Back selections..who would you leave out ?

[BrissyRedV]

My ideal backline:

Mann
Nighty
Dugan
Peter M
Fai Fai Loa or Milne
Widdop
Benji

Aiken misses out but is the next in line due to injury rep season. I just see better results with Peter M at centre and a specialist winger/ finisher.

In Pete's favour is the Dugan's right side preference he played in 2014. It sets up a very dangerous right edge for us with the Dugan, Frizz, Flo and Benji on that side. For me it is a toss up between Aitken and Mata'utia. I see Pete being a little stronger in attack but Aitken is strong in defence. A little time in the cutters won't hurt him though.

Fai Fai Loa on the wing for me too. He was strong in the 2nd half of 2015 for the Tits and averaged some solid numbers for kick returns and metres gained which could make up for any metres potentially lost in switching the Dugan for Mann.

 

[BrissyRedV]

So you're saying that you expect us to improve by keeping the same formation as 2015, where we came 2nd last in attack, and the only change you would make is to replace our international 5/8 and goal kicker with someone who's best position is likely fullback?

Don't think that's going to happen somehow.

Don't feed the troll. He has demonstrated many times he has NFI and his only mission is to derail each and every thread with baseless BS.

 

[Vasilevsky]

So you're saying that you expect us to improve by keeping the same formation as 2015, where we came 2nd last in attack, and the only change you would make is to replace our international 5/8 and goal kicker with someone who's best position is likely fullback?

Don't think that's going to happen somehow.

No. I was just saying 'if' Mann turns out to be the ball player lots of homies are saying he is, I would move him to 5/8 and get rid of Widdop based on last year's form. From what I have seen Mann's running game isn't good enough for fullback even if he is a good ball player.

Yes, I expect if the backline is the same from last season, the attack will improve dramatically. The attack was really starting to come good last season in games against Canberra and the Shonkies before the injury crisis. It was also very good when most of the team was back on deck in the last round against Tigers. Smaller, more agile centres like Aitken and Matautai will be better with age for Aitken and with the reduced interchange.

There will at least be a new winger but if the attack is still poor in the trials and/or first few rounds, time to make changes.

 

[Saints Forever]

What it will likely be:

1. Mann
2. Mata'utia
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

What I'd prefer
1. Mann
2. Milne
3. Mata'utia
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

Best case scenario
1. Hiku
2. Mata'utia
3. Roberts
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

Spot on in terms of what we are likely to see.

Your preference is my best scenario. Can't see us signing any more backs now that Adam Quinlan has signed for us.

 

[since77]

If Mann does indeed turn out to be a good ball player, I'd move Widdop on (depending on how much of his salary enemy clubs are willing to pay for the remaining time he is contracted to the Dragons.)

Quite the comedian aren't you?

:crazy:

 

[possm]

My round 1 selection would be:

Dugan
Matta 'Utia
Aitken
Mann
Nightingale
Benji
Widdop

However, there is still preseason training and the trials to go.

 

[Slippery Morris]

Saints certainly have depth for 2016 which is good to see. Depth in all areas that's for sure. If they snag Lafai or Hiku that will be a HUGE bonus. Aitken and Mata'utai deserve to retain their spots. Aitken especially as it was only his first season last year. This kid will only get better and I thought he was improving more and more in the back end of the season.

There will be plenty of injuries throughout the season so I am sure we will see the likes of FFL, Milne, YKG and Carr get a shot.

 

[The Nick]

It's a long off season so I will wait until trials before I make my mind up on this. Right now all I have is the following thoughts and ideas:

FULLBACK: Talk of Mann coming as a "ball playing" fullback and Dugan moving to centres. Like everyone else here I haven't seen Mann play in his supposed preferred positions of 5/8 or fullback, so the jury is still out on this one. I will say this - regardless of his ball playing ability he will need to be able to come close to replicating Dugan's kick return/running metres and positional play. I am not in favour of weakening one position to strengthen another.

I also hope Mata'utia is given some time at fullback during the trials. He looks great in open space, has good hands and is just a natural footballer.

If all else fails we still have a solid fullback in Dugan.

WINGS: Nightingale on the right, that's a given. Not interested in his form last year, he carried injuries and never got to full fitness. Regardless he is a club legend and one of the best wingers in the game. He will be back to best in 2016.

If Mata'utia misses out on a spot in the centres then he deserves the vacant wing spot. Otherwise YKG, KFFL and Milne can fight it out.

CENTRES: As mentioned above if Mann can hold his own at fullback then I would like to see Dugan moved to the 3/4 line. Mata'utia and Aitken to fight it out for the vacant centre position.

IMO at this stage Mata'utia has his nose in front, but Aitken was enormous in our last showing against the Bulldogs and I expect him to improve significantly with another off season under his belt. Aitken was only supposed to be blooded for a few games last season but injuries and poor form (Farrell) meant that he was required to play most of the season. The experience puts him in good stead for 2016.

HALVES: These are the only positions I'm solid on ATM. Benji and Widdop. Regardless of any criticism they attract from armchair experts on here they are world class and the best 2 halves in the club by a considerable distance. For 2016 however I would like to see Widdop in the 7 and tasked with steering the team around whilst Benji reverts back to his natural 2nd receiver position.

