Preferred starting halves for Round 1
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- Raiders_Pat
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Preferred starting halves for Round 1
There seems to be differing opinions on who should start in the halves so I thought why not put together a poll for the preferred starting halves/hooker set up for Round 1. I haven't included Pattie in the options as I don't believe he will start at hooker, more likely he will play minutes off the bench on debut. I've kept it to the current set up, plus the two options that I've seen tossed up the most in the forum.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Most people sending Strange back to centres for a year so far.
I'm not 100% either way. If Sanders can defend ok then it'd be nice to get some games into him.
But if he's still a bit raw defensively then he's better off working on that in Cup for the first half of the season.
I don't have many expectations for this season so I'll just see what the Rickster rolls out and more or less trust he's got it right, since I'm on the fence myself.
I'm not 100% either way. If Sanders can defend ok then it'd be nice to get some games into him.
But if he's still a bit raw defensively then he's better off working on that in Cup for the first half of the season.
I don't have many expectations for this season so I'll just see what the Rickster rolls out and more or less trust he's got it right, since I'm on the fence myself.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Unless Don pulls a rabbit out of his hat in the form of an NRL standard hooker, Fogarty is going to be forced to transition to 9 at some point this season as I believe Sanders will quickly demonstrate that that move has to happen.
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
I just don’t see how Fogs strengths transition to hooker. The halves that succeed moving to hooker are the ones with a strong passing game and are quick from a standing start.
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
I'm not sure... the poll for five eighth was won by Strange by a fairly wide margin.BadnMean wrote: ↑January 15, 2025, 8:52 am Most people sending Strange back to centres for a year so far.
I'm not 100% either way. If Sanders can defend ok then it'd be nice to get some games into him.
But if he's still a bit raw defensively then he's better off working on that in Cup for the first half of the season.
I don't have many expectations for this season so I'll just see what the Rickster rolls out and more or less trust he's got it right, since I'm on the fence myself.

Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Can’t see them investing in Sanders with the pitch of playing firsts with his mates and then have him play 2’s……plus he’s already played first grade and looked very comfortable
Also makes sense to be mentored by Fog on the field
Strange is the most versatile of the young guys and will make the move to centre
Also makes sense to be mentored by Fog on the field
Strange is the most versatile of the young guys and will make the move to centre
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Early votes had Fogarty and Sanders as the favourites for the halves but the other options have caught up. The current set up of Fogarty and Strange is now ahead.BadnMean wrote: ↑January 15, 2025, 8:52 am Most people sending Strange back to centres for a year so far.
I'm not 100% either way. If Sanders can defend ok then it'd be nice to get some games into him.
But if he's still a bit raw defensively then he's better off working on that in Cup for the first half of the season.
I don't have many expectations for this season so I'll just see what the Rickster rolls out and more or less trust he's got it right, since I'm on the fence myself.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Yeah you're both right about that. It makes the most sense. I haven't seen a half come in and handle defence like Strange has for a long time. Wighton was the last. Daley before that. And they didn't technically start as halves either but they shared that ability to not only absorb the workload but actually tackle so hard their defence could flip the script and gain momentum back or shake a ball loose.Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑January 15, 2025, 5:05 pmEarly votes had Fogarty and Sanders as the favourites for the halves but the other options have caught up. The current set up of Fogarty and Strange is now ahead.BadnMean wrote: ↑January 15, 2025, 8:52 am Most people sending Strange back to centres for a year so far.
I'm not 100% either way. If Sanders can defend ok then it'd be nice to get some games into him.
But if he's still a bit raw defensively then he's better off working on that in Cup for the first half of the season.
I don't have many expectations for this season so I'll just see what the Rickster rolls out and more or less trust he's got it right, since I'm on the fence myself.
I think we are most likely going to wait and see until Sanders can defend well consistently in Cup.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
I too think Strange is an option to temporarily move into centre, for his long-term development.
However, I'll pass judgement on our halves and fullback after watching the trials. Strange comprehensively outplayed Weekes in the trials last year to snag the 5/8 role. Something similar could happen again this year.
The questions really are whether Stewart has improved enough to steal fullback from Weekes and whether Sanders and Fogarty can complement each other in the halves.
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However, I'll pass judgement on our halves and fullback after watching the trials. Strange comprehensively outplayed Weekes in the trials last year to snag the 5/8 role. Something similar could happen again this year.
The questions really are whether Stewart has improved enough to steal fullback from Weekes and whether Sanders and Fogarty can complement each other in the halves.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
For the record, my preference is to start Sanders and Strange as the halves. When Manly won the 2011 premiership, they didn't bother pairing Cherry-Evans with Jamie Lyon in the halves just because it was Cherry-Evans' rookie year... they went with a young halves combo of Cherry-Evans and Foran, with Lyon in the centres. And Lyon was probably a better half at that time than Fogarty is currently. I don't see much point in the approach of playing Sanders as second fiddle behind Fogarty. Just hand Sanders the keys and let him learn, and keep Strange at five-eighth where he's developing nicely imo.BadnMean wrote: ↑January 15, 2025, 11:24 pm Yeah you're both right about that. It makes the most sense. I haven't seen a half come in and handle defence like Strange has for a long time. Wighton was the last. Daley before that. And they didn't technically start as halves either but they shared that ability to not only absorb the workload but actually tackle so hard their defence could flip the script and gain momentum back or shake a ball loose.
