Does Burton have the potential to finally be the answer to our long running #7 problem?

[George Ibrahim]

He will do really well, if we had a good 7 wouldn’t of minded him at fullback with his size, running game, passing and kicking game he would be phenomenal

 

[ASSASSIN]

I don't know but he needs to stay there all season so we can find out.

I second this.

 

[a dogs life]

I’ve seen a few comments on the K about Matty Burton and how they feel he’s going in the 7 jersey, but not a lot on here have really said to much about it ..

So not just based on the Titans game, but overall, from what we’ve seen so far do we feel Burton has the required skills to be our long term gun 7? …

Are we not saying much about it because we feel he hasn’t got the required skills, or is it we just feel it’s still to early to say.

It would be nice to know our 7 problem has finally been solved, from what we’ve seen, what does he need to improve to make it his own or do people just think he hadn’t got what it take for that role ..

Interested in peoples opinions on this …

Have no doubt that he could, question is does he see himself as a 6 or a 7. Seems for now he’s happy to fill at 7 to help the team however it’s not his long term preference based on why he quit the Panthers to come to Belmore. If we moved him to 7 and replaced him at 6 with someone else, reckon he’d want a release.

Depending on how things fit together over the next year or so, perhaps the number on their back is irrelevant and the two halves each become a kind of 6/7 hybrid?

 

[AlzzBulldog]

I don't know but he needs to stay there all season so we can find out.

If he gets consistent then he will be perfect

 

[Howie B]

He will do really well, if we had a good 7 wouldn’t of minded him at fullback with his size, running game, passing and kicking game he would be phenomenal

Mate he could have been a good fullback but the only genuine elite fullback who could defend in the line and also ball play is Latrell.

Tedesco , Edwards, etc not elite ball players. Walsh would get trampled in the front line (like Ponga).

Latrell plays fullback because he is too lazy to tackle.

 

[Rassayri]

he's not a 7, hes a 6

He is not a 7 or a 6 he is a 3 or a 4

 

[1967]

Slightly longer (and more correct) answer: Yes

Unless you ask a group of other 'Kennelers', in which case "he's not a 6, he's a 3"

What he is, is a "footy player"; and a uniquely talented one at that. Getting the ball in his hands more can only be a good thing.

He has a strategic boot on him, a deft short-kicking game, can bust the line, and is no slouch in the speed department.
Of course, these can all be improved but they're already well-developed parts of his game.
He has quality written all over him.
Pass selection and defence are his biggest "work ons", and game management will come with experience.

He is only 23, four years younger than Nico Hynes, and given some more time to develop and improve I can see him being every bit as good (probably better), important, and impactful for the Bulldogs, as Hynes is for the Sharks (who until he was a 7, was a 1 - remember Fitzgibbon's "Masterstroke"?).

Would he benefit from having an experienced 7 to take the pressure off while learning 6? - sure, who wouldn't? But it isn't essential. Maybe in some ways being forced to take control will actually accelerate his development.
What he would benefit from far more is a forward pack that doesn't get dominated and having him playing off the back foot all of the time.

If a 7 comes along that is a better fit for the team (maybe Oloapu, after some time) then he can equally play six instead (the positions can be similar anyway).

Out of all the issues the Dogs need to address, Burton isn't in the top 10.

This is a comment that I most agree with …

What I’d like to read is a more detailed explanation on why people think he’s only an out and out 6 ..

From about his 3rd games in with us I thought he’d make a better 7, the reason for that is, I believe the best way to manage a team around the park is with your boot, he without a doubt has the best kicking game in the team, he just needs to work with a specialist half’s coach to learn how to control it better and learn what type of kick to put in at the right time …

Yes he could use work on passing, defence, his vision and choices, but I believe that will come as he get more coaching and becomes more experienced in that 7 role .. as mentioned above he’s an out and out footballer and because of that I believe he’ll become a very good 7 for us quite quickly ..

He’s big, powerful, has a great running game, and a huge boot .. everything an elite 7 needs .. the rest he can have coached and experienced into him ..

A running 6 is much easier to find these days, 7’s are rare and he has what he needs to be a very good 7 .. I’m hoping CC picks and sticks and they all put in the work with him so he’s our 7 for years to come ..

 

[GoTheDoggies]

This is why we have the veteran aka Reynolds, one more year of passion

 

[albatross]

IMO Burton is an outside back who has enough skills and a good enough kicking game to play pretty well in the halves. However because the best halfbacks are good organisers and he doesn’t seem to have that skill yet, I think it’s an uphill battle to make it as a half. He doesn’t seem to read the play or count numbers like good halves. Because of his quality running game, 5/8 is a better long term than half.

 

[KLil]

Needs to learn to roam with other half not stay in one spot all game.

