That can have both positive and negative effect on the team.....

Let's say he thinks Flanno is the man for halfback long term.... if he starts with him and persists wirh him though thick and thin, it could end our season by Round 18.
 
I'm.sfZef - 19 Jan 2023 8:50 PM

Apologies for the stuffed up post replies....

The preparation for this season seems to be going well, coaches and players working hard, good team spirit and energy.

If you are not seeing the videos check out the Bulldogs YouTube.

I’m not a fan of Peter Handscomb. I don’t care how many runs he racks up in Shield or 50’s or T20 against domestic bowlers. I can’t believe a bloke with such a flawed technique is going to India. He stands on his stumps, how he doesn’t get more hit wicket dismissals is just luck. but those Indian spinners, if we’re stupid enough to pick him in the Tests, are just gonna trap him LBW to the straight ball every time they bowl it.

I got more chance.

I am not sure that Flanno will be first choice half, but if he is, I expect him to be much better or he will not last long.

Moving up the table is still a hard slog, no guarantees. 

That Kennel (not related thank God) vid is one of the better short sports vids you’ll see. If it’s an example of how the organisation is being run we’re in good hands.

Take away from Episode 1 - those boys are tight.

I haven't seen him play recently.

If he keeps getting runs he must be doing something right. But battling in Indian conditions can be challenging.

Who are the other candidates?

Renshaw must be in the mix, and is better suited to the task. Renshaw should have been given more opportunities.

No other standouts that I can think of.

Me.

… and you.

And Marki.

That is part of the problem, we don't hear much about long form batsmen.

There is a focus on T20 and those guys that can slog a long hit in T20 are probably not what we need for India.

We may have to cancel the tests and challenge the Indians to a drinking contest for the trophy, will make riveting TV.

Breaking news. Bulldogs to play home games at Bluebet stadium in 2024.
The players will know how to get there and even where their  lockers are.

Get an iPhone 

Critter is a Bulldog. I wasn’t a huge fan of his but I certainly believe he has the potential to be a superstar. Perfect age to sign him. 

I’m not convinced Gus or CC want Moses, in fact I lean to they dont. Gus has already said he expects Khaled to debut this year and Hayward is competing with him. Both have been earmarked for years and I doubt Gus will throw a 3-4 yr wait in front of them

Exactly how I see it.

The alternative is that Flanagan or some other player holds down the spot with reasonable performances until the young guys are ready 6-12  months no longer.

Should we sign Chrichton, he likely is the first choice fullback and an elite talent in that position.

I trust that Gus and CC know what they are doing.

Moses has had 1-2 good seasons in 10-12,  with mixed performances the other years.

True the last 2 seasons are probably his best, but when will he peak and how fast will he go downhill?

Most likely another 2-3 seasons of top performances left, so no comp won by 2025 the club needs a new half.

Rajab and Hayward will not even peak by 2025 and probably have another 10 good seasons after that.

And I rate the chances of winning a comp in 2025 with Rajab and Hayward higher than with Moses.

Maybe the chance of winning in 2024 with Moses is higher, but 1 year or 10 years? Only a total fool would take 1 year.

Chrichton official 4 years from 2024.

I’m convinced Chrichton will be an absolute gun at #1. Way too much talent and physicality, started as fill in for Edwards at Penrith and looked a #1.

we have three outstanding and young long term players filling three of our spine positions from ‘24 on. Believe itornot we can and are well placed to see if Khaled or Hayward’s or anyone else fills the fourth.

Problem with many supporters is they want a Premiership this year or next full stop. Gus and CC want a brace in the next decade and beyond.

That’s why I don’t think Moses is the priority.

With you two writing off Moses I feel that we are odds on to sign him. 

Moses is not a good game manager. He was better as a #6.

I bet if every half in the comp was available he wouldn’t be in your top 3, or top 5.

If we were to sign Moses, Khaled and Hayward are gone next contract, maybe earlier. Neither is gonna wait. Gus thinks 5 years ahead, not 12 months.

You have them mixed up with The Mock, who is also keen on MM…
Should be more than enough from both a mock and footy mouse perspective to know Gus ain’t interested…
Why would any club except Tigers or Dolphins would want the most punchable face in league in the $ is beyond me….
The dudes had a couple of reasonable years… reasonable… and he never… ever… turns a game around…
#ultimateflattrackbully…

I will be very surprised if we sign Moses. But if Gus and CC decide he is the best option, I will run with that.

The reason I think we are probably prefering to develop a half rather than sign on is no one is around for the right money who suits our likely premiership window and we have good young halves who may be a 10 season solution.

I would take Hughes from the Storm, or Nicko Hynes, no surprise, I have always rated both of them.  
Odviously Cleary from the Panthers,  and perhaps the Roosters half  Walker.
IMO any good judge rates those 4 higher than Moses. My problem is we will not get any one of them.
Throw in Reynolds, DCE, and the Cows half...
Moses is about the 7th or 8th best half in the NRL, while playing with a good pack of fowards, a good dummy half, a good halves partner and a good full back.

Let's see how Moses goes without Reed, the replacement dummy-half is quality but perhaps suspect from an injury point of view.

Come on mate. You must be kidding. 

I doubt that we will be signing Moses, ultimately our opinions don't count.

Hayward has a great passing and kicking game, but may be a left sided player and is too young.

Rajab is a very solid player who plays well above his age / experience and seems to be able to step up to any level.

If we want an exciting x-factor with a running game BBO is the guy but he will be out imjured most of this season.

Rajab is the guy I would run with for now.

Give it a few years and Hayward will probably be a top class "game manager" half with a window of 10 seasons.

If Hayward and Burton could combine, then we are talking more about a classic 7/6 combination with Hayward being the 7.

Rajab probably more of a 6, but with all 3 in the same team Rajab or Burton needs to play another position.
Probably Rajab in 13 or 14, but capable of slotting in at 6 or 7 if needed.

BBO could still be anything or nothing, very talented but needs to put it all together.

A consideration that is rarely addressed in this debate is what sort of coin is the flat tracker and his manager asking… I’d reckon it would be well beyond his flat track value…

If we wanted sign an overpriced  half that will never win us anything, we could have gone with Mitchell Pearce.

Someone invent a time machine so we can travel back in time for a 1980 GF piss up, followed by a few more ending in a 2004 GF piss up, then travel forward in time to round 1.

#OffSeasonIsBoring

Just on Hynes, he mostly played centre, 5/8 or fullback in the lower grades.

Storm used him a bit in those positions, but mostly as a 14 off the bench.

First season of NRL playing half in a new team he stepped up like winners do.
I will be surprised if that was a fluke, I expect him to improve with more experience in the position.

I like halves that step up and make a difference when the game is on the line, and that is often the time when the flat trackers go MIA. 

I think that was another of the Mocks ideas…