1st 4 weeks of 2020

[Saint_JimmyG]

Answer without notice.

Read the rest of the thread.

FMD you’re getting thicker day by day.

Conversely you’re becoming overtly precious, “precious”.

Where do I send you a brace of Tontine pillows and a year’s supply of Rectinol?

 

[muzby]

Conversely you’re becoming overtly precious, “precious”.

Where do I send you a brace of Tontine pillows and a year’s supply of Rectinol?

No preciousness here, I’m just trying to maintain the integrity of the thread..

Old Timer will have kittens if you take it off topic.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

No preciousness here, I’m just trying to maintain the integrity of the thread..

Old Timer will have kittens if you take it off topic.

And you’ll have a sudden burst of narcissism? That’s so out of character.

 

[muzby]

And you’ll have a sudden burst of narcissism? That’s so out of character.

See, you’re going off topic again.

Focus, and bring it back to the topic.

Who’s your starting 11 for round 1?

Will you put Dufty as goalkeeper or are you slotting Lomax there like the rest of us?

 

[SBD82]

He did; his name is Patrick Kafusi (no longer at the club though).

Sorry @Saint_JimmyG

There’s a whole bunch of subtext to this thread that I couldn’t even begin to explain.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

See, you’re going off topic again.

Focus, and bring it back to the topic.

Who’s your starting 11 for round 1?

Will you put Dufty as goalkeeper or are you slotting Lomax there like the rest of us?

Why don’t you follow your own advice and read the entire thread? Earlier on, I posted what I firmly believe what McGregor will choose as the round one side.

Jethro Tull are calling.

“It’s better to remain silent and appear foolish than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt” - anonymous.

 

[Frank Facer]

Ok the comp is about to kick off and you pick your team out of the squad we have minus JDB as no guarantees he will be available.
Give some logic why you pick the players and what you expect to them to deliver and what you will do if after 4 weeks there are issues that are so apparent they won't go away.
FB:- Dufty he either has it or doesn't and if not he is gone forever replaced by Sailor. Expect Dufty to run off the hips of all the ball players and sniff around broken play and to have steely determination in defence.
Wingers:- Saab and Sailor. Pace and agility and to be persevered with as the other options are shit. Both need to have a roaming commission in attack ala Blacklock. If Sailor goes to FB elevate the fastest tall man in CC.
Centres:- Lomax as IMO it is his natural position and he has loads of skills, Ravalawa as he is lost on the wing but shows some natural ability and worth experimenting with and will be better defensively when not exposed to defending kicks. He has a great pass on him and can be utilised. If Rava doesn't stack up then our latest centre signing with Aitken and Lafai to be never picked again unless a swathe of injuries.
5/8:- Norman who is to play expansive football. If not working swap with Hunt.
Half:- Hunt who is to play instinctive what's in front of you footy. Must learn to use wide running forwards correctly by understanding the lines they run rather than just passing it to them willy nilly expecting a result. If not working swap with Norman and or Clune.
Lock:- Frizz as he is not a natural ball playing or hole running back rower and IMO is our best option to cover off JDB.
2nd Row:- Tariq who is hopefully full fit and injury free but needs to have support runners on his right hip to give greater options than just trying to bust the line. Host who has shown glimpses and is again another who has either got it or see you later. A natural hole runner but Hunt needs to improve the service to the back rowers to ensure they can run the correct lines. IMHO our RHS back row suffer from poor service from the halves. If Host doesn't make it then Ford starts and elevate Lawrie or Blacker and push Korbin to back row rotation.
Props:- Vaughan & Kerr 2 big boppers from the get go. Vaughan to bring the offload to his game and utilise little men supporting him. Kerr yet another who has either got it or be gone forever player. A big body with skills but unaware of the lateral requirements to be a good defender but not a skill that is beyond him. If Kerr doesn't work out then replace with Lawrie or Blacker.
Hooker:- Mc Innes who just needs to have freedom to play a more expansive game and again needs to have support going with him from dummy half.
Bench
K Sims:- part of prop rotation and to be looking for support players and not just run head long into the opposition trying to bust them on his own.
Merrin:- An out and out prop with natural ball playing skills who needs Dufty, Norman, Sailor, Saab looking for opportunities off him.
Ford:- Deserves a crack and needs to be a hole running impact player. Must be persevered with to ensure we find out in a short period of time what he has rather than taking 2 years and still not knowing.
Lawrie & or Blacker:- Both are in the need to know if they have it category so maybe rotate them in and out. Lawrie for mine is a little bit short of 1st grade and his body shape / size a little concerning as I honestly haven't seen him really bust the opposition. Blacker in the same boat as Ford let's find out now rather than have all that guess work for the next 2 years.
Game Plan:- Is rather simple, play attractive football and support our creative players. No more 1 out running for 4 or 5 tackles utilise the width of the park (the ball moves quicker than the man) and make the opposition defences do all the running. Thats what all the good sides do and it seems to work for them.
Never to be selected unless injuries mount up
Graham as we will not be contenders this year and he will be gone (fingers crossed) next year so use the opportunity to find out about players who have some years ahead of them.
Aitken & Lafai as they have long proven inadequate.
Luke unless Cameron is injured or needs resting. Resist the temptation to make him or Mc Innes the lock at any given point in the game.
Kaufusi who is an injury plagued plodder.

