News Bulldogs tipped for late Benji Marshall play after Burton release attempt falls through

[bert]

Why do a lot of people on this Forum want Averillo at Fullback ? he has only played a handful of first grade games and none at fullback, personally from what I saw of him this year, I think he's a bit soft and doesn't handle pain very well, that's why I think Meanie who handled the Fullback position quite well this season, and is pretty fast, should be fullback until JAC takes over the position in 2022, In fact I'm tipping this to happen under TBaz. I would play Averillo in the Centers and get him used to it for 2022 when Meanie goes back to the wing and Burton takes over the 5/8 role , Also I would give Benji a go for one year we have lots to gain & nothing to lose.

 

[liljohny]

Were all salivating over Burton, however we "may/may not" have potential an equal in Averillo for the no.6, so I can see a possible difficult situation the club might have in holding on to both.
Burton was touted as the next Fittler, Cleary would have to rocks in his head to let go of the next Fittler.
Averillo "might" become a great FB in a year or 2, but like many I believe his best position would be 5/8. IMHO he will never make a great centre or winger. If he doesn't make it at FB I can see the club losing him, which would be a pity because I'm sure he is loyal and wants to stay at the club.
Could Burton be used in another position such as no.9.
Guess we'll wait and see what the experts say and do, and how things turn out.

I do agree with most that we should be thinking about Averillo as a possible long term full back, but to clarify with everyone on here he has played most of his games at centre in the Jersey Flegg and NSW cup comps. Not since sg ball has he had a good stint at fullback.

He's is obviously quite capable of playing in the centres given his rapid rise through the ranks playing in this position.

 

[CMP]

I would play Averillo in the Centers and get him used to it for 2022 when Meanie goes back to the wing and Burton takes over the 5/8 role , Also I would give Benji a go for one year we have lots to gain & nothing to lose.

With ball in hand Averillo could be a handful for opposing centres. His defence though needs a lot of work before he can become a centre in the NRL.
His defence in the front line out wide is not NRL standard.

Centre is the hardest defensive position on the field. You have big fast athletic players coming at you with room to move. Averillo played enough centre last season to show he has a long way to go there before he is at NRL level.

I think if they work strongly with him at 1 this off-season he might be OK there. I would personally like Meaney there. If he can work on his support play he would make a good fullback. Averillo for mine maybe at 14.

 

[KLil]

Make him not break him. He would work well with Flange and it would build his confidence. Jake turns 21 this season so he is not really a kid NRL wise.

He definitely is a talent and perhaps with the coaching team assembled he will develop quickly into a confident 1st grader. Anything he develops at 5/8 will only help him if he does end up at FB in 22.

it really depends on Barrett’s vision for him.

He will not turn 21 until after halfway of the season, he is still very raw.

Even though i disagree he should be thrown into FB i dont mind the idea of 5/8 considering its a very familiar position for him and he will not get as damaged there as he would at FB plus it helps him develop into a FB.

If you look at Papz Bellamy held him on the bench for the majority of his first real yr then threw him in bit by bit into FB..

Regardless i do think Avo will be taken care of which is why i think he will start on the wing in 21.

 

[Phalangist]

Why do a lot of people on this Forum want Averillo at Fullback ? he has only played a handful of first grade games and none at fullback, personally from what I saw of him this year, I think he's a bit soft and doesn't handle pain very well, that's why I think Meanie who handled the Fullback position quite well this season, and is pretty fast, should be fullback until JAC takes over the position in 2022, In fact I'm tipping this to happen under TBaz. I would play Averillo in the Centers and get him used to it for 2022 when Meanie goes back to the wing and Burton takes over the 5/8 role , Also I would give Benji a go for one year we have lots to gain & nothing to lose.

meaney is garbage and is not fast of the mark so never makes breaks

 

[Spoonman84]

I'd rather Averillo play five eighth or fullback in reggies over wing in first grade.

He would get eaten alive taking early tackle hit ups and it would do nothing for his development.

 

[Cujo]

I'd rather Averillo play five eighth or fullback in reggies over wing in first grade.

He would get eaten alive taking early tackle hit ups and it would do nothing for his development.

Yep! The way the game is developed he is not physically big or strong enough for this vital aspect of the game at this stage.

