afgtnk wrote:I don't think it's a case of being poor judges. I think it's a case of having thick green goggles afixed too firmly and doubling down - similar to the sects that swear refs have treated us worse than every other team for eternity, or that the NRL detest us and have a grand conspiracy to sink us, or that the clubs' failures are almost solely due to us not being an attractive destination to move to for players because apparently the only thing they could possibly move for is a couple of nifty bike tracks.
Now lets change the name of croker to a certain halfback?
afgtnk wrote: ↑February 18, 2020, 10:02 pm
Seiffert82: Who gives a **** what other fans think??
Also Seiffert82: This incomprehensible rankings list from some random guy on Twitter says Croker is the best. That's it. Done. Argument over.
Hey EDIT, I just used that dude's list as a reference for all the top line centres in the comp. I don't agree with his specific rankings (hence my comment "irrespective of the rankings" which you selectively ignored), but a casual glance at the NAMES ON THE LIST indicates to me that Croker is clearly one of the best and most consistent centres running around.
FWIW, now that Mitchell has likely moved to fullback, I reckon Manu and Leilua are the only ones left who are a rung above Toots, but he's certainly high up in that next tier of players, who he regularly shuts down in defence or beats in attack. He certainly did a great job shutting down Manu in the GF.
Then you add the goal kicking and captaincy.
I have no idea why he gets sledged so much by the club's own fans.
greeneyed wrote: ↑February 19, 2020, 6:02 am
Given we have a reserve grade centre in our back five, it’s strange how they’re rated amongst the best in the NRL. Really strange.
Dylan’s Raiders wrote: ↑February 18, 2020, 5:00 pm
Interesting to note that old mate Clarkey from “Clarkey’s Rugby League Column” rates him as the number one centre in the NRL. Not too much disagreement in the comments - few people saying Joseph Manu should be ahead. Raiders fans are arguably the harshest judges when it comes to Croker IMO.
He is rightfully getting massacred on Twitter. It’s the worst ranking list of footballers in the history of ranking footballers.
He has Joey Leilua at #13, with the likes of Justin Olam and Esarn Marsters ahead of him
Irrespective of the rankings, what that list tells me is that Croker is certainly one of the best centres running around the NRL.
That is exactly my point. In respect of the list in its entirety, I completely disagree with. But it shows that a lot people outside of the raiders do hold Croker in high regard.
afgtnk wrote: ↑February 18, 2020, 10:02 pm
Seiffert82: Who gives a **** what other fans think??
Also Seiffert82: This incomprehensible rankings list from some random guy on Twitter says Croker is the best. That's it. Done. Argument over.
Hey EDIT, I just used that dude's list as a reference for all the top line centres in the comp. I don't agree with his specific rankings (hence my comment "irrespective of the rankings" which you selectively ignored), but a casual glance at the NAMES ON THE LIST indicates to me that Croker is clearly one of the best and most consistent centres running around.
Don't you get it, Afgtthrnk's random internet opinion is the most valid, all other random internet opinions are invalid.
greeneyed wrote: ↑February 19, 2020, 6:02 am
Given we have a reserve grade centre in our back five, it’s strange how they’re rated amongst the best in the NRL. Really strange.
Souths back 5 with an A- despite so many question marks is a bit how you going.
And Sharks A- is astonishing. Moylan with glad wrap hamstrings and Dugan/Ronaldo in the first string.
Agree on those two. It's been a while since we saw Moylan put some good footy together. As for a season- forget it.
Souths I guess they are banking on Latrell lifting everyone. Gagai isn't the worlds greatest club player. Roberts can be very dangerous but he's another one held together with sticky tape.
Seiffert82 wrote: ↑February 19, 2020, 7:13 am
FWIW, now that Mitchell has likely moved to fullback, I reckon Manu and Leilua are the only ones left who are a rung above Toots, but he's certainly high up in that next tier of players, who he regularly shuts down in defence or beats in attack. He certainly did a great job shutting down Manu in the GF.
Then you add the goal kicking and captaincy.
I have no idea why he gets sledged so much by the club's own fans.
Manu took his game to a whole new level last year. Right now I'd rate him clearly on top. There's nobody better than BJ at his best. Too many dumb plays and inconsistency have been his achilles heel. Prior to his neck injury in 2019 he looked like he'd tamed that part of his game. Unfortunately it crept back in on his return. Trying too hard maybe?
* The author assumes no responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of information provided.
Seiffert82 wrote: ↑February 19, 2020, 7:13 am
FWIW, now that Mitchell has likely moved to fullback, I reckon Manu and Leilua are the only ones left who are a rung above Toots, but he's certainly high up in that next tier of players, who he regularly shuts down in defence or beats in attack. He certainly did a great job shutting down Manu in the GF.
