NO HALF CHANCES: Ollie Stone and Nick Quinn have shared scrumhalf for Orange City this season. Photo: MICHELLE COOK 0906mchalves2
WHEN Orange City coaches Steve Hamson and Mick Gray told Nick Quinn and Ollie Stone they would be sharing the halfback’s role this season, the news was not well-received.
“I wasn’t the biggest fan to start with,” Quinn conceded.
Hamson said with at least 25 players at Orange City capable of playing first grade, he wants the best available on the ground.
The tough decision was whether to play Quinn or Stone, both quality halfbacks, in the No.9.
Rather than having to choose one, Hamson and Gray decided to have them both on the field and alternate between halfback and wing, depending on which side of the field the play is on.
“The decision to have both of them on the field was about trying to play with as much width as we can and then have people there to keep the ball going,” Hamson explained.
“We didn’t want to be waiting for the halfback to get to the breakdown. So this speeds that breakdown up.
“Dubbo (Kangaroos) have done it in the past with Paul Elliot.”
Hamson knows many were sceptical about the idea but it has worked.
“It took a couple of goes to get used to it. It didn’t take long,” Stone said.
“We play a side each and it works with the game plan. It’s a lot quicker,” Quinn added.
“I’m enjoying it. It seems to work. We haven’t come unstuck yet.”
The halves said it was good for them as they were given more of a chance in open space.
“It gives you a chance to have a lot more of a run rather than being stuck behind the ruck,” Quinn said.
“You see a bit more of the game,” Stone said.