The spine is impotent.

[Frenzy.]

Last year we had Brailey, Chad, BBQ and Felix for the majority. The team lost attacking potency and dropped in the standings

This year same spine with a 1 for 1 change, TPP for BBQ.

TPP is a work in progress. He’ll take weeks to realise whatever it is he will do.

Chad is the constant. Hes been there the longest and knows what Flanno wants most.

Brailey is going to be good but seriously, if he doesnt step up another couple of rungs and bring something he’s going to be a passenger and become a defensive draft horse. Like Lichaa did at the Dogs.

Then theres Felix. Oh Felix, please leave. Go and hook up with your pal Morgan.

To all the Townsend nay sayers consider this. He had no creativity in front of him for most of the game. He had nothing happening for him from the back. Outside he had a Sharks newbie working out where his cogs sit in the machine and next to nothing else happening around him.

I thought I’d have a big year here with so many favourites to get stuck into. Soggy, TPP, Felix. WOW.

I’m going to change thinking. I think TPP will fit in eventually but only if Soggys is the starting hooker. Soggy looks better for having a full off season and TPP definitely looked more comfortable with the different service Soggy provided. It was only a small thing, Brailey shovels it out, Soggy was clearing the ruck by a step and creating better ball, Smith style to the first receiver. He made the team stand deeper by doing it and the momentum increase followed.

The big problem is clearly fullback. So we are really lucky and 3 international class fullbacks. But the greater balance of the side suffers by using TPP or Duges there. Unless PF grows some agates and puts Ramien in.

TPP to the back unbalances the halves. Hodko is the alternative at the moment but Chad/Hodko doesnt provide much point of difference. So IMO to put Hodko in means leaving Chad out and that doesn’t make sense apart from maybe goalkicking as Chad knows the style better. Would also mean still missing a 6. So FJ becomes a viable option When his thumb heals IMO

Duges to the back creates a hole in the centre. The replacement is there, Noodle. Katoa out means Felix the cat can play outside Ramien. If he has to stay. I would be just as happy to have Ramien on the right wing with Gray at right centre as well.

Brailey and Soggy should swap roles. Brailey can relieve Soggy and plug holes in the middle for 10 before and 10 after halftime because if he stays same, same - same but different he’ s not contributing to the spine and it will malfunction.

Ive changed my pre game first selection where I had Hodko/Chad in the halves with TPP as the caboose. Wouldnt work as Chad and Hodko are too alike.

I would now go

Dugan
Felix the Cat
Ramien
Loots
Feki
TPP
Chad

With Soggy as starting hooker.

I would seriously be considering FJ somewhere when he is fit.

When/if TPP clicks will he be 2 or 3 times better than BBQ? ‘Cause thats the bigger issue. Same spine with only the one 1 on 1 change doesnt make that much difference to last year when it is drilled down.

 

[Ads]

Id go

Moylan
Feki (Katoa when fit)
Loots
Dugan
Val
Chad
Hodko

Hodko to help the kicking game and lock up the left side defensively. Moylan to chime in out the back of Chad and Hodko and back up Fifita. Instantly better structure and flair.

 

[Frenzy.]

Id go

Moylan
Feki (Katoa when fit)
Loots
Dugan
Val
Chad
Hodko

Hodko to help the kicking game and lock up the left side defensively. Moylan to chime in out the back of Chad and Hodko and back up Fifita. Instantly better structure and flair.

Not bad but not convinced Chad/Hodko work. Would have to see it in action.

 

[Eion]

Chad does have a run in him and may go ok at 5/8. Won’t know until we see it, but flan isn’t going to change after 1 round. And although Val was certainly shite in that game, a lot of things went wrong so flange is likely to just run the same thing out next week to see if it was an aberration or the new norm.

 

[Mr Angry]

Brailey and Soggy should swap roles.

Do they also get to swap coaching instructions?

Seems pretty clear to me Brailey is following instructions, tackle your arse off and shovel to Fifta, Prior and Gallen, then a half when they call it. I saw many of his games in under 20's, he would run the ball, kick from dummy half. This has clearly been coached out of him, thus far.

You used Lichaa as an example and I would agree, Des killed his running game, then as soon as Des left, he looked a good player again.

Seems pretty clear to me Segeyaro is following instruction too, run, run, run at the tired forwards.
I would also play Brailey for 80 minutes.

I would have Moylan at the back, footballer more than athlete.

Hodkinson half to direct, main kicker and lead, Chad instructed to run, attack and leave direction to Trent.

For me.

1. Moylan
6. Townsend
7. Hodkinson
9. Brailey

 

[Frenzy.]

Do they also get to swap coaching instructions?

Seems pretty clear to me Brailey is following instructions, tackle your arse off and shovel to Fifta, Prior and Gallen, then a half when they call it. I saw many of his games in under 20's, he would run the ball, kick from dummy half. This has clearly been coached out of him, thus far.

You used Lichaa as an example and I would agree, Des killed his running game, then as soon as Des left, he looked a good player again.

Seems pretty clear to me Segeyaro is following instruction too, run, run, run at the tired forwards.
I would also play Brailey for 80 minutes.

I would have Moylan at the back, footballer more than athlete.

Hodkinson half to direct, main kicker and lead, Chad instructed to run, attack and leave direction to Trent.

For me.

1. Moylan
6. Townsend
7. Hodkinson
9. Brailey

Not convinced. 3 plodders in the spine. You need at least 2 ball or creative players.

 

[Frenzy.]

