Go for 1st or rest players?

[I bleed Maroon]

So this is sure to be a pretty heated debate, depending on what your opinion is of our chances of not only beating Melbourne by 25+ points but also the Rorters losing to Souffs AND the actual finals credentials of Cronulla.

Bennett would no doubt be pondering just treating this game like a trial and let the young guys have a fart us around in first grade while the most important first graders to our team sit it out for a week. As long as we defend hard enough to not concede 50 points, it doesn't even matter.

Thaiday, Blair, Hodges, Hunt, Milf, Parker and McCullough all must be on the short list. I know it's a **** tonne of big outs, but in the long run the time off will be golden to their chances in week one no matter who we face.

Risking devastating injuries just to have a very outside chance to finish first? Nope. Wrap them all in bubble wrap.

1. Kahu
2. Maranta
3. Reed
4. Copley
5. Vidot
6. Nikorima
7. Taylor
8. Joe O
9. Parcell
10. Dodds
11. Oates
12. Arrow
13. Wallace

14. JNik
15. Molo
16. ???
17. ???

Happy to take recommendations for those last two. It would no doubt be the youngest side we've fielded in ages.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

I'm not sure if resting them now would be a good thing or not but the old bloke in charge has done this once or twice before so I'll go with him.

 

[Nashy]

I think we should go full strength from here on out. We don't need a loss in our last game IMO.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I get where you're coming from but you have to look at this from the big picture, any injury to any one of those guys I listed that rules them out for even a week or two could be catastrophic for us. I'd rather not do that in a game that largely doesn't matter.

 

[Dexter]

I think Bennett will rest any player who he feels would benefit from it eg anyone carrying an injury that needs a break, but no way will he try and protect someone just to save them from potential injury.

 

[abashii]

I don't think Parcell can play anyway due to the 2nd tier salary cap. I'm sure 1910 or some raised that before as to why we switched him out for Niko the Elder.
And Niko the Younger is out injured too.

 

[Super Freak]

For Hodges farewell game?

No. Don't rest anyone.

 

[Morkel]

We need momentum. Wayne may choose to rest players if this game is already decided with 20 to go, but apart from that he knows we need consistency and polish before the finals. That means our best players playing alongside each other.

 

[noisetheory]

its way too close to finals to be resting players. this is where you need momentum. four wins in a row from here and we've won the comp. you dont want to upset things. you see how some teams play the week after a bye? sluggish

 

[Dexter]

Plus he will approach this like a semi, with Melb desperate to win and clinch a top 4 spot, the experience will be invaluable for our young side.

 

[Huge]

I think Bennett will rest any player who he feels would benefit from it eg anyone carrying an injury that needs a break, but no way will he try and protect someone just to save them from potential injury.

This...I'd be prepared to bet on this happening. Parker is one who could rest and perhaps Glen and Gillett too. I think the forwards are the most important to freshen up although going with a few expendables isn't such a silly idea.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I don't want to rest players but I do remember WB resting a lot of guys in R26 2010. They had already sealed the minor premiership by then though.

 

[Morkel]

I don't want to rest players but I do remember WB resting a lot of guys in R26 2010. They had already sealed the minor premiership by then though.

After winning the MP in 2009 and bowing out in straight sets, you'd think going on to win the premiership in 2010 would advocate resting players. So we'll see.

 

[jarro65]

We need momentum. Wayne may choose to rest players if this game is already decided with 20 to go, but apart from that he knows we need consistency and polish before the finals. That means our best players playing alongside each other.

This ^^

We need to maintain momentum and keep cohesion amongst the group.

Resting players now , unless they really need to get a niggle right, might harm any combinations that are forming nicely.

 

[Art Vandelay]

After winning the MP in 2009 and bowing out in straight sets, you'd think going on to win the premiership in 2010 would advocate resting players. So we'll see.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

 

[jarro65]

Well it appears that Alex Glenn will be getting a rest due to his crusher tackle on Reynolds.

Wonder if Wayne will throw Oates into the forwards and Maranta onto the wing ?

 

[M.B.88]

Well it appears that Alex Glenn will be getting a rest due to his crusher tackle on Reynolds.

Wonder if Wayne will throw Oates into the forwards and Maranta onto the wing ?

Yeah i dare say that'll be the best move.

Not sure that oates will start though. .

 

[vertigo]

They'll get a rest once the game is won at the 70th minute.