Josh Hoffman
- Thread starter weejimmy
- Start date
- Jan 25, 2013
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re: ben barba/josh hoffman
The reason Hoffman was displaced from fullback was because our halves at the time weren't creative enough. They needed a fullback that could be the extra playmaker. In Hunt, he's already better than Wallace & Prince combined. If Barba could adapt to the halves then Hoffman becomes a genuine option at fullback.
Though my preference is still:
1) Barba
2) Hoffman
3) Reed
4) Copley
5) Vidot
6) Hodges
The reason Hoffman was displaced from fullback was because our halves at the time weren't creative enough. They needed a fullback that could be the extra playmaker. In Hunt, he's already better than Wallace & Prince combined. If Barba could adapt to the halves then Hoffman becomes a genuine option at fullback.
Though my preference is still:
1) Barba
2) Hoffman
3) Reed
4) Copley
5) Vidot
6) Hodges
jd87
NRL Captain
- Apr 4, 2014
- 4,087
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
one thing dissapointing about barba all season has been his support player. the amount of times ben hunt has made a line break you would think barba would be the first one there in support but he is never insight. it used to be one of his best assests i have no idea what has happened to him in that regard
one thing dissapointing about barba all season has been his support player. the amount of times ben hunt has made a line break you would think barba would be the first one there in support but he is never insight. it used to be one of his best assests i have no idea what has happened to him in that regard
- Jun 12, 2013
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
This. I remember people being disappointed when he chose NZ over Aus/QLD when he was playing outside Lockyer. With a creative halves pairing, he's a very solid FB.
This. I remember people being disappointed when he chose NZ over Aus/QLD when he was playing outside Lockyer. With a creative halves pairing, he's a very solid FB.
- Apr 9, 2012
- 12,777
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
Apparently rested from the last hr of training with the Maroons this afternoon. He'd been running too much.
I'm against this for the same reasons I'm against Hodges playing fullback. His weak and fragile body can't withstand too much involvement in a game.
Imagine just how many hamstrings or tendons Justin will snap if he's asked to do any kicking?
The way his body is now, IMO... centre is suited to him perfectly. He can pick his moments when to be involved and to make those times count. The rest of the time he can "rest"
Apparently rested from the last hr of training with the Maroons this afternoon. He'd been running too much.
I'm against this for the same reasons I'm against Hodges playing fullback. His weak and fragile body can't withstand too much involvement in a game.
Imagine just how many hamstrings or tendons Justin will snap if he's asked to do any kicking?
The way his body is now, IMO... centre is suited to him perfectly. He can pick his moments when to be involved and to make those times count. The rest of the time he can "rest"
- May 25, 2014
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
Ben Barba just doesn't seem to be with it on the field.. Just does the occasional dummy half and then either watches the ball go past him which caused a try to Tigers last night or is no where to be seen.. The confidence statement from "Griffin" should be over.. If you put Kennedy back to the Jets and Hannant back put Barba back as well.
Ben Barba just doesn't seem to be with it on the field.. Just does the occasional dummy half and then either watches the ball go past him which caused a try to Tigers last night or is no where to be seen.. The confidence statement from "Griffin" should be over.. If you put Kennedy back to the Jets and Hannant back put Barba back as well.
- Feb 27, 2010
- 29,871
- 12,197
Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
Barba had a pretty crappy 2013 year with all the off field shit happening and still managed to score a 15 or so tries for the Dogs.
What does Hook do as soon as he arrives? Bulk!
What happens to a bulked-up Barba in a team coached by Hook, where creativity is systematically drummed out of each player, inside plays are too risky and other set plays have never been heard of?
I mean, yes he does look like a sad lost puppy out there, but the class is visible and at least he keeps doing the job of defending quite reasonably and saving tries, but FMD, his X-factor has been nullified by the fucking Griffin game plan, and Hoggman at 5/8. It's quite simply horrible to watch!
I'm over criticising any player, even Hoggman, because it's really not their fault we play the saddest, most boring footy in the comp!
Barba had a pretty crappy 2013 year with all the off field shit happening and still managed to score a 15 or so tries for the Dogs.
What does Hook do as soon as he arrives? Bulk!
What happens to a bulked-up Barba in a team coached by Hook, where creativity is systematically drummed out of each player, inside plays are too risky and other set plays have never been heard of?
I mean, yes he does look like a sad lost puppy out there, but the class is visible and at least he keeps doing the job of defending quite reasonably and saving tries, but FMD, his X-factor has been nullified by the fucking Griffin game plan, and Hoggman at 5/8. It's quite simply horrible to watch!
I'm over criticising any player, even Hoggman, because it's really not their fault we play the saddest, most boring footy in the comp!
_wwong
International Captain
- May 27, 2013
- 23,699
- 22,545
Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
it comes down to our master game plan from our grandmaster coach. barba must be getting instruction to set up elsewhere when hunt gets the ball.
it comes down to our master game plan from our grandmaster coach. barba must be getting instruction to set up elsewhere when hunt gets the ball.
- Jul 27, 2013
- 6,255
- 2,093
Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
I think the main problem is, Barba simply isn't getting his hands on the footy. By the time the ball gets to him with our backline plays, the defense swarms him. He needs to go to 5/8 next game - I saw him put a couple good shots on in defense last night on kick chases.
