: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:13 pm  

Well Donaldson looked hungry enough when he came on. Have to admit that the young lads coming through seem like , if they make the grade, they'll be good players.

Why does Deacon still get a free pass? Regardless of form or fitness he gets the number 7 shirt every game. It's all very well claiming "there's a great team spirit" however, Deacon doesn't need a comforting arm round the shoulder, he needs a kick up the Harris.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:15 pm  

Roofaldo wrote:

Well Donaldson looked hungry enough when he came on. Have to admit that the young lads coming through seem like , if they make the grade, they'll be good players.

Why does Deacon still get a free pass? Regardless of form or fitness he gets the number 7 shirt every game. It's all very well claiming "there's a great team spirit" however, Deacon doesn't need a comforting arm round the shoulder, he needs a kick up the Harris.

What I would give for a Harris, either Ben or Iestyn, preferably both varieties.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:17 pm  

Roofaldo wrote:

Why does Deacon still get a free pass? Regardless of form or fitness he gets the number 7 shirt every game. It's all very well claiming "there's a great team spirit" however, Deacon doesn't need a comforting arm round the shoulder, he needs a kick up the Harris.

I'm not convinced it is lack of effort on Deacon's part so I don't think he needs a kick up the harris. I just think age has caught up with him and he's past his best. He just isn't the same player anymore and it is sad to see to be honest.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:29 pm  

There was a brief spell in the first half when I said to people near me "Have they cloned Deacon from his DNA from a few years ago? That's not the same player!"

Unfortunately, from that point on he went on to prove that medical science had indeed not yet advanced that far.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:35 pm  

The slightest bump at all in the tackle and Deacon is whimpering in pain on the ground.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:57 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

And if it was every week then I would agree. But it was a 17 year old against fully grown adults. He was never going to be utilised in the first half when the opposition are still fresh. He certainly won't learn anything from being knocked senseless.

I think it was a positive move giving the lad a taster of what it is all about in the first place.

Didn't Cas have a 17 year old in their team.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:00 pm  

redeverready wrote:

Didn't Cas have a 17 year old in their team.

Was he on debut or playing in the pack? I think there is a difference between playing on the wing and mixing it with the big boys in the pack. But as I said, I don't think it is simply a case of age not every 17 is the same.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:07 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

Was he on debut or playing in the pack? I think there is a difference between playing on the wing and mixing it with the big boys in the pack. But as I said, I don't think it is simply a case of age not every 17 is the same.

Does it matter if he was on debut or not, he's obviously made his debut as a 17 year old, perhaps younger, I'm not sure in the case of Cas.

Doesn't a winger run into forwards then in this day and age, I think you'll find most wingers carry the ball as most of the forwards if not more.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:17 pm  

Terry Monster wrote:

Does it matter if he was on debut or not, he's obviously made his debut as a 17 year old, perhaps younger, I'm not sure in the case of Cas.

Doesn't a winger run into forwards then in this day and age, I think you'll find most wingers carry the ball as most of the forwards if not more.

Are you seriously claiming that you can compare the role of a forward to a winger? How often do wingers tackle props in a RL game? A lot less than a 2nd rower/loose forward would.

But I think the coach is right to introduce youngster gradually and as and when the game dictates. That's my opinion and I do not subscribe to throw them in and let them sink or swim theory. He'll get plenty more opportunities to impress. That's all I have to say on the matter.

: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:24 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

Was he on debut or playing in the pack? I think there is a difference between playing on the wing and mixing it with the big boys in the pack. But as I said, I don't think it is simply a case of age not every 17 is the same.

Made his debut of the bench when we played saints away, today was his second game and first start.