2019 team line up

[WepnutV]

You're completely stupid.*

If Widdop doesn't work out at fullback and Norman works out well at 5/8 as most of us want, where would you play Widdop, Einstein? Interchange prop? Starting winger? Nope, @Crush is right. He makes a seamless transition to fullback or he is backup for Hunt and Norman in the ISP.


Ok, I was just saying I agreed with you insofar as Widdop being in the ISP if he doesn't work out at fullback. God have mercy! I think @WepnutV wants to make him an interchange prop.

Have you not seen widdop play fullback? I think its his best position, but dont get me wrong still a fine 5/8

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

I'm not smoking anything. But I agree with @Crush. The only possible positions for Widdop are fullback or in the halves. Do you think he will displace Norman or Dufty? If Norman brings his A game on a consistent basis, as we all hope and expect (except for Widdops family and personal friends and @Old Timer because Norman's moral fitness is questionable) but Widdop can't make the transition to fullback, what would you do with him? Interchange prop, pushing Lawrie out of the 17?

I think he can make it at fullback but if I'm wrong, there is no place for him on the top 17.

On the contrary, if Norman doesn’t play consistently there’s no space for him in the side. Your faith in him is excessively unjustified. As five-eighths go, he can’t tie Widdop’s shoelaces,

 

[possm]

On the contrary, if Norman doesn’t play consistently there’s no space for him in the side. Your faith in him is excessively unjustified. As five-eighths go, he can’t tie Widdop’s shoelaces,

Many posters have suggested Norman should be selected in positions other than five-eighth so, it is quite clear that if he fails, there are other opportunities for Mary to use e.g. fullback, centre, halfback. In actual fact, I'd suggest that even though Norman will wear the 6 jumper, he will most probably perform the duties of halfback only on the left side of the field rather than on the right side. And in the case where Hunt becomes unavailable through injury, Norman might even play in the 7 jumper on the right side with Widdop playing five-eighth in jumper 6 on the left.

I'd say Norman is a very versatile player.

 

[Drag Queen]

@DragonJ if you don't mind can you stop quoting me?
Thanks champ, hang in there.

You have a new bestie Crush

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

%100 smoking something

Definitely not legal either.

 

[DragonJ]

Have you not seen widdop play fullback? I think its his best position, but dont get me wrong still a fine 5/8

I think you really need to improve your literacy if you wish to converse with me.

On the contrary, if Norman doesn’t play consistently there’s no space for him in the side. Your faith in him is excessively unjustified.

Maybe. I'm only judging him by games he has played against us, directly against Widdop, and a few games at the backend of 2017 season.

As five-eighths go, he can’t tie Widdop’s shoelaces,

But FFS, did you see those games where he was directly against Widdop? Astounding anyone who watched the games and looking at it objectively would even question that he won't be in his preferred position of 5/8 and @Crush is right that Widdop had better make the transition to fullback or be in the ISP as injury cover.
Widdop is a good player. Terrible f**king playmaker. I think he will be able to make it at fullback.

 

[Dragonslayer]

The re-signing of Dufty does create an interesting scenario.
I have a feeling the club is already resigned to losing Robson as he us chasing a starting hooker role, not a few minutes here and there from the bench. I do hope i'm wrong though.
If this is the case then Dufty becomes the obvious (to McGregor) bench reserve. It has been widely stated that several players have been training in different positions and Dufty on the bench creates scenarios during a game such as:
Widdop - Fullback to 5/8
Dufty - Bench to fullback
Norman - 5/8 to 7
Hunt - 7 to hooker
McInnes - Hooker to bench ( for his spell).
When McInnes finshes he replaces Hunt (who would need a spell then).

 

[Crush]

The re-signing of Dufty does create an interesting scenario.
I have a feeling the club is already resigned to losing Robson as he us chasing a starting hooker role, not a few minutes here and there from the bench. I do hope i'm wrong though.
If this is the case then Dufty becomes the obvious (to McGregor) bench reserve. It has been widely stated that several players have been training in different positions and Dufty on the bench creates scenarios during a game such as:
Widdop - Fullback to 5/8
Dufty - Bench to fullback
Norman - 5/8 to 7
Hunt - 7 to hooker
McInnes - Hooker to bench ( for his spell).
When McInnes finshes he replaces Hunt (who would need a spell then).

That all sounds very complicated. Every spine player shifting throughout a game? Surely that isn't something that you want to be messing around with unless there is a mid game injury or something?
You don't see the Roosters and Storm switching their spine around do you?

