Round 1 Lineup

[Sproj]

Might be a bit left field but i wouldn't be surprised to see kevie do something a bit different round one. From all reports he views TPJ as a middle forward and he's been impressive at training. Likewise Asiata appears to be viewed as preferred lock and he has spoken about lodge been a forwards leader.

Wouldn't be suprised to see TPJ as starting front frow along with lodge and Asiata as lock with Hass coming off the bench. At least for the early rounds. Hass and Carrigan both don't return until next year and both would be absolutely battered mentally and physically from 2020. Kevie may want to ease them into the year and make the older guys pull their weight and lead the pack like they fucking should be.

If the starting front row with their experience can't stand up then show them the door, we shouldn't be needing to rely on 21 year olds with under 50 games of experience with these other guys in the squad. Those two coming off the bench would be a handy little interchange.

I think that would be really good coaching, I like it.

 

[bazza]

8. Lodge
10. TPJ
13. Asiata

Isn't the worst starting line up, especially with Haas coming off the bench and providing some actual punch again. I like it, to start with.

I agree. I just hope our two best players in Haas and Carrigan don't view it as a demotion. Based on their efforts in a poor season, Haas and Carrigan absolutely deserve starting positions, but it's also unfair on them that they're having to fill positions they shouldn't have to at their ages.

Being burdened with such responsibility when they're only very early in their careers could really wear them down physically and mentally. Hopefully Lodge and TPJ can have an uninterrupted season so that they can step up and share some of the workload a bit more.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

Might be a bit left field but i wouldn't be surprised to see kevie do something a bit different round one. From all reports he views TPJ as a middle forward and he's been impressive at training. Likewise Asiata appears to be viewed as preferred lock and he has spoken about lodge been a forwards leader.

Wouldn't be suprised to see TPJ as starting front frow along with lodge and Asiata as lock with Hass coming off the bench. At least for the early rounds. Hass and Carrigan both don't return until next year and both would be absolutely battered mentally and physically from 2020. Kevie may want to ease them into the year and make the older guys pull their weight and lead the pack like they fucking should be.

If the starting front row with their experience can't stand up then show them the door, we shouldn't be needing to rely on 21 year olds with under 50 games of experience with these other guys in the squad. Those two coming off the bench would be a handy little interchange.

I doubt this will happen but bloody hell I'd love it. Haas and carrigan don't deserve to be benched but damn it'd be good for the team. Lodge and TPJ for all their faults can provide massive aggression in attack and defence and we'd still have flegler to keep that going off the bench. It'd mean Haas' obvious target on him by opposition would be harder as he'd be up against tired or bench players at the 30 minute mark. Our go forward b4 and after halftime would be EXTRODINARY.
It's only be worth it if Haas and carrigan didn't view it as an undeserved demotion though. They are just about the only players who don't deserve to be!

 

[Morepudding]

I honestly don't think Lodge will be there. The change of rules definitely don't suit him. His play the ball speed is awful.

 

[Fitzy]

I honestly don't think Lodge will be there. The change of rules definitely don't suit him. His play the ball speed is awful.

Honestly I’m sick of people saying this... the dude played 6 games still carrying a knee injury... if that was Staggs, Haas or Dearden you’d all be sucking his dick saying oh it’s just cause he is injured... when fit he is an origin quality player... how about get off his ass and only speak shit when it’s fair to... give it a couple rounds and if he doesn’t get better than give him shit

 

[Morepudding]

Honestly I’m sick of people saying this... the dude played 6 games still carrying a knee injury... if that was Staggs, Haas or Dearden you’d all be sucking his dick saying oh it’s just cause he is injured... when fit he is an origin quality player... how about get off his ass and only speak shit when it’s fair to... give it a couple rounds and if he doesn’t get better than give him shit

Even before his injury his play the ball speed was slow.

 

[Morepudding]

The game has changed. Play the ball speed and line speed is more important than it was before and this was never a strong point of his. He was average before the injury and is worse now

 

[Foordy]

The game has changed. Play the ball speed and line speed is more important than it was before and this was never a strong point of his. He was average before the injury and is worse now

no one knows what he'll be like since he recovered from his injury, because he hasn't played a game yet.

not only that but he hasn't been able to train properly for this new format, because they brought it in after the season had started in 2020 and they only time he played under it was with a broken leg. i'm not surprised he had a slow PTB speed with a broken leg.

and we need to hope he can handle these new rules, otherwise we are stuck with him for another 3 years

 

[Unbreakable]

Haas will not be coming off the bench, lol. I think Lodge will be moved on also. This is what I'm expecting currently, assuming no more signings -

8. Haas (60 mins at prop)
9. McCullough (55 mins at hooker)
10. Carrigan (55 mins at prop)
11. Glenn (80 mins at left edge)
12. Oates (60 mins at right edge)
13. Asiata (50 mins at lock)

14. Turpin (25 mins at hooker)
15. Riki (20 mins at right edge + any extra mins available through injuries or HIA's)
16. Pangai Jr (30 mins at lock + 10 mins at prop)
17. Flegler (35 mins at prop)

 

[GCBRONCO]

The game has changed. Play the ball speed and line speed is more important than it was before and this was never a strong point of his. He was average before the injury and is worse now

On average Matt Lodge was actually the fastest player in the NRL to play the ball in 2019 with an average of 2.98 seconds with Jordan McClean the closest with 3.04 Injuries clearly effected him with the limited time he was on the field in 2020.

