Round 1 2014

[Harry Sack]

I think you can certainly lock in Granville for the 14, Hunt in the 7 and Parker in the 13.

 

[rnabokov]

One of the things I like most about Hodges is that for mine, he is virtually 4 players in one. A leader (the only real one we have) an outside back, a strong dummy half runner and a play maker.

I actually think he would make a great 5/8. He reminds me a little of (a stick insect version) of SBW. I reckon they play a very similar sort of game. Where SBW uses brute strength to make the advantage, Hodgo uses that enormous stride and step which makes him so quick off the mark. All he needs is a structure built around him of designated support runners and I can see a lot of tries next year when he returns. Oates (or Hoffman) + Hodges for mine would be a deadly right hand side.

That then means WTF do we do until he returns?

My ideal replacement for centre if fit would be JYY without any doubt whatsoever.

 

[Sproj]

Yep JYY at centre would definitely be good to see in the trials.

 

[Broncoman]

More people need to get on the Thaiday to the bench train.

He needs a rocket fired up him and needs to finish reading "Captaincy for dummies" if he played like he did in Origin 2 he would be the best second rower in the game. I wouldn't drop him only if he was playing direly every week, he did play some very good games this year though.

 

[coreyh88]

He needs a rocket fired up him and needs to finish reading "Captaincy for dummies" if he played like he did in Origin 2 he would be the best second rower in the game. I wouldn't drop him only if he was playing direly every week, he did play some very good games this year though.

About two of them

 

[coreyh88]

One of the things I like most about Hodges is that for mine, he is virtually 4 players in one. A leader (the only real one we have) an outside back, a strong dummy half runner and a play maker.

I actually think he would make a great 5/8. He reminds me a little of (a stick insect version) of SBW. I reckon they play a very similar sort of game. Where SBW uses brute strength to make the advantage, Hodgo uses that enormous stride and step which makes him so quick off the mark. All he needs is a structure built around him of designated support runners and I can see a lot of tries next year when he returns. Oates (or Hoffman) + Hodges for mine would be a deadly right hand side.

That then means WTF do we do until he returns?

My ideal replacement for centre if fit would be JYY without any doubt whatsoever.

Hes spoken about being a winger still (can still jump). But would probably need to switch sides to step. He mentioned he'd need to learn to run over the top. Hodges would be a great five eighth. Could virtually play a fullback role minus the kick returns.

 

[Brett]

I like the look of a lot of these sides.

On the point of Kahu, he has been injured a lot with nasty injuries in the last few years so did he play much u20? He was always seen as a five-eighth at age level and that was where he was earmarked for before his back-to-back knee injuries. Certainly give him a go in the trials at six.

Thaiday should be on the bench.

Gillett and Glenn need to be our wide running backrowers, especially given the way Hunt and Gillett have linked up since Hunt has become our seven.

So, let's go with what is definite and put guys in around that:

1. Barba
2. Hoffman / Kahu / Copley
3. Reed
4. Oates
5. Yow Yeh
6. Milford / Hoffman
7. Hunt
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Hannant
11. Glenn
12. Thaiday (Gillett)
13. Parker

14. Granville
15. Kennedy
16. Thaiday
17. Dodds

Fill in from there.

My fills in are in bold here, mate. I believe the bench still keeps our defence in order. Couple other selections there I'm sure will raise some eyebrows.

 

[Splinter]

My fills in are in bold here, mate. I believe the bench still keeps our defence in order. Couple other selections there I'm sure will raise some eyebrows.

Not from me. Only one would be Granville, Cullen has more vision in his little toe than Granville and they are both going to have trouble in defence so I would go with Cullen.

 

[Brett]

Not from me. Only one would be Granville, Cullen has more vision in his little toe than Granville and they are both going to have trouble in defence so I would go with Cullen.

Here's the issue though, Splinter. Do we then play Cullen out of position as a back up Hooker to give Macca a breather, ala Ben Hunt, or do we give a more natural Hooker in Granville a go? If Cullen is in the team, do you play him at Halfback and move Hunt.

I'm just saying I'd hate to play him out of position for the next few years just to accommodate him in the team. It's done a real number on Ben Hunt.

