Just a few little changes to the run on side could help the team and also the players that are out of form. I think everyone would agree that mortimer and mateo are the two most out of form so i would put them back to the bench, mortimer could come on to give mk a rest at dummy half, this could give him an opportunity to regain confidence.
Mateo would make a great impact player off the bench popping those passes against tired defences, we really need someone who can do the hard stuff early and horo has looked pretty good so far. He adds enthusiasm and a little mongrel to the pack both of which the older guys need to give them a lift.
The unlucky one would be inu as burt should go straight into the team if fit.If tahu has another shocker than inu gets his spot.
My team for the next couple of wks until mortimer is confident enough for the move to halfback would be this:
Hayne
Burt
Tahu
Reddy
Grothe
K.Keating
Robson
Cayless
M.Keating
Moimoi
Smith
Hindmarsh
Horo
Mortimer
Mateo
Mannah
Poore
Replies
Horo had a blinder against the Sharkies, and I agree he needs to be there early, hitting it up with Fui and Caylo...
Poore on the bench until he gets his head together..
But Mortimer needs to be there as much as possible, he may be out of form, but he wont pick up any if he is benched..
He needs game time badly, he needs to work on his kicking game, but most of all, he needs his forwards to go forward and give him some room to work with.. The rest will just flow..
I have poore on the bench, he has been so disapointing.
Mannah is still learning the trade, his time will come. It's up to cayless to lead the team out off trouble.
No one in the team has a good kicking game. That's a major weakness of this team.
I agree with your thoughts on Poore, he has been ordinary so far but so have the other forwards.
Some of you are looking for a scape goat by pointing at Robson's kicking. I agree he hasn't been the best but please mention one of our kickers who has been going well. MK has been over the shop, KK has not been any better, Mortimer has been kicking to players and not open spaces, Mateo isn't a natural and Hayne has been kicking out on the full. The reason for this is we are being dominated, not this one is sh*t etc.
This was brought up last year, but what about Burt as our 6 if we are to make changes? He is no worse of a defender than any one we already have in the halves, he has a level head, he is creative, he has a strong kicking game on him and he is by far our best support player. Support play is another area where we have been woeful so far. This would also allow Inu back into our team outside of Tahu.
Initially, I never liked the idea of Robson as interchange hooker but I do think that will work. He certainly has shown he is more than capable of that role.
I agree, Poore to bench.
I agree with your comments on Robbo. Too many people keep giving him a bashing on this website and while he hasn't been as dominant as he was late last year, no one on the team has been playing at that level except maybe Burt and Reddy who really do put in 100% every time they take the field. At the very least he should be the starting hooker based on ball running and good defence.
I would move Grothe to the second row or lock, stick with Robbo for a few more weeks at 7, KK at 6. Morts back to wenty and Mateo to wenty too. Inu on the wing with Tahu and Reddy on Burts wing. In 2007 Inu and Tahu combined pretty well. I would start Fui and Cayless, Hindy and Grothe, Smith at lock or second row and MK as the hooker (for the moment). I would have Horo, Poore, Oake and Humble on the bench. I know Oake has copped a belting on this site but I thought he hit the line with good speed last week and I think Humble's enthusiasm would lift the tempo a bit. We need the impact that PJ Marsh and Dean Widders used to bring to the team.