 

[Tassie Devil]

Why do a lot of people on this Forum want Averillo at Fullback ? he has only played a handful of first grade games and none at fullback, personally from what I saw of him this year, I think he's a bit soft and doesn't handle pain very well, that's why I think Meanie who handled the Fullback position quite well this season, and is pretty fast, should be fullback until JAC takes over the position in 2022, In fact I'm tipping this to happen under TBaz. I would play Averillo in the Centers and get him used to it for 2022 when Meanie goes back to the wing and Burton takes over the 5/8 role , Also I would give Benji a go for one year we have lots to gain & nothing to lose.

I don't think it's about wanting Av at fullback. It's simply looking at the long-term situation and knowing that he won't be playing at 5/8. This isn't a prediction, but rather a fact. He won't be playing in the halves.

Now considering he's only recently signed a new deal, he must be happy with what the club said to him about his future prospects. Play him at centre? Shit. Maybe? But he was hardly greatlast year playing there. Sure, he was OK but .... just that. But for a player with his apparent skill set, wouldn't you say he'd be wasted at centre or on the wing?

Don't know. I'm not saying I want him at fullback. I'm simply joining all the dots and they seem to lead to that conclusion?

 

[speedy2460]

When selecting players for a certain position, all considerations must be weighed up.
Averillo has defensive issues. That can be coached to a degree. He has played centre and winger before and has not been outstanding.
Centre is a position where defence is critical. Thats why we have had issues there. I would prefer Averillo to play 5/8 for a number of reasons.
He will have defensive support in that position with other forwards around him. He is good with the ball in his hands. He can be creative.
He is quick off the mark. Once his defence improves, he will be ready for other positions, once Burton arrives.

 

[Spoonman84]

Yep! The way the game is developed he is not physically big or strong enough for this vital aspect of the game at this stage.

Its not like 20-30 years ago where you could blood someone on the wing and get away with it. Wing is a specialist position these days.

 

[AlzzBulldog]

People saying averillo ia still raw for fullback clearly never saw ben barba coming through lol

 

[GDR]

People saying averillo ia still raw for fullback clearly never saw ben barba coming through lol

Yeah because being conservative has really served us well over the last 4 years....

Throw caution to the wind.. and if it doesn't work readjust...

 

[Apex Cedar]

People saying averillo ia still raw for fullback clearly never saw ben barba coming through lol

I’m all for Averillo having a crack at the 1 jersey but do not compare the two Barba came of the bench in his first year of first grade, then played 5/8 then transitioned to fullback. Barba also killed it in the lower grades scoring 3-4 tries a game, killing it in the under 20s consistently something Averillo hasn’t done as well please everyone stop hyping this kid up, let’s see what he can do so far we have seen nothing at all.

 

[KLil]

Yep! The way the game is developed he is not physically big or strong enough for this vital aspect of the game at this stage.

Papenhauzen.

 

[DogsOfWar1704]

Pap plays FB & would likely find it hard to make an impact as a winger these days trying to regularly bring the ball back from corners or punching it out from the goal line, particularly for us compared to Melb as their team has been built.
I think it also may be a stretch comparing Pap to any of the young guys coming through for us at this stage.....he has proven himself at 1st grade & S.O.O level, ours have struggled to have any impact at 1st grade....he is more of an exception rather than the rule..

Paps hasn't proved himself at S.O.O level, he hasn't even debuted yet

 

[Bulldogz82]

There is only one place that comes to mind at Sefton

Is that place still going hard lol

 

[Berries]

I'd rather Averillo play five eighth or fullback in reggies over wing in first grade.

He would get eaten alive taking early tackle hit ups and it would do nothing for his development.

Yep it was the same with barba. People are throwing around playing centre, against 100kg beasts and he can barely tackle. He doesn’t HAVE to be in the side if he is not ready

 

[Berries]

I’m all for Averillo having a crack at the 1 jersey but do not compare the two Barba came of the bench in his first year of first grade, then played 5/8 then transitioned to fullback. Barba also killed it in the lower grades scoring 3-4 tries a game, killing it in the under 20s consistently something Averillo hasn’t done as well please everyone stop hyping this kid up, let’s see what he can do so far we have seen nothing at all.

And Folkes held him back for a long time too

 

[NPC83]

Is that place still going hard lol

I don’t know bro but good memories

 

[NPC83]

And Folkes held him back for a long time too

Think it was more Kevin Moore who was giving him limited opportunities. Not so much Folksey.