2021 Rnd 25 V Parramatta

[Kilkenny]

Agreed, Ivan will be Ivan.

I kind of understand Ivan’s thinking. Api can play big minutes and when fully fit can play the full 80 so having Tyrone off the bench to potentially cover multiple positions makes him the ideal utility. I say that knowing he is not highly regarded by many on here but he has some strong attributes in his versatility, strong defender and can sniff out a try.

Personally, if there were doubts around API’s ability to play big minutes I think Mitch Kenny is the best option for 14. If Api is injury free, match fit and can play the full 80 or somewhere close to then I understand why Ivan will go with May.

 

[Abacus]

I kind of understand Ivan’s thinking. Api can play big minutes and when fully fit can play the full 80 so having Tyrone off the bench to potentially cover multiple positions makes him the ideal utility. I say that knowing he is not highly regarded by many on here but he has some strong attributes in his versatility, strong defender and can sniff out a try.

Pretty strong assumption here that injuries, HIAs, etc won't be a factor. In finals, particularly once its sudden death, you need to have contingencies for loss of key players. Api & Yeo are 2 of those and, IMO, Kenny covers these better than May - hooker undoubtedly and lock as a budget-version Cam Murray (basic functionality but no bells-and-whistles) focusing on speed around the ruck & in the PTB and middle defence.

May's ball-playing is talked up on here but it suffers from him being so slow. His service from dummy half is slack and when he's on as a ball-playing lock, he seems to forget about the lock part and wanders around trying to be a 3rd half. Comparing him to other team's 14s, he doesn't provide any spark but "he's versatile!" despite the fact he wouldn't be 2nd or 3rd choice for any of the starting 13 positions. But we'll settle for a safe hole-plugger instead of our 2nd-choice dummy half on the bench during the finals.

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Team list as I expected. Good to see that players appear to have overcome their injuries.

 

[Kilkenny]

Pretty strong assumption here that injuries, HIAs, etc won't be a factor. In finals, particularly once its sudden death, you need to have contingencies for loss of key players. Api & Yeo are 2 of those and, IMO, Kenny covers these better than May - hooker undoubtedly and lock as a budget-version Cam Murray (basic functionality but no bells-and-whistles) focusing on speed around the ruck & in the PTB and middle defence.

May's ball-playing is talked up on here but it suffers from him being so slow. His service from dummy half is slack and when he's on as a ball-playing lock, he seems to forget about the lock part and wanders around trying to be a 3rd half. Comparing him to other team's 14s, he doesn't provide any spark but "he's versatile!" despite the fact he wouldn't be 2nd or 3rd choice for any of the starting 13 positions. But we'll settle for a safe hole-plugger instead of our 2nd-choice dummy half on the bench during the finals.

Mate, I was pointing out the coaches viewpoint. Not necessarily my personal opinion.

The team selection just announced makes it clear how we will line up going into the finals. We have to back him In that respect regardless of what our own personal opinions may be.

 

[DinkyDi]

Good line up.

 

[Abacus]

Good line up.

Good for this weekend. Just need to switch 14 & 21 for the finals

 

[herbert henry1908]

Really don’t like Crichton playing on the wing, Ivan has a penchant for these strange moves.

And no surprise the golden child May has come straight back in recent weeks.

 

[Abacus]

Mate, I was pointing out the coaches viewpoint. Not necessarily my personal opinion.

The team selection just announced makes it clear how we will line up going into the finals. We have to back him In that respect regardless of what our own personal opinions may be.

So you think May is trash also, but because he's picked we'll all cross our fingers and hope he doesn't get on the field unless we're up by 20? I can do that!

 

[DinkyDi]

Really don’t like Crichton playing on the wing, Ivan has a penchant for these strange moves.

And no surprise the golden child May has come straight back in recent weeks.

Oh I like he. If Crichton roams we will be lethal.

 

[Girds89]

Big gamble this week imo playing a full strength team.

I know ivan cleary wants them gelling come next week but still, huge huge risk.

