Exciting Backs to Excite the Fans

G’day folks I am back again with my weekly thoughts on the NRL season. Thanks to everyone who read and responded to my four part Preview article last week. Welcome to anyone who may be here for the first time as well.

Each Thursday I will post a short piece on a thought or issue within the wonderful game of rugby league over at Sports Australia and my blog site: http://keytonrlhits.blogspot.com/. Your contributions are very much welcome and you can leave comments below or reach me directly at andrew.keyte@gmail.com.

This week I am going to take a look at three of the most exciting backs in the game. These promising gents are destined for representative football and all have the potential, as we’ve seen, to really ignite a crowd.

Jamal Idris
I love watching this Bulldog play – the man is a giant and has hair all over the place!! He stands out, he can hit and knows how to find the try line. The scary thing is, Idris is just a pup! He is one year out of school and still growing!!

I remember Idris making a break against the Titans last year. He had two men unmarked and one defender coming across in cover – Preston Campbell. You could see Jamal’s mind tick over – “Yep, I can take him”. And the big fella proceeded to run Presto over like a bump in the road.

Final thought – Idris vs. Inglis, Origin I ... how good would that be?!?

Chris Lawrence
This is one of the really good kids in the NRL. He too is quite young but hearing him speak and watching him off-field you would think he is a ten year veteran. When Lawrence broke into the Tigers side he was a skinny whippet. These days he is still a whippet, but he is also a big strong lad who knows how to tackle.

I think the Blues could do worse than pick Lawrence in the centres for Origin this year – tough call with the likes of Tahu, Cooper, Jennings, Morris, Lyon and Idris – but Lawrence is ready.

The thing I like most about Lawrence is his ability to hit hard and make the big play. Sometimes the big play is that one-on-one tackle or being in the right position. He would be in my team any day.

Josh Dugan
Now, Dugan I like the most. There’s just something about this Canberra fullback I really, really like. The kid is tough, he is there when he is needed and knows when to chime in to attack. He is also learning every game. Dugan too is only a pup and I would not expect to see him at rep level for a while.

The bravado Dugan displayed against the Broncos last season typified just why I rate him. Not once but twice Dugan was steamrolled by man-mountain Dave Taylor. He was the last man standing both times, hardly stood a chance both times, but gave it his shot both times – and succeeded in stopping Taylor.

This season I think Dugan could really step up another notch and form a key link role in whatever the Raiders do in attack. I would like to see Dugan play the role of second five-eighth and get involved when needed, while of course continuing to evolve as a quality fullback.

Tips – Bulldogs, Souths, Warriors, Storm, Cowboys, Eels, Tigers, Broncos
Last Week – 6/8
Total – 6/8

So, there you have three of the young backline talents running around this season in the NRL. I reckon all three will be real stars of the future, if they are not already stars of today.

Any thoughts or players of your own can be emailed to me and I will respond.

Until next week enjoy the football and hopefully your team has a win on the weekend.

Cheers,
Keyto