teddy, Friend, Cords, Crichton, Maubs...etc). If I were to list them all out, I think his hit rate in that regard would be MUCH higher than the number of young halves who legitimately 'got away'... so I back Robbo's people management skills. However, I've gotta say that it feels as though we could be doing better!

[Bates]

I'm not saying Robbo's shyte but I think one of the things he's yet to prove he can do is develop talented young halves.

He's had SOS, Hastings, Nikorima, Lam, Flanno, Volkman, Walker and others under his stewardship without any success yet. His two favourites have been Watson and Hutcho... I'd argue possibly because neither talk back to their seniors. Rather, they follow his orders to shut up and play a simple game while somebody they know is a more complete player rots away in reggies because they spoke their mind.

I get the whole fact you've gotta earn your stripes before you go talking back to Cronk/Teddy/Manu/Robbo/Cords/Friend...etc. However at the same time, I think halves NEED to take control of the gameplan. Thus if saying 'SHUT UP FRIENDIE, I HAVE A BETTER PLAN!!!' is gonna result in Friend actively refusing to pass you the ball all game (plus you getting sacked) then your hands are tied in terms of how much direction you can provide. As in... who's directing the team around, the halfback or the senior players who've earned their stripes? Not criticising the senior players (or Robbo) but I think it's a find balance.

IMO it's just really unfortunate that out of all the talented young halves we've had, our hit rate's been really low. I'd say part of this is that by backing his senior players Robbo has secured the long-term service a LOT of established players on less than what they'd earn elsewhere (e.g. JWH, Collins, Cords, Toops, Manu, Teddy, Friend, Cords, Crichton, Maubs...etc). If I were to list them all out, I think his hit rate in that regard would be MUCH higher than the number of young halves who legitimately 'got away'... so I back Robbo's people management skills. However, I've gotta say that it feels as though we could be doing better!

Hi ism22, who would you have persevered with?

[Steggles]

I'm not saying Robbo's shyte but I think one of the things he's yet to prove he can do is develop talented young halves.

He's had SOS, Hastings, Nikorima, Lam, Flanno, Volkman, Walker and others under his stewardship without any success yet. His two favourites have been Watson and Hutcho... I'd argue possibly because neither talk back to their seniors. Rather, they follow his orders to shut up and play a simple game while somebody they know is a more complete player rots away in reggies because they spoke their mind.

I get the whole fact you've gotta earn your stripes before you go talking back to Cronk/Teddy/Manu/Robbo/Cords/Friend...etc. However at the same time, I think halves NEED to take control of the gameplan. Thus if saying 'SHUT UP FRIENDIE, I HAVE A BETTER PLAN!!!' is gonna result in Friend actively refusing to pass you the ball all game (plus you getting sacked) then your hands are tied in terms of how much direction you can provide. As in... who's directing the team around, the halfback or the senior players who've earned their stripes? Not criticising the senior players (or Robbo) but I think it's a find balance.

IMO it's just really unfortunate that out of all the talented young halves we've had, our hit rate's been really low. I'd say part of this is that by backing his senior players Robbo has secured the long-term service a LOT of established players on less than what they'd earn elsewhere (e.g. JWH, Collins, Cords, Toops, Manu, Teddy, Friend, Cords, Crichton, Maubs...etc). If I were to list them all out, I think his hit rate in that regard would be MUCH higher than the number of young halves who legitimately 'got away'... so I back Robbo's people management skills. However, I've gotta say that it feels as though we could be doing better!

I agree with this sentiment. It’s almost like Robbo wants the young half (insert name) to control the team but doesn’t really give them the keys to the team. The keys stay with the senior players making the job of the young half impossible to execute. I think we’ve seen this play out publicly a few times and happens mostly when the team is under pressure. Young halves like Walker, Hastings, Lam and co have tonnes of natural talent but are also confidence players that make poor decisions when they don’t have the support of their senior team mates. They lose their mojo and become ineffective.

I can’t remember a time when players like Cronk or Thurston had senior players from their team yell at them when they’ve made mistakes, or even worse refuse to pass the ball to them because they weren’t liked. If Robbo wants the half to control the team, he should read out the riot act to his senior players whenever they abuse the half on field, or show the slightest lack of support.

[Mickie Lane]

Who would people pick at 5/8 for NSW Nicho Hynes or Luai?
Hynes is the current Dally M player of the year & is playing the house down so surely he gets picked at 6 but I dont think he will.

[Bates]

Who would people pick at 5/8 for NSW Nicho Hynes or Luai?
Hynes is the current Dally M player of the year & is playing the house down so surely he gets picked at 6 but I dont think he will.

Halfback - Cleary , Five- eighth - Hynes or Cleary and Cody Walker

[Steggles]

For NSW, Hynes at 6.

[ism22]

Nicho Hynes or Nathan Cleary.

who would you take and why.

noting the decision would be based on Sam Walker moving to #6 and playing an instinctive, roaming role.

Hutcho... also, I'd play him in a roaming role so that he can play a bit of centre and a bit of #7.