Morkel
International Captain
Contributor
- Jan 25, 2013
- 25,227
- 28,849
I think we need to look at our successful years and work out why we were able to be premiership contenders. 2006, 2015, but arguably 2011 as we were darn close if it wasn't for Lockyer going down.
For mine, there were two constants. Hodges bringing confidence and attitude for the backs, and defensive enforcers in the forwards. Tunza was our guy back in '06 that people were scared of, and Petero and Webcke were the best in the business at the time. In 2011 we had Gillett hitting his straps and Josh McGuire belting fools up front. Fast forward to 2015 and Gillett is the best back-rower in the world, certainly defensively, and Adam Blair's purple patch has him halting pretty much all opposition progress through the middle (also, credit to players like Dodds & Nick Kenny who were never stars, but left plenty of opposition players watching where they next ran).
To replace Hodges is basically impossible, though it's the only thing I can think of when I look for a reason why Bennett recruited Jack Bird. And in reality, it doesn't need to be a centre, as a fullback or winger can just as easily roll their sleeves up and drag us to victory from dummy half scoots like he did. In for forwards, a fit Lodge will make a difference, but we really do need someone who hits hard, consistently and without fuss. TPJ is too erratic, and he's already a marked man by the refs. Who that is, I don't know.
For mine, we won a grand final with Berrigan at hooker, a sneaky, balls-out terrier who, by the way, had Casey McGuire on the bench for relief, so there is hope for Turpin. In 2011 and 2015 we had McCullough, the epitome of No Frills. It really comes down to us controlling in defence and the resulting field position and possession will allow our attacking players to do their thing.
For mine, there were two constants. Hodges bringing confidence and attitude for the backs, and defensive enforcers in the forwards. Tunza was our guy back in '06 that people were scared of, and Petero and Webcke were the best in the business at the time. In 2011 we had Gillett hitting his straps and Josh McGuire belting fools up front. Fast forward to 2015 and Gillett is the best back-rower in the world, certainly defensively, and Adam Blair's purple patch has him halting pretty much all opposition progress through the middle (also, credit to players like Dodds & Nick Kenny who were never stars, but left plenty of opposition players watching where they next ran).
To replace Hodges is basically impossible, though it's the only thing I can think of when I look for a reason why Bennett recruited Jack Bird. And in reality, it doesn't need to be a centre, as a fullback or winger can just as easily roll their sleeves up and drag us to victory from dummy half scoots like he did. In for forwards, a fit Lodge will make a difference, but we really do need someone who hits hard, consistently and without fuss. TPJ is too erratic, and he's already a marked man by the refs. Who that is, I don't know.
For mine, we won a grand final with Berrigan at hooker, a sneaky, balls-out terrier who, by the way, had Casey McGuire on the bench for relief, so there is hope for Turpin. In 2011 and 2015 we had McCullough, the epitome of No Frills. It really comes down to us controlling in defence and the resulting field position and possession will allow our attacking players to do their thing.