Great post. I like your idea of starting with Rava as one of our centres. I am keen to see Lomax get a crack at fullback as I think he may be the best fullback we have at our club right now. Sailor is too small to play wing in today's game. I think he is a 5/8. I would give Ramsey a run on one wing. I would play Norman 7 and Hunt 6. Kerr is an interesting selection. I would like to see him given a crack this year. I think he could be a good impact prop off the bench. I would probably start with Vaughan and Merrin as our props, but that could leave us thin in defence with Korbin and Kerr on at the same time. I would have Graham as my other middle reserve. I would also start with Ford over Host. I obviously agree with you in regards to Aitken and Lafai. I would be looking at starting the season off with something like
1 Lomax
2 Saab
3 Feagai/SSE
4 Rava
5 Ramsey
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Ford
10 Vaughan
9 McInnes
8 Merrin

14 K Sims
15 Kerr
16 Graham
17 Host

If DeBelin is found not guilty, then he would go straight to lock, with Frizell moving to second row, Ford dropping to the bench and Host dropping out out of the 17. That would then be a very strong pack.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Great post. I like your idea of starting with Rava as one of our centres. I am keen to see Lomax get a crack at fullback as I think he may be the best fullback we have at our club right now. Sailor is too small to play wing in today's game. I think he is a 5/8. I would give Ramsey a run on one wing. I would play Norman 7 and Hunt 6. Kerr is an interesting selection. I would like to see him given a crack this year. I think he could be a good impact prop off the bench. I would probably start with Vaughan and Merrin as our props, but that could leave us thin in defence with Korbin and Kerr on at the same time. I would have Graham as my other middle reserve. I would also start with Ford over Host. I obviously agree with you in regards to Aitken and Lafai. I would be looking at starting the season off with something like
1 Lomax
2 Saab
3 Feagai/SSE
4 Rava
5 Ramsey
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Ford
10 Vaughan
9 McInnes
8 Merrin

14 K Sims
15 Kerr
16 Graham
17 Host

Very interprising team I'm sure Mary will hate it but I like it

 

[avocado]

Ok my team.

Two Fullbacks. Lomax and Norman. No point having a right winger. May as well put that 13th player to some use.
Centres Lafai because he has superb hair and Aitken because he ran around Inglis once.
Left winger that new guy.
Halves Ben Hunt and JDB
F/row Vaughny and a clone of Graham and Kerr. How good would that be?
Hooker Luke. No point signing him if you ain’t going to use him.
Second row one of the three Simses and one of the remaining two.
Lock Dufty. Because he’s ripped apparently.
No room for Friz or Cam. They’re rubbish.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Great post. I like your idea of starting with Rava as one of our centres. I am keen to see Lomax get a crack at fullback as I think he may be the best fullback we have at our club right now. Sailor is too small to play wing in today's game. I think he is a 5/8. I would give Ramsey a run on one wing. I would play Norman 7 and Hunt 6. Kerr is an interesting selection. I would like to see him given a crack this year. I think he could be a good impact prop off the bench. I would probably start with Vaughan and Merrin as our props, but that could leave us thin in defence with Korbin and Kerr on at the same time. I would have Graham as my other middle reserve. I would also start with Ford over Host. I obviously agree with you in regards to Aitken and Lafai. I would be looking at starting the season off with something like
1 Lomax
2 Saab
3 Feagai/SSE
4 Rava
5 Ramsey
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Ford
10 Vaughan
9 McInnes
8 Merrin

14 K Sims
15 Kerr
16 Graham
17 Host

If DeBelin is found not guilty, then he would go straight to lock, with Frizell moving to second row, Ford dropping to the bench and Host dropping out out of the 17. That would then be a very strong pack.

