New recruit Nick Meaney can help lead Bulldogs to bright future

[Dingo]

Disagree, if the talk is that our salary cap isn't going to be right until 2021 and looking at our roster we would be lucky to even come 8-9th so we have plenty of time to let him find his feet.

There is no doubt Nick will have pressure to perform right away if he is a walk up starter at FB. But if Pay thinks he is ready then I'm happy.

 

[Dogna88]

1. Meany
2. Hoppa
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?

Then we have Smith, Crighton, Montoya, Holland to fit in.

Smith will start for sure. Question is wing or centre.

 

[flamebouyant]

Only if we had a Munster............Oh wait we did. Well only if we had a Latrell.......of fuck me we had a Latrell to. I guess we could just try Meaney then, I suppose a few games won't hurt. Hoppa is far superior to Meaney at FB atm

Hoppa is a seasoned first grader with rep footy experience as well, so of course he is superior. What would you expect. But we are looking to the future with our team, which is what all good coaches should constantly do. This is why we are in such a rut, des didnt do this.

 

[Scoooby]

Hoppa is a seasoned first grader with rep footy experience as well, so of course he is superior. What would you expect. But we are looking to the future with our team, which is what all good coaches should constantly do. This is why we are in such a rut, des didnt do this.

Agree brother, and that’s all I really have to say on this subject haha..!! It’s a wait an see for me. 2019 can’t roll around quick enough.

 

[The DoggFather]

Well I'm giving him a year before death riding him

 

[The DoggFather]

1. Meany
2. Hoppa
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?

Then we have Smith, Crighton, Montoya, Holland to fit in.

Smith will start for sure. Question is wing or centre.

I'd try this first...

1. Meaney
2. Hoppa
3. Harper
4. Holland
5. Smith

Then adjust when needed

 

[Straight18]

I'd try this first...

1. Meaney
2. Hoppa
3. Chrigton
4. Holland
5. Smith

Then adjust when needed

Yep adjust
1 meaney
2 chrighton
3 hoppa
4 morgan
5 smith
In my opinion id like to see that get a crack if serious about building and testing players for future.

 

[BankstownBulldog]

Well I'm giving him a year before death riding him

That’s about 9 months longer than some on here will give him

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Hoppa is a seasoned first grader with rep footy experience as well, so of course he is superior. What would you expect. But we are looking to the future with our team, which is what all good coaches should constantly do. This is why we are in such a rut, des didnt do this.

Agree mate

 

[The DoggFather]

Yep adjust
1 meaney
2 chrighton
3 hoppa
4 morgan
5 smith
In my opinion id like to see that get a crack if serious about building and testing players for future.

Damn, I forgot Captain Morgan lol, I'd drop Crichton for Harper

 

[The DoggFather]

That’s about 9 months longer than some on here will give him

Fair is fair bro, its not like he is established or anything.

 

[Vlasnik]

Meany might develop into the rock star fullback that we have all been waiting for but what I've seen of him so far he seems too timid for my liking, not enough mongrel in the kid and his defense is highly questionable. Way too much arm grabbing.

 

[Bad Billy]

Played the game my whole life to Jnr representative level. Been involved with an International team as well. Travelled overseas with said international team as part of coaching staff. I know the game a little better than you think.

Crusher ?
Did you dictate that diatribe to Siri ? Because both your hands had pies in them ?

 

[magdog]

Why play a player out of position ??

Because playing on the wing gives him less to do, and less to think about.
Can focus on more specific aspects of his game, and there would be less pressure, and hey he may just learn something else, without the pressure and expectation of being one of the “spine”.

 

[Alan79]

He's stepped up with each opportunity given to him in the recent past. He has a full of season to work on muscle and any aspect of his game that are lacking. So it's up to him to earn his shot here. For my 2 cents worth of opinion, he's got courage under the high ball. It seemed like the Knights players didn't use him in support when he was tailing the play. I hope he's able to cement a first grade spot in the #1. Hoppa has been consistent for the most part, but occasionally has purple patches of form when the side is getting a roll on. I respect Hoppa again since he's playing Sundays again, but have thought he isn't the one that will be the catalyst for winning games. Happy with both options at fullback if the club selection goes either way.

 

[Howard Moon]

Sorry but the Hoppa > Centres experiment failed. Hoppa will be starting fullback.

Meaney shows glimpses of talent but needs to put on some muscle, and learn to tackle.

Expert arm grabber.

Currently Brad Abbey v2.0, but has the potential for good things.

Brad Abbey is just pure shit, Meaney is a different style of player

 

[Dingo]

It will be really interesting to watch Hoppa at fullback in the Tonga vs Australia clash today.

 

[GA45]

People who still want Hoppa at fullback are stifling our future. The guy is leading us nowhere. He has his moments but he’s bloody hopeless when one on one and 20 out gets beat every time and he’s not even that safe a fullback. Yes he makes meters so put him on the wing and let’s move on.

 

[gibbo2]

Sorry but the Hoppa > Centres experiment failed. Hoppa will be starting fullback.

Meaney shows glimpses of talent but needs to put on some muscle, and learn to tackle.

Expert arm grabber.

Currently Brad Abbey v2.0, but has the potential for good things.

Expert arm grabber please.
This seems to be your standard line for all full backs that aren’t names Hopoate.
How many games of Meaney’s have you actually watched.
I bet you only watched a few first grade games of his televised on tv where he played behind the worst defensive side in the comp , and are making your assumptions of his defensive deficiencies off that.

Having watched him play quite a few lower grade games up here in Newcastle I can confirm that he is quite good defensively . Always well positioned, safe under the bomb and a good last line of defence.

I am excited about his arrival- i am not so sure where Hoppa fits into our back line however.

I agree with others that he wasn’t suited to the centres defensively as he made a lot of bad reads in defence.

Maybe his best bet will be on the wing as he has a strong carry out of trouble and is great under the high ball. However on the flip side there is a distinct lack of speed about him so would be concerned about his ability to run the length.

 

[doggyrock]

People who still want Hoppa at fullback are stifling our future. The guy is leading us nowhere. He has his moments but he’s bloody hopeless when one on one and 20 out gets beat every time and he’s not even that safe a fullback. Yes he makes meters so put him on the wing and let’s move on.

Hoppa is also on $800k a season. He’s solid but like the punters on here are saying isn’t ever going to be a great fullback. What would Meaney be on like $120?
It’s a no brainer they will develop Meaney and play Hoppa in the centres or wing. Hoppa will do what he’s told because no other club would pay him $800k.
Of course this all depends on Meaney’s performance in pre-season and trials.