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Back selections..who would you leave out ?

Wittenberg

Juniors
Messages
1,140
Dugan, Marshall, Widdop, Nightingale, FFL, Mata'utia, Aitken, Glymin, Mann, Farrell.

THEN there are the DEPTH signings
Quinlan, McCrone

THEN there are the UP AND COMERS
Milne, Thompson(Izaac),Dufty.
THEN there is Hutchison who falls into a category of his own.

I assume there will be the usual anti Farrell attitude, so he can be left out and there will be the usual "they are not ready for firstgrade" about the last players mentioned. It still means we have 10 first graders trying to get their hands on 7 positions. (possibly 1 or 2 extra with interchange).

Added to this we, supposedly, are after either Hiku, Roberts or Lafai. If we get one of these (ok dreaming), this will add even more pressure on the selection of the backs.

Forgetting the possible extra back....who would you select as the run on 7 and who would you leave out. A good problem to have, but some tough selection choices...
 
Last edited:

tumbidragon

First Grade
Messages
6,771
Flo, Bunji, Widdop and TheDuge's are lock in's. If TheDugan move's to 3, then I'm sure Mann will be our FB. 4 and 2 are up for grabs. But as far as I'm concerned Pete has the edge over Euan@ 4.
Now for 2?? Farrell did a job last year, but I'd like to see a winger with finishing ability ala Roberts/Hiku (if) or FFL. With Carr, Dufty and Quinlan pushing those players..

We have good depth as it stands.
 

hardbaby

Coach
Messages
15,880
Mann
Flo
Aitken
Duges
Mata
Marshall
Widdop

Seems straight forward. I do think KFL will be next in. Will be interested to see how Milne performs in the Cutters.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,914
Our mob are very conservative and very loyal so they will most likely start with something very similar to how we set up last year with an allowance made for Mann as he was the so called big signing by the look of it.

So JD, JN, KM, EA, PM, GW, BM with Mc Crone on the bench.

After 6 rounds if it is not working you would have to look at picking Milne and Glymin in the side as well as Hutch on the proviso they show good form in the Cutters.

This is basically the backbone of our future backline (youth, speed, size) so must be played at some point for them to get experience both at 1st grade level and also as a combination.

If they are not going to be the backbone of our future backline then why are they on the books?

In simple terms we will never never know until they have had a fair go and stupidly we will continue to make the "he gives us depth" signing while we lose juniors.

Before all the BM supporters jump on the bandwagon if he plays well he gets retained if not he is expendable for the sake of the future as is JN.

If this is not working after 10 rounds sack MR as some on this forum will somehow come to the conclusion it's all his fault.
 

Wittenberg

Juniors
Messages
1,140
A good response Old Timer. We must give young players with real potential a glimpse of the future and a taste of the top level. I would like to see Hutchison tried on the bench. If he can be encouraged to run more, he has the size to play in the back row and lock, and the skills to play in the halves and centres if needed.
 
V

Vasilevsky

Guest
If Mann does indeed turn out to be a good ball player, I'd move Widdop on (depending on how much of his salary enemy clubs are willing to pay for the remaining time he is contracted to the Dragons.)

I think all of us have seen enough of Mann to know he isn't anything more than 'workman-like' as a ball runner and ditto for Widdop as a ball-player.
 

Jubileeboy

First Grade
Messages
9,259
If Mann does indeed turn out to be a good ball player, I'd move Widdop on (depending on how much of his salary enemy clubs are willing to pay for the remaining time he is contracted to the Dragons.)

I think all of us have seen enough of Mann to know he isn't anything more than 'workman-like' as a ball runner and ditto for Widdop as a ball-player.

Well, I laughed.
 

BennyV

Referee
Messages
22,441
What it will likely be:

1. Mann
2. Mata'utia
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

What I'd prefer
1. Mann
2. Milne
3. Mata'utia
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

Best case scenario
1. Hiku
2. Mata'utia
3. Roberts
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji
 

Puff2010

Juniors
Messages
177
What it will likely be:

1. Mann
2. Mata'utia
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

What I'd prefer
1. Mann
2. Milne
3. Mata'utia
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

Best case scenario
1. Hiku
2. Mata'utia
3. Roberts
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

Best case is certainly mouth watering. Could we dream?
 