 

[possm]

The re-signing of Dufty does create an interesting scenario.
I have a feeling the club is already resigned to losing Robson as he us chasing a starting hooker role, not a few minutes here and there from the bench. I do hope i'm wrong though.
If this is the case then Dufty becomes the obvious (to McGregor) bench reserve. It has been widely stated that several players have been training in different positions and Dufty on the bench creates scenarios during a game such as:
Widdop - Fullback to 5/8
Dufty - Bench to fullback
Norman - 5/8 to 7
Hunt - 7 to hooker
McInnes - Hooker to bench ( for his spell).
When McInnes finshes he replaces Hunt (who would need a spell then).

When McInnes comes off for a rest on the bench, who will do the hard yakka defensive work in his place, Dufty or Hont? No matter which one you choose, you have to be kidding?

All of this to let Dufty know we care about him and he really does not have to improve to hold down a first grade spot. Dufty could never play 7 while Hunt is playing 9, it is a riduculas idea.

 

[Crush]

When McInnes comes off for a rest on the bench, who will do the hard yakka defensive work in his place, Dufty or Hont? No matter which one you choose, you have to be kidding?

All of this to let Dufty know we care about him and he really does not have to improve to hold down a first grade spot. Dufty could never play 7 while Hunt is playing 9, it is a riduculas idea.

He never said Dufty to play 7.

 

[getsmarty]

That all sounds very complicated. Every spine player shifting throughout a game? Surely that isn't something that you want to be messing around with unless there is a mid game injury or something?
You don't see the Roosters and Storm switching their spine around do you?

It's McGregor Logic...as I stated elsewhere just think back to Debelin @ Half while the coach left a half on the bench...then Mann is our leading try scorer on the wing and the coach converts him into a forward...

He doesn't think like the Storm or roosters because they have Real coaches....Personally I could imagine him doing something like this....and when our attack suddenly becomes clunky it all makes sense.

 

[SnowDragon]

Just to fly my colours, I think Widdop is our best player and clearly needs to be on the field. However half or fullback can work. Personally it’s hard to say how long it will take to Hunt/Normon pair to develop, but since its long term I’d start with it, which means Widdop to fullback.

Dufty could be used in multiple ways, but I think injury covering for Hunt/Normon/Widdop to start, maybe also rest players on occasions to keep the team fresh and keep Dufty in the picture.

I also can’t understand the anti Aitken /Lafai comments in these threads. I agree they both have some short comings at times, but both are quality. With more depth though they could be rested when form drops. That said, I’m a huge fan of Lomax and would give him a his preferred position. Anyone know if Aitken could manage wing? He has the power running, and the passing game is less important for wingers than centres? My concerns would be speed, and the high ball, mainly defence he would need to work on .

Per era deserves the starting position. I expect him to grow this year after a really solid one last year. With that experience and another off season he is ready to fill one wing spot, or at least get the chance. The new wingers I’d like to see in reserves and play well enough to force their way into the side.

McInnes is clearly our hooker. Does more than enough. However, I understand the sentiment around Robson, even if I haven’t seen enough to join the bandwagon. So, I could definitely see him in the 17 and see how he goes. Start with 20 mins impact...

All that said, Mary should be checking players out in the off season and giving opportunities where deserved.

 

[LINESPEED]

Many posters have suggested Norman should be selected in positions other than five-eighth so, it is quite clear that if he fails, there are other opportunities for Mary to use e.g. fullback, centre, halfback. In actual fact, I'd suggest that even though Norman will wear the 6 jumper, he will most probably perform the duties of halfback only on the left side of the field rather than on the right side. And in the case where Hunt becomes unavailable through injury, Norman might even play in the 7 jumper on the right side with Widdop playing five-eighth in jumper 6 on the left.

I'd say Norman is a very versatile player.

Let’s cut to the chase Possm & have the fastest 1-7 in the NRL:
Dufty,Field,Pearson,Lomax,Norman,Widdop & Hunt WTF!!

 

[Overseas dragon]

Let’s cut to the chase Possm & have the fastest 1-7 in the NRL:
Dufty,Field,Pearson,Lomax,Norman,Widdop & Hunt WTF!!

Ravalawa is very fast as well. ....and has size and height on field .I dare say his defence couldn't be much worse......

 

[RedV Resurgence]

Ravalawa is very fast as well. ....and has size and height on field .I dare say his defence couldn't be much worse......

Can't wait to see what he can do in the Charity Shield! I think he has a lot of potential.

