How Our Centres Rate In Defence

[possm]

Full table in order of fewest try causes per game to most try causes:
1 Will Chambers Storm 20 2 0.10
2 Curtis Scott Storm 10 2 0.20
3 Mitch Aubusson Roosters 10 2 0.20
4 Kurt Mann Dragons 7 2 0.29
5 Kane Linnett Cowboys 23 9 0.39
6 Ryan Matterson Roosters 5 2 0.40
7 Justin O'Neill Cowboys 17 7 0.41
8 Brad Takairangi Eels 18 8 0.44
9 Esan Marsters Wests Tigers 11 5 0.45
10 Josh Morris Bulldogs 24 12 0.50
11 Jack Bird Sharks 16 8 0.50
12 Tim Lafai Dragons 24 13 0.54
13 Michael Jennings Eels 21 12 0.57
14 Ricky Leutele Sharks 24 14 0.58
15 Waqa Blake Panthers 20 12 0.60
16 Dylan Walker Sea Eagles 24 15 0.63
17 Jarrod Croker Raiders 22 14 0.64
18 Tautau Moga Broncos 24 16 0.67
19 Kurt Capewell Sharks 9 6 0.67
20 Chase Stanley Bulldogs 6 4 0.67
21 Hymel Hunt Rabbitohs 10 7 0.70
22 Brenko Lee Bulldogs 18 13 0.72
23 Joseph Manu Roosters 15 11 0.73
24 Peter Mata'utia Knights 23 17 0.74
25 Kirisome Auva'a Eels 8 6 0.75
26 Blake Ayshford Warriors 17 13 0.76
27 Cheyse Blair Storm 13 10 0.77
28 James Roberts Broncos 23 18 0.78
29 Tyrone Peachey Panthers 15 12 0.80
30 Roberts Jennings Rabbitohs 11 9 0.82
31 David Fusitua Warriors 12 10 0.83
32 Joey Leilua Raiders 24 21 0.88
33 Konrad Hurrell Titans 16 14 0.88
34 Bryson Goodwin Rabbitohs 8 7 0.88
35 Javid Bowen Cowboys 8 7 0.88
36 Solomone Kata Warriors 19 17 0.89
37 Brian Kelly Sea Eagles 22 20 0.91
38 Euan Aitken Dragons 12 11 0.92
39 Dane Gagai Knights 16 15 0.94
40 Latrell Mitchell Roosters 14 14 1.00
41 Kevin Naiqama Wests Tigers 13 13 1.00
42 Dean Whare Panthers 10 10 1.00
43 Tyrell Fuimaono Rabbitohs 7 7 1.00
44 Siosifa Talakai Rabbitohs 7 7 1.00
45 Joe Wardle Knights 6 6 1.00
46 Aaron Gray Rabbitohs 5 5 1.00
47 Young Tonumaipea Storm 5 5 1.00
48 Jarryd Hayne Titans 5 5 1.00
49 Michael Chee-Kam Wests Tigers 9 11 1.22
50 Moses Suli Wests Tigers 9 12 1.33
51 Dale Copley Titans 16 25 1.56

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/01/19/the-best-and-worst-defensive-centres-in-the-nrl/

We all are very much aware of Mann's attacking skills, now we have the NRL list of the best defensive centres in which Mann is 4th best, Lafai is 12th best and Aitken is 38th best. Please take note Mary!

So given that most on here believe Mary will select a defensive backline rather than an attacking backline ful of speedy youngsters, it goes without saying that our centre combination for round 1 should be Mann and Lafai.

 

[getsmarty]

