We can all agree that Lomax individual performance yesterday was top notch almost rep level, I would be tempted to make the following changes v Manly. Lomax to Fullback his work rate is unbelievable, Iongi to 5/8 a few minor hiccups but nothing major - the kid has buckets of skill and can play both side's of the field.Dylan Brown to lock he can be primarily be used as a tackling machine, closer to the ruck may improve his involvement
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Something needs to change for sure but why all of a sudden is it we play another half both sides of the ruck.
I mean I've been calling for that for years and it's onething I hated about BAs coaching hated it set plays and left and right halves locked?
I want to know where all the ball movements gone with our fowards we very rarely went to edges.
The only thing that kept us in the game was back 5 yardage which kept our fowards somewhat fresh.That's a real positive that is but we definitely have to do more with the ball.
It just feels like there waiting for Moses and everything hopefully falls into place when he's back.
If they are to lock the halves they need backrowers and centres running holes.
On the ball movement this will take of time but hopefully not too long , skills doesn't disappear in thin air - looking from the outside in its guess that Jason is tempering the offloading for a short period to establish some foundations first, we saw Hopgood ball playing a few times in the middle and it worked - my gut feeling is if he persisted a bit more than could have really opened up the Bulldogs in the middle Which could have led to point. I think the offloads will come back into our game when this teams confidence and trust in Jason' and his game plan improves - sorry to sound like a broken record when trust is built over time them trust is established and confidence naturally follows
Not a bad idea at all. Only problem is, if you plan on playing iongi at fullback in the future then you'd be hurting his development back there
Exactly, the plan is Iongi as our future Fullback. Based on the first three weeks he looks like he will be a very good Fullback also. He has what it takes to be a Fullback, just needs put on the NRL size and he will do that after a year in the comp. But he needs reps, the more he plays the quicker he develops and goes into 2026 even better. Put him at 6 then he is understanding the NRL a bit better but takes til mid 2026 to reap the rewards of the year prior.
Iongi is a set at 1 and leave him alone. Plus Lomax at Fullback talk i doubt happens. If *Touch Wood* Iongi was to go down or miss a game through suspension, Ryles would put Papali'i there. He bought Papali'i for that reason, he said in pre-season Lomax to 1 has never been thought about. Papali'i playing well in Cup adds to that belief even more.
Agree RB , I had that in mind but forgot to mention it - you've made a really good point but I think Lomax it's playing at such a level, the effort yesterday imo cannot be ignored. Iongi is a keeper with lots of natural ability, I think to bring some stability into the spine Lomax to FB is good short term solution
Hayne started on the wing so did many of greats
Why change it up that much? Firstly, Iongi has played 6 but sparingly. He is a Fullback, the kid is only 4 games into his NRL career, he is learning the speed and toughness of the NRL and you want to change it by putting him at 6 and putting pressure on him to assist Hawkins?
Secondly, a new combo for Hawkins too with an inexperienced 6.
Thirdly, Lomax is fine at Wing or Centre, what he gives you as a Fullback he can do at Wing or Centre. His passing game as a Fullback is not there either.
Finally, Brown at Lock is a nice idea but his running is not where it would need to be. I think Brown could get away with playing Lock for a good portion of the game, not 80mins, but if anything Brown is so distracted and down on confidence if demote him from 6 to Lock media erupts more and that is more unwavering noise for him. I understand many here want Brown gone or want to change it around for him to start playing better. Best course of action is to leave him. Moving him anywhere will not help and dropping him hurts the team as he could come good at any point. Though his form is down his defence is still class, he's had a few lapses of late but still class.
If you are going down the route of Iongi to 6, Papali'i at 1 would make more sense. But Ryles got something yesterday, he managed to get a response why muck that around with new combinations? If all goes to plan we have 3 games left until Moses is back. 2 of those 3 are very winnable if we played like yesterday. You change it around and put Iongi at 6 when he is still learning to play in the NRL then you are 0% of winning any of them.
Iongi needs reps and game time and him playing will only benefit him.
Papali'i imo is too small for fullback, but a bench spot might work
I've always thought Lomax was a fullback, and I reckon he may well end up there. He has pace, his defence is good and he goes looking for the ball either side of the park, even at centre. Iongi to 5/8 could work well with Moses in the side, but I wouldn't make this change until he comes back. That's probably just a development thing. Not sure how much 5/8 he has played, so could take a while to adjust to that position. May even need an offseason to adjust.
I won't mind seeing the switch just in the short term
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