2020 season

[betcats]

I’d probably wait until Latrell has been sorted though, you never know who that may shake lose. I’d still take the peach at centre I think he can bounce back.

 

[Exsilium]

Brenko Lee would be a handy pick up.

That being said, I’d be happy to stick with Naden/Whare.

If our halves fire, those two will find space.

 

[betcats]

It would be nice to get someone at left centre outside kikau and put Naden on that wing, if Jerome fires that side could be very dangerous. Naden is an aerial threat and has a nose for the line and he is quick once he gets going, a good passing centre who can break a tackle in between Naden and Kikau would be great.

Edit: If Jerome is doing well Burton at centre could be good if he can do the defensive job, he has all the other skills required plus he is a kicking option and he is a dangerous ball runner.

 

[OldPanther]

It would be nice to get someone at left centre outside kikau and put Naden on that wing, if Jerome fires that side could be very dangerous. Naden is an aerial threat and has a nose for the line and he is quick once he gets going, a good passing centre who can break a tackle in between Naden and Kikau would be great.

Edit: If Jerome is doing well Burton at centre could be good if he can do the defensive job, he has all the other skills required plus he is a kicking option and he is a dangerous ball runner.

That's why I think our centres should be Burton/Crighton. You have tall guys, passing, kicking, strength, speed.

 

[Dave's mate]

To'o should also be considered for centre if a good winger becomes available

 

[herbert henry1908]

That's why I think our centres should be Burton/Crighton. You have tall guys, passing, kicking, strength, speed.

That could be the end goal, but I doubt we’d start with two rookie centres.

Chricton makes sense to start there as he’s played the position coming through the grades, ideally we’d sign Josh Morris to play the other spot. But it’ll probably need to be Whare. Naden I’d push to the wing in place of Mansour.


If Luai starts the year well at 5/8, give Burton some time at centre in reserves.

 

[OldPanther]

That could be the end goal, but I doubt we’d start with two rookie centres.

Chricton makes sense to start there as he’s played the position coming through the grades, ideally we’d sign Josh Morris to play the other spot. But it’ll probably need to be Whare. Naden I’d push to the wing in place of Mansour.


If Luai starts the year well at 5/8, give Burton some time at centre in reserves.

Getting Morris on a one year deal would be so good.

 

[Dave's mate]

That could be the end goal, but I doubt we’d start with two rookie centres.

Chricton makes sense to start there as he’s played the position coming through the grades, ideally we’d sign Josh Morris to play the other spot. But it’ll probably need to be Whare. Naden I’d push to the wing in place of Mansour.


If Luai starts the year well at 5/8, give Burton some time at centre in reserves.

No way in the world do you play Burton in the centres in reserves. Youd have to be f**king certain Luai will kill it and that's FAR from a sure thing

 

[OldPanther]

No way in the world do you play Burton in the centres in reserves. Youd have to be f**king certain Luai will kill it and that's FAR from a sure thing

Burton at centre would be once you are certain or while Luai is at 6 just to get Burton some game time in first grade for the match fitness and to adjust to the speed of the game. At least how I see it.

 

[herbert henry1908]

No way in the world do you play Burton in the centres in reserves. Youd have to be f**king certain Luai will kill it and that's FAR from a sure thing

I specifically said “give him some time”

Not necessarily play a full game there, but 15 mins here, 15 mins there. That way he’s still playing 5/8 and he can learn something about centre play too.

 

[Dave's mate]

Ive seen nothing from Luai to say he'll be effective consistently. Running around in circles might do well against shit teams but the good sides just sit back and eat that shit up. For Luai to be a long term success he needs a far better coach then we have

 

[herbert henry1908]

Right now my team for round 1 would be (forgetting all injuries)

Edwards
To’o
Whare
Chricton
Naden
Luai
Cleary
Tamou
Apisai
JFH
Kikau
Martin
Yeo

Tetevano
Leota
Capewell
Burns

I wouldn’t play a bench dummy half. Think it’s a waste of a position when Apisai is capable of playing 80 mins.

 

[Flashstep]

I don't really see the harm of playing Burton in the centres, I doubt it just makes him completely forget how to play as a 5/8 if we need him to. Just look at Wighton, a lot of people consider him a natural centre although hes played most of his first grade footy as a fullback and now looks to be one of the premier 5/8s in the comp.

If Burton is as talented as a lot of people think he is, I'm sure he will be fine. I would prefer to sign a centre but if we don't I think it's worth the risk using Burton as one instead of Whare for example, he's clearly not first grade level anymore.

 

[Whino]

Just to throw a curve ball to that - it could be Burton off the bench.
I heard Maloney about 2 months ago on the radio and in his opinion he said Luai would get first shot at 6 with Burton taking over Luai's role this year off the bench.
Whether that is what Maloney would do and it was just his opinion, or Ivan revealed his plans to him beforehand I couldn't say.

It will be interesting to see if Burton slips into the top 30 or gets a developed contract.

 

[Whino]

Right now my team for round 1 would be (forgetting all injuries)

Edwards
To’o
Whare
Chricton
Naden
Luai
Cleary
Tamou
Apisai
JFH
Kikau
Martin
Yeo

Tetevano
Leota
Capewell
Burns

I wouldn’t play a bench dummy half. Think it’s a waste of a position when Apisai is capable of playing 80 mins.

Pretty fair atm.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Just to throw a curve ball to that - it could be Burton off the bench.
I heard Maloney about 2 months ago on the radio and in his opinion he said Luai would get first shot at 6 with Burton taking over Luai's role this year off the bench.
Whether that is what Maloney would do and it was just his opinion, or Ivan revealed his plans to him beforehand I couldn't say.

It will be interesting to see if Burton slips into the top 30 or gets a developed contract.

I don’t like young up and coming guys off the bench. To me Burton can learn a heap more playing in reserve grade for a bit longer, or alternatively somewhere in the starting team in FG.

 

[Whino]

I don’t like young up and coming guys off the bench. To me Burton can learn a heap more playing in reserve grade for a bit longer, or alternatively somewhere in the starting team in FG.

I don't like it either. They usually get only 10 minutes out of position then hooked. That effects the development and confidence.

 

[herbert henry1908]

I don't like it either. They usually get only 10 minutes out of position then hooked. That effects the development and confidence.

Yeah it’s fine for a forward, because you always need replace them, but often with a utility they won’t get any time. I think Luai had a couple of games last season where he didn’t play a single minute.

 

[betcats]

I don’t mind it for a couple weeks if you can get him 15-20 minutes or more. Then let him go back to nsw cup.

 

[Kilkenny]

Ive seen nothing from Luai to say he'll be effective consistently. Running around in circles might do well against shit teams but the good sides just sit back and eat that shit up. For Luai to be a long term success he needs a far better coach then we have

You well be proven right about your assessment of Jerome but just maybe post a positive every now and again, anything positive about anybody would be nice.