I think we are most likely going to wait and see until Sanders can defend well consistently in Cup.
Of course, if Sanders shows in the trials that his defence isn't up to par then I'm happy to see him develop further in NSW Cup. But I think he will be able to handle it.
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
This season needs to be about getting ready to have a good roll of the dice in 2026.
You achieve that by getting as much NRL experience into the Ethans and Chevy.
Enough messing around with earning your proverbial stripes though I concede Fog likely starts the year at 7.
You achieve that by getting as much NRL experience into the Ethans and Chevy.
Enough messing around with earning your proverbial stripes though I concede Fog likely starts the year at 7.
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Don’t some people understand that Fog is close to our only player (and only spine player) with game awareness and football sense.
He knows what field position we have to get fo (particularly when scores are tight towards the end of games) and he’s telling our forwards what to do and where to go when required.
There’s a reason we win more games with him playing than not. If we had an organising or creative hooker or fullback I’d be less concerned, but we don’t.
He knows what field position we have to get fo (particularly when scores are tight towards the end of games) and he’s telling our forwards what to do and where to go when required.
There’s a reason we win more games with him playing than not. If we had an organising or creative hooker or fullback I’d be less concerned, but we don’t.
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Sure. But at that time Manly were arguably one of the best teams in the comp, so plonking two rookies in the halves isn't comparable to where we currently sit. They had a very good but underrated Ballin at hooker and Stewart at fullback. Good centres in Lyon and Matai, Stewart, Watmough in the backrow and King and Kite upfront.Raiders_Pat wrote:For the record, my preference is to start Sanders and Strange as the halves. When Manly won the 2011 premiership, they didn't bother pairing Cherry-Evans with Jamie Lyon in the halves just because it was Cherry-Evans' rookie year... they went with a young halves combo of Cherry-Evans and Foran, with Lyon in the centres. And Lyon was probably a better half at that time than Fogarty is currently. I don't see much point in the approach of playing Sanders as second fiddle behind Fogarty. Just hand Sanders the keys and let him learn, and keep Strange at five-eighth where he's developing nicely imo.BadnMean wrote: ↑January 15, 2025, 11:24 pm Yeah you're both right about that. It makes the most sense. I haven't seen a half come in and handle defence like Strange has for a long time. Wighton was the last. Daley before that. And they didn't technically start as halves either but they shared that ability to not only absorb the workload but actually tackle so hard their defence could flip the script and gain momentum back or shake a ball loose.
I think we are most likely going to wait and see until Sanders can defend well consistently in Cup.
Of course, if Sanders shows in the trials that his defence isn't up to par then I'm happy to see him develop further in NSW Cup. But I think he will be able to handle it.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Sanders in the 14 at content day
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Adam Cook in the 17... I'd say they just picked up any jersey that fit.

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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Let’s hope so, Levi was wearing 9
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
#emptythetank

Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Maybe Ricky is planning for a 4 halves bench. Then he can start with 7 middles.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Gee when I look at Sanders NSW Cup highlights, they overwhelmingly feature his running game first and foremost. He could absolutely play five-eighth. I've got no doubt Ricky will consider it depending how injuries/suspensions/form play out, and I think he'll consider that well before any shift of Fogarty from #7
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
I'm not convinced fogs is anything more than a world class open play kicker which whoever is our kicking coach is world class in that department. So I'm really interested to see how sanders looks with a preseason with our kicking coach because he was really good to begin with.BJ wrote: ↑January 18, 2025, 8:29 am Don’t some people understand that Fog is close to our only player (and only spine player) with game awareness and football sense.
He knows what field position we have to get fo (particularly when scores are tight towards the end of games) and he’s telling our forwards what to do and where to go when required.
There’s a reason we win more games with him playing than not. If we had an organising or creative hooker or fullback I’d be less concerned, but we don’t.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Well a world class open play kicker is pretty valuable lol. Then holds his own defensively and provides, I hate to use the word, intangibles of leadership etc
If he was just a young player with the same skillset, you can see why he'd get overlooked for players with a higher ceiling. But as an older experienced player, you can also see why he can hold his seat against younger upstarts
If he was just a young player with the same skillset, you can see why he'd get overlooked for players with a higher ceiling. But as an older experienced player, you can also see why he can hold his seat against younger upstarts
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1

From memory, his first run in first grade he busted two tackles coming off his left foot and almost bust the line.Canberra Milk wrote: ↑February 4, 2025, 11:39 am Gee when I look at Sanders NSW Cup highlights, they overwhelmingly feature his running game first and foremost. He could absolutely play five-eighth. I've got no doubt Ricky will consider it depending how injuries/suspensions/form play out, and I think he'll consider that well before any shift of Fogarty from #7
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
At least if that happens, and i don't think it will, but i say that with no more than 65% level of confidence... Sanders would at least be afforded the opportunity to play on the left hand attack, which is his ideal spot.
