Big Pete said:
I don't know what good that'll do rna. You've got to be realistic about this squad and concede that they still need to climitise to the demands of first grade football. It sucks for us diehard fans who bleed Maroon and Yellow but they'll reward us in no-time.
Lockyer, Wallace, Thaiday aren't expected to play and it appears A. Sims won't be called in because of an injury he suffered on the weekend playing Q Cup.
Speaking of Sims, I've been guilty of changing my opinion on him constantly through out the season. Hell within the last week I was arguing for his inclusion on here, yet defending his exclusion on LU. I know, my bad and I humbly apologise to renouf.
I'm of the opinion that he should've gotten more game time. He may not of deserved it...but really did Josh McGuire deserve game time? Did Mitchell Dodds or Scott Anderson? I mean this is an area we've been struggling with through out this season, making ground up the middle and aggression in defence and we know that Ashton is capable of that. Considering Henjak wasn't using Dodds correctly in the first place, Sims really should've taken his place.
With Ashton gone, you know who I wouldn't mind seeing? Sims. Tariq Sims that is. I know he's heading up North next season but really what benefit are any of our other players going to get from playing this game? Tariq has been going awesome for our 20's since at least last year and his inclusion would at least give our side some level of revitilising enthusiasm.
Also with Wallace gone and Hunt likely to be promoted, I wouldn't mind seeing Baptiste promoted onto the bench. The kid has been busting his ass all year in an Under 20's side struggling for a decent play maker and defensively. However once again, I know Henjak will likely give Gerard Beale the nod. Not that Beale is a terrible option BUT I'd prefer Kurt.
With that said...likely side.
1. Josh Hoffman
2. Antonio Winterstein
3. Alex Glenn
4. Israel Folau
5. Jharal Yow Yeh
6. Corey Norman
7. Ben Hunt
8. Shane Tronc
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Nick Kenny
11. Matt Gillett
12. Ben Te'o
13. Corey Parker (c)
14. Gerard Beale
15. Josh McGuire
16. Mitchell Dodds
17. Scott Anderson
I was, and remain cranky about our nose dive after beating the likes of finals contenders Souths, Manly, Dragons, Storm and Titans, as well the Sharks who can play very well indeed, and just losing to the Roosters (which we should have won anyway except for the referee.)
IMO, you can't ascribe our nose dive just to inexperience. We won too many critical matches against top sides just to shrug it off as "inexperience".
It seems to me that 2 constants in most of those games were Sims and Setu, Dodds, and of course Lockyer, but we did post some good wins without Locky and Izzy. We were still Fizzy.
Sims to me was an important part of the winning equation. He added sting and experience to the front row. Some of his hits this year were awesome. Why hasn't he been there? A fall out with Henhouse?
If so, are we at the mercy of Ivan's moods? That's why I refer to Ivan's EGO as a major negative.
For a rookie coach, he is to me just too much of a smart arse who seems to me to be more interested in himself than the team. And for the record, I do believe that the players have little confidence in him.
We won't beat the Raiders without Lockyer. They are just too hot for a Bronco's side who have lost heart, and who just don't have anyone who can organize the middle and call the plays.
However, I hope we do win, make the finals, and I will fork out $$$ on them. I hope we play out of our skins and the team remembers they are playing for the best club in the world.