Then you add the goal kicking and captaincy.
I have no idea why he gets sledged so much by the club's own fans.
Manu took his game to a whole new level last year. Right now I'd rate him clearly on top. There's nobody better than BJ at his best. Too many dumb plays and inconsistency have been his achilles heel. Prior to his neck injury in 2019 he looked like he'd tamed that part of his game. Unfortunately it crept back in on his return. Trying too hard maybe?
My theory on BJ is that when he's really fit- the better his discipline on the field. As noted he had really got his act together early 2019 and was finally adding discipline whilst still being a terror. When he can back he was a step off the pace and just not match fit (that takes a few weeks)- all of a sudden we see the brain snaps again. It's hard to make good decisions under fatigue, simple as that. You can add that Joeys scope for good and bad decisions is broader than most players. So when the needle moves... it moves.
If Joey is fit at the Tigers, he'll kill it the first few games. But I think if they are losing again some bad habits will creep in as he realises he's at a busted outfit and winning is more fun that losing...
Seiffert82 wrote: ↑February 19, 2020, 7:13 am
FWIW, now that Mitchell has likely moved to fullback, I reckon Manu and Leilua are the only ones left who are a rung above Toots, but he's certainly high up in that next tier of players, who he regularly shuts down in defence or beats in attack. He certainly did a great job shutting down Manu in the GF.
Then you add the goal kicking and captaincy.
I have no idea why he gets sledged so much by the club's own fans.
Manu took his game to a whole new level last year. Right now I'd rate him clearly on top. There's nobody better than BJ at his best. Too many dumb plays and inconsistency have been his achilles heel. Prior to his neck injury in 2019 he looked like he'd tamed that part of his game. Unfortunately it crept back in on his return. Trying too hard maybe?
My theory on BJ is that when he's really fit- the better his discipline on the field. As noted he had really got his act together early 2019 and was finally adding discipline whilst still being a terror. When he can back he was a step off the pace and just not match fit (that takes a few weeks)- all of a sudden we see the brain snaps again. It's hard to make good decisions under fatigue, simple as that. You can add that Joeys scope for good and bad decisions is broader than most players. So when the needle moves... it moves.
If Joey is fit at the Tigers, he'll kill it the first few games. But I think if they are losing again some bad habits will creep in as he realises he's at a busted outfit and winning is more fun that losing...
Yeah, a fit and focussed Leilua is right up there. The discipline creeps out of his game when he's unfit and things aren't going his way. Mentally not the strongest of characters. It'll be interesting to see how he goes at the Tigers.
Manu is just one of those guys that does everything well. Not a highlights reel, but just an outstanding centre.
afgtnk wrote: ↑February 18, 2020, 10:02 pm
Seiffert82: Who gives a **** what other fans think??
Also Seiffert82: This incomprehensible rankings list from some random guy on Twitter says Croker is the best. That's it. Done. Argument over.
Hey EDIT, I just used that dude's list as a reference for all the top line centres in the comp. I don't agree with his specific rankings (hence my comment "irrespective of the rankings" which you selectively ignored), but a casual glance at the NAMES ON THE LIST indicates to me that Croker is clearly one of the best and most consistent centres running around.
Don't you get it, Afgtthrnk's random internet opinion is the most valid, all other random internet opinions are invalid.
afgtnk wrote:I don't think it's a case of being poor judges. I think it's a case of having thick green goggles afixed too firmly and doubling down - similar to the sects that swear refs have treated us worse than every other team for eternity, or that the NRL detest us and have a grand conspiracy to sink us, or that the clubs' failures are almost solely due to us not being an attractive destination to move to for players because apparently the only thing they could possibly move for is a couple of nifty bike tracks.
Now lets change the name of croker to a certain halfback?
Gotta read this BS again all year.. the bias is astonishing
BJ wrote: ↑February 20, 2020, 9:33 am
Apparently BJ is proving one of the strongest players at the Tigers. Players have been very impressed with him.
That's not surprising on a number of levels
1. He's very strong
b) He's more mature and professional now than he was years ago, comes with age i guess
iii- Even at the roosters and knights, when he was a immature, he was still pretty good for them in the first 18 months. That honeymoon period was always strong
I expect Beej will be excellent for them.
Last edited by Botman on February 20, 2020, 10:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
afgtnk wrote: ↑February 18, 2020, 10:02 pm
Seiffert82: Who gives a **** what other fans think??
Also Seiffert82: This incomprehensible rankings list from some random guy on Twitter says Croker is the best. That's it. Done. Argument over.