I honestly couldnt care less about the result. Just need to get through why no injuries or suspensions.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Oh I like he. If Crichton roams we will be lethal.

I’m sure he can still do some good stuff from the wing, but he can do more from centre. You don’t have a guy earning his wages sitting on the wing.

Naden on the wing with Crichton at centre makes for a strong right edge.

 

[Girds89]

Parra are resting all their stars. Literally more than half the team.

Not sure how valuable a hit out is against a nsw cup parra squad.

Especially cause some of them will be going extra hard with a point to prove trying to win finals selection.

 

[Girds89]

Melbourne resting about 6 but still have a very strong side. Cant see them losing to the sharks.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Parra are resting all their stars. Literally more than half the team.

Not sure how valuable a hit out is against a nsw cup parra squad.

Especially cause some of them will be going extra hard with a point to prove trying to win finals selection.

The issue for us is we need the hit out with our full strength team, we’ve had too many games without the key players together of recent.

 

[age.s]

I'm ok with a full strength team, quibbles about May/Kenny aside.

Yes you can suffer injuries, but this specific 17 has had one full game since round 12. The cobwebs were obvious on Sunday, even against weak opposition. More game time has it's benefits, as does maintaining a winning culture across the squad, especially against a team we might face up against in a bigger game. Injuries are a risk, but so is the ongoing instability across the squad. I don't think we should perpetuate it if we don't have to at this time of the year.

 

[Kilkenny]

So you think May is trash also, but because he's picked we'll all cross our fingers and hope he doesn't get on the field unless we're up by 20? I can do that!

I don’t think he is trash neither have I trashed your opinion.

Ive simply pointed out what is obvious to all In that our head coach values May as a utility.

I’m not disrespecting your views or opinions I just simply attempted to point out what is obvious.

My personal opinion is Tyrone May is not trash. He hasn’t quite been able to nail down a position to make his own and utility players from many clubs suffer in this regard not just May.

 

[Abacus]

I don’t think he is trash neither have I trashed your opinion.

Ive simply pointed out what is obvious to all In that our head coach values May as a utility.

I’m not disrespecting your views or opinions I just simply attempted to point out what is obvious.

My personal opinion is Tyrone May is not trash. He hasn’t quite been able to nail down a position to make his own and utility players from many clubs suffer in this regard not just May.

I don't think I suggested you trashed my opinion. I was just trying to read between the lines of your previous post. But I agree, he's 1 of those very good reserve graders that doesn't transition to NRL-level. And Ivan values whatever he sees in May.

I think May would find a starting role at a weaker club but is a bit of a square peg in our team, even off the bench.

 

[Kilkenny]

I’m sure he can still do some good stuff from the wing, but he can do more from centre. You don’t have a guy earning his wages sitting on the wing.

Naden on the wing with Crichton at centre makes for a strong right edge.

The Naden one is a bit strange, fought his way back into the starting side, did pretty well and now nowhere to be seen.

Its clear now what Ivan thinks is our best 17 going into the play offs, so as fans I just think we have to back his judgement.

 

[DinkyDi]

I’m sure he can still do some good stuff from the wing, but he can do more from centre. You don’t have a guy earning his wages sitting on the wing.

Naden on the wing with Crichton at centre makes for a strong right edge.

You can't be sure how much he earns, and he can still roam from the wing. Did you notice during the Tigers game, and he, and Momo, swapped? I did.

 

[Kilkenny]

I don't think I suggested you trashed my opinion. I was just trying to read between the lines of your previous post. But I agree, he's 1 of those very good reserve graders that doesn't transition to NRL-level. And Ivan values whatever he sees in May.

I think May would find a starting role at a weaker club but is a bit of a square peg in our team, even off the bench.

I always defer to the line the coach knows best, which for the most part is not unreasonable. Having said that our coaches decision at the back end of last season backfired big time, his late season dropping of Naden and bringing May into the centre’s was highly questionable. It cost us in the end. I’m happy to back his judgement in respect of Crichton on the wing, Momo in the centre’s and May as 14. It is what it is.