Perhaps Burto considers himself a half… not a centre…

I'm  sure he does, but that does not detract from his ability as a centre. We need him as a 5/8 but centre has gotten  him SOO and Australian representation, so I don't  think his ability as a centre is in question.

No one’s questioning his ability there… The ‘experts’ pushing for him to shift to centre is what is being questioned…

Burton is a waste in our team in the centres. We need strike in the halves and he is easily the best half we have. 

I was questioning the statement that he isn't a centre. He is probably more skilled in the centre position than 5/8 at this stage of his career but he will develop. I agree that 5/8 is the position we need him to play in our team. His talent gets him through, he is not yet a polished 5/8.

If you don’t want him at #6 than just let him go, he’ll be playing elsewhere in ‘24.

Because somebody is going to pay him #6 money, NOT centre money for ‘24. And if we don’t, he’ll be gone.

so if you want to keep him, you pay him #6 money and play him at #6, because it’s fuckin’ stupid to pay a centre #6 money.

Or you play him at centre in ‘23 and he’s gone after that.

It’s that simple.

Burton at 6 is a work in progress, but our best option for the present.

We need to run with it, and see how it works out.

My guess is is that Burton might be playing in the halves for our next preimership, but probably will not be.

But that is an issue for 2025 and beyond, we don't need to make the call now.

I don't think position totally dictates money, for example we are not paying JAC winger's money.

I can see a scenario where Burton shifts to lock and is paid the same money, while both of our halves are paid less, not forever, but for a couple of years.

Burton might even start at 6 with one of the halves starting off the bench.

I say lock instead of centre so Burton is more involed and would have a bigger impact on the outcome of games.

This is just a hunch whci may or may not happen. The other equally likely alternative is Burton matures into a top class 6, but he isn't a natural at 6 at present.

You are right. Burton is a work in progress at 5/8 but I think will be successful. Talk about halves money or fullbacks money is misleading. Cleary v Flanagan, Munster v Amone, it's  all relative to ability.

Point taken gents, maybe that's a better way of putting it. Burton can play centre but he prefers to take the ⅝ position, and that doesn't mean to say he is not competent in either position.

But, if you push him to centre you'll lose him.

I don't  think anyone's  pushing hin. As for preferences, every second  winger wants to be a fullbac etc. etc. Joseph amanu is competent in a number of positions but seems content to pla where it best suits the team. Should be more like him.

The Roosters do have a way of keeping players that clearly would make great money elsewhere. 

Wish we had a couple with his ability and attitude. He could get top money anywhere and play where he liked if he spat the dummy 

Someone with foresight needs to determine if you build your team around Burton or if he is a stepping stone to finding the players that will get you there....

I had every hope for Burton. I really did. Probably before any of this fanfare happened. But its been 2 years where I haven't seen him show he can take a team from scruff of neck and lead them. 

I will give him 2023 to show it and prove me wrong but I have already turned my attention to which halfback we need to get, as I have lost too much faith.

Mitchell Moses for mine plugs 2 holes. He can lead a team, is very good at halfback, can match Burton 85% in kicks and IMO can replace him. 

Most importantly, Moses can relieve Burton of all the qualities he can't seem to do and allow him to focus on what we actually can do, which at the moment is below what you'd pay a half 700k for....

In our current team, he is probably the best option in both positions. 

I guess it helps if you playing out of a preferred position means you challenge for the title....
There's money...there's glory.....and there's job satisfaction. These are the 3 pillars that no doubt influence a contract.

With the realisation that this contract may be the last as the career winds down, money starts to replace ego.

Moses is a different type of player and prior to the the last 2 seasons wasn't anywhere near as good.

In fact good consistent form from Moses seemed to only start with Mahoney at dummy-half and a dominant forward pack. He was always good for the odd flashy play, but previous seasons also contained lots of errors and missed tackles.

Long term the answer for us may be 7. Hayward, 6. Rajab, at the same age both much better than Moses in defence and decision making.

But we also saw with Hayward playing for Scotland, that forced to be the man under pressure in a weaker team he couldn't deliver, it isn't fair to expect otherwise even a young Thurston could not have delivered under that pressure.

For 2023 I see the options as.
A. Burton and Wakeham or
B. Burton and Rajab.

Wakeham needs to stand up if he wants to keep his spot.

For Hayward another season in reserve grade might be the best bet, sooner or later I expect him to deliver Thurston like dominance and push strongly for NRL.

BBO is the wildcard, I have no idea what to expect from him, but he could be anything, from reserve grade standard to representative standard, and the limitation probably isn't a lack of talent.

For Flanno I don't expect him to feature but if Ciraldo can turn him into a contender, we definitely have the right coach.

I would not sign another half and definately not Moses or DCE. Out of your suggestions Hunt is a better fit for the Dogs, but not as good as some of our young blokes may turn out to be.

Hmmmm $$$$$ I $$$$$ have $$$$$$ no $$$$$$$ idea $$$$$$$ why.

Moses looks great on a flat track… and goes well in maybe two tough games a year… he has done nothing to show me he can turn a result around… or lead a team to a comp…
plus that whiny face… oh so punchable…

Yes. Punchable face.
But also very passionate at what he does. Instead of the "sstacks-on"like the Panthers and Burton tend to do after a try, Moses does the incredible haulk pose with neck veins pumping and a roar.

I prefer it TBH.

I agree he is yet to lead a team in a big game, but he is very close. Very close. 

There a there are people in league circles (including many league fans) that simply WANT Moses to fail in big games, just to continue their opinion of him. But he isn't far from taking that next step and I would rather he did it in our colours rather than Parra's.

I think that he has improved in the last few seasons.

Next season may settle the issue either way.

I want him to fail because he is in Parra colours, as I always do for all Parra players.

Marki, you're being way too harsh on Burton. He's just finished his first season with us and having Barrett and McFerriswheel training him not a great start to a first grade career. Plus he's only 22.... FMD I doubt you would have been "steering" your workteam around that young age. Let him serve his time in the positoon under supposed better coachig staff before plunging the knife in.

I’ll add that Burton outplayed Moses in one of their games this year. Burto has a much higher ceiling than Moses I just hope we have the right numbers even to partner him with. 

If he wants the big bickies, he better expect the backlash from fans. If TPJ cops the backlash for "not playing like an 800k forward" , a player in a spine position shouldn't expect any less.

I'm hoping his form can rise and meet his pay cheque. Otherwise, I'd rather pay the big bikkies to an established star

I actually think he has regressed. His running game is mostly none existent. I think part of that is a belief that to become a more mature, match winning half he needed to become more composed but I don't think its working correctly for him at the moment. I think Brown was their main focal point in attack and had a great season. Moses focused more on his kicking game. 

I suppose when judging  Burton's progress to elite status as a 5/8 we should look at areas outside his kicking game. I Don't  think he's quite there yet.

His kicking, passing and support play is extremely good. He has had some run-ins with Mahoney. The 2021 semi is a prime example where game was on the line and Mahoney went the wrong way. Cost parra a prelim. 

Brown offers him a good running foil and that is what makes them dangerous.

If Moses was to come, you would hope Burton can play like Brown and leave the organising to Moses. 

Can we stop the if Moses comes to Belmore talk…
its gross…
it’s highly unlikely Gus is entertaining the idea…
and it gross…
Burton has had 1 year at 5:8 in first grade… after playing it t of position…
at a new club, with many new faces…
Gross…

Gross…