I think Stewart has played his last Origin game

  • We had an issue with background services between march 10th and 15th or there about. This meant the payment services were not linking to automatic upgrades. If you paid for premium membership and are still seeing ads please let me know and the email you used against PayPal and I cam manually verify and upgrade your account.

eggson

Bencher
And i hope i'm wrong.  It just seems that everyone is adoring Gidley.  He's 'revolutionising' the fullback role apparently.  This is worst than when he lost the Australian jersey. 

Lure Gaz with Blues captaincy
By Ricky Stuart
July 06, 2008 MARK Gasnier's decision to stay or leave the NRL won't just impact on Dragons fans - it could affect the entire state.

Gasnier is one of only three players who would rate as a contender for the NSW captaincy following the Origin retirement of Danny Buderus.

Gasnier, Newcastle full-back Kurt Gidley and injured Cronulla lock Greg Bird are the only current Origin players suitable to lead NSW after they have lost three straight series to Queensland.

If you look through the Blues squad, the front-rowers are too inconsistent and you don't know which hookers or halves are going to be there long term.

And that's exactly what NSW selectors will be looking for, a captain for the future - someone for the next five years. There is no denying Gasnier's experience for both Australia and NSW. He is also captain of the Dragons and would make a strong fist of the NSW job.

He is well respected by his peers, takes pride in wearing the sky-blue jumper and handles the media well.

But the question remains: is Gasnier going to be here next year in order to be afforded the honour of leading his state? And does the prospect of skippering NSW into the future give the Dragons skipper more reason to stay?

NSW are in a real bind due to the massive hole Buderus' departure leaves.

I raise Kurt Gidley's name because he's the closest thing NSW have to an X-factor. His livewire performance on Wednesday night proved that.

He is also being groomed as the Knights' future captain to take over from Buderus next season.

Gidley's strong performances at rep level will ensure he remains in the frame for Origin selection well into the future.

The only other possibility would be Sharks lock Greg Bird.

Bird is going to be selected as a five-eighth or lock, depending how the selectors see his role, for many years to come.

Only injury stopped him from playing on Wednesday night.

In his limited role as stand-in captain for Cronulla, Greg has matured into the role.

He possesses the required leadership qualities, is respected by his team-mates and, just as importantly, he communicates well with the referee.

The fact Craig Bellamy is considering his future as NSW coach shouldn't be the only concern for Blues fans.

They should also be worried about where our next captain is going to appear from, because at the moment there is no real standout for the job.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23976531-23214,00.html

*******
The only thing i can say is thank you Will Swanton for actually putting some Manly names in.  It seems like we're totally out of the minds of everyone, which is never a bad thing:

THERE'S an argument for Bob McCarthy being taken out the back and shot; Bob Fulton being hauled before the Court of Arbitration for Sport to explain the snubbing of players from the second-best team in the NRL, Manly; Laurie Daley signing an affidavit on how the Blues haven't been able to solve the halves dilemma in three years of trying; and Geoff Gerard revealing why Test prop Brent Kite was overlooked but Brett White kept receiving a jumper.

Queensland's selectors stuffed up in Origin I. The Maroons lost. Then they got it right, and won.

All positions of responsibility carry accountability and given the Blues selectors - McCarthy, Fulton, Daley and Gerard - have failed to deliver a winning combination since Andrew Johns got the Blues out of jail in 2005, who do they answer to now? Are they doing a good job? Who decides? Is anyone taking a look at them? Do selectors face the hangman's noose, or are they untouchable? Who selects the selectors?

The New South Wales Rugby League, that's who. And it will examine the selectors' record as part of an all-encompassing review that sifts through the rubble of a third straight series loss.

"We try to pick the best possible NSW team and, as much as anyone, we should be judged on our performances," Daley told the Sun-Herald.

"The NSWRL will decide if they want me to do it again. If I'm asked to, I will. That goes without saying. I'm passionate about Origin and NSW. But if they no longer want me to be a selector, I'll happily walk out the door and continue supporting the team in any way I can.

"Everyone has different opinions about selections, strong opinions, and if we're to blame for losing, well, we're to blame. Every opinion has merit. I love the job but if I'm told to stop, it won't affect my life one bit."

The Maroons blundered in Origin I by omitting Scott Prince, putting Israel Folau on the wrong wing, choosing fullback Karmichael Hunt at five-eighth and selecting the cumbersome Carl Webb. For games two and three, they switched Folau to Anthony Quinn's flank and he became unstoppable. Darren Lockyer's injury gave Prince a chance, Webb was relieved of his services and Hunt got the hell out of the halves.

For the Blues, the selection of coach Craig Bellamy's club winger, Steve Turner, for Origin II beggared belief. He wasn't good enough for City or Country, but he ended up in Origin? Turner had a shocker of frightening proportions. Folau monstered Quinn in the last two games. Quinn's known weakness: the high ball. It proved costly.

