[Bullseye]

Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:53 am  

Having seen a fair bit of Ethan Ryan at fullback now I’m of the opinion we should see him as our longer term first choice in that position. Against Fax he was a real attacking threat and him being able to chime into the line means he’s not restricted to the left wing. In the past I thought that maybe moving him reduced our threat out wide but I think as he grows into the fullback role he can offer more to the side.

Where this leaves Pickersgill I’m not sure but he was always going to be second fiddle this season if McNally had stayed around. From what I’ve seen Pickersgill isn’t as effective going forward as Ethan Ryan and defensively I’d say he’s certainly no better.

So do we continue with Ryan at fullback or still look to bring in a replacement?

[Bulliac]

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 11:49 am  

I'm happy with Ryan at FB. I've said all along that he has all the right skills for the job and, provided he's motivated enough to get into the job, which appears to be the case, then I'd leave him there happy in the knowledge that we've got a good full back in place.

It has been said that Ethan prefers wing, which is fair enough but since he's played mostly on the wing and made his, not inconsiderable, reputation there then it's hardly surprising that he maybe prefers that. However, when he's spent more time at FB, become more familiar with it and had similar success there then he may well change his mind. As I've said before, it's another string to his bow anyway which only makes him more useful to his current, and any potential future, employer.

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 11:58 am  

I think FB allows him to utilise a broader range of skills that he possess. Where this leaves Brandon In don't know. JK certainly indicated that Ethan Ryan will be returning to FB.

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 12:29 pm  

I'd certainly be looking at signing Ritson from Barrow based on yesterday's performance. He went well against us for Newcastle last season too iirc.

[Bullseye]

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 12:46 pm  

Ritson certainly has a lot of pace and was a threat with ball in hand. Whether he’s also got the strength for the kick return or if he’s good defensively I’m not so sure.

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 1:45 pm  

I think Pickersgill probably cemented Ryan's place at FB yesterday.

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 4:15 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

I think Pickersgill probably cemented Ryan's place at FB yesterday.

I’d be tempted to try convert Pickersgill back to a 6 and have him as a back up FB.

Re: Fullback : Tue Apr 23, 2019 6:04 pm  

It's tough to see how Brandon is going to fit back into the squad. Ethan is awesome where ever you put him in the backline and Pick didn't really take his opportunity yesterday. He coughed up the ball for one of their tries in the second half as well. I'd give him another game at FB against Rochdale to see if can challenge Ethan for the number 1 spot.