Firstly thanks for posting Possm. This has already been posted yesterday under the Mann thread.
http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/threads/mann.463283/page-17
Can the Mods please merge this with the other thread so that we don't have multiple threads on the same topic...Thanks in advance.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Full table in order of fewest try causes per game to most try causes:
1 Will Chambers Storm 20 2 0.10
2 Curtis Scott Storm 10 2 0.20
3 Mitch Aubusson Roosters 10 2 0.20
4 Kurt Mann Dragons 7 2 0.29
5 Kane Linnett Cowboys 23 9 0.39
6 Ryan Matterson Roosters 5 2 0.40
7 Justin O'Neill Cowboys 17 7 0.41
8 Brad Takairangi Eels 18 8 0.44
9 Esan Marsters Wests Tigers 11 5 0.45
10 Josh Morris Bulldogs 24 12 0.50
11 Jack Bird Sharks 16 8 0.50
12 Tim Lafai Dragons 24 13 0.54
13 Michael Jennings Eels 21 12 0.57
14 Ricky Leutele Sharks 24 14 0.58
15 Waqa Blake Panthers 20 12 0.60
16 Dylan Walker Sea Eagles 24 15 0.63
17 Jarrod Croker Raiders 22 14 0.64
18 Tautau Moga Broncos 24 16 0.67
19 Kurt Capewell Sharks 9 6 0.67
20 Chase Stanley Bulldogs 6 4 0.67
21 Hymel Hunt Rabbitohs 10 7 0.70
22 Brenko Lee Bulldogs 18 13 0.72
23 Joseph Manu Roosters 15 11 0.73
24 Peter Mata'utia Knights 23 17 0.74
25 Kirisome Auva'a Eels 8 6 0.75
26 Blake Ayshford Warriors 17 13 0.76
27 Cheyse Blair Storm 13 10 0.77
28 James Roberts Broncos 23 18 0.78
29 Tyrone Peachey Panthers 15 12 0.80
30 Roberts Jennings Rabbitohs 11 9 0.82
31 David Fusitua Warriors 12 10 0.83
32 Joey Leilua Raiders 24 21 0.88
33 Konrad Hurrell Titans 16 14 0.88
34 Bryson Goodwin Rabbitohs 8 7 0.88
35 Javid Bowen Cowboys 8 7 0.88
36 Solomone Kata Warriors 19 17 0.89
37 Brian Kelly Sea Eagles 22 20 0.91
38 Euan Aitken Dragons 12 11 0.92
39 Dane Gagai Knights 16 15 0.94
40 Latrell Mitchell Roosters 14 14 1.00
41 Kevin Naiqama Wests Tigers 13 13 1.00
42 Dean Whare Panthers 10 10 1.00
43 Tyrell Fuimaono Rabbitohs 7 7 1.00
44 Siosifa Talakai Rabbitohs 7 7 1.00
45 Joe Wardle Knights 6 6 1.00
46 Aaron Gray Rabbitohs 5 5 1.00
47 Young Tonumaipea Storm 5 5 1.00
48 Jarryd Hayne Titans 5 5 1.00
49 Michael Chee-Kam Wests Tigers 9 11 1.22
50 Moses Suli Wests Tigers 9 12 1.33
51 Dale Copley Titans 16 25 1.56

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/01/19/the-best-and-worst-defensive-centres-in-the-nrl/

We all are very much aware of Mann's attacking skills, now we have the NRL list of the best defensive centres in which Mann is 4th best, Lafai is 12th best and Aitken is 38th best. Please take note Mary!

So given that most on here believe Mary will select a defensive backline rather than an attacking backline ful of speedy youngsters, it goes without saying that our centre combination for round 1 should be Mann and Lafai.

The problem is the way McGregor selects the Team.
He has favourites like Aitkin who gets picked automatically when he's available.
Dugan was another statistical apparition who was untouchable.
Mann has earned a starting position.
Whether that be at centre or wing - doesn't matter.
If he was selected as the first choice centre then let the other candidates displace him on form.
What fairer way to build your team's calibre and create intensity in the ranks?
We lack that integrity at the selection table and that is one reason we are not consistent on the field.
It also goes part of the way towards explaining our fades.
Players are too sure of their positions.
Graham geeing up the rest of the troops behind the goal line when we concede is not going to change that dynamic.
If McGregor continues to select the team conservatively and does not use form as the ONLY criteria, 2017 will be just another wasted year.

 

[Dragons22]

Mann and Lafai are most definitely the best choice for the two centre positions. Yet McGregor would probably pick Aitken. Aitken is a good attacking player but not so much in defence. As we all know most tries are scored on the Aitken’s side, MacDonald is to blame too. Mann most definitely deserves that starting centre role.

