: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:44 am  

Blobbynator wrote:

Conroy won't be impressed. Every week, Matty Smith's chances of becoming the future Saints number 7 are slipping away as Eastmond shines.

Why won't i be impressed?

Eastmond is playing well, not excellent like people are suggesting but is making some good contributions.

I'd like to see him start and finish a game against a tough opposition. It's all well and good throwing him on when the game is won like he has been but can he control a game? What would he be like in poor weather when he can't really use his speed as much?

There are still questions about that and also his propensity for injuries.

Is it over for Matty to win the number 7 shirt, NO.

tm - tl wrote:

Said that at the game today

Nice to know your thinking of me.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:50 am  

ST_CONROY wrote:

I'd like to see him start and finish a game against a tough opposition. It's all well and good throwing him on when the game is won like he has been but can he control a game? What would he be like in poor weather when he can't really use his speed as much?

There are still questions about that and also his propensity for injuries.

All very valid points, although I suspect the usual suspects will ridicule them somehow.

Kyle needs to be given a run at 7 and stay fit before we start rubber stamping him as the replacement for Long.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:56 am  

ST_CONROY wrote:

Why won't i be impressed?

Eastmond is playing well, not excellent like people are suggesting but is making some good contributions.

I'd like to see him start and finish a game against a tough opposition. It's all well and good throwing him on when the game is won like he has been but can he control a game? What would he be like in poor weather when he can't really use his speed as much?

There are still questions about that and also his propensity for injuries.

Is it over for Matty to win the number 7 shirt, NO.



Nice to know your thinking of me.

Eastmond has shown more in the 2 games this weekend than Smith has shown in his entire Saints career. Not to write Smith off, but Kyle is way ahead of him in the race to no. 7.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:01 am  

saints35 bulls0 wrote:

Eastmond has shown more in the 2 games this weekend than Smith has shown in his entire Saints career. Not to write Smith off, but Kyle is way ahead of him in the race to no. 7.

Absolutely rubbish.

Smith has helped get us to a grand final.

Eastmond has come on when two games have been won and scored a few points.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:04 am  

It's a pity Smith isn't fit to be able to feature in Celtic's game against Wigan next weekend. I would love to see how he would perform against them at the moment.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:09 am  

saints35 bulls0 wrote:

Eastmond has shown more in the 2 games this weekend than Smith has shown in his entire Saints career. Not to write Smith off, but Kyle is way ahead of him in the race to no. 7.

I don't agree. I think Eastmond shows lots of talent and some attractive cockiness to go with it, but I think Smith did great for us leading up to the Grand Final in 07 and it was a damn shame Anderson didn't let him play in the final rather than a still injured Long. Smith also seems to have been doing a good job for the Crusaders and I think they've missed his organisation lately.

While I definitely rate Eastmond and hope he continues to develop, he needs more game time against tough opposition in tight matches for us to see whether he really is the right man to carry the baton.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:11 am  

ST_CONROY wrote:

I'd like to see him start and finish a game against a tough opposition. It's all well and good throwing him on when the game is won like he has been but can he control a game? What would he be like in poor weather when he can't really use his speed as much?

Maybe we're talking about different games, but didn't Kyle come on against Wigan when the scores were level and it was lashing down with rain?

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:13 am  

Dux wrote:

Maybe we're talking about different games, but didn't Kyle come on against Wigan when the scores were level and it was lashing down with rain?

Yep, kicking a 40(ish) metre drop goal to seal a derby game.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:22 am  

saints35 bulls0 wrote:

Eastmond has shown more in the 2 games this weekend than Smith has shown in his entire Saints career. Not to write Smith off, but Kyle is way ahead of him in the race to no. 7.

LOL

This is quite possibly the most ludicrus claim I have ever heard on here.

What is this w@nk fest with Eastmond????

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:32 am  

ST_CONROY wrote:

Absolutely rubbish.

Smith has helped get us to a grand final.

Eastmond has come on when two games have been won and scored a few points.

we were losing at Wigan when he came on (I think - drawing at the very most), and did a superb job. Showed a great diversity in his kicking and organisational game, along with the pace and skills he has showed in other games looks like the real deal (a bit like a young Sean Long).

Smith played in the play off semi final (and probably should have played in the GF), and played well enough, but I cant remember any "outstanding" pieces of play he has done throughout his whole time in the Saints team.

Solid player, and will have a good career, but Eastmond is something special and already has a highlights reel to be proud of.