Hey EDIT, I just used that dude's list as a reference for all the top line centres in the comp. I don't agree with his specific rankings (hence my comment "irrespective of the rankings" which you selectively ignored), but a casual glance at the NAMES ON THE LIST indicates to me that Croker is clearly one of the best and most consistent centres running around.
Don't you get it, Afgtthrnk's random internet opinion is the most valid, all other random internet opinions are invalid.
All I'm sayin is you're all lucky agffnsk isn't big cheese.
Skulls would be cracking
Seiffert82 wrote: ↑February 19, 2020, 7:13 am
FWIW, now that Mitchell has likely moved to fullback, I reckon Manu and Leilua are the only ones left who are a rung above Toots, but he's certainly high up in that next tier of players, who he regularly shuts down in defence or beats in attack. He certainly did a great job shutting down Manu in the GF.
Then you add the goal kicking and captaincy.
I have no idea why he gets sledged so much by the club's own fans.
Manu took his game to a whole new level last year. Right now I'd rate him clearly on top. There's nobody better than BJ at his best. Too many dumb plays and inconsistency have been his achilles heel. Prior to his neck injury in 2019 he looked like he'd tamed that part of his game. Unfortunately it crept back in on his return. Trying too hard maybe?
Yeah I remember Joey trying hard when he chased that manly player 95m to drop his knees on his back after he scored
Honestly, if he’s fit and motivated (along with the fact we’re paying a decent portion of his contract) it’s likely to be one of the most significant purchases the Tigers have made since Scott Prince.
I think having his brother there helps too, he enjoys his footy more when he’s in the company of mates.
Canberra Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker set to re-sign for two years
Jarrod Croker appears set to sign a two-year extension with the Raiders, with an option for a third, as early as Monday. Nick Cotric is close to a three year deal, while Sia Soliola is likely to re-sign before the start of the season and Matt Timoko is likely to sign a development deal.
"Jarrod Croker's all but done. I think it'll be two [years] with an option our way," Peter Mulholland said.
I never really understood contracts with a final year in the club's favour.
If the club wants to retain a player and the player wants to stay, a contract extension can be negotiated at any time. If a player really doesn't want to stay, its not like the club is going to take up that final year option.
Might be different in a system where clubs are actively trading players under contract, but not in an environment where players and clubs break contracts at the drop of a hat.
Anyway this is good news. A 2-3 year deals sounds like a good result for the club. Hopefully for everyone involved we can squeeze a premiership or two in that window!!
Botman wrote: ↑February 21, 2020, 5:59 pm
Yeah I think two years and an option is definitely a better length than the originally reported 4
Happy with that
Yep, this deal takes him to the end of 2022 where he will be 32. Both he and the club will have a better idea where he's at playing wise.
* The author assumes no responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of information provided.
afgtnk wrote: ↑February 18, 2020, 10:02 pm
Seiffert82: Who gives a **** what other fans think??
Also Seiffert82: This incomprehensible rankings list from some random guy on Twitter says Croker is the best. That's it. Done. Argument over.
Hey EDIT, I just used that dude's list as a reference for all the top line centres in the comp. I don't agree with his specific rankings (hence my comment "irrespective of the rankings" which you selectively ignored), but a casual glance at the NAMES ON THE LIST indicates to me that Croker is clearly one of the best and most consistent centres running around.
Don't you get it, Afgtthrnk's random internet opinion is the most valid, all other random internet opinions are invalid.
All I'm sayin is you're all lucky agffnsk isn't big cheese.
Skulls would be cracking
possibly the world is lucky there's only one Big Cheese. And note the capitals - respect!
Well, we know he probably won't get to the third year anyway without getting another extension, so I'm fine with that. Ultimately, it's probably just a safety net in case they have to renegotiate a lot of players around that 2022 mark and they can just go "yeah here's the third year".
And to all the people who doubted me, hello to them as well. - Mark Webber, Raiders Ballboy and Unluckiest F1 Driver Ever
I'm attacking in the right way, instead of just...attacking in the general direction. - Max Aaron (also eerily apropos for the Green Machine)
raiderskater wrote: ↑February 23, 2020, 11:27 am
Well, we know he probably won't get to the third year anyway without getting another extension, so I'm fine with that. Ultimately, it's probably just a safety net in case they have to renegotiate a lot of players around that 2022 mark and they can just go "yeah here's the third year".
It gets a bit confusing with the negotiation of contracts 12 months in advance. When do they need to advise him if the option will be activated? Is he allowed to talk to other clubs until such time the Raiders take up the 3rd year of his deal?
* The author assumes no responsibility for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of information provided.