Pick Kevvie's round one team with odds

[HarryAllan7]

I dont disagree with any of that, but I would just flag that we no longer need a link man in the 13 jersey.

Reynolds is a first receiver halfback and we shouldn't be adding extra passes in there that would crowd him.

Get him the ball straight off the ruck (like he's been doing for souths) and let him create the space for the outside men... which is what his greatest strength is (outside of kicking)

Melb have Munster and Hughes in the halves and still arguably look their best with Smith in the 13 playing this role.

Same story with Roosters, who have Keary in the halves and Radley in the 13.

It's not as essential as it was last year, but in the era of V'Landys ball it is still a huge asset to any side.

There may be better options - we've never seen Gamble play the role, but I personally think he'd do it nicely and hope it's at least being considered properly.

 

[HarryAllan7]

For what it’s worth, Gamble said in an interview in October that Kev was planning on making him also train at “fullback and lock” over this pre-season. So going off that comment it has definitely been considered - however if the fullback thing is true it also shows that Kev is space cadet.

Gamble made some other comment about how he doesn’t know how he’d go making 30 tackles a game because he’s only used to making about 8.

The excitement at the thought of Gamble training @ 13 was instantly killed by the thought of him running around at fullback.... Jeez.

 

[theshed]

Melb have Munster and Hughes in the halves and still arguably look their best with Smith in the 13 playing this role.

Same story with Roosters, who have Keary in the halves and Radley in the 13.

It's not as essential as it was last year, but in the era of V'Landys ball it is still a huge asset to any side.

There may be better options - we've never seen Gamble play the role, but I personally think he'd do it nicely and hope it's at least being considered properly.

Yeah it’s common these days

Melbourne: Smith
Penrith: Yeo
Roosters: Radley
South’s: Murray
Manly: JTrbo
Canberra: Hodgson
Knights: Watson *


Eels are the only top 6 team that doesn’t really utilise the ball playing lock. Plenty of the bottom 8 don’t have one either.

Tigers, Bulldogs, Sharks, Titans, Cowboys etc, us when we got the spoon.

 

[Foordy]

Yeah it’s common these days

Melbourne: Smith
Penrith: Yeo
Roosters: Radley
South’s: Murray
Manly: JTrbo
Canberra: Hodgson
Knights: Watson *


Eels are the only top 6 team that doesn’t really utilise the ball playing lock. Plenty of the bottom 8 don’t have one either.

Tigers, Bulldogs, Sharks, Titans, Cowboys etc, us when we got the spoon.

I think Hethrington could provide that for us ... he time spent at hooker should help his ball playing

 

[Johnny92]

I think Hethrington could provide that for us ... he time spent at hooker should help his ball playing

I have read somewhere/heard that he played abit in the halves in his junior days and I think he made his cup debut playing 6.

 

[1910]

I have read somewhere/heard that he played abit in the halves in his junior days and I think he made his cup debut playing 6.

First two ISC games in 2019 were at 6.
2020/21- lock

 

[theshed]

I think Hethrington could provide that for us ... he time spent at hooker should help his ball playing

I think that seems to be the long term plan. He needs to do a bit of work on it though.

Im pretty sure he threw a blinder of a pass for Glenn’s try against the cows when Niu did that weird kick the ball backwards off the ground thing.

 

[Scorchie]

Can Gamble tackle and stop front rowers on our line ?
That will be the tell . He has the ball skills and timing to play lock but can he tackle like a lock ?

Locky couldn’t. Not a good point to be making.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

I would still love to see Gamble as a hybrid 13 / bench forward and hope it's being seriously explored.

He would thrive with his big frame as a ball-playing middle - either as a starter or as an impact sub and would add another dimension to our attack / another kicking option (which is never a bad thing).

He's also so versatile - like a Michael Morgan style 14 - could cover lock, second row (at a pinch), halves, centres (if desperate) and probably even hooker (again, if desperate).

A link 13 who can facilitate attack in the centre of the field and link halves on both sides is so essential in today's game and we have a player in the perfect mould.

I think these guys need to keep it simple and just start getting some structure and resilience first. This is too complicated for the team that ran what, 13th?

Let's get them to be consistent first graders first who can build pressure and take pressure

 

[theshed]

Ikin spoke very openly about the team on a recent podcast. Below is every player he specifically mentioned their position for next year (he even included which side of the field)

1. Niu (“likely fullback”)
2.
3. Farnworth (“left centre”)
4. Staggs (“right edge”)
5. Cobbo (“right wing”)
6. “Kelly, Gamble, Walters”
7. Reynolds
8. Haas
9.
10.
11. (Capewell*)
12. Riki (“right edge” + big wraps)
13. Carrigan (“starting lock”)

Said Carrigan is aware he plays too straight and has been working on bringing more to his game as a lock.

