Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

[ratsmac]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

He could be ok and be just what we need but I'd rather him disappear into retirement.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Wow. Boomer would be silly to chase a flag. Games record holder. 20 odd seasons at NM. Even if he snuck a flag with us. He couldnt stand proud back at north. He would be shot.

That would be fair if he left them, but they have already shown him the door. His status with North is set in stone. Douggy's status with us was unaffected by his year elsewhere and guys like Stevie J are still beloved at their original club despite kicking on after being told their services were no longer required. No way will Harvey be any different.

[Sedat]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Whilst I agree, is there any point? Is our list capable of winning the flag next year?

I think we are - continued incremental improvement in our U23's, return of Crameri and Bob. Even an ok run with injuries and we are in 2017 up to our necks IMO.

Harvey is a top shelf finisher and distributor of the ball but he offers precisely zero defensively. Opposition clubs play through him as a result - Norf didn't make the decision on Harvey just because of his age, he has major limitations in his defensive game and that has hurt them in games this year. Was his offensive game enough to overcome his defensive liabilities and get another contract with Norf? Possibly.

[Greystache]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

I think we are - continued incremental improvement in our U23's, return of Crameri and Bob. Even an ok run with injuries and we are in 2017 up to our necks IMO.

Harvey is a top shelf finisher and distributor of the ball but he offers precisely zero defensively. Opposition clubs play through him as a result - Norf didn't make the decision on Harvey just because of his age, he has major limitations in his defensive game and that has hurt them in games this year. Was his offensive game enough to overcome his defensive liabilities and get another contract with Norf? Possibly.

Given we've kicked 40 odd points in a game against top 8 teams 3 times this year and are last of the top 12 teams for scoring, if our key criteria for recruiting forwards/mids is their defensive game, to quote the great man I'll spew up!!

[Sedat]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Given we've kicked 40 odd points in a game against top 8 teams 3 times this year and are last of the top 12 teams for scoring, if our key criteria for recruiting forwards/mids is their defensive game, to quote the great man I'll spew up!!

Just providing some context as to why Norf may not have offered him a contract. If one player doesn't do their bit in team defensive structure, it breaks the entire system down. He has some obvious tools that could help us - if our list management saw him as adding value to our overall structure in 2017 I would support it.

[Axe Man]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Do people seriously not want Harvey because they don't like him? Fair enough if you don't think he fits because of age, defensive pressure or whatever, but personality isn't a good reason. I didn't like Aker or Barry Hall before they became dogs but I loved them once they pulled on the jumper and help us win games. I would be happy with Ivan Milat on the half back flank if it helps us win a flag.

[Bornadog]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Do people seriously not want Harvey because they don't like him? Fair enough if you don't think he fits because of age, defensive pressure or whatever, but personality isn't a good reason. I didn't like Aker or Barry Hall before they became dogs but I loved them once they pulled on the jumper and help us win games. I would be happy with Ivan Milat on the half back flank if it helps us win a flag.

My reasoning is I don't believe his size player is a need for us.

[Ozza]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Do people seriously not want Harvey because they don't like him? Fair enough if you don't think he fits because of age, defensive pressure or whatever, but personality isn't a good reason. I didn't like Aker or Barry Hall before they became dogs but I loved them once they pulled on the jumper and help us win games. I would be happy with Ivan Milat on the half back flank if it helps us win a flag.

Ivan would be a mean half back flanker I reckon.

[Axe Man]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

Ivan would be a mean half back flanker I reckon.

I think his opponents would have a tendency to go missing.

Too soon?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

I think we are - continued incremental improvement in our U23's, return of Crameri and Bob. Even an ok run with injuries and we are in 2017 up to our necks IMO.

Harvey is a top shelf finisher and distributor of the ball but he offers precisely zero defensively. Opposition clubs play through him as a result - Norf didn't make the decision on Harvey just because of his age, he has major limitations in his defensive game and that has hurt them in games this year. Was his offensive game enough to overcome his defensive liabilities and get another contract with Norf? Possibly.

Given we've kicked 40 odd points in a game against top 8 teams 3 times this year and are last of the top 12 teams for scoring, if our key criteria for recruiting forwards/mids is their defensive game, to quote the great man I'll spew up!!

With all this in mind, we have to make a bold decision.

Either we think we are close enough and we genuinely load up ala Norf, which means getting both Cloke and Harvey (possibly others). How much do Murphy, Boyd and Morris have left? A year? 2017 may be our best opportunity before we 'dip' a little. In that case, I am all for getting both and throwing everything into next year.

[Mofra]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

No to Harvey.
He's professional, a decent guy off field despite what many think, and he can use the ball well but it's not a position of need. Hrovat and Daniel are already smalls who can use the ball, and we're still not 100% playing them both in the same team next year. Dahl plays a midfield small role, Hunter the outside wing type small.

I'd rather us focus on trading for deficiencies rather than an incremental 1% improvement in a position we're covered for.

[EasternWest]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

No to Harvey.
He's professional, a decent guy off field despite what many think, and he can use the ball well but it's not a position of need. Hrovat and Daniel are already smalls who can use the ball, and we're still not 100% playing them both in the same team next year. Dahl plays a midfield small role, Hunter the outside wing type small.

I'd rather us focus on trading for deficiencies rather than an incremental 1% improvement in a position we're covered for.

Agree with all of this. Bit of a grub on the field but haven't heard a bad word about him off the field. Good family man, helps out prospective recruits. We need to give Hrovat a real crack at filling that role - I had forgotten how good he actually can be.

[1eyedog]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

No to Harvey.
He's professional, a decent guy off field despite what many think, and he can use the ball well but it's not a position of need. Hrovat and Daniel are already smalls who can use the ball, and we're still not 100% playing them both in the same team next year. Dahl plays a midfield small role, Hunter the outside wing type small.

I'd rather us focus on trading for deficiencies rather than an incremental 1% improvement in a position we're covered for.

100% I met him 7-8 years ago while he was jogging through the city at like 5:30am one morning and he stopped to talk for 5. Great bloke.

[Twodogs]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

He must be the only bloke you'd see running through the city at 5am and not think "what's he up to?"

[Missing Dog]

Re: Operation: Get Boomer Harvey

I can see the logic of Boomer. Our link between the half back line and forward line (especially deep forward) has fallen down this year without Murph and generally without continuity of our back line players (suckers, jj, adams etc) and I reckon Boomer could help with that. But surely it would only be for a year and with all midfield players on deck (Macrae, libber, wally etc) and improvement of caleb, hrovat etc he would be slowing someone else development. I definitely wouldn't want us getting Boomer AND Cloke.