2017 Line-up

[bazza]

With the starting side pretty much set, the only other selection headaches are with the bench. Do we go four forwards or or three forwards and also carry a backup hooker?

I'm leaning towards having a four forward bench, well at least for the start of the season anyway. I think a bench including TPJ, Ese'ese, Ofahengaue and Glenn, who can also double as a utility, is pretty strong. TPJ, Ofahengaue and Ese'ese, although young and inexperienced will no doubt continue to develop the more NRL matches they play, making for a pretty lethal bench down the track.

I think we need to play an aggressive, forward orientated style, and this bench, if used correctly, could provide the necessary impact as well as maintain/create some go forward and momentum. I'm really happy the direction our forward pack is heading, and finally we have a bit of size and intimidation.

 

[holdzy]

The first month of footy is going to be massive for the forwards. I'd go four forwards on the bench.

 

[pagey]

With the starting side pretty much set, the only other selection headaches are with the bench. Do we go four forwards or or three forwards and also carry a backup hooker?

I'm leaning towards having a four forward bench, well at least for the start of the season anyway. I think a bench including TPJ, Ese'ese, Ofahengaue and Glenn, who can also double as a utility, is pretty strong. TPJ, Ofahengaue and Ese'ese, although young and inexperienced will no doubt continue to develop the more NRL matches they play, making for a pretty lethal bench down the track.

I think we need to play an aggressive, forward orientated style, and this bench, if used correctly, could provide the necessary impact as well as maintain/create some go forward and momentum. I'm really happy the direction our forward pack is heading, and finally we have a bit of size and intimidation.

I think the same . We need to lay a platform for exciting backs , we haven't done this for a few years now. I would really like to see a bench with some size and punch . Even if like you said for the start of the season and then maybe bring in some mobility and strike like niko .

 

[Kyall]

8.offa
9.macca
10.blair
11.gillett
12.thiday
13.mcguire
14.sims
15.glenn
16.pangai jr
17ese'ese

 

[Jason Simmons]

A quick puff piece on channel 10 years appears to confirm McGuire has stepped up and will play lock this year.

In more exciting news (to my mind) he is also stepping up to fill our angry ginger void, growing an epic ginger beard, in readiness for this season...

 

[bazza]

I think the same . We need to lay a platform for exciting backs , we haven't done this for a few years now. I would really like to see a bench with some size and punch . Even if like you said for the start of the season and then maybe bring in some mobility and strike like niko .

I agree.

Having someone like Nikorima has its pro's and cons, but I think it's only worth it if we had a monster forward pack, for example like Souths did in 2014 with the Burgess boys, who continually rolled through their opposition's middle third extremely comfortably.

We still have a pretty mild pack in terms of size in comparison to some of other teams, and sacrificing a forward on the bench for some zip in attack is futile if we're not winning the yardage battle and are not on the front foot to begin with.

We don't have a shortage of attacking brilliance or strike out wide, but the only way to make them a factor in the game is by our forward pack dominating the opposition forward pack. I think the more big men we have, the easier it will be to unleash the likes of Boyd, Milford, Hunt, Roberts, Oates etc.

 

[pagey]

I agree.

Having someone like Nikorima has its pro's and cons, but I think it's only worth it if we had a monster forward pack, for example like Souths did in 2014 with the Burgess boys, who continually rolled through their opposition's middle third extremely comfortably.

We still have a pretty mild pack in terms of size in comparison to some of other teams, and sacrificing a forward on the bench for some zip in attack is futile if we're not winning the yardage battle and are not on the front foot to begin with.

We don't have a shortage of attacking brilliance or strike out wide, but the only way to make them a factor in the game is by our forward pack dominating the opposition forward pack. I think the more big men we have, the easier it will be to unleash the likes of Boyd, Milford, Hunt, Roberts, Oates etc.

Yeah exactly! I also think it will allow our backrowers to be more expansive and hit holes out wide , instead of doing the dirty work as well. Gillett , glenn and thaiday all had to roll up the sleeves and help out our forwards, which dulled there attack.

 

[Mitch06]

I have a bit of a problem with him playing lock.

To me, the best person for the job is Gillett.

He is our defensive rock on that right edge, but attack wise he is being wasted out there..

He would be so much more suited for lock.

Perhaps once Hunt goes we can re-tap into the attacking ability we know Gilly has. Hunt was able to throw a few nice balls to put Gillett over but that was few and far between. I don't think putting him at lock is the solution here - McGuire is the go for lock, hold our right side together!

 

[Unbreakable]

McGuire will do fine at lock, it just feels a little bitter sweet because that's virtually the end of Arrow's chances at the club. You've gotta imagine we're going to re-sign Josh first chance we get, and Arrow is too small to transition in to a prop or impact forward off the bench.

I have a hunch about Arrow, I don't usually get it off such a small sample size, but I have this gut feeling that he's going to be a very, very good NRL player.. Just hope this decision doesn't come back to bite us.

 

[jamesqld]

McGuire will do fine at lock, it just feels a little bitter sweet because that's virtually the end of Arrow's chances at the club. You've gotta imagine we're going to re-sign Josh first chance we get, and Arrow is too small to transition in to a prop or impact forward off the bench.

I have a hunch about Arrow, I don't usually get it off such a small sample size, but I have this gut feeling that he's going to be a very, very good NRL player.. Just hope this decision doesn't come back to bite us.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. There is nothing stopping McGuire from moving back to the front row next year, or even later this year if Arrow is absolutely killing it and we can afford to drop a bench prop.

I'm definitely not doubting McGuire or any of our benchies, just saying if Arrow deserves it, its not impossible for him to get it.

