Round 3 - Knights vs Broncos - Build Up Thread

[Ari Gold]

It really confirms just how awesome our pack is when you aren't giving Gillett and McGuire enough time because of Alex Glenn and Sam Thaiday and Petero Civoniceva!

As for Macca/Hunt, both have been very good in patches the past year, but neither has made the spot their own. And for all the spark Hunt offers in attack, our middle defense was still much dodgier when Hunt came on last year. For now they can continue to provide 1 good hooker between the two of them until one of them is able to become an all-round rake.

 

[Porthoz]

It's a tough situation hey. I think we do need to reduce the minutes of Thaiday and Glenn, give more minutes to Gillett. And I really think we need to bring Anderson onto the bench in place of Te'o (as good as he was last night). Between Hannant, McGuire, Petero and Anderson they should manage 160 minutes up front, 40 mins each on average.

That leaves 240 minutes to share between Thaiday, Glenn, Parker and Gillett, gives each a good 60 minutes on average.

Fark no! I'm not gonna do a Big Pete on Anderson, but I'd much rather have Te'o than him on the bench! Hannant and McGuire are perfectly capable of putting 60 mins each in, Civo will do the remaining 40. On the odd occasion, Thaiday or Te'o can chime in the prop rotation if 2 of them need a rest.

Parker playing the 80 is a no brainer, if anything because he's our kicker.
Thaiday should get at least 60, as should Gillett, both in the second row that is. Divide the rest between Te'o and Glenn..

 

[Big Pete]

F**king Sanderson I tell you what...

At least he's better than Slimey.

 

[Coxy]

F**king Sanderson I tell you what...

At least he's better than Slimey.

Don't understand the Anderson hate. He's a solid worker, and he's apparently worked the house down in the offseason. Deserves a crack. I'm not so confident Hannant, McGuire and Civoniceva can do the job on their own.

 

[Big Pete]

Generally he's just a soft forward who tends to make a crucial mistake each game.

He's definitely 18th man...but eh.

 

[Ari Gold]

I'm not a huge Anderson fan, and Thaiday can cover front row too, as evidenced by the fact that he currently starts there. That said, I still think it's a valid option, so long as he becomes that 25min player and not much more. For mine Teo is an inferior version of Gillett, and if there's only a certain number of those minutes to go around, better they go to Gillett and put in Anderson who can at least keep the props fresher.

Once he returns, David Hala is also an option. He is perfectly suited to the go all out for 20mins each game role, which, when you have Hannant, McGuire and Civo, is all you need IMO.

 

[Porthoz]

What can I say? Sometimes I just channel Ning... :finger:

 

[Jeba]

Petero to start. McGuire has been outstanding off the bench the first 2 games.

 

[ningnangnong]

Petero to start. McGuire has been outstanding off the bench the first 2 games.

:handshake:

I'm loving the impact McGuire has been bringing off the bench. Really gives us a boost when he comes on, although I agree he needs to get more minutes.

As for Anderson, I'm in the same camp as Big Pete. Stay away from the side! He's just average IMO. Sure he'll work hard and won't shy away from his duties, but he doesn't really make any impact, and as Pete said, is pretty much guaranteed to make a mistake at a crucial moment.

 

[rnabokov]

I'll keep singing the song. Gillett to get at least 60 mins and break from the scrum as 2nd receiver on either side - regularly.

A lot more of Hoffman up behind the line as well.

And a repertoire of set plays using both.

So far, with a few exceptions, the attack seems to be making it up as it goes along.

 

[Big Pete]

Gillett needs to improve his defence a bit if he wants to play more minutes. I don't know whether it's technique, positions or decision making but his defence can be suspect at times.

I agree with everything else, I also want to see our dummy halfs support our ball carriers more, especially Norman who doesn't look like he can buy a friend out there.

 

[Jeba]

F**king Sanderson I tell you what...

At least he's better than Slimey.

I know this may sound defensive as a Redcliffe fan but why the hate for Slyney?

 

[rnabokov]

Gillett needs to improve his defence a bit if he wants to play more minutes. I don't know whether it's technique, positions or decision making but his defence can be suspect at times.

I agree with everything else, I also want to see our dummy halfs support our ball carriers more, especially Norman who doesn't look like he can buy a friend out there.

I must have missed Gillett's defensive lapses. For mine he was excellent last year, and in Rd 1, and, last night, there were a few regular 80 minute players who made some really fundamental blunders that I haven't seen Gillett make. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Last night, for whatever reason, the defence just lost it at key moments. Hopefully, just a one-off, like the Cowboys the week before.

On re-reading the live game posts, someone compared Hoffman to Slater when it comes to safely catching the hard kicks, and I agree of course. However, Hoffman isn't within cooee of Slater when it comes to creativity in attack. I have yet to see Hoffman doing anything consistently up front to be compared to Slater, and on last night's effort, Bowen. It isn't that Hoffman can't, it's that he won't, and maybe Hook needs to look at that.

As for Norman, I reckon he's on a steep learning curve, and I'm optimistic he'll keep improving with every game.

 

[Broncoman]

The defense must improve considering the strike power Newcastle have in the backs.

 

[Big Pete]

I know this may sound defensive as a Redcliffe fan but why the hate for Slyney?

You're well within your right, just making a tongue in cheek dig at his name and first round performance. He's solid enough.

He misses a lot of front on tackles rnabokov and I'm not sure what it is because when he does actually hit them, they stay hit.

I can see where you're coming from though re: 60 minutes. You love your attacking Rugby League and Gillett is a player that can make something happen.

Looks like Parker and Te'o will miss Friday's game so you may get your wish.

 

[Foordy]

Parker in particular will be a big loss if he is out... assuming he is out i would definately start Civo and Gillett will Thaiday moving back to the back row. possibly Anderson coming onto the bench with one other

 

[Big Pete]

Kidley's injured.

I think their back up halves Stigg & Roberts are also on the injured list.

Might even up the losses of Parker and Te'o.

 

[m1c]

Macca has certainly been disappointing with the ball in hand however his defence can never be questioned. Hunt isn't even on the same planet as him when it comes to this factor. I'd really love to see Baptise given a go, I saw he was off the bench for Norths - does anyone know how he went?

Gillett is such a gun edge defender however I agree that he does struggle at times in the middle. This is all part of his education though - it is not easy to defend in the middle third. Give him time.