News ‘Chopping and changing’: Burton’s big call on Dogs’ halves mystery as new recruit shines

[Tassie Devil]

Burton is by far the most talented half at the club and you guys want to play two specialist halfbacks in the halves.

He had no preseason last year, no consistency in terms of his halves partner, or even the position he was playing, our forwards got absolutely pantsed week in, week out, and you lunatics are already writing him off lol

Who's writing him off? Most of what I see is people saying it's a big year for him, which I think we can all agree on?

He wasn't good enough last year, which is what he's said, so we move on and hopefully he improves!

 

[Flanagun]

Who's writing him off? Most of what I see is people saying it's a big year for him, which I think we can all agree on?

He wasn't good enough last year, which is what he's said, so we move on and hopefully he improves!

Quite a few people saying to just move him to centre before a ball has been kicked in anger.

Just don’t get the excessive criticism. Most of our players looked devoid of energy last year… with the possible exception of Reed, who looked like a hyperactive 6-year-old who forgot to take his ADHD pills.

Lacklustre year of not, Burton was still probably our most dangerous playmaker last year. He has more X Factor than Sexton and Hutchison combined.

 

[Tassie Devil]

Quote a few people saying to just move him to centre before a ball has been kicked in anger.

Just don’t get the excessive criticism. Most of our players looked devoid of energy last year… with the possible exception of Teed, who looked like a hyperactive 6-year-old who forgot to take his ADHD pills.

Lacklustre year of not, Burton was still probably our most dangerous playmaker last year. He has more X Factor than Sexton and Hutchison combined.

How is it writing him off by saying he should be centre? Perhaps people feel he's simply better suited there?

I think being the 5/8, co-captain, big name signing I think people were turning him to pull us out of our shit.

Maybe this expectation was wrong, but that's why I imagine people are focusing on him more

 

[maroondog72]

I would argue it’s Mahoney to be honest. Burton was poor 2nd half of the season but surprised Reed isn’t getting more heat from Dogs supporters given how badly his form dropped off.

Mahoney busted his ass, he wasn’t great but with the exception of one or two players he was playing in the middle with a bunch of pea hearts

 

[DinkumDog]

Needs to work on his defense, passing, short kicking and decision making. Ive got him marked as centre from r1. Sexy and Hutch in the halfs. Ive been impressed by both

How exactly have you been ‘impressed by both’ Sexy and Hutch when you’ve admitted you won’t go to a training session because ‘life is too short’?? Media? You just been caught telling porkies again Flipper? .

OK give us your 17 then. If Burto is at 3, does Critta wear 4 or 1? What do you do with Xerri, Kiraz, Taffe etc? JAC has one wing, who’s the other?

He’s spent his entire pre-season at 6. I reckon there’s three-fifths of five-eighths (pardon the pun) of SFA chance Burto wears 3 or 4 in Round 1. Let’s see…

 

[billy beane]

Needs to work on his defense, passing, short kicking and decision making. Ive got him marked as centre from r1. Sexy and Hutch in the halfs. Ive been impressed by both

Would not be surprised .... Hutch was signed as a 5/8 option who can cover half .... not as a utility.

JT was keen to bring him across from Norths/Easts.

 

[billy beane]

Mahoney came to us having already established himself as a top player in his position. So, we know what he's capable of which gives him a little leeway I think. For how long ...

Burton wasn't an established 5/8 before coming here having made his name in the centres. So, we've never really know what his ability is at 5/8?

This year will be defining for him in that sense.

Not established in first grade but ....

Burton has been a 5/8 his entire life .... his season in the centers was the exception and just also happened to be his BEST season albeit in a great team.

He played all throughout Penrith's junior system and NSW under 19's as a 5/8 and had massive wraps.

He isn't this wet behind the ears, new to the position rookie that some make him out to be .... big reason for my frustrations with him.

100% agree with this being a HUGE season for him.

 

[billy beane]

Quote a few people saying to just move him to centre before a ball has been kicked in anger.

Just don’t get the excessive criticism. Most of our players looked devoid of energy last year… with the possible exception of Teed, who looked like a hyperactive 6-year-old who forgot to take his ADHD pills.