Name	Ave. (s)	Pos.	2019 team
Matthew Lodge	2.98	Prop	Brisbane
Jordan McLean	3.04	Prop	North Qld
Josh Mansour	3.06	Wing	Penrith
Felise Kaufusi	3.1	2nd Row	Melbourne
Daniel Tupou	3.12	Wing	Roosters
Jai Arrow	3.13	Lock	Gold Coast
Shaun Kenny-Dowall	3.16	Wing	Newcastle
Dane Gagai	3.18	Centre	Souths
Corey Oates	3.19	Wing	Brisbane
Jack Williams	3.2	2nd Row	Cronulla

 

[Sproj]

On average Matt Lodge was actually the fastest player in the NRL to play the ball in 2019 with an average of 2.98 seconds with Jordan McClean the closest with 3.04 Injuries clearly effected him with the limited time he was on the field in 2020.

Name	Ave. (s)	Pos.	2019 team
Matthew Lodge	2.98	Prop	Brisbane
Jordan McLean	3.04	Prop	North Qld
Josh Mansour	3.06	Wing	Penrith
Felise Kaufusi	3.1	2nd Row	Melbourne
Daniel Tupou	3.12	Wing	Roosters
Jai Arrow	3.13	Lock	Gold Coast
Shaun Kenny-Dowall	3.16	Wing	Newcastle
Dane Gagai	3.18	Centre	Souths
Corey Oates	3.19	Wing	Brisbane
Jack Williams	3.2	2nd Row	Cronulla

I was going to say this. I am not against him leaving, purely because he is on way too much money in a position that is well covered at the Broncs but come on, let's try and be factual when complaining about our players, we have plenty of legit things to complain about.

 

[Wolfie]

8. Lodge
10. TPJ
13. Asiata

Isn't the worst starting line up, especially with Haas coming off the bench and providing some actual punch again. I like it, to start with.

I dont think Haas offers much in the way of being an bench impact player. To me, thats probably TPJ or Flegler or maybe even Lodge.

 

[holdzy]

I dont think Haas offers much in the way of being an bench impact player. To me, thats probably TPJ or Flegler or maybe even Lodge.

It could be either/all. But why not Haas? He's got the power and footwork, up against a tired middle, could be devastating with the right intent. Get an offload going with Milf, whoever the fullback is, baby, you got a stew going.

 

[Wolfie]

It could be either/all. But why not Haas? He's got the power and footwork, up against a tired middle, could be devastating with the right intent. Get an offload going with Milf, whoever the fullback is, baby, you got a stew going.

I just dont think he has the impact and intensity somebody like TPJ or Flegler can bring as a bench player. Payne's best work comes more from the amount of work and the consistency he brings. He lacks a lot of physicality imo. A bench player for me needs to bring the rage. I just dont think Payne has it in him to play that way.

 

[holdzy]

I just dont think he has the impact and intensity somebody like TPJ or Flegler can bring as a bench player. Payne's best work comes more from the amount of work and the consistency he brings. He lacks a lot of physicality imo. A bench player for me needs to bring the rage. I just dont think Payne has it in him to play that way.

If he could develop it though - look out!

He needs to learn another step up in aggression imo. He's lacking that certain something. Worth a crack, especially in the context of easing him into the season.

 

[Wolfie]

If he could develop it though - look out!

He needs to learn another step up in aggression imo. He's lacking that certain something. Worth a crack, especially in the context of easing him into the season.

Yep, definatley. If he can get that agression into his game it will really lift his performances to a whole new level.

 

[holdzy]

Yep, definatley. If he can get that agression into his game it will really lift his performances to a whole new level.

If he can do it from the start, all the better. Much rather him start, but I'm not adverse to him coming off the bench the first few rounds.

He has the potential to be the best ever.

 

[theshed]

We face a good problem in the forwards next year. We need to fit all of the following players in 5 starting spots and 4 bench spot.

Asiata
Bullimor
Carrigan
Flegler
Glenn
Haas
Lodge
Oates
Paix
Teo
Turpin
TPJ


Its a massive headache. Made easier if Lodge is moved on except I think he is very talented, has experience, and is a strong leader. His price tag and length are terrible but maybe 1 more good year out of him would help us cover more of his contract if we move him on.

For me the easiest choice is Oates on the bench. He gets to learn how to be a second rower, and he cover a backline injury.

The second easiest choice is Asiata to play at Lock moving Carrigan into the forwards. It’s obvious that Kev intends to use him as a third playmaker. However I probably wouldn’t start him. Instead I would start TPJ at 13 and bring Asiata on fresh after TPJ rips in for the first 20 mins. Asiata also covers and injury in the halves.

13. TPJ
14. Asiata
15. Oates

For me Haas starts and plays 60 minutes with a mid game rest. I think of the remaining props I’d start Lodge. Big aggressive and has a quick play the ball. Carrigan and Flegler are the remaining benches.

8. Haas
10. Lodge
13. TPJ
14. Asiata
15. Oates
16. Carrigan
17. Flegler

With no bench spots remaining only 1 spot is left for a hooker. That means we will need 80 minutes out of our hooker. It hurts to say but I think this means Macca gets the nod. Unless Turpin proves he can be effective for 80. Good coaching can allow for him to have breaks while on the field. For example Croft/Dearden can play some hooker coming out of our own half on kick returns or the backs can utilise dummy half runs.

The last 2 positions are our second row. Glenn is a walk in starter thanks to his experience and consistency. Riki starts over Oates imo, until Oates earns the start or Riki deserves to lose it.

The hardest part is where TPJ plays during his 2nd stint. i think ideally neither Glenn, Riki or Oates play full 80. Both starting 2nd row have a break.

As the roster stands, my forwards would be:

8. Haas
9. Macca
10. Lodge
11. Glenn
12. Riki
13. TPJ

14. Asiata
15. Oates
16. Carrigan
17. Flegler