Hodges In 2015

[Fibro Eagle]

I'm liking your input Fibro!!

thanks Mark just throwing my 2 bobs worth in

 

[Dan]

thanks Mark just throwing my 2 bobs worth in

Thinks I will add my two bobs as well

 

[TokyoEagle]

If Hodges was in the 17 and you needed an extra forward, Matty B could always move to the backrow in a Willo type role.

 

[Gib the Pom]

I recently bought the season highlights DVD from 08 to quench my boredom in the off-season and I was surprised at how many times Ballin would run from dummy-half, particularly near the opposition line, and often would find the line and score. It hadn't been an element of his game I had been familiar with being a new fan particularly just after l'estrange had left.

No doubt as Mark pointed out above that Matty B has sacrificed this part of his game in order to maximise his defensive efforts for the full 80.

If we put Hodges back in the team he could re-introduce that, and I think that would be very welcome given we could have the likes of buhrer and mateo as dangerous runners in behind the ruck this year.

Im all for Hodges in the 17. Don't think of it as winding down Matty B's game time unnecessarily, think about it as a move that will enable us to get more out of him. And of course the huge benefit is when he does call time on his career we will have a perfect replacement ready and waiting instead of outsourcing.

 

[globaleagle]

also what we've seen in past is that toovey can keep a forward on the bench for long periods and only get on late in a match .

Too right. 2V thinks every time he uses everyone on the bench for decent minutes, one of his teeth gets pulled.

 

[Garts]

I would not be surprised if this is Ballins last year with us. From memory he is off contract this year. Whilst he has been great I feel if we do not give Hodges a opportunity he will move on after his contract in 2016. He is the future and a tough call will need to be made. I guess they might offer Ballin a further year but surely no more than that or we risk losing Hodges.

 

[Fluffy]

The advantage of playing both together is you could get 2 -3 extra years out of Matty without disheartening Hodges.

 

[Loobs]

I really don't get a lot of this. Ballin may be 31 but not all 31 year olds are created equal. Ballin is in incredible shape is probably on par with someone who's at least a few years younger.

So what, he's 31 so we need to cut him loose soon because of a guy who has achieved nothing but has played well in very limited opportunities? Ballin would be the incumbent Queenland hooker if it wasn't for Cameron Smith. A guy like Ballin who is the epitome of a team player should be allowed to play on until he no longer wants to.

 

[Fluffy]

You must also be missing his age starting to catch up, hence the proposal to offset his minutes with someone who has shown plenty.

If you can't get what Gib the pom was talking about then you will never get it.

 

[Loobs]

What's to say he won't run if the ruck rules work and play speeds up and the opportunities present themselves?

 

[Loobs]

You need forwards who can get up fast in order to create opportunities for a dummy half to scoot. A lot of our props over the last 5 years have been slow to say the least. Kite took about five minutes to get up and play the ball.

 

[maxta]

I doubt anyone here thinks Ballin is not the better player today Loobs - fact is tomorrow is never far away & Hodges shows great promise looking ahead.
As Mark stated earlier after speaking to Hodges - he realistically can see that a 10-15 minute gig each half is perfect & personally I see that as a sign of respect to MB & the ideal scenario for the team to play to its potential, adding great unpredictability at vital match times.
As a player Hodges may not be as easy to replace as you think as I see him more than simply a fill in, but a class act.
His attack is sharp but what I really like is his defensive ability - a rare combination.
Its a specialist position & he has done everything & more asked of him so far & will only get better.
Theres not many Manly players we regret leaving, this could well be 1 here if not given game time in 2015.

 

[Shnorky]

It looks like we have massive selection issues with props, back rowers, wingers and now hooker, so much so I just put a bet on at $15 to win the comp. last time i did this was 2011

 

[susan]

I agree with Fluffy.Matt Ballin is a good hooker at this stage of his career,not a great one.Watch Friend play with Roosters.He is a danger all over the field and we need some of that variety badly.We look so predictable in the opposition red zone and it is only the incredible ability of that backline to complete those sweep plays that hides this fact.Matt Ballin in the red zone is not a factor at all (it is so frustrating at times to watch) and as Stevie Brett and Killer get a year older it is time for a change.To me it is a no brainer.Our 4th bench spot gets 5 minutes most weeks so having an attacking option to give Matty a break at opportune times is perfect.

 

[Ryan]

Was it Ballin that used to interchange with Heath Le'Strange, or was it Monaghan? That kind of worked, but Hasler adapted as the years wore on, and starting carrying 4 forwards on the bench with the utility value of Buhrer. Whatever happened to that other Hooker in NYC those years ago that was getting all the accolades?

 

[susan]

Higgins was his name....not sure Ryan.

 

[mosto]

It looks like we have massive selection issues with props, back rowers, wingers and now hooker, so much so I just put a bet on at $15 to win the comp. last time i did this was 2011

I thought I'd had $20 on Manly at the start of the 2011 season to win the comp. When I checked my TAB account a couple of days after the GF, I was mistaken. I didn't have $20 on them to win the comp at all, I had $20 on Gift to win Clive Churchill medal

 

[mozgrame]

I can't wait to see how the ruck rules affect Melbourne. There is only one Cam Smith, like him or hate him. Smith can control a game better than anyone. Well, almost as well as the incompetent refs 😉. Smith has the ability to speed up or slow down a game at will with his (and Melbourne's) working of the ruck.

Two tips from me..

1. Hodges will get plenty of time in the nrl this year.
2. Melbourne will miss the 8. (If the rules are enforced fairly to all teams)

 

[Garts]

I really don't get a lot of this. Ballin may be 31 but not all 31 year olds are created equal. Ballin is in incredible shape is probably on par with someone who's at least a few years younger.

So what, he's 31 so we need to cut him loose soon because of a guy who has achieved nothing but has played well in very limited opportunities? Ballin would be the incumbent Queenland hooker if it wasn't for Cameron Smith. A guy like Ballin who is the epitome of a team player should be allowed to play on until he no longer wants to.

Ballin would not be the incumbent hooker. Friend is miles in front of him.

Ballin is a good solid player who has been great for us. He is not passed it but I would have no issue cutting him loose if it meant holding onto Hodges. Hopefully they can share the role though.

 

[mozgrame]

Here's my 2 bob's worth...