As I said - 'pity he's not a winger.'

I suppose the point I was making is that Foster is a pretty ordinary player, but he gets a game because he can kick goals for fun; shows the value of a high percentage kicker, when a team like Saints are prepared to carry him.

I feel for John - you can see his head go down every time he misses a kick, which is often. His confidence must be in tatters.

They bring an Australian accent and that goes a long way with some people. Not seen any evidence of them bringing any balls though, however, again this doesnt matter because they are Australian.

As I stated at the start of the season with our props been so small our halfs will struggle to look good. When we get Amour back and a prop that comes available we may see what they can do a bit more and sides which are smaller. I thought Johns was poor against Hull Kr. Smiths passing is very good.

You are talking through your

I can't understand the negative comments about Tim Smith - he's been involved in most of our try-scoring moves and has looked good in every game we've played. John isn't quite firing yet, but has shown some of his potential - I think he'll get better; he could do without the pressure of kicking though, which he's clearly no good at, as it seems his confidence takes a hit every time he misses one.

I have to say John is on the edge of being dropped, I think I'd be tempted to give Wood a shot> I'd keep going for now but he has to run with the ball more. Smith however has been great for us.
He has been at the beginning of everything good we have done, whether you like the amount of good the team have done is a different question.
He is clearly bossing the team. It will take time for them all to work together. We knew that when we started.

For me Smith is doing whats asked of him so cant understand the negative view of some.What is needed is for all the players to have a crack at goal kicking in training we might just turn a better kicker out.Yes normally its a back in the side who kicks but one or two forwards have been known to be decent kickers.I do think John needs to start showing what he can do might be better to start with Wood at 6 and John on the bench it just might give him more chance to settle instead of having the pressure of being thrown in at the deep end like he has.

It was Johns who had the foresight to put the spot on kick through for Cokaynes try.
A pity he was pulled back for receiving a foreward pass when in possible try scoring situation.
He was also the final pass giver in the last dissallowed try.
Give the lad a little more .
I see potential there.

I agree. There is potential......I'm just eager to see it

I have to agree, I think the lad has talent and can play a bit.

My only fear is that he has been given the goalkicking duties when I don't think he has done it before and his failure to convert may effect his confidence overall and his game. I would like to see someone else have a go - I think Cockayne took the conversion from Mathers try and kicks off and I also thought that Collis had kicked goals in the NRL.

Take the pressure of goalkicking off John's shoulders and I think he will blossom.

John is a young man in his first serious stint at playing the most important position on the field and he's also moved half way around the world to do it.
He needs some time to adjust and take on the job, Smith is playing well and I'm sure trying to help him settle in to his role.
He needs to show a little improvement IMO each week and before long he will be ticking along nicely, although he does need to start that improvement now.
Personally i wouldn't even consider dropping him for at least another month or two, he needs supporting and nurturing, at some point we may need him to have a spell in the reserves to bring him forward, but i would give him plenty of time before that were to happen.
I feel a little sorry for him he is under a lot of pressure, the goal kicking isn't helping him, but we didn't sign him as a goal kicker, maybe that is a pressure he doesn't need at the moment.
As for Moore, it would have been interesting had he stayed wether he would be in front of Kyle Wood for selection as i think he has played well for us so far, maybe he may put his hand up for a kick at the posts, I'm sure he kicked on occasion for Shudds??

Was saying to my mate the other day that you would think that one of the fringe players would give it a go, stay behind after training (instead of going to Costa) and spend an hour or so practicing kicking. If they are on the fringe of first team and prove they can kick they would almost certainly get stepped up.
The lack of goalkicking options at present is clear and will cost us games this year.

Giving kicking duties to someone who doesn't really want to do it isn't the way forward either.

Another eventual option might be to play Johns in the centre for while with Wood at half back and giving Ellis a run.
From there he may be able to drift in and out of stand off in much the same way as Keith Smith used to.Would also give the oppositoon a little more to think about.

If as a club we don't have a kicker then can we atleast add some humour! perhaps the lads should take it in turns kicking like they do with penalties at teh end of a footie match. If one of them gets one over he should continue until he misses?

Collis was a back up kicker in his time at West Tigers... Worth a shot?