Only two specialist props. Poor kicking options. The Blues scored only one try in the last three hours of play while their most lethal weapon, Brett Stewart, was benched for 70 minutes of the decider. Genuine dangerman Feleti Mateo was ignored, eligibility dramas notwithstanding. The Blues had no intention of picking him - even when a new five-eighth and lock were required for game three. Mateo screamed X-factor so loudly his lungs burst.

Bellamy got the players he wanted. White and Ben Cross, who have been under him at the Storm, were completely out-gunned by the Queensland front row of Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva. Meanwhile, Manly prop Kite, an Australian player in rollicking form, was unwanted.

"We've been tight-lipped about that," Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said. "The coach got the side he wanted. I guess you live and die by the sword. I felt incredibly sorry for Brent Kite but as CEO, it was a double-edged sword. It meant Brent could play for us. And I'll say this - I was unbelievably thrilled that Josh Perry flew under the radar. He's been absolutely sensational for us."

The Sea Eagles reached last year's grand final. They lead this premiership race. Stewart was their only starter after Jamie Lyon said no.

The benching of Stewart last Wednesday was baffling. Bellamy always wanted Kurt Gidley as his No.1, so why pick Stewart at all? He's either a starting fullback, or not in the squad. It was a wasted man.

"I didn't understand that at all," Mayer said.

"I wouldn't call Brett a utility bench player."

On the perception Bellamy picked the team anyway, Daley said: "He does have a certain amount of autonomy. But we work with him."

No Kite. No Luke Bailey, no Mark O'Meley. Would White have played all three games if he wasn't from Bellamy's club? Would Turner have played a game? Young halfbacks Peter Wallace and Mitchell Pearce did as much as they could at this stage of their careers. But that's the point. They're another two years away from being Origin halfbacks. Brett Finch, Brett Kimmorley and Matt Orford, tough types, watched on.

Bellamy clearly does not rate Orford. There's the constant cry that he is too mentally fragile for Origin. That's one interesting prognostication given he's never played it. And Manly suspect he won't get the chance as long as Bellamy is in charge. The current Dally M leader for being the best player in the comp? Orford.

Overlooked City players privately complained about Daley's role as Country coach and NSW selector. Seven Country players, including Cross and White, were picked for Origin I and only two from City. It's wrong to suggest Daley acted with favouritism in his dual roles, but perceptions are important.

The NSWRL put Daley in an awkward position by giving him both jobs. His next job offer might be as coach. He confirmed his answer would be a big fat yes.

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/now-its-up-to-the-nswrl-to-act/2008/07/05/1214951110809.html?page=2
 
The facts are that gidley plays tough and stewart is a pretty boy.I ask when was the last time stewart busted the line on a kick return I can't remember were as gidley and slater break the line from kick returns at least twice a game.I have heard some manly fans compare stewart to the GREAT graham eadie,stewart couldn't lace the GREAT mans boots.I give stewart credit for being fast and a great support player but thats it
 
MNF link said:
The facts are that gidley plays tough and stewart is a pretty boy.I ask when was the last time stewart busted the line on a kick return I can't remember were as gidley and slater break the line from kick returns at least twice a game.I have heard some manly fans compare stewart to the GREAT graham eadie,stewart couldn't lace the GREAT mans boots.I give stewart credit for being fast and a great support player but thats it

There are different styles of fullbacks.

Gidleys defensive reads often leave a lot to be desired.

Brett Stewart is a defensive specialist as a fullback, then he roves around in attack as more of a support player, or gap runner, that is his style of play and it suits me to a tee. I don't want line busting 100% of the time from the full back, I don't want him too knackered to make the right choices in defense
 
Different players have different specialties.

Brett is probably the best positional fullback in the business and he stops countless tries from being scored by always being in the right spot at the right time.

He also has great awareness in attack. He spots a weakness and exploits it and as his tally shows, 4 out of 5 games he gets 4 points for it.

He's quick. Lightning quick. Anyone who gets through the manly line still needs to out run Brett and then beat his tackle. Easier said than done.

Gidley is a great fullback too.

Selectors can have whoever they want. Would I change Brett Stewart for any fullback in the comp?? You can bet your arse i wouldn't want anyone else.
 
Oh, I forgot to mention he is also one of the best support players in the business.

He got 2 tries on friday night. Both from supporting and never giving up on the play.
 
I never thought I would see the day when a negative post would come up about Brett Stewart, MNF you are a joke.
 
MNF believes Wombat was too lightweight for league & couldnt break the line on a kick return, Cliffy struggled with the complexities of how to set up players and Beaver is a dishonest thug.
 
Firstly Ricky Stuart is a cockhead. Gallen is surely a runaway contender for NSW captain. Secondly Gidley is a tool and thirdly Snake is the best fullback in the world when fully fit which he will be in 2012.
 

Latest posts

Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
3 2 1 45 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 22 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
3 2 1 10 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
Back
Top Bottom