2017 Line-up

[Big Pete]

Based on what?

If we're basing form entirely on Queensland Cup, for all we know we may have the next Mitchell Garbutt on our hands. When it comes to actual NRL performances, Joe has displayed more than Ese'ese so far.

That isn't to knock Herman but it's too early to write Joe off.

 

[Super Freak]

Big Joe looks like he hasn't put on any weight or bulking up at all. If he is pushing for a spot in the side that's where he should start.

Being big is a bit overrated on this site, to be honest.

Bulldogs have a big forward pack. How is that working out for them?

Their forwards are actually slimming down. Look at Kasiano and how much weight he has lost.

One of the best props in the game, Matt Scott, is only 106kg's.

Martin Kennedy was a big guy.. He was useless.

The game is getting faster and soon big 120kg's props are going to be useless. Because they tire a lot quicker.

If our forward pack has the right attitude and the bench forwards can build on last year, we'll be all good.

 

[pagey]

Starting forward pack for opposed training session today -

Ofahengaue
McCullough
Blair
Thaiday
Gillett
McGuire

I like it ! Worth a shot , bringing on esse and pangai . Then glenn and niko to fil the bench , glenn to replace thaiday and niko for macca .

 

[Painin the Haas]

With that line up one would assume that Oates is staying out wide

 

[Super Freak]

With that line up one would assume that Oates is staying out wide

I don't see any reason why Bennett would move Oates yet.

He is killing it on the wing and at the moment we're all good in the second row department.

I do expect Oates to make the transition once Thaiday retires. But at the moment, I can't see him being moved from the wing.

 

[pagey]

no just 2016, but his entire NRL career to date.

I do think he has the potential to be a quality prop for us, but i don't think he is ready to get us on the front foot early against fresh defenses.

I think he should be a fixture of our interchange bench though.

He's young mate ! Can't expect him to be a gun prop so young.

 

[Foordy]

He's young mate ! Can't expect him to be a gun prop so young.

I don't expect him to be a gun prop at his age.

I just don't think he is a starter yet either

 

[Smokin' Joe]

From what we have seen and have been led to believe Ese'ese is the most ready. Ofahengaue might be able to claw himself into a bench spot, but don't think he will get a chance to start in 2017.

Joe is more a Bennett style prop. Works hard, does the little things. There was a reason he played a lot of Cup in 2106.

 

[mitch222]

Is Dodds back at training yet?

 

[mitch222]

Joe is more a Bennett style prop. Works hard, does the little things. There was a reason he played a lot of Cup in 2106.

I think some sub par performances mid year (especially the warriors game where he started and didn't make a hitup) had a bit of say in it

 

[mitch222]

I don't see any reason why Bennett would move Oates yet.

He is killing it on the wing and at the moment we're all good in the second row department.

I do expect Oates to make the transition once Thaiday retires. But at the moment, I can't see him being moved from the wing.

I think Bennett will keep him on the wing for a little while and use him as an extra forward running out of our own half like Wendell and lote used to do

 

[Danoz Direct]

Joe is more a Bennett style prop. Works hard, does the little things. There was a reason he played a lot of Cup in 2106.

Yeah he definitely fits the Bennett mold. Just can't see him starting. Way to passive and not enough metres made. Almost definitely get a spot on the bench though. Hoping Herman can at least get a spot on the bench though to show what he is made of.

 

[M.B.88]

I love how everyone is basing their opinions on no current indication of form, size or skill level. Everyone always talks about "if they have a good preseason" but they never actually think that a player is actually having one and therefore impressing the actual Coach who has a bigger insight than anyone else

 

[Danoz Direct]

I love how everyone is basing their opinions on no current indication of form, size or skill level. Everyone always talks about "if they have a good preseason" but they never actually think that a player is actually having one and therefore impressing the actual Coach who has a bigger insight than anyone else

One of the things that I am basing my opinion around is that both Smokin Joe and talanoa have said that Ese'ese is smashing pre-season and therefor he must be impressing the coach.

 

[pagey]

I don't expect him to be a gun prop at his age.

I just don't think he is a starter yet either

Agreed , but we need these guys to step up . We don't have the luxury of multiple seasoned props

 

[Kyall]

I always thought BigJoe had and still has plenty of potential. We don't have the luxury of experience Props, so start him and see how much he wants it.

 

[Danoz Direct]

I always thought BigJoe had and still has plenty of potential. We don't have the luxury of experience Props, so start him and see how much he wants it.

You don't just start someone to see how much they want it mate.

 

[Kyall]

He has the most experience of all our bench props.