 

[Unbreakable]

1. Barba
2. Kahu
3. Reed
4. Hoffman
5. Yow Yeh^
6. Strasser~
7. Hunt
8. Hannant
9. McCullough
10. McGuire
11. Glenn* (c)
12. Gillett
13. Parker* (c)

14. Baptiste
15. Thaiday
16. Oates
17. Kennedy

* = Co-Captain's
^ = Pending fitness, Dale Copley in his place if he isn't up to it
~ = Pending recruitment, Anthony Milford in his place if we get him

 

[Brett]

Hoffman was a gun at left Centre for the Redcliffe Dolphins. He's played well there in first grade, too. His problem is still that he seems a bit allergic to passing the ball. How will he go at right Centre though? He fends with his left hand and carries the ball in his right hand...

 

[Huge]

1 Barba 2 Hoffman 3 Reed 4 Oates 5 Kahu 6 Milford 7 B Hunt 8 Hannant 9 McCullouch 10 Thaiday 11 Glenn 12 Gillett 13 Parker 14 Granville 15 Kennedy 16 McGuire 17 Stagg

Just one change to that for me, no way in the world would I have Thaiday in the front row. ATM he is only just okay as a second rower and knowing he can play the game, a fitter lighter more mobile Thaiday would be pick on the bench. I'd have Kennedy starting with Hannant.

 

[coreyh88]

1. Barba
2. Kahu
3. Reed
4. Hoffman
5. Yow Yeh^
6. Strasser~
7. Hunt
8. Hannant
9. McCullough
10. McGuire
11. Glenn* (c)
12. Gillett
13. Parker* (c)

14. Baptiste
15. Thaiday
16. Oates
17. Kennedy

* = Co-Captain's
^ = Pending fitness, Dale Copley in his place if he isn't up to it
~ = Pending recruitment, Anthony Milford in his place if we get him

keep thaiday as a co captain. Less embarassing. Make sure he knows we want agression unless the other two are off field. Refs react better when parker is talking to them as is. Glenn I doubt has ever said a word on field.

 

[pagey]

Here's the issue though, Splinter. Do we then play Cullen out of position as a back up Hooker to give Macca a breather, ala Ben Hunt, or do we give a more natural Hooker in Granville a go? If Cullen is in the team, do you play him at Halfback and move Hunt.

I'm just saying I'd hate to play him out of position for the next few years just to accommodate him in the team. It's done a real number on Ben Hunt.

Cullen Imo will not play half in nrl but hooker he could really do well at

 

[rhino]

Thaiday to the bench.

 

[gordjw]

1 Barba 2 Hoffman 3 Reed 4 YY 5 Oates 6 Milford 7 Hunt 8 Hannant 9 McCullouch 10 Kennedy 11 Glenn 12

Thaiday

Confident, rhino! We're not going to need a full 13, or a bench? I like it :001_tt2:

 

[Rowan Edwards]

1. Barba
2. Hoffman
3. Reed
4. Kahu
5. Oates
6. Milford
7. Hunt
8. Hannant
9. McCullough
10. McGuire
11. Thaiday
12. Gillet
13. Parker

14. Granville
15. Glenn
16. Kennedy
17. Hala

The rest: Stagg, Dodds, Tasi, Copely, Slyny, Wallace

Hard for me to put Glenn on the bench but there's no chance Thaiday as captain will be put there. Hopefully Glenn takes the Te'o role and attacks the edges after 30 minutes.

I'm a little worried about our halves pairing for next year. We seem to be pretty reliant on getting the Milford signature otherwise we could see someone like Kahu fill in there.

Does anyone know if we've resigned Copely and Tasi for next year? I think Copely has a lot to offer at centre and Tasi would be a handy depth signing.

 

[rnabokov]

If we don't get Milford, we should start getting some young guns game time in the halves. The deep end is where you learn to swim best. If no Milford, then who plays in the halves with Hunt?

Strasser, Taylor, Cullen - all are options. Better them than , err, ah, who? Another back rower or hooker out of position?

Wait ... how about .... Hodges at 5/8? Will that protect his hammies and achilles? He's also pretty good defensively.

I'll keep singing my song of giving Oates another season on the wing. Confidence building + skills + POINTS. Gotta remember that run where Uate had some difficulty catching him.

Oates should be a top option to take Hodges place in forward planning for Hodgo's retirement.

Barba
Hoffman
Reed
Hodges or JYY or Copley
Oates
Milford or Hodges (maybe Strasser or Taylor)
Hunt
Hannant
Macca
Parker (he needs to be in the prop rotation. We have enough back rowers, and Parker is a 70-80 minute prop for mine.
and he also plays in and up the middle. IMO we need mobile, wide running back rowers as a priority.)
Gillett
Glenn
Thaiday (10kgs lighter)

Kennedy
McGuire
Tasi or Hala depending on form (and whether we have signed Tasi).
Cullen