When Murchie and Lane return what would our forward pack and bench look like at full strength. For now we can definitely say:
8. Paulo
9. ?
10. RCG
11 Lane
12 ?
13. Hopgood
14.
15.
16.
17.
Dummy Half
Firstly adressing our dummy half and utlity role. We all know we need to keep Hands on the bench as JH is not an 80 minute player. We all agree that Hands should have come on around the 30th minute mark. But for the future does BA want to do. Here are the options
- Something similar where JH starts and plays just over half of the game and Hands plays the rest.
- Start Hands since he is the better defender and bring on JH when the game has fatigue and he can use his trickery.
- Start JH and sub him off early. Then bring on Hands, however JH comes on for a second stint and finishes the game.
- Start Handsand sub him off early. Then bring on JH, however Hands comes on for a second stint and finishes the game
My preference: 2 or 4 depnding on the scenario of the game
Starting backrow
No doubt Matterson is our best player but is it whats best for the team? Imo Matto is needed in the middle espicially considering Hopgood cant provide 80 minutes of quality. I think Matto is needed to fill that void. That leaves Doorey, Carty and Murchie fighting for that spot. I think its clear Momesia is out of the situation and thankfully so. Since Carty and Dorrey started our season there I can't see Murchie have a shot. Carty has been starting over Dorey, however in Lanes spot, so with other side the vacant edge, I wonder if that will effect Carty's chance. BA does love his backrower to player 80 minutes as well so I think that only leaves Carty and Matto contending that spot. Plus Doorey had good impact of the bench today so perhaps that the way he should play. Or does BA look for another backrower like Sironen.
My preference: See if Sironen is willing to join or another player. Otherwise use Carty for now.
Bench
There is going to be a very tough battle for the bench. One spot is the utility taken by Hands or JH. With Carty imo getting an edge spot that means Matto, Murhcie, Makatoa, Doorey and Greig will be fighting for 3 spots. Matto is an obvious definite. I think Greig would be the first one ruled out of a bench spot given his lack of minutes showing his pecking order under BA. And needless to say he has not done anything outstanding to warrant a spot. He will get his game time during the origin period and injuries lke rn. Doorey arguably had a great impact of the bench for us and has shown glimpses in other games. However with Lane and Carty both 80 min backrower and Matto able to cover there as well, is there any need for Doorey on the bench? With Lane out for a couple more games, if Doorey plays like he did again he may win a bench spot but for now I think he misses out. That leaves Makatoa and Murchie on the bench who BA arguably trust the most given their game time. Neither provide that much impact but are able to do their job. Matto is our impact of the bench. Makatoa and Murchie just do their job of running and tackling hard.
My preference: Matto, Murchie, Makatoa
P.S the only good thing W Blake did was catching kicks. His runs were ineffective and his defence is useless. Either misses the tackle or gets dominated. Similarly, Simonson yardage is so useless. So its time Simonson goes back to centre where he peformed well in the final. Blake can be a stop gap on the wing until Dunster or Russel is ready. In conclsuon my strongest 17:
- Gutho
- Sivo
- Simonson
- Penisini
- Dunster/Russel(Blake until they are fit)
- D Brown
- Moses
- Paulo
- Hands
- RCG
- Lane
- Carty
- Hopgood
- Hodgson
- Matto
- Murchie
- Makatoa
Reserves:
18. JA
19. Asi
20. Doorey
21. Greig.
22. Dunster/Russel/Blake
Replies
I am not sure on everyone else, but i would start Doorey, i think he is good. Have Matto, Murchie, Hands and Cartwright as the bench.
Same here, except I'd have Greig over Murchie on the bench. Greig has more size and impact, good replacement for when RCG has a rest.
Simonsson needs to go. Hearing Nofoaluma is out of flavour at tigers. He would be a great addition
Some good news, had a chat to Russell tonight and he said he is a couple of weeks away and said doesnt know where the season ending injury came from but it a bs.
Thats a good sign. Idky why the club our not providing injury reports anymore on the website.
Great news thanks X.
Dunster and Asi will be our right wing centre pairing by the end of the year.
Rusty is first reserve for the whole backline.
any injury 1-7 and he comes in. Pushes Asi into halves. Replaces Gutho 1 for 1. Can play Centre and is great on the wing.
Hodge at 14 needs to play the last 10 in the first half and the first 10 in the second.
We will sign an Edge, hoping Siro but seriously anyone we sign we will get them to do a job.
Matto Doorey Murchie all great off the bench. Makes our second wave super dynamic.
Woody is first reserve for any forward injury.
Carty is the perfect 18. Can cover almost any position.
Asi right centre ?
What happens to Penisini ?
The NRL site does for every club
Great sign!
Good, I'd bring both him & Dunster in for Waqa & Simonsen
Might sound crazy but why not try Hodgson off the bench & coming on the last 15 min of the half. Think his footy smarts wiould be handy coming off the bench & running lazy defenders into the ground
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