Who the heck are three and five?

 

[muzby]

Who the heck are three and five?

Dragons players.

 

[Crush]

Replace Aitken. Any winger outside Aitken is going to look bad in defence and attack.

You know Aitken will get another contract right? You do realise that?

 

[BLM01]

Great post. I like your idea of starting with Rava as one of our centres. I am keen to see Lomax get a crack at fullback as I think he may be the best fullback we have at our club right now. Sailor is too small to play wing in today's game. I think he is a 5/8. I would give Ramsey a run on one wing. I would play Norman 7 and Hunt 6. Kerr is an interesting selection. I would like to see him given a crack this year. I think he could be a good impact prop off the bench. I would probably start with Vaughan and Merrin as our props, but that could leave us thin in defence with Korbin and Kerr on at the same time. I would have Graham as my other middle reserve. I would also start with Ford over Host. I obviously agree with you in regards to Aitken and Lafai. I would be looking at starting the season off with something like
1 Lomax
2 Saab
3 Feagai/SSE
4 Rava
5 Ramsey
6 Hunt
7 Norman
13 Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Ford
10 Vaughan
9 McInnes
8 Merrin

14 K Sims
15 Kerr
16 Graham
17 Host

If DeBelin is found not guilty, then he would go straight to lock, with Frizell moving to second row, Ford dropping to the bench and Host dropping out out of the 17. That would then be a very strong pack.

So Lomax has never played fullback at high level has to link with a JF fullback who goes straight to NRL wing. A fringe winger we throw in at centre. A reggies or JF centre throw them in as the other centre without looking at them and Saab who is right choice but won't make Round 1.
Thx Mary for allowing our back 5 to become a basket case and the cause of so many jokes and causing our supporters to pull names out of a hat in desperation for any change

 

[Frank Facer]

Who the heck are three and five?

They are some very promising youngsters who will hopefully be playing first grade in the next 18 months.

 

[muzby]

They are some very promising youngsters who will hopefully be playing first grade in the next 18 months.

Who do you think is the best prospect in the game right now?

 

[SBD82]

Who do you think is the best prospect in the game right now?

Speaking of prospects, I once owned a rover. Which was essentially a rebadged Honda.

I never saw one drive at Bathurst. But it had those pop up headlights. Very cool.

Once when I was parked at the SCG Frank Facer walked past and said “shit car SBD. Cool headlights though”. “f**k off Frank” I replied.

And that’s the story of how I ended up with my trusty dog Jeff.

 

[Frank Facer]

Who do you think is the best prospect in the game right now?

You would have to define prospect. How many first grade games can they have played to be in the prospect category, or do you mean players who are yet to play first grade?

Some have said that Sullivan is the best prospect in the game right now and I hope they are right.

I know there are some pretty big wraps on Albert Hopoate. He was earmarked to debut last year, but got a season ending injury before the season started.

There are some big wraps on Ben Trbojevic.

The Gold Coast just signed Tino from Melbourne for a reported 600K a year and he is yet to start a game.

There are some pretty big wraps on the Feagai twins.

Brisbane have a young outside back named Coates who has some very big rapts on him and has been compared to a young Greg Inglis.

I don't watch much of the juniors, so I am unable to form an educated opinion of the best prospects in the game.

Billy Smith looks like another great prospect, but he has done his ACL for a second time now.

 

[muzby]

You would have to define prospect. How many first grade games can they have played to be in the prospect category, or do you mean players who are yet to play first grade?

Some have said that Sullivan is the best prospect in the game right now and I hope they are right.

I know there are some pretty big wraps on Albert Hopoate. He was earmarked to debut last year, but got a season ending injury before the season started.

There are some big wraps on Ben Trbojevic.

The Gold Coast just signed Tino from Melbourne for a reported 600K a year and he is yet to start a game.

There are some pretty big wraps on the Feagai twins.

Brisbane have a young outside back named Coates who has some very big rapts on him and has been compared to a young Greg Inglis.

I don't watch much of the juniors, so I am unable to form an educated opinion of the best prospects in the game.

Billy Smith looks like another great prospect, but he has done his ACL for a second time now.

I guess you are right, “prospect” could be taken either way.

That’s a good list of non 1st grade players there, so who would you say are the top prospects in the game right now?

