The fourth bench spot......

[giboz71]

Damien Cook is going to be the comparison then it doesn't matter because Robson is not going to be any good for about 4-5 years anyway.

We should be wary of what happened at the Bulldogs when they flicked Ennis in favour of Lichaa which was a mistake (also lost the opportunity to have Cook).

The Lichaa example is a valid one as they decided to get rid of Ennis for Lichaa without any real evidence. He was signed to a long term deal by the Bulldogs after 1 FG game for the Sharks, and that's when Ennis decided to move on.

Let's have the evidence on the table before we make a call. A full season playing off the interchange bench spelling Cam should give us the information we need.

 

[BLM01]

He won’t be picked up to be a first stringer for 2020. What team would?

I wouldnt he has done nothing at 1st grade yet.
but the media reckon some would. Even some on here reckon Mal wants to pinch him to play 9 for the Titans.
But then again Dogs took a punt on an untried Lichaa.

 

[possm]

The Lichaa example is a valid one as they decided to get rid of Ennis for Lichaa without any real evidence. He was signed to a long term deal by the Bulldogs after 1 FG game for the Sharks, and that's when Ennis decided to move on.

Let's have the evidence on the table before we make a call. A full season playing off the interchange bench spelling Cam should give us the information we need.

I don't think many on here would disagree with what you say on this however, we need to put the horse before the cart and sign this young gun long term now. I'm sure being selected on the bench to spell McInnes would not worry him at all.

 

[BennyV]

I wouldnt he has done nothing at 1st grade yet.
but the media reckon some would. Even some on here reckon Mal wants to pinch him to play 9 for the Titans.
But then again Dogs took a punt on an untried Lichaa.

If we do the right thing by him - give him plenty of opportunity to play first grade off the bench, plenty of minutes, develop his game and show him he is a part of the clubs future, we will have no problem retaining him.

 

[denis preston]

I don't think many on here would disagree with what you say on this however, we need to put the horse before the cart and sign this young gun long term now. I'm sure being selected on the bench to spell McInnes would not worry him at all.

Pos, it's alright to say we should resign him quickly but what if his manager has taken all negotiations off the table until mid year after some ( hopefully for Robson ) great form as a interchange player ? A case of him backing himself for higher money.

 

[DragonJ]

14. Sims 15. Leilua 16. Lawrie/Host/Latamore 17. Robson

I know if it were Host that would in theory leave us short a prop but maybe he has bulked up enough and added aggression to be able to play in the middle or Friz is capable of playing in the middle and Graham and Vaughan are both capable of playing longer minutes if required.

I think I rate Host higher than most other forum contributors.

 

[RufusRex]

14. Sims 15. Leilua 16. Lawrie/Host/Latamore 17. Robson

I know if it were Host that would in theory leave us short a prop but maybe he has bulked up enough and added aggression to be able to play in the middle or Friz is capable of playing in the middle and Graham and Vaughan are both capable of playing longer minutes if required.

I think I rate Host higher than most other forum contributors.

You dont need to carry 2 edge forwards on the bench .. Sims/Friz can play 80 ...
Host/Leilua compete for the same spot and Latimore/Lawrie the same

If JDB out then Friz to the middle and both Host/Leilua play.

 

[slippery5]

14. Sims 15. Leilua 16. Lawrie/Host/Latamore 17. Robson

I know if it were Host that would in theory leave us short a prop but maybe he has bulked up enough and added aggression to be able to play in the middle or Friz is capable of playing in the middle and Graham and Vaughan are both capable of playing longer minutes if required.

I think I rate Host higher than most other forum contributors.

I rate Host higher than Latimore if that means anything !!!!!!!

 

[redVinme]

Read on NRL.com today that the bullgrubs are preparing to chase a hooker with three players on their wish list
Brailey jnr
Robson
Liddle.

So more crucial than ever Robson is exposed to 1st grade because multiple clubs are taking notice

 

[DragonJ]

You dont need to carry 2 edge forwards on the bench .. Sims/Friz can play 80 ...
Host/Leilua compete for the same spot and Latimore/Lawrie the same

If JDB out then Friz to the middle and both Host/Leilua play.

Well if you want to go strictly by the book, as Leilua is an edge backrower while Sims and Frizz both play 80min, there shouldn't be a place for him on the bench either.

A good coach would find a way to fit the 9 or 10 best forwards at the club on the bench and in my view, Host and Leilua are among the 9 or 10 best.

As a matter of fact, in no particular order: 1. Robson 2. McInnes 3. JDB 4. T.Sims 5. Frizz 6. Vaughan 7. Graham 8. K. Sims 9. Leilua 10. Host

If Lomax is going to be a centre, I'd be interested in seeing how Aitken goes as an interhcange forward but for the time being, as above.

 

[RufusRex]

Well if you want to go strictly by the book, as Leilua is an edge backrower while Sims and Frizz both play 80min, there shouldn't be a place for him on the bench either.

A good coach would find a way to fit the 9 or 10 best forwards at the club on the bench and in my view, Host and Leilua are among the 9 or 10 best.