V

Vasilevsky

Guest
Well, I laughed.

Why? Was he one of the Dragons best last season? Was he one of, if not the highest paid? If the answers are "no" and "yes", which objectively they are without question, he needs to improve dramatically or GTFO!
 

blacksafake

First Grade
Messages
8,988
If Mann does indeed turn out to be a good ball player, I'd move Widdop on (depending on how much of his salary enemy clubs are willing to pay for the remaining time he is contracted to the Dragons.)

I think all of us have seen enough of Mann to know he isn't anything more than 'workman-like' as a ball runner and ditto for Widdop as a ball-player.

Well theres a shock more Widdop bashing, give it up will ya.
 

redVinme

Juniors
Messages
2,429
Pretty happy with the depth, obviously a stronger centre would help but can't help but think given the space mata could really cause some trouble next year
 
V

Vasilevsky

Guest
Well theres a shock more Widdop bashing, give it up will ya.

The title of the thread is which back to leave out. Am I not allowed to state my opinion???? FFS, someone started a thread called 'Socialism, Communism, Anarchism... the off season thread is here'. Perhaps if I started a thread called 'Fascism and Authoritarianism' you could all post there and I will ban myself.

I know if I were saying Aitken, Matautai (probably on low or very low salaries) or even Nightingale (a club legend who was admittedly down on form last season), Marshall or Dugan (by far the two best backs last season) were to be left out it wouldn't freak out the very vocal minority. Only Widdop isn't allowed to be criticized. This certainly isn't as a result of anything he has done on the field for the Dragons so if it isn't an inferiority complex vis-a-vis Melbourne, you tell me what it is.
 

Simon

Juniors
Messages
595
I'd go with alternating Dugan and Mann between centre and fullback. Dugan at fullback in defence and returning kicks and then to move to the centres in attack. I think Dugan's kick returns are vital to starting our sets and hopefully Mann will provide another ball playing option in attack with Dugan running good lines.

1. Dugan (Centre in attack)
2. Mata'Utia (A little bit worried how he'd cope under a high ball and in defence. I can remember a few games last season where he came charging infield)
3. Aitken (Deserves first crack. Hopefully with another full off season continues to improve)
4. Mann (Fullback in attack)
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Marshall
 

giboz71

First Grade
Messages
8,895
If Mann does indeed turn out to be a good ball player, I'd move Widdop on (depending on how much of his salary enemy clubs are willing to pay for the remaining time he is contracted to the Dragons.)

I think all of us have seen enough of Mann to know he isn't anything more than 'workman-like' as a ball runner and ditto for Widdop as a ball-player.

Your post makes no sense.

Your saying if Mann goes well then we should get rid of Widdop? But it been widely reported Mann will get first crack at FB. So if he goes well and we drop Widdop, who's Benjis halves partner meant to be?
 

giboz71

First Grade
Messages
8,895
My ideal backline:

Mann
Nighty
Dugan
Peter M
Fai Fai Loa or Milne
Widdop
Benji

Aiken misses out but is the next in line due to injury rep season. I just see better results with Peter M at centre and a specialist winger/ finisher.
 
V

Vasilevsky

Guest
Your post makes no sense.

Your saying if Mann goes well then we should get rid of Widdop? But it been widely reported Mann will get first crack at FB. So if he goes well and we drop Widdop, who's Benjis halves partner meant to be?

If Mann has the ball skills a lot of homies say he has, wouldn't he be a good 5/8? I doubt he does. If he did Bellamy would have had him playing 5/8 in front of an aging journeyman.
 

giboz71

First Grade
Messages
8,895
If Mann has the ball skills a lot of homies say he has, wouldn't he be a good 5/8? I doubt he does. If he did Bellamy would have had him playing 5/8 in front of an aging journeyman.

So you're saying that you expect us to improve by keeping the same formation as 2015, where we came 2nd last in attack, and the only change you would make is to replace our international 5/8 and goal kicker with someone who's best position is likely fullback?

Don't think that's going to happen somehow.
 

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