Maybe two groups - best under 25 games and best under 50 games.

 

[kit66]

1 Dufty. Our only real strike player, needs to be on the park, can score from anywhere or get outside wide defenders to give his centre or wing room and opportunity. He looks to have bulked up a bit.
2. Saab. His height will be a great advantage under the new rules. Norman and Hunt can put in handy kicks for him.
3. Lafai. until I see the new recruits / other options for left centre in the trials I'll go with experience, Could work well with Saab. Needs early ball to be dangerous.
4. Lomax. has played well in this position, can kick and has an off-load. Has the ability to set up his winger or Dufty in support.
5. Ravalawa. I'd give him more time and hope for the best. Could do well outside Lomax.

6. Norman - should he fail bring in Sailor ( or even Lomax ) and give Norman Lafai's spot - he'd be an excellent centre.
7. Hunt. Pressures on Ben with Wids gone. I'd like to see him just relax a bit, use the force Ben.

8.Vaughan - like McInnes owns his jersey.
9. McInnes - Captain Courageous
10. Graham - Less game time this year - later in the season we'll rotate Blacker with Graham, I'm hoping he's the successor to the 10 jersey.

11. Merrin - to start with the sole purpose of working with our halves and Dufty to conjure up early points because that's what he's capable of and because Dragons historically play better when they're in front, it's in our DNA.
12. T.Sims - Our enforcer, big year ahead for Mr Weet Bix and Vegemite.
13. JDB / Lawrie - I want to hear the phrase " Jack's Baaaack", I'd be a lot more optimistic for 2020 if that were to happen.

14. K.Sims - put in some real good performances off the bench last year, great impact player.
15. Kerr - has impressed in the limited game time he's had in firsts, proved quite a handful and showed some speed as well. I really want this guy to succeed and surprise the hell out of everyone.
16. Frizell - on the bench wtf ! Well we need impact off the bench to keep up any momentum we have and Frizell offers that in spades, Korbin, Friz and big Josh coming on around the 23 - 28 minute point to rest first Graham, then Merrin, then Lawrie would keep us rolling for sure.
17. Ford - a fine young prospect, needs plenty of game time this year, he'll prove his worth.

 

[SBD82]

1 Dufty. Our only real strike player, needs to be on the park, can score from anywhere or get outside wide defenders to give his centre or wing room and opportunity. He looks to have bulked up a bit.
2. Saab. His height will be a great advantage under the new rules. Norman and Hunt can put in handy kicks for him.
3. Lafai. until I see the new recruits / other options for left centre in the trials I'll go with experience, Could work well with Saab. Needs early ball to be dangerous.
4. Lomax. has played well in this position, can kick and has an off-load. Has the ability to set up his winger or Dufty in support.
5. Ravalawa. I'd give him more time and hope for the best. Could do well outside Lomax.

6. Norman - should he fail bring in Sailor ( or even Lomax ) and give Norman Lafai's spot - he'd be an excellent centre.
7. Hunt. Pressures on Ben with Wids gone. I'd like to see him just relax a bit, use the force Ben.

8.Vaughan - like McInnes owns his jersey.
9. McInnes - Captain Courageous
10. Graham - Less game time this year - later in the season we'll rotate Blacker with Graham, I'm hoping he's the successor to the 10 jersey.

11. Merrin - to start with the sole purpose of working with our halves and Dufty to conjure up early points because that's what he's capable of and because Dragons historically play better when they're in front, it's in our DNA.
12. T.Sims - Our enforcer, big year ahead for Mr Weet Bix and Vegemite.
13. JDB / Lawrie - I want to hear the phrase " Jack's Baaaack", I'd be a lot more optimistic for 2020 if that were to happen.

14. K.Sims - put in some real good performances off the bench last year, great impact player.
15. Kerr - has impressed in the limited game time he's had in firsts, proved quite a handful and showed some speed as well. I really want this guy to succeed and surprise the hell out of everyone.
16. Frizell - on the bench wtf ! Well we need impact off the bench to keep up any momentum we have and Frizell offers that in spades, Korbin, Friz and big Josh coming on around the 23 - 28 minute point to rest first Graham, then Merrin, then Lawrie would keep us rolling for sure.
17. Ford - a fine young prospect, needs plenty of game time this year, he'll prove his worth.

I get that you’re trying to think outside the square, but Merrin defending on the edge is going to get absolutely shredded by any decent half/centre/fullback combo.