*You can also safely deduce that Capewell will be left edge based on comments.




Based on these comments and assuming no further injuries (Flegler suspended) I think below is a safe bet with 6 being hardest to predict.


1. Niu (100%)
2. Oates (99%)
3. Farnworth (100%)
4. Staggs (100%)
5. Cobbo (100%)
6. Kelly (50%)
7. Reynolds (c) (100%)
8. Haas (100%)
9. Turpin (100%)
10. James (75%)
11. Capewell (100%)
12. Riki (100%)
13. Carrigan (100%)

14. Paix (75%)
15. Hetherington (75%)
16. Robati (80%)
17. Palasia (60%)

 

[turkeysnow]

I feel we have versatillity in our side, Gamble wouldn't need to cover FLB, Capwell pushes a centre to wing and a winger to flb simple.

Hethero covers hok/Walters can cover hok as well in a pinch.

Gamble could cover lock/6/Edge (front row/flb we are getting a bit carried away)

Carrigan isn't a lock, he is a meat and potato prop, good to start as he just gets in and does his job, but wouldn't be good off the bench as doesn't bring that much agression or impact.

Imagine if Fleg this year brings that agression and intensity that he did in his rookie season, add in Gamble off the bench, talking in everyones ears and with a little niggle. Thats what we need. All the top sides, (Storm/Panthers/Roosters) have that a little bending the rules, guys like JWH/Radley who hit hard, or sometimes dirty, but scares the offence. Storm had Smith and now even munster/smith who have some niggle in tackles competing, Panthers, there was that whole holding down too long debate with Bennett and Cleary.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Ikin spoke very openly about the team on a recent podcast. Below is every player he specifically mentioned their position for next year (he even included which side of the field)

1. Niu (“likely fullback”)
2.
3. Farnworth (“left centre”)
4. Staggs (“right edge”)
5. Cobbo (“right wing”)
6. “Kelly, Gamble, Walters”
7. Reynolds
8. Haas
9.
10.
11. (Capewell*)
12. Riki (“right edge” + big wraps)
13. Carrigan (“starting lock”)

Said Carrigan is aware he plays too straight and has been working on bringing more to his game as a lock.

*You can also safely deduce that Capewell will be left edge based on comments.




Based on these comments and assuming no further injuries (Flegler suspended) I think below is a safe bet with 6 being hardest to predict.


1. Niu (100%)
2. Oates (99%)
3. Farnworth (100%)
4. Staggs (100%)
5. Cobbo (100%)
6. Kelly (50%)
7. Reynolds (c) (100%)
8. Haas (100%)
9. Turpin (100%)
10. James (75%)
11. Capewell (100%)
12. Riki (100%)
13. Carrigan (100%)

14. Paix (75%)
15. Hetherington (75%)
16. Robati (80%)
17. Palasia (60%)

Far out in excited for this season.

They have to be kidding themselves though if Tyson doesn't get a spot, however I can understand why he maybe will need to miss out since Reynolds will need a running half you'd think outside him.

To me, gamble has now upside to Kelly but if Kelly can find a combination that could work really well.

Gamble deserves to be a starting half based on his kicking game, power, aggression and deception.

He'll get snapped up by the dolphins for sure. And maybe he should

 

[theshed]

Far out in excited for this season.

They have to be kidding themselves though if Tyson doesn't get a spot, however I can understand why he maybe will need to miss out since Reynolds will need a running half you'd think outside him.

To me, gamble has now upside to Kelly but if Kelly can find a combination that could work really well.

Gamble deserves to be a starting half based on his kicking game, power, aggression and deception.

He'll get snapped up by the dolphins for sure. And maybe he should

On that podcast Ikin basically said Kelly, Gamble, and Walters were all equal shots at this stage, and that Reynolds will likely get a pretty significant say in who gets the nod.

He went on to say Mam was a massive talent and will likely play some first grade this season.

Said Martin and Roberts were also depth options.

No real surprises with any of that.

 

[Sproj]

I'd hope that after last season, Gamble gets first shot at the 6, he earned it because in many ways, he was the kick up the bum the team needed to become competitive again, that earns a lot of respect and loyalty in my view.

 

[TimWhatley]

Cobbo and Oates are gonna be a handful on kick returns.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Cobbo and Oates are gonna be a handful on kick returns.

Oates has been worked out a bit though. Put it up high to him and you’re a good chance of getting the ball back. If he catches it, that takes him out of the first run.

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Gamble had a run at centre today - scored a try in that position too.

Could he possibly nab a bench utility/back spot...

 

[Marty Deutschmann]

Gamble had a run at centre today - scored a try in that position too.

Could he possibly nab a bench utility/back spot...

Also played some 5/8 & FR