 

[DragonJ]

This doesn't change anything. Merely means there will be pressure on Widdop to perform at fullback, pressure on Norman to perform at 5/8 and pressure on Dufty to improve the deficiencies in his game in the ISP until next year pending the failure of or injury to Widdop or Norman.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

McInnes is clearly our hooker. Does more than enough. However, I understand the sentiment around Robson, even if I haven’t seen enough to join the bandwagon. So, I could definitely see him in the 17 and see how he goes. Start with 20 mins impact...

Welcome to the forum bud!

You're 100% right, and trust me, you're right to put your faith in Robson, he will deliver.
Part of the reason why we're falling off the face of the Earth towards the end of the season is McInnes' workload. He's not as potent in attack, and is just having to grind for 80 minutes every week.
Robson off the bench will give us a point of difference late in the halves with his speed out of dummy half and allows McInnes that rest he desperately needs.

If I see Dufty coming off the bench this year I will throw a live grenade into Mary's coaching box.

 

[BLM01]

Just to fly my colours, I think Widdop is our best player and clearly needs to be on the field. However half or fullback can work. Personally it’s hard to say how long it will take to Hunt/Normon pair to develop, but since its long term I’d start with it, which means Widdop to fullback.

Dufty could be used in multiple ways, but I think injury covering for Hunt/Normon/Widdop to start, maybe also rest players on occasions to keep the team fresh and keep Dufty in the picture.

I also can’t understand the anti Aitken /Lafai comments in these threads. I agree they both have some short comings at times, but both are quality. With more depth though they could be rested when form drops. That said, I’m a huge fan of Lomax and would give him a his preferred position. Anyone know if Aitken could manage wing? He has the power running, and the passing game is less important for wingers than centres? My concerns would be speed, and the high ball, mainly defence he would need to work on .

Per era deserves the starting position. I expect him to grow this year after a really solid one last year. With that experience and another off season he is ready to fill one wing spot, or at least get the chance. The new wingers I’d like to see in reserves and play well enough to force their way into the side.

McInnes is clearly our hooker. Does more than enough. However, I understand the sentiment around Robson, even if I haven’t seen enough to join the bandwagon. So, I could definitely see him in the 17 and see how he goes. Start with 20 mins impact...

All that said, Mary should be checking players out in the off season and giving opportunities where deserved.

Welcome SnowD
All reasonable comments and Aitken's speed is only good when he winds up in a straight line and from dummy half.
For wing his slow turning / reaction and chase time including lateral movement and his lack of willingness to jump for a ball rules him out of wing.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Just to fly my colours, I think Widdop is our best player and clearly needs to be on the field. However half or fullback can work. Personally it’s hard to say how long it will take to Hunt/Normon pair to develop, but since its long term I’d start with it, which means Widdop to fullback.

Dufty could be used in multiple ways, but I think injury covering for Hunt/Normon/Widdop to start, maybe also rest players on occasions to keep the team fresh and keep Dufty in the picture.

I also can’t understand the anti Aitken /Lafai comments in these threads. I agree they both have some short comings at times, but both are quality. With more depth though they could be rested when form drops. That said, I’m a huge fan of Lomax and would give him a his preferred position. Anyone know if Aitken could manage wing? He has the power running, and the passing game is less important for wingers than centres? My concerns would be speed, and the high ball, mainly defence he would need to work on .

Per era deserves the starting position. I expect him to grow this year after a really solid one last year. With that experience and another off season he is ready to fill one wing spot, or at least get the chance. The new wingers I’d like to see in reserves and play well enough to force their way into the side.

McInnes is clearly our hooker. Does more than enough. However, I understand the sentiment around Robson, even if I haven’t seen enough to join the bandwagon. So, I could definitely see him in the 17 and see how he goes. Start with 20 mins impact...

All that said, Mary should be checking players out in the off season and giving opportunities where deserved.

deserved now thats a very big word .deserved in marys eyes is far different to the normal meaning of deserved ,unless your growing a beard and cant run out of sight on a dark night you dont cut it in mmmmmmmmmmarys team

 

[SnowDragon]

Welcome SnowD
All reasonable comments and Aitken's speed is only good when he winds up in a straight line and from dummy half.
For wing his slow turning / reaction and chase time including lateral movement and his lack of willingness to jump for a ball rules him out of wing.

Yeah... probably true, and I definitely had concerns. I’d like to see him there in a trial to confirm or counter it though... so strong and determined in attack, and has good D when not out of position...

When there was talk about origin, I had a discussion with a rorters mate. Strangely it was me saying he has some issues, even if I really like and rate him...