Widdop reminds me a lot of Hornby the way he just goes about his business without any fanfare and the last game against the Bulldogs showed that he is ice-cold under pressure and a real leader. I''m not sure how he'd feel about being in the 7 but I think it could really unlock our attack.

 

[BennyV]

It's a long off season so I will wait until trials before I make my mind up on this. Right now all I have is the following thoughts and ideas:

FULLBACK: Talk of Mann coming as a "ball playing" fullback and Dugan moving to centres. Like everyone else here I haven't seen Mann play in his supposed preferred positions of 5/8 or fullback, so the jury is still out on this one. I will say this - regardless of his ball playing ability he will need to be able to come close to replicating Dugan's kick return/running metres and positional play. I am not in favour of weakening one position to strengthen another.

I also hope Mata'utia is given some time at fullback during the trials. He looks great in open space, has good hands and is just a natural footballer.

If all else fails we still have a solid fullback in Dugan.

WINGS: Nightingale on the right, that's a given. Not interested in his form last year, he carried injuries and never got to full fitness. Regardless he is a club legend and one of the best wingers in the game. He will be back to best in 2016.

If Mata'utia misses out on a spot in the centres then he deserves the vacant wing spot. Otherwise YKG, KFFL and Milne can fight it out.

CENTRES: As mentioned above if Mann can hold his own at fullback then I would like to see Dugan moved to the 3/4 line. Mata'utia and Aitken to fight it out for the vacant centre position.

IMO at this stage Mata'utia has his nose in front, but Aitken was enormous in our last showing against the Bulldogs and I expect him to improve significantly with another off season under his belt. Aitken was only supposed to be blooded for a few games last season but injuries and poor form (Farrell) meant that he was required to play most of the season. The experience puts him in good stead for 2016.

HALVES: These are the only positions I'm solid on ATM. Benji and Widdop. Regardless of any criticism they attract from armchair experts on here they are world class and the best 2 halves in the club by a considerable distance. For 2016 however I would like to see Widdop in the 7 and tasked with steering the team around whilst Benji reverts back to his natural 2nd receiver position.

Widdop reminds me a lot of Hornby the way he just goes about his business without any fanfare and the last game against the Bulldogs showed that he is ice-cold under pressure and a real leader. I''m not sure how he'd feel about being in the 7 but I think it could really unlock our attack.

Agree with most of this, particularlyabout Widdop to 7. I think hes definitely got the game smarts to take on a primary role and showed often enough that he has the ability to play direct, it just needs to be asked of him more.

And now that you mention it, Mata'utia would be a great choice at 1. Got a good power game as well as footwork, awareness and skills. May not have ballskills that could be replicated in the halves, but has shown he can offload, draw and pass, create overlaps etc. Wasted on the wing.

 

[Dragon66]

What it will likely be:

1. Mann
2. Mata'utia
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

What I'd prefer
1. Widdop
2. Mata'utia / Thompson (Izaac) (Hopefully later in the year)
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Benji
7. McCrone

Best case scenario
1. Widdop
2. Mata'utia
3. Hiku
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Benji
7. McCrone

I still think McCrone has a lot to offer in the halves. Just because Stuart preferred a different combination this season does not mean he was playing bad. Could be the experienced steady hand we need at half to complement Benji. And could still fill in at hooker if required.

From Wikipedia.

He moved to the Raiders in 2009, making his first NRL appearance in April at Halfback.

McCrone was dropped from the side at the beginning of the 2010 season, relegated to Canberra's feeder club Souths Logan. By the end of the 2010 season, he had returned as the Raiders' regular halfback, forming a combination with five-eighth Terry Campese to lead the team to a six-match winning streak, landing the Raiders in the finals before being knocked out by the Wests Tigers. McCrone re-signed with the Raiders through to the end of the 2012 season.

In the 2011 season, McCrone scored 9 tries and played five-eighth for the majority of the year due to Terry Campese being injured. As a result, the Raiders signed Matt Orford from the English Super League but used rookie Sam Williams instead for most of the year to partner McCrone in the halves.

Relegated to New South Wales Cup for most of 2015, McCrone was named at five-eighth in their 2015 Team of the Year.

In his time at the Canberra Raiders he has played 133 NRL games and scored 34 trys.

 

[giboz71]

What it will likely be:

1. Mann
2. Mata'utia
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Benji

What I'd prefer
1. Widdop
2. Mata'utia / Thompson (Izaac) (Hopefully later in the year)
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Benji
7. McCrone

Best case scenario
1. Widdop
2. Mata'utia
3. Hiku
4. Dugan
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. McCrone

I still think McCrone has a lot to offer in the halves. Just because Stuart preferred a different combination this season does not mean he was playing bad. Could be the experienced steady hand we need at half to complement Benji. And could still fill in at hooker if required.

From Wikipedia.

He moved to the Raiders in 2009, making his first NRL appearance in April at Halfback.

McCrone was dropped from the side at the beginning of the 2010 season, relegated to Canberra's feeder club Souths Logan. By the end of the 2010 season, he had returned as the Raiders' regular halfback, forming a combination with five-eighth Terry Campese to lead the team to a six-match winning streak, landing the Raiders in the finals before being knocked out by the Wests Tigers. McCrone re-signed with the Raiders through to the end of