2018 NRL Side

[Scorchie]

Think this QCup horse bolted and is now dead. Move on !

 

[Allo]

So a q cup centre is a better option than an nrl centre. Lodge played q cup because he couldn't have a nrl contract approved. Its a lower grade than nrl is it not !!!

It happens in every single competition in the world. Players in lower grade are either too good for the comp and for whatever reason they aren’t playing top grade or they don’t fit the system but succeed in a higher competition.

In this case, Oppa had double shoulder surgery and we’ve even been told Redcliffe has been fucking around with (our) players throughout the year. Meanwhile we scratch our heads at how some players keep getting a spot in first grade when they’re comparatively awful to their competition.

 

[Taylor1921]

Yep Opacicis just a shitter Reed.

He has barely been given a chance, Jack reed didn't exactly set the QLD cup on fire? So what are you comparing to Jack Reed experience filled career, to a rookie?

 

[Wolfie]

I don't get the idea that big-dollar players should only play in certain positions. If they're elite players then it shouldn't matter.

I'm not comparing the two because that would be unfair, but how much would Hodges in his prime command in today's dollars? Even if he was playing exclusively at centre?

Hodges would command a lot of money, but at the same time, he was a genuine matchwinner. I think Bird is a good player, but i dont see him as a matchwinner or the type of player to break a game open, not currently anyway. You tend to pay the bigger money to the players who have the biggest influence, and in our current setup i dont see our centres as being particularly influential. We dont maximise Roberts really when you consider the damage he is capable of causing.

I dont think big money should restrict where a player plays either, but at the same time, you dont want to tie up a lot of salary cap money to a position that isnt going to be influencing a game that much.

 

[Accept]

Under 8s isn't quality, but there are dreams.

Under 8's isn't that bad. The big kid gets the ball, the big kid steamrolls everyone, the big kid scores his tenth try of the game. Quite entertaining.

 

[Taylor1921]

Hodges would command a lot of money, but at the same time, he was a genuine matchwinner. I think Bird is a good player, but i dont see him as a matchwinner or the type of player to break a game open, not currently anyway. You tend to pay the bigger money to the players who have the biggest influence, and in our current setup i dont see our centres as being particularly influential. We dont maximise Roberts really when you consider the damage he is capable of causing.

I dont think big money should restrict where a player plays either, but at the same time, you dont want to tie up a lot of salary cap money to a position that isnt going to be influencing a game that much.

Birds not a gamewinner? What have you been watching

 

[Wolfie]

Birds not a gamewinner? What have you been watching

Nope, i dont think he is, not in the way Hodges could break a game open. He might have done it on occasions, but not on a consistent enough basis for him to be classed as a gamebreaking player like an Inglis or a Hodges. I just dont see that in his game enough at the moment.

 

[Taylor1921]

Nope, i dont think he is, not in the way Hodges could break a game open. He might have done it on occasions, but not on a consistent enough basis for him to be classed as a gamebreaking player like an Inglis or a Hodges. I just dont see that in his game enough at the moment.

Hmm you must of missed his whole season when he was playing five eighth.

 

[Renegade]

Nope, i dont think he is, not in the way Hodges could break a game open. He might have done it on occasions, but not on a consistent enough basis for him to be classed as a gamebreaking player like an Inglis or a Hodges. I just dont see that in his game enough at the moment.

Hodges wasn't at his best until he moved back from Sydney in 05, he had some good games for the Roosters but didn't go to the next level until he returned and that was around 23-24. Bird is only 22 and has already been an important piece of the Sharks winning their first grand final, give him time.

 

[Super Freak]

1. Darius Boyd
2. Corey Oates
3. James Roberts
4. Jack Bird
5. Jordan Kahu
6. Anthony Milford
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Matthew Lodge
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Josh McGuire

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Tevita Pangai Jr
16. Korbin Sims
17. Andrew Savelio

I think the news of Jack Bird changes things a little next year. He won't be able to bulk up in the pre-season to make the transition to lock, so I imagine he will stay in the centres next year with an eye on the move for the 2019 season.

