Foordy
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I'd say that backline will be pretty close to the one named for round 1 ... obviously with Boyd and Milford coming back in
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Oates in the #21 jersey is interesting. Might have to do a tour of duty in ISC to earn his forward stripes.
Foordy
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By the sounds of things Bennett is going to make him earn it rather than just hand it to him ... and IMO that is a good thing
Super Freak
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Bennett has pretty much confirmed that Oates will be on the bench. He won't be starting off in the ISC.
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He confirmed nothing of the sort. For the life of me, I do not see where he could fit into that lineup as a forward. If he isn't named as a winger for Rd 1, he will be named as a forward for South's Logan.
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Kyall
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Bennett said Oates will start on the bench.
Danoz Direct
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Just because YOU can't see how he would fit in as a forward, doesn't mean it won't happen. Pretty sure he will be on the bench come round 1.
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Kyall
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I’m very surprised that Haas isn’t named tbh and another interesting thing is TPJ starting lock.
Super Freak
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He will be on the bench in Round 1 and he will be given a chance to make it work or he faces going back to the wing and being dropped if he says no. I don't see why Bennett would threaten to drop him to ISC if he was going to start there to begin with. That doesn't make much sense.
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Feel free to name your projected lineup of forwards for Rd 1. This should be interesting.
Foordy
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FTR here are Bennett's exact words re: Oates ... sounds like he will start on the bench, but the only thing Bennett has 100% ruled out is Oates starting in the backrow
Foordy
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I wouldn't get your hopes up on TPJ starting just yet. still have McGuire and Gillett to comeback into the backrow
Unbreakable
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Oates on the bench seems fine, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to come on and make an impact at the middle point of the first half, he'll probably still end up playing 55 odd minutes per game.
Start with Glenn & Gillett, bring Oates on at the 25 minute mark for Glenn, bring Glenn back on early in the second half to play in the middle. Alex is at the point in his career where he'll be more effective in shorter bursts anyway I reckon.
Start with Glenn & Gillett, bring Oates on at the 25 minute mark for Glenn, bring Glenn back on early in the second half to play in the middle. Alex is at the point in his career where he'll be more effective in shorter bursts anyway I reckon.
Sproj
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It makes complete sense for Oates to start on the bench. He is the exact fourth bench player you need these days, a guy who can play in the forwards if there are no injuries or a guy you can shift into the backs if one of them go down, he is the perfect utility for the limited interchange era.
Foordy
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I thinks that is probably what will happen, with TPJ also used as an impact player off the bench (probably 2 x 10-15 minute spells)
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Kyall
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Sua out Gillett in, Thaiday bench, McGuire prop, TPJ lock.
Foordy
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McGuire won't be going back to prop ... if he will allow Oates to transition into the position he wants to play, then he will certainly allow a QLD and Australian rep to play the position he wants (a position that he actually represented his state and country in)
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Kyall
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Bennett may want a bit more experience in the run on props.