 

[getsmarty]

Mann and Lafai are most definitely the best choice for the two centre positions. Yet McGregor would probably pick Aitken. Aitken is a good attacking player but not so much in defence. As we all know most tries are scored on the Aitken’s side, MacDonald is to blame too. Mann most definitely deserves that starting centre role.

Mann is a better Attacking player then Aitken..better step and actually can setup his outside players. He is also better in defense...End result being Mann will end up on the bench and get 7 mins every 3 weeks.

 

[2010]

Aitken has been consistent all year. Coming off the line to make the big hit and opposition have the overlap.
This should have been coached out of him by now. I would still stick with him and Lafaii. Mann on the wing.
It’s ok to have defensive centers but there need to be a mix of speed in the backs. That was missing last year

 

[RufusRex]

Aitken and Rein .. very similar one trick ponies that don’t develop ... club needs to learn quicker with these types ... panthers did

 

[TruSaint]

Mann is a better Attacking player then Aitken..better step and actually can setup his outside players. He is also better in defense...End result being Mann will end up on the bench and get 7 mins every 3 weeks.

Sadly this is true.

I like Aitken, but he is not our solution in the backline. I have said this before, he seems to be building into a second rower / lock role.

Mann was one a a few backliners we had that actually challenged the line, has skill, can tackle, and even was forced to play in the halves FFS. Give him time either at 1 ( am sorry Dufty ), or in the centres, and dont keep a strike player on the bench playing 7-10 minutes a game.

We bought him as a FB, gave him 2 games, dumped him, then brought him back to play anywhere from 1 through 6. Yet other having been given a free pass in their spots...

Wouldn't be surprised if he gets little game time, he leaves.
I know, If i were him, i would.

 

[Forster Dragon]

McGregor will never learn and will be gone after half a dozen games.

 

[Belta]

Forster Dragon said; "Mary will never learn and will be gone after half a dozen games.

I've given you half a mark for your response.

Correct Mary will never learn. He won't pick on form. He won't drop players who under perform. If we string a few wins together Mary will be praised high and wide from the majority of forum members and the board will extend his contract for the term of his natural life.

But I am sorry to say this but IMO you're wrong in thinking he is accountable. If we collapse in a miserable heap he will be exempt from criticism under a veil of weak excuses. And the cycle will continue as it always does

 

[Crush]

Id like to see Macdonald at centre with Mann outside of him on the wing.
Lafai and Nighty on the other side. Dufty at the back.

 

[RufusRex]

I wouldnt

 

[Mark D]

For me it’s hard to pick the centre combination... Lafai is definitely one the other up for grabs... The one thing I do like a about Mann is that he is a footballer and ferocious competitor ..

 

[TruSaint]

For me it’s hard to pick the centre combination... Lafai is definitely one the other up for grabs... The one thing I do like a about Mann is that he is a footballer and ferocious competitor ..

You have just picked it mate... I agree.

 

[TruSaint]

Id like to see Macdonald at centre with Mann outside of him on the wing.
Lafai and Nighty on the other side. Dufty at the back.

Crush i would like to see Nene earn his spot.

Dont know whether thats in the trials, at training, a combination of both, however for me his position in our backs is up for grabs. I have mentioned that i think he has all the traits to be a very good player, but has yet to cement his spot in my eyes. Fades in and out of games too often and has shown nowhere near the potency he had up North.

Hope he proves me wrong, as we have youngsters waiting for a crack at 1st's.

 

[Drag Queen]

Aitken has been consistent all year. Coming off the line to make the big hit and opposition have the overlap.
This should have been coached out of him by now. I would still stick with him and Lafaii. Mann on the wing.
It’s ok to have defensive centers but there need to be a mix of speed in the backs. That was missing last year

He had a shocker with injuries last year so I'm not sure how you came to this conclusion. I do agree that Mann would shine on the wing though. If Dufty can handle fullback, I would take a punt on Mann in that position too.

 

[SEAT 1A]

Mann has earned a starting position.
Whether that be at centre or wing - doesn't matter.
If he was selected as the first choice centre then let the other candidates displace him on form.
What fairer way to build your team's calibre and create intensity in the ranks?

Mann's performance should have had him first choice on the wing.

You can't keep everyone happy all of the time and with all the assistance a coach has off the field, the coach should be able to identify the weakness and correct it.