 

[Unbreakable]

I wouldn't worry too much about that. There is nothing stopping McGuire from moving back to the front row next year, or even later this year if Arrow is absolutely killing it and we can afford to drop a bench prop.

I'm definitely not doubting McGuire or any of our benchies, just saying if Arrow deserves it, its not impossible for him to get it.

No chance Wayne moves McGuire back to the front row, this move is permanent. He wouldn't have told him several months ago to get him mentally and physically prepared for the role if it was a temporary move.

Only scenario I see Arrow sticking around is if McGuire signs elsewhere for 2018 onwards, which seems unlikely, but not impossible.

 

[Danoz Direct]

Could see TPJ being lock for us in 2018, with McGuire and Arrow moving on possibly.

 

[Morepudding]

No chance Wayne moves McGuire back to the front row, this move is permanent. He wouldn't have told him several months ago to get him mentally and physically prepared for the role if it was a temporary move.

Only scenario I see Arrow sticking around is if McGuire signs elsewhere for 2018 onwards, which seems unlikely, but not impossible.

I wouldn't be all that shocked if he did sign somewhere else. Depending how he goes at lock, I feel some clubs could offer him way more than he is probably worth, especially with the depth we have. But at the same time, with blair and Thaiday aging perhaps we do need to do our best to keep him so we have some experienced forwards left.

 

[Mightybroncs2k17]

Also worthy of noting that it's looking more and more likely macca will be playing the full 80 mins. While he hasn't done it very often before (not sure I can remember him ever doing it) I believe he is capable of it and his topping of a lot of preseason fitness tests suggest he can.

With Nickorima already be ruled out of the opening rounds from what I've read and benjis fitness a constant battle I think I'd rather have Macca play the whole 80 rather then Waddell on the bench. Or is it possible he gets a 5-10 minute spell and Glenn or someone jumps into hooker To give him a short spell?

 

[Rally Towel]

With Nickorima already be ruled out of the opening rounds from what I've read and benjis fitness a constant battle I think I'd rather have Macca play the whole 80 rather then Waddell on the bench. Or is it possible he gets a 5-10 minute spell and Glenn or someone jumps into hooker To give him a short spell?

I think it was 2014 that he played the majority of games in entirety.

I think you're onto something with Glenn. It would not surprise me if we run with a bunch of Glenn, Thaiday, TPJ and Ofa / Ese'ese. Gives us some good options for rotating on both edges and middle, as well as that utility value Glenn provides.

We're likely to lose a little bit of direction with Macca off, but I think that holds true whoever we replace him with. If we have our props rotating well, McGuire relentless at lock and Glenn with his speed off the mark, we could really get a roll on.

 

[Morepudding]

I think it was 2014 that he played the majority of games in entirety.

I think you're onto something with Glenn. It would not surprise me if we run with a bunch of Glenn, Thaiday, TPJ and Ofa / Ese'ese. Gives us some good options for rotating on both edges and middle, as well as that utility value Glenn provides.

We're likely to lose a little bit of direction with Macca off, but I think that holds true whoever we replace him with. If we have our props rotating well, McGuire relentless at lock and Glenn with his speed off the mark, we could really get a roll on.

Why would Glenn and Thaiday be on the bench? One of them would be starting. I think if we have a 3 forward bench + Benji/Niko it will be Glenn starting. But if we have a 4 forward bench, I think Thaiday will start, purely because Glenn offers more utility off the bench.

But then again, perhaps glenn would start, come off after 30 minutes, then come back on at the 60th minute for macca to give him a 10 minute rest before the final 10.

 

[Rally Towel]

Why would Glenn and Thaiday be on the bench? One of them would be starting. I think if we have a 3 forward bench + Benji/Niko it will be Glenn starting. But if we have a 4 forward bench, I think Thaiday will start, purely because Glenn offers more utility off the bench.

But then again, perhaps glenn would start, come off after 30 minutes, then come back on at the 60th minute for macca to give him a 10 minute rest before the final 10.

Oh. Duh. Thanks mate.

Thaiday is likely to start but he'll likely be rotated a bit due to his limited gas tank. We can bring on Glenn or TPJ depending on the situation.

I'm not sure whether we starts Sims or bring him off the bench. Feel like he might be better off the bench for us but that would necessitate starting a more inexperienced forward.

Currently feeling this:

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Kahu
4. Roberts
5. Mead
6. Milf
7. Hunt
8. Blair
9. Macca
10. Sims
11. Thaiday
12. Gillett
13. Moose

14. Glenn
15. TPJ
16. Ese'ese
17. Ofa/Arrow/(Fai?)

 

[Morepudding]

Oh. Duh. Thanks mate.

Thaiday is likely to start but he'll likely be rotated a bit due to his limited gas tank. We can bring on Glenn or TPJ depending on the situation.

I'm not sure whether we starts Sims or bring him off the bench. Feel like he might be better off the bench for us but that would necessitate starting a more inexperienced forward.

Currently feeling this:

1. Boyd
2. Oates
3. Kahu
4. Roberts
5. Mead
6. Milf
7. Hunt
8. Blair
9. Macca
10. Sims
11. Thaiday
12. Gillett
13. Moose

14. Glenn
15. TPJ
16. Ese'ese
17. Ofa/Arrow/(Fai?)

Yeah that is probably my prefered lineup as well. I really hope they cut Thaidays minutes. Last year he got found out in defence a fair bit on the edges with Milford. Glenn handles that position better defensively just with a bit more speed off the mark. Thaiday was often burnt by the faster five eights and centres which then left Milford, Opacic/Reed and Oates in a 4 on 3 situation, and with Milford's lack of size, it made defending on the line tough. That is my only worry about Thaiday defending on the edges.