Lacklustre year of not, Burton was still probably our most dangerous playmaker last year. He has more X Factor than Sexton and Hutchison combined.

He might have X Factor as you say but how well do players around him perform .... i would suggest he doesn't bring people into the game as a 5/8 should.

He is the Marcus Rashford of the NRL .... capable of brilliant moments only to go into his shell for the rest of the game.

 

[sgodllubsti]

have heard this type of talk every season, every season so far its been a lot of talk no action. hopefully this season its a turning point

 

[T-Rocket]

Sounds like they've been addressing some of his faults. Now it has to be acted on by Burton. Plenty more for him to improve. I'm hoping for a real bounce back year from Burton

 

[nassman]

Are we ever going to have a consistent, capable halves pairing again in the blue and white? It's beyond ridiculous

 

[ChesoBulldog]

Aren't you the poster who was always after @Malla?

Got a new target I see lol

Truth be told, I get where you're coming to a point as @CrittaMagic69 can be a bit of a negative arse sometimes.

That being said ...

I'm surprising you're gunning for him in this thread as his points have been pretty balanced in all honesty?

Last season I saw a lot of people pointing out that Mahoney constantly overplayed his hand last year. And was massively exposed in defence.

It's not like @CrittaMagic69 is saying anything different.

THe Kennel is funny sometimes as it seems as though everyone needs to pick a side.

Black or white.

Pro Gus or not.

Positive or apparently negative.

I've called out Marley with the best of them, and will continue to do so, but he does have a point on occassions.

His views on Mahoney I think are on the mark?

Don’t bother with fat Steve
Slob on the hill eats his pies drinks his coke zeros

 

[dawso047]

Don't undersand the hate for Burton. He was poor last year but JAC looked like a NSW Cup player, Alamoti looked like he should never rise above NSW Cup , Sexton looked like an organizing NSW Cup halve with no razzle dazzle, RFM looked like he was unwanted at NRL or NSW Cup, Sutton looked like an average NSWCup player, Thompson didn't even look like a NSW Cup quality player don't worry NRL and TPJ may as well have not played most weeks. Burton won't do much unless Sexton or Hutcho improve drastically and they won't do much unless King remains fit, Curran finds consistency and at least two youngsters have breakout years Hughes most likely, Morrin as an impact player at best as he aint no starter or Edwards or Patolo if they find they can double their intensity with more aggression.

 

[dawso047]

Don't undersand the hate for Burton. He was poor last year but JAC looked like a NSW Cup player, Alamoti looked like he should never rise above NSW Cup , Sexton looked like an organizing NSW Cup halve with no razzle dazzle, RFM looked like he was unwanted at NRL or NSW Cup, Sutton looked like an average NSWCup player, Thompson didn't even look like a NSW Cup quality player don't worry NRL and TPJ may as well have not played most weeks. Burton won't do much unless Sexton or Hutcho improve drastically and they won't do much unless King remains fit, Curran finds consistency and at least two youngsters have breakout years Hughes most likely, Morrin as an impact player at best as he aint no starter or Edwards or Patolo if they find they can double their intensity with more aggression.

Just wanted to add that Rajab who is fighting for any NRL career should be given a run as the chief playmaker in NSW Cup, he is at this stage a crap defender but is more exciting with the ball than both Hutcho and Sexton.

 

[bricktamland]

In a way not good to chop and change, but could be wrong it means they are on their toes. Both uniquely need a new contract and both like playing number 7. Sexton has been proven in the past to rise to the occasion so hopefully he can do well with full pre season. No excuses for burton now.

 

[Tassie Devil]

Not established in first grade but ....

Burton has been a 5/8 his entire life .... his season in the centers was the exception and just also happened to be his BEST season albeit in a great team.

He played all throughout Penrith's junior system and NSW under 19's as a 5/8 and had massive wraps.

He isn't this wet behind the ears, new to the position rookie that some make him out to be .... big reason for my frustrations with him.

100% agree with this being a HUGE season for him.

It's a big step up into 1st grade tho, and when all around you is crumbling then it's a challenge for an untried 5/8th to carry the team.

