How many games worth of experience has Griffin pushed out of the club? Elijah Taylor, Jamie Soward and
Cleary has vindicated the decision to play him in first grade through a series of outstanding performances.
Cartwright is the most dangerous ball player in the game.
Smith has earned his chance through outstanding performances in NSW Cup.
Hardaker won the Man of Steel award.
Peachey being dropped reinforces the club's policy on disciplinary matters, unlike some other clubs who only act if it doesn't disadvantage them on-field.
Like Smith, Edwards has earned his chance in reserves.
Im not saying those players don't deserve the chances they have gotten... except for Smith. He is a proven failure and is the 5th best fullback at the club behind Moylan, DWZ, Hardaker and Edwards.
Im saying that the backline is a mess:
1. Smith - reserve grade centre. 5th best fullback at the club and is expected to push 3 better fullbacks out of the position. He may play fullback and swap with Hardaker in the lineup... but it doesnt fix much at all.
2. Edwards - NSW Cup fullback... could go either way in his first grade debut
3. Blake - everyone loves to hate him
4. Hardaker - super league fullback in his second NRL match
5. Dwz - only guy who is and always has been part of our full strength backline
6. Cartwright - he's a freak but not a half.
7. Cleary - he's a freak but still inexperienced
That 1/6/7 is hardly one that you would back to be able to control a game. Compare that to our expected full strength lineup in the opening month:
1. Moylan
2. Mansour
3. Hiku
4. Whare
5. Dwz
6. Soward / TMM
7. Wallace / Soward
Our side isnt in a great position to take advantage of depleted sides because our side is just as depleted and has been chopped and changed all year. Origin is making those changes a bit worse this week.
Sharks are missing 5 origin players. But still have more consistency in the remainder of their squad.