 

[D- voice]

He's doing well in the halfback role at the moment. If Oloapu and Burton are going to be our long term halves pairing, which hopefully they are, then he'll stay at halfback.

I like that it's made him take more ownership and responsibility, get more touches and play both sides of the field more. I've been calling for him to play halfback since we signed him for that reason as he's the best option we have. Even if his game is probably better suited to 5/8th..

As long as he maintains his running game like he has recently and KO finds more confidence to show his attacking skills, then we'll be fine. Hopefully he keeps growing into the role and can succeed at halfback.

Burton is a fantastic talent, he will do a good job playing almost anywhere, but we all know what is required to be a true halfback, the special skills to be able to control the tempo the direction the general kicking but most importantly the need to have time on side to translate calmness and control throughout the team...
With a halfback of this calibre Burton will also be a much more potent 5/8.
Am I asking for too much ?

 

[transom]

I’ve seen a few comments on the K about Matty Burton and how they feel he’s going in the 7 jersey, but not a lot on here have really said to much about it ..

So not just based on the Titans game, but overall, from what we’ve seen so far do we feel Burton has the required skills to be our long term gun 7? …

Are we not saying much about it because we feel he hasn’t got the required skills, or is it we just feel it’s still to early to say.

It would be nice to know our 7 problem has finally been solved, from what we’ve seen, what does he need to improve to make it his own or do people just think he hadn’t got what it take for that role ..

Interested in peoples opinions on this …

I have noticed he kicks the ball on the last tackle from half way 9 times out 10 it lands in the 20m zone. Not good enough. Passes way before the defensive line. Needs to take on the line and run the ball more.

 

[transom]

Needs to learn to roam with other half not stay in one spot all game.

Agree

 

[transom]

Slightly longer (and more correct) answer: Yes

Unless you ask a group of other 'Kennelers', in which case "he's not a 6, he's a 3"

What he is, is a "footy player"; and a uniquely talented one at that. Getting the ball in his hands more can only be a good thing.

He has a strategic boot on him, a deft short-kicking game, can bust the line, and is no slouch in the speed department.
Of course, these can all be improved but they're already well-developed parts of his game.
He has quality written all over him.
Pass selection and defence are his biggest "work ons", and game management will come with experience.

He is only 23, four years younger than Nico Hynes, and given some more time to develop and improve I can see him being every bit as good (probably better), important, and impactful for the Bulldogs, as Hynes is for the Sharks (who until he was a 7, was a 1 - remember Fitzgibbon's "Masterstroke"?).

Would he benefit from having an experienced 7 to take the pressure off while learning 6? - sure, who wouldn't? But it isn't essential. Maybe in some ways being forced to take control will actually accelerate his development.
What he would benefit from far more is a forward pack that doesn't get dominated and having him playing off the back foot all of the time.

If a 7 comes along that is a better fit for the team (maybe Oloapu, after some time) then he can equally play six instead (the positions can be similar anyway).

Out of all the issues the Dogs need to address, Burton isn't in the top 10.

I have noticed young Preston doesn't like passing the ball to the outside backs. Maybe a cut out pass now and then wouldn't go astray.

 

[XPICATE]

We’ve signed two 5/8 so I bloody hope so.

 

[GrogDog]

Thing is you don't want him as a #7. You want him out wider so he can use his size and pace to make breaks. I suppose these days you can put them anywhere.

 

[Scoooby]

he's not a 7, hes a 6

Actually Agree , a running 6 with a bomb like that for shock factor.. I think would suit. Be a very dangerous weapon.

 

[Turvey Chip and Chase]

He’s doing the best he can as our best option, however, as others have already said, he is a big bodied, ball running 6 with good hands. We need an organising half to accompany him.

 

[bigbickbob]

I don't see him ever becoming an organising half.

 

[Bulldog1966]

This is a comment that I most agree with …

What I’d like to read is a more detailed explanation on why people think he’s only an out and out 6 ..

From about his 3rd games in with us I thought he’d make a better 7, the reason for that is, I believe the best way to manage a team around the park is with your boot, he without a doubt has the best kicking game in the team, he just needs to work with a specialist half’s coach to learn how to control it better and learn what type of kick to put in at the right time …

Yes he could use work on passing, defence, his vision and choices, but I believe that will come as he get more coaching and becomes more experienced in that 7 role .. as mentioned above he’s an out and out footballer and because of that I believe he’ll become a very good 7 for us quite quickly ..

He’s big, powerful, has a great running game, and a huge boot .. everything an elite 7 needs .. the rest he can have coached and experienced into him ..

A running 6 is much easier to find these days, 7’s are rare and he has what he needs to be a very good 7 .. I’m hoping CC picks and sticks and they all put in the work with him so he’s our 7 for years to come ..

Basically..our Jerome Hughes in the making but with all the long kicking duties coming out of D ?