Sanders is a very well rounded young footballer, he can do a lot of things. He's one of the best young halves in the game in part because he isnt one dimensional as it relates to a runner or passer, he can do both. But i think his long term value and role with this team is pass and kick halfback sort of role, more so than as a running 5/8th architype.
But when you think about the best of those types (in my lifetime) - Stuart, Johns, JT, Cronk, Cleary... the best guys of that #7 architype were threats as ball runners too
Sanders is a very well rounded young footballer, he can do a lot of things. He's one of the best young halves in the game in part because he isnt one dimensional as it relates to a runner or passer, he can do both. But i think his long term value and role with this team is pass and kick halfback sort of role, more so than as a running 5/8th architype.
But when you think about the best of those types (in my lifetime) - Stuart, Johns, JT, Cronk, Cleary... the best guys of that #7 architype were threats as ball runners too
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
He’s really only nailed the kicking over the last 24 months though. And while he has a massive boot he’s in no way world class in terms of how it’s utilized, especially under pressure.Canberra Milk wrote: ↑February 4, 2025, 12:37 pm Well a world class open play kicker is pretty valuable lol. Then holds his own defensively and provides, I hate to use the word, intangibles of leadership etc
If he was just a young player with the same skillset, you can see why he'd get overlooked for players with a higher ceiling. But as an older experienced player, you can also see why he can hold his seat against younger upstarts
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
If you believe reports of what we paid for Sanders I can’t see him warming the bench or playing NSW cup. I expect to see Sanders and Fogarty in the halves and Strange playing in the centres, and eventually moving to 5/8 once Fogarty moves on (2026-2027).
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Even though like everyone I love Strange and as a future star five-eighth, I think we get starry eyed and ignore his playmaking limitations as it stands. Given that I would be fine with 7. Fog 6. Sanders 3. Strange, and I dare say I think we'll see it as a first string option at some point this year. Perhaps say during a flat streak where Ricky wants to try something new, much like he did with Cook last year
All things being equal I'd prefer 7. Sanders 6. Strange but all things are not equal. And there's the added bonus of getting Sanders and Strange playing next to each other, they'd probably enjoy it
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
What makes you think those limitations will be alleviated with a change of personnel?
The decade + long history strong indicates this is not a player related issue or at the very least other factors are strong contributors.
The decade + long history strong indicates this is not a player related issue or at the very least other factors are strong contributors.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
It won't alleviate it but given he's not an out and out playmaker (yet), it softens the blow and allows Sanders game time. I agree there'll be an appetite to get him into the team, and it's the only way I can see that happening
Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Unless the coaching staff and how they coach and structure attack evolves, i would bet my house that we could play Ethan Sanders every game this year for 80 minutes and we'll be here, on Feb 5th, 2026 and someone like you will be remarking on his "playmaking limitations"
If i had to divy up a blame pie for Strange's play making limitations it might look something like
40% inexperience and coaching (the coach has straight out stated he's not asking much of Strange and wanted him focused on running hard and making his tackles)
20% Structure
20% being played on the left when every once of game footage indicates he's far more effective on the right
20% his skills requiring further development (which at least somewhat feeds back into inexperience)
I have no concern about Strange's talent and ability long term as a play maker, passing will likely never be his 1a strength but he's very capable of opening teams up with his passing game, and we've already seen flashes of that.
Nor do i with Sanders. My major concern for both players is whether this club and it's coaches can provide them a system and structure to allow their talent to shine. And we've got 10 years of history right now that validates that concern.
If i had to divy up a blame pie for Strange's play making limitations it might look something like
40% inexperience and coaching (the coach has straight out stated he's not asking much of Strange and wanted him focused on running hard and making his tackles)
20% Structure
20% being played on the left when every once of game footage indicates he's far more effective on the right
20% his skills requiring further development (which at least somewhat feeds back into inexperience)
I have no concern about Strange's talent and ability long term as a play maker, passing will likely never be his 1a strength but he's very capable of opening teams up with his passing game, and we've already seen flashes of that.
Nor do i with Sanders. My major concern for both players is whether this club and it's coaches can provide them a system and structure to allow their talent to shine. And we've got 10 years of history right now that validates that concern.
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Re: Preferred starting halves for Round 1
Based on reports on here of where these guys have been training this pre-season - I think the least popular option of Fogarty and Sanders in the halves with Strange at centre is the most likely scenario for round 1 if Sanders plays well in the trials