Let's have a look at these questions on the spine position by position
What was assumed from last year
FB
We had the best defensive FB in the comp bar none and the argument was that defence alone was not the key to us going better as a team and that we needed much more attacking prowess. Examples of the attacking style of Hayne and Tedesco were used to show why Duges was not the answer. Dufty had shown plenty in lower grades and was trialled late in NRL and was explosive in attack but had a lot to learn in defence (which was deemed a secondary requirement in the arguments against Dugan))
5/8
Most believed we have a very good one but he has been dicked around with far too many low quality no 7's for us to know how good he really is. Despite Mc Crone last year Widdop had a very much better year, was the 5/8 of the year and high up in the Dally M's despite being out due to injury. Many believed that Hunt would be invaluable to let Widdop play his natural game with far less pressure on him.
No 7
Been the achilles heel for 40 years and we believe we have purchased a specialist that was deemed as the person who will ignite our attack and provide the essential missing piece of the puzzle with Widdop.
Hooker
Cameron Mc Inness essentially a good upgrade on Rein but needs to improve in the attack side of his game and maybe is not really an eighty minute payer which they tried to make him. Coach has lots to answer in respect of that and we wondered if Mc Innes was under instructions just to tackle and pass.
Now
FB
Because of injury England move Widdop to FB who goes well against 2nd rate teams and all of a sudden people want him there for us for the season which automatically disrupts 2 other positions. Talk of Dufty starts turning negative because of defence which was the very thing many people ignored re Dugan's value.
5/8
We have all waited patiently for Widdop to get a specialist partner and as soon as we get one some people want to move Widdop to FB on the basis of a few games in the Mickey Mouse World Cup. Suggestions are to bring in a rookie 5/8 who has just had to put on 13 kgs to get anywhere near the physical size to play NRL week in week out and that same person also gets mentioned as a possible FB
No 7
We finally get someone after 40 years and some want him to play hooker because that where he finished at the Bronco's due to massive injury issues up there. He was supposed to come to assist Widdop who people now want to move to FB. So Hunt would have to arrive at a new club and work with a new 5/8 who has not played that position in 1st grade due to the present 3 year incumbent who happened to be 5/8 of the year.
Hooker
Some don't see Mc Innes as an upgrade on Rein and in fact some want to move Hunt to pay hooker (smooch for needing a half).
In the meantime the great recruitment man allows Havilli to move on who incidentally was the logical answer to helping Mc Innes elevate his game to the next level by not getting tanked playing 80 minutes.
None of this is rocket science and doesn't need to get too complicated.
Hunt plays 7 as that is what we needed above all other things.
Widdop plays 6 because we have been waiting patiently to see the best of him when we get a good half.
Mc Innes plays 9 and the coach changes the game plan re letting him have far more freedom in attack.
Dufty plays 1 and feeds off the upgraded forward pack and the specialist half.
Any changes to the above has consequences in several positions and has people playing in non preferred positions.
What does need to be worked on is 2-5, the bench and the rotation process of the bench.
At this time IMO the above is the strongest and most reliable spine we have and should be left alone and the questions that need to be asked are
Mann which position does he start in as part of the run on team?
Lafai & Aitken is that the best possible centre pairing?
Mc Donald & Nightingale are they really the best options for our wing spots?
Bench is it 4 forwards or do we carry a utility?
Talented Youth if not selected early in the season what is the actual pathway?
One of your best OT.
It also amazes me that people jump at anything suggested or done by another coach. The issue us clear that Widdop was moved to f/b because of necessity not some great plan and yeah hes gas a couple of good games there against meagre opposition. Interestingly it was Widdop who missed Havili when he scored last weekend.
Therefore, using the "other coach" theory we should have:
Widdop at f/b, Lafai on a wing, McD as a centre, Hunt as hooker, LAM at lock.
Friz to the bench and we should promote young Lovodua straight onto the bench as the utility.
Some people cant see the madness in this at that amazes me. Like who then plays in the halves? Where does JDB play? What is the make-up of the bench?
We have bought a top class 7 and we have an international 6 for the first time i a very long time we have "generals" to lead the team around. We have great competition for the f/b spot as even McGregor stated with Dufty, Field, Mann and even young Lomax in the mix. We have world class props in Vaughan and Graham and even LAM. Friz is an elite player of the highest standard.
Why mess with this formula?
Yes there are "options" to move players around (JDB to 7 was a good one) but that should only be considered by necessity not by someone elses grand plan.