Not defending him in the slightest, just highlighting the difference between him and Mahoney and why the expectations should've been slightly different.

I'm not convinced Burton is the answer at 5/8 but he certainly has no excuses this year.

Full preseason.

More established players around him.

A year in the job.

He has to perform otherwise I'd move him to centre pronto. Would be tempted to move him there straight away tbh

 

[bowleggedwog]

It's a big step up into 1st grade tho, and when all around you is crumbling then it's a challenge for an untried 5/8th to carry the team.

Not defending him in the slightest, just highlighting the difference between him and Mahoney and why the expectations should've been slightly different.

I'm not convinced Burton is the answer at 5/8 but he certainly has no excuses this year.

Full preseason.

More established players around him.

A year in the job.

He has to perform otherwise I'd move him to centre pronto. Would be tempted to move him there straight away tbh

Agree , you have to learn the trade, his best season in the centres probably exaggerated expectations but also the fact he was training at centre and not at 6 is a huge thing as well. Even if he was the back up training in the halves and learning from the established guys improves his game. Then he comes he was the halves saviour with no help or any old head to learn from. Jimmy Maloney was big for Penrith and would have been good here for a couple yrs. Burton is learning and probably should stick to his strength of running than worrying about control and finding space for the outside players. His strength is running direct and that power n step. Last yr everyone tried to do to much hopefully with more experience we don’t have any more strokes and smashed tv’s lol

 

[Flanagun]

How is it writing him off by saying he should be centre? Perhaps people feel he's simply better suited there?

I think being the 5/8, co-captain, big name signing I think people were turning him to pull us out of our shit.

Maybe this expectation was wrong, but that's why I imagine people are focusing on him more

He’s by far the most unfairly maligned player at the club, imo. And numerous people are already picking him at centre from round one, which would be a huge waste, imo.

He may have played a lot of five eighth in juniors and lower grades, but first grade is a totally different beast.

Burton has had to come into a struggling side and become the dominant, senior half despite not being very experienced as a first grade half himself, having no real leaders in the spine (with the expectation of Reed, who played like a headless chook last year). Add to that the fact he’s been paying behind a whipped pack, had no preseason last year, had to play with numerous halves partners past yesr, and was even asked to move to halfback and perform a role in the team that is not his strength for a period, and is it any wonder he struggled. Any young half would have struggled on his position.

Burton showed really good signs in 2022 when he had a clearly defined role. Also played with plenty of energy and passion.

The rhetoric here when it comes to Ciraldo, and even Reed seems to be give them as much time as they need, they have a really hard job to do. So why are we so quick to put the pressure on Burton and say it’s a make or break year for him?

He’s probably the biggest talent at the club, imho. Needs to be given time and shown patience. Especially given the club is in a rebuild.

Edit: sorry fam, just realised I replied to this comment twice.

 

[Flanagun]

It's a big step up into 1st grade tho, and when all around you is crumbling then it's a challenge for an untried 5/8th to carry the team.

Not defending him in the slightest, just highlighting the difference between him and Mahoney and why the expectations should've been slightly different.

I'm not convinced Burton is the answer at 5/8 but he certainly has no excuses this year.

Full preseason.

More established players around him.

A year in the job.

He has to perform otherwise I'd move him to centre pronto. Would be tempted to move him there straight away tbh

Your first sentence really seems to be contradicted by the rest of your post, imo. The dude needs time, fam.

 

[Flanagun]

How is it writing him off by saying he should be centre? Perhaps people feel he's simply better suited there?

I think being the 5/8, co-captain, big name signing I think people were turning him to pull us out of our shit.

Maybe this expectation was wrong, but that's why I imagine people are focusing on him more

The problems with moving him to the centres are he a five eighth, and potentially a great one, we don’t really have any other halves with genuine X factor, and we have plenty of options at centre, in any case.

I’m sure the readings you highlighted are why people expect so much of him, but it doesn’t make their expectations realistic. He’s still learning his trade in the top grade and you guys place higher expectations on him than his coach and the much more experienced hooker. I find it weird.