As a matter of fact, in no particular order: 1. Robson 2. McInnes 3. JDB 4. T.Sims 5. Frizz 6. Vaughan 7. Graham 8. K. Sims 9. Leilua 10. Host

If Lomax is going to be a centre, I'd be interested in seeing how Aitken goes as an interhcange forward but for the time being, as above.

Your use of a bench edge is tactical/emergency rather than based on fatigue levels. The props need rotation due to workload and so using 4 of the 8 interchanges to play your 4 props for 40 mins each is a stable point.

I would be using 2 to 3 interchanges on a lock/hooker type (Robson) to give a break to your 9 and 13 ... Mary did this a little with the 15 min breather for Jack (using Mann) but i think it can go further.

That leaves 1 or 2 interchanges left and an edge on the bench. That is emergency/tactical.


To me Leilua fits that bill more than Host. Hosty seems more your typical 80 min hole running edge ... Leilua is not that player.

I think you are spot on with your top 9 - I think Lawrie edges host esp on the last few rounds from 2018 but if you add Lawrie then that top 11 is right.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Does anyone else agree with me that Lawrie (and most likely Robson) will struggle to gain any meaningful first grade minutes this year?

After rewatching the semi versus Brisbane, the kid has obvious potential, but whether he can develop that consistently on a weekly basis is an entirely different scenario. And as mentioned ad infinitum, McGregor is incapable of nurturing younger players trying to make their name in the NRL.

In my opinion, both MUST be in the 17.

 

[RufusRex]

I think that Lawrie is a lay down misere for Rounds 1-3 and will get 30-40 mins in each game
He has to outplay Latimore in those three games and if he does i think he will jump him in the pecking order.

 

[possm]

Well if you want to go strictly by the book, as Leilua is an edge backrower while Sims and Frizz both play 80min, there shouldn't be a place for him on the bench either.

A good coach would find a way to fit the 9 or 10 best forwards at the club on the bench and in my view, Host and Leilua are among the 9 or 10 best.

As a matter of fact, in no particular order: 1. Robson 2. McInnes 3. JDB 4. T.Sims 5. Frizz 6. Vaughan 7. Graham 8. K. Sims 9. Leilua 10. Host

If Lomax is going to be a centre, I'd be interested in seeing how Aitken goes as an interhcange forward but for the time being, as above.

Sorry, I rate Lawrie above Host. Robson's contract is up at the end of 2019, so given that Widdop is leaving and most probably Latimore and Allgood are leaving, I'd be inclined to give Robson a contract upgrade from 2020 - 2022 well before the other clubs see how good he really is. Delaying the upgrade will only cost the Dragons in the end.

 

[DragonJ]

Sorry, I rate Lawrie above Host. Robson's contract is up at the end of 2019, so given that Widdop is leaving and most probably Latimore and Allgood are leaving, I'd be inclined to give Robson a contract upgrade from 2020 - 2022 well before the other clubs see how good he really is. Delaying the upgrade will only cost the Dragons in the end.

Maybe Lawrie at this point is slightly above Host but I believe Host has far more upside. Bigger, faster, just as skillful. Maybe given he is behind Friz, Sims, and Leilua he has to change his game a little and become more like JDB. Whose to say he can't?

 

[Carlton]

I think that Lawrie is a lay down misere for Rounds 1-3 and will get 30-40 mins in each game
He has to outplay Latimore in those three games and if he does i think he will jump him in the pecking order.

I think there could be a smoky in the front row choices, Lachlan Timm.

 

[DragonJ]

Does anyone else agree with me that Lawrie (and most likely Robson) will struggle to gain any meaningful first grade minutes this year?

After rewatching the semi versus Brisbane, the kid has obvious potential, but whether he can develop that consistently on a weekly basis is an entirely different scenario. And as mentioned ad infinitum, McGregor is incapable of nurturing younger players trying to make their name in the NRL.

In my opinion, both MUST be in the 17.

I didn't like the way Sims stopped him dead, picked him up and put him on his head. That shouldn't happen to front rowers.

 

[BennyV]

Maybe Lawrie at this point is slightly above Host but I believe Host has far more upside. Bigger, faster, just as skillful. Maybe given he is behind Friz, Sims, and Leilua he has to change his game a little and become more like JDB. Whose to say he can't?

Comparing Lawrie and Host is futile. Very different styles and very different roles for 2 separate long term prospects.

Lawrie should be the 4th prop in our rotation.
Leilua should be a permanent fixture on the bench for impact either on the edges or in the middle.
Robson also on the bench to rewind the hooker and lock.
Host should be moved into the starting line if there is an opening on the edge.

 

[RufusRex]

Comparing Lawrie and Host is futile. Very different styles and very different roles for 2 separate long term prospects.

Lawrie should be the 4th prop in our rotation.
Leilua should be a permanent fixture on the bench for impact either on the edges or in the middle.
Robson also on the bench to rewind the hooker and lock.
Host should be moved into the starting line if there is an opening on the edge.

Yep .. and that edge opening could also be the result of an opening at 13.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

I rate Host higher than Latimore if that means anything !!!!!!!

Except one's a prop and one's a back rower