He simply needs to get his hands on the ball more.
1. Hoffman
2. Vidot
3. Copley
4. Hodges
5. Maranta
6. Barba
7. Hunt
Get Barba in the action FFS. He's currently in such poor form at Fullback, it literally makes no sense to keep playing him there! Get him in the front line, make him do some tackling, let him get his hands on the footy at first receiver, get him dirty! He's currently being wasted at the back. 3 runs for 30 meters is fucking pathetic from your Fullback.
He's a class player, but he needs to get the damn ball!
As for Hoffman, well, he's a solid Fullback. Good under the high ball, good kick returns (which we're sorely missing from Barba) and he has a killer running game which Barba can use when he's in a play making role. Barba can take the line on a few times and use his speed to guage the defense, then use Hoffman as a wide runner on the left.
I think the main problem is, Barba simply isn't getting his hands on the footy. By the time the ball gets to him with our backline plays, the defense swarms him. He needs to go to 5/8 next game - I saw him put a couple good shots on in defense last night on kick chases.
He simply needs to get his hands on the ball more.
1. Hoffman
2. Vidot
3. Copley
4. Hodges
5. Maranta
6. Barba
7. Hunt
Get Barba in the action FFS. He's currently in such poor form at Fullback, it literally makes no sense to keep playing him there! Get him in the front line, make him do some tackling, let him get his hands on the footy at first receiver, get him dirty! He's currently being wasted at the back. 3 runs for 30 meters is fucking pathetic from your Fullback.
He's a class player, but he needs to get the damn ball!
As for Hoffman, well, he's a solid Fullback. Good under the high ball, good kick returns (which we're sorely missing from Barba) and he has a killer running game which Barba can use when he's in a play making role. Barba can take the line on a few times and use his speed to guage the defense, then use Hoffman as a wide runner on the left.
Last edited:
- Mar 4, 2008
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
i've been saying that since the start of the season ... and if he performs at 5/8 for the remainder of the year (and forms a good combo with Hunt) then next season he stays in the 6 and Milford plays fullback
i've been saying that since the start of the season ... and if he performs at 5/8 for the remainder of the year (and forms a good combo with Hunt) then next season he stays in the 6 and Milford plays fullback
- Jul 27, 2013
- 6,255
- 2,093
Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
It's absolutely worth a shot!
But, you know... We'll just keep working on our attitude.
It's absolutely worth a shot!
But, you know... We'll just keep working on our attitude.
Waynesaurus
NRL Captain
- Jun 3, 2013
- 4,154
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
Barba doesn't get a chance to do anything with our griffinball game plan, the same four one-out hit ups with no offload, the next a pass out to the halfback, 5/8 or centre where the ball dies or gets turned over, then an ordinary kick on the last.
We are so flat in attack and predictable with our sets the opposition just need to get up quick in defense to put pressure on us.
Then we concede a stack of meters in defence because our line is slow and staggered meaning Barba starts with the ball from the in goal or not far out and gets carried back.
Die griffinball die!!!!!!
Barba doesn't get a chance to do anything with our griffinball game plan, the same four one-out hit ups with no offload, the next a pass out to the halfback, 5/8 or centre where the ball dies or gets turned over, then an ordinary kick on the last.
We are so flat in attack and predictable with our sets the opposition just need to get up quick in defense to put pressure on us.
Then we concede a stack of meters in defence because our line is slow and staggered meaning Barba starts with the ball from the in goal or not far out and gets carried back.
Die griffinball die!!!!!!
- Jul 7, 2013
- 3,536
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Re: ben barba/josh hoffman
Off the bat I want to say that I am a big Barba fan. However, regardless of his role in the team, Barba is playing well below what he should. Blaming his poor form on Hoffman is a bit of a stretch for mine. He looks disinterested, is not active in looking for the ball or offering support when a break is made and is showing very little commitment when the ball is in the air or on the ground. All of these flaws have little to do with Hoffman. Some of the commitment he has shown, especially last night, is down right embarrassing. If the ball is on the ground, dive on it FFS.
As Brett and others have said, the best option at the moment would be to swap them both. I think Hoffman would offer us way more at fullback than Barba is at the moment and I think Barba would offer way more at 5/8 than what Hoffman does.
Pretty simple really, but I think this would be on another planet of thought process than what Griffin is capable of.
Off the bat I want to say that I am a big Barba fan. However, regardless of his role in the team, Barba is playing well below what he should. Blaming his poor form on Hoffman is a bit of a stretch for mine. He looks disinterested, is not active in looking for the ball or offering support when a break is made and is showing very little commitment when the ball is in the air or on the ground. All of these flaws have little to do with Hoffman. Some of the commitment he has shown, especially last night, is down right embarrassing. If the ball is on the ground, dive on it FFS.
As Brett and others have said, the best option at the moment would be to swap them both. I think Hoffman would offer us way more at fullback than Barba is at the moment and I think Barba would offer way more at 5/8 than what Hoffman does.
Pretty simple really, but I think this would be on another planet of thought process than what Griffin is capable of.
