I think Gamble needs to be in the team if not for his ball playing skills, then at least he knows how to rile up and “piss off” opposition players.
As much as I had Ennis when he was at the Dogs, he gave brutal smackdowns mocking and belittling opponents that most otherwise great players would have a brain snap and play with “wrong” aggression. Psychological warfare is just as important in my books and he all know that Radley is te Roosters loose cannon.
Ennis was also a quality hooker with a lot of smarts. He managed to play that way because he knew what was needed, when.
Hodges was the same. I dont know if gamble is there yet but its not like the other contenders for his role have shined.
He wasnt that impressive in his last trial and i would want see him shine in q cup before pushing him straight in.
So unless hes looking a million bucks at training i would go with walters at 5/8 and maybe give him a shot off the bench, pushing walters to dummy half.
If paix was plaing good in q cup id be considering him but didnt sound like it.
I wouldnt be surprised to see lee in the centres this week. What else can a coach do if you push your player to get more involved and they dont?
The other option is to push staggs to the utilty role and he comes on for turpin at some stage, pushing walters to dummy half, but i dont like it personally. It would mean he would a limited time to show something or be dragged.
He looks either lacking in confidence or just not fit, and either way a spell in q cup is needed for it.