Chad does have a run in him and may go ok at 5/8. Won’t know until we see it, but flan isn’t going to change after 1 round. And although Val was certainly shite in that game, a lot of things went wrong so flange is likely to just run the same thing out next week to see if it was an aberration or the new norm.

What went wrong that made Val shite? There were no game circumstance that made him shite. He’s just shite.

 

[Mr Angry]

Not convinced either.

Am convinced Holmes is no fullback, but a good winger. Need to try something else.

Dugan, Lee anything.

 

[Eion]

What went wrong that made Val shite? There were no game circumstance that made him shite. He’s just shite.

Agree. He was shit. Really depends on what flanno has seen in the off season though. If Val’s performance confirmed his fears, its hooking time. If Val showed promise in addressing his issues in the off season then I guess he’ll persevere for a while.

I’m getting worried Val may be a flat track bully too. He was ordinary in our last loss in the finals last year too. Just too many errors / judgement calls. I don’t think he reacts well to pressure in the number 1

 

[fizman]

I love Chad, I have some of his hair in my 2016 Sharks scrapbook, but for me he is the weak link to the teams success.

The two main issues are decision making under pressure and kicking options. Why attempt to put in a grubber with so many bodies around?

The Halfback needs to have a strong running/passing/kicking game as well as having the ability to play what's in front.

I will not be surprised to see Flanno Junior or Hokko as the starting 7 by seasons end.

 

[shaggs]

We are playing a flat style of attack.
Why? That won’t work. This new play the ball penalties allows the defence to get a jump on the ball players.

If we have slow shovelling out of dummy half it wouldn’t matter if we had Thurston and Cronk in the halves.

Our attack is predictable. It was all last year and looks to be same same this year

 

[Defer to the coifed]

I agree. its very important.

 

[Vin Fizz]

Our attack is predictable. It was all last year and looks to be same same this year

I hear what you're saying Shaggs but the thing about that is Melbourne are predictable as well. You know what you're going to get with them. But, their execution is so good and on field decision making so sound that they get the ball to where they want to on the field and unleash their speed in the attacking zone. I wonder weather Flange is trying to be too smart with the game plan? If so blokes become uncertain as to whether they should play what's in front of them or just roll out the plan. That was the big thing I took out of last night. We seemed so uncertain and disjointed which leads to errors and frustration. It's a slippery slide from that point.

 

[Card Shark]

Our attack is predictable. It was all last year and looks to be same same this year

Except 2016, this is the same since Johnny Lang coached.

Barba created so much for himself & others.

 

[Snoop Shark]

I’m struggling to come to terms with what happened last night.

Something makes me think that Greenberg actually picked our starting lineup to give JT the fairytale win.

Ok seriously, everyone can see Val is the 4th best fullback at the club. Why does he get first crack? He is a world class winger and needs to be moved there ASAP.

Frenz I definitely get your point about Duges at fullback with Ramien coming straight in. I was more leaning towards Moylan at the back with Hodko coming in.
Then I thought about it and you’re right. I was leaning towards Moylan due to his ball playing. The thought of duges running a Moylan line is tantalising. There is no need to shift Moylan to fullback as this can still be achieved with Moylan at 5/8 and Duges at fullback.

Wake up Flanno and see the light mate. If Val doesn’t like it then show him the door. I could see his legs shaking under very high ball last night.

 

[Frenzy.]

We are playing a flat style of attack.
Why? That won’t work. This new play the ball penalties allows the defence to get a jump on the ball players.

If we have slow shovelling out of dummy half it wouldn’t matter if we had Thurston and Cronk in the halves.

Our attack is predictable. It was all last year and looks to be same same this year

That’s why old mate Soggy looked better at DH. He took that little Cam Smith step away from the ruck, has everyone deeper and it created space.

Brailey planted his feet wide and had to shovel it. He needs to change it up if he’s first choice hooker. He could try having a run as well.

 

[Stake Removed]

You could even have Duges defend at 5/8, and Moylan at f/b, then switch them in attack

 

[shaggs]

You could even have Duges defend at 5/8, and Moylan at f/b, then switch them in attack

Why would you do that? The defence was fine. Moylan did a heaps better job/effort than Maloney

 

[txta2]

Chad at 6 would be a disaster. But TH at 7 is the answer
All Chad has to do is organise the forwards and get them up the field and put in the odd kick, don't worry about the backs or off the cuff plays.
It's all about building pressure which is the teams main plan. Chad is not providing that.

 

[snout]

I saw Val play fullback in under 20s. Slashing.
The step up to NRL in the same spot is a step too far for the bloke.
Thats ok. Its not for everyone. If it was we would all be doing it.
But someone - that would be you Shane - has to put the poor bastard out of his misery.
Media commentators, sharks fans and opposition fans can all see he doesnt have it.
Positionally he has no idea.
Instinctivally he has no idea.
He does for wing play. In spades.
End the experiment and lets get on with it.

I didnt see Chad play before he hit first grade. But like the other bloke apparently he was star as well.
But l believe Chad has peaked.
3 things please Mr Halfback:
Create pressure for periods of the game longer than 5 tackles. That is managing a game. That puts us in control.
Secondly, take the ball and go where our strengths are. Its your job to put it there. Again and again.
Lastly, penetrate. Devise some way - kick pass or do it yourself to get us behind their defence.

Can CT do these things effectively for 26 rounds.
Because if he cant we wont make a dent.
Thurston can.
Cronk and that bloke from the Eels can. The bloke who doesnt get on with brad arthur.
Anybody have his number?