That opens up a spot for Sims to remain in the side and with Offa being promoted to the starting side, opens up a spot for Savelio on the bench.

 

[theshed]

1. Darius Boyd
2. Corey Oates
3. James Roberts
4. Jack Bird
5. Jordan Kahu
6. Anthony Milford
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Matthew Lodge
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Josh McGuire

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Tevita Pangai Jr
16. Korbin Sims
17. Andrew Savelio

I think the news of Jack Bird changes things a little next year. He won't be able to bulk up in the pre-season to make the transition to lock, so I imagine he will stay in the centres next year with an eye on the move for the 2019 season.

That opens up a spot for Sims to remain in the side and with Offa being promoted to the starting side, opens up a spot for Savelio on the bench.

That's really shaping up to be a solid line up. If Niko can improve on his consistency over the off season and prove himself and NRL quality half, and Milf comes back better from his shoulder surgery, top 4 should be in the bag again.

 

[PerthBrissy987]

That's really shaping up to be a solid line up. If Niko can improve on his consistency over the off season and prove himself and NRL quality half, and Milf comes back better from his shoulder surgery, top 4 should be in the bag again.

Sims wont be needed after 2018

 

[Super Freak]

Sims wont be needed after 2018

To us he won't be needed, but Bennett has a very different idea.

He likes Sims. Really likes him. He likes what he brings to the team.

 

[Wolfie]

Hmm you must of missed his whole season when he was playing five eighth.

Not at all, and i havent said he isnt a good player either. He is incredibly competitive and has plenty of ball skills, i just really havent seen enough of him breaking games open, especially as a center which is mainly where i have been talking about him seeing as quite a few people want him playing there. Totally different game at 5/8.

If you have any good examples of some big match winning plays he has done i'd love to see them tbh, because i just cant think of any.

 

[Wolfie]

Hodges wasn't at his best until he moved back from Sydney in 05, he had some good games for the Roosters but didn't go to the next level until he returned and that was around 23-24. Bird is only 22 and has already been an important piece of the Sharks winning their first grand final, give him time.

Its not like im not giving him time, i just think he is wasted in the centers. He need to be around the ball a lot imo.

 

[Renegade]

Its not like im not giving him time, i just think he is wasted in the centers. He need to be around the ball a lot imo.

I agree, I think he should play lock! But yeah, even in the centres its a bit premature to say either way. They are different players though, Hodges was more of an athlete.

 

[Super Freak]

Hmm you must of missed his whole season when he was playing five eighth.

The only game where he was really a game breaker and won the game for the Sharks was against the Roosters.. Every other game, not really.

 

[GCBRONCO]

1. Darius Boyd
2. Corey Oates
3. James Roberts
4. Jack Bird
5. Jordan Kahu
6. Anthony Milford
7. Kodi Nikorima
8. Matthew Lodge
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Joe Ofahengaue
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Josh McGuire

14. Sam Thaiday
15. Tevita Pangai Jr
16. Korbin Sims
17. Andrew Savelio

I think the news of Jack Bird changes things a little next year. He won't be able to bulk up in the pre-season to make the transition to lock, so I imagine he will stay in the centres next year with an eye on the move for the 2019 season.

That opens up a spot for Sims to remain in the side and with Offa being promoted to the starting side, opens up a spot for Savelio on the bench.

Pretty good side there and in general I don't mind it.

I wouldn't have Lodge just walk into the starting side personally going straight into the season, just like a future contract it's something he has to earn the right to, get that hunger going and he will come good. Ofahengaue on the other hand earnt his chance in 2017 so yeah give him a shot there.

I'm also concerned about keeping McGuire at lock because it doesn't address the problem we had late in the sets attacking the opposition where our attack would be, not helped by a lack of direction at times from dummy half and the playmakers, but honestly I think that is where Bird is a superior option with better ballskills and Mcguire belongs back in the frontrow, it was a failed experiment and often cost us momentum in attack and gave the opposition defense too easy a job to work against. Since we have two runnings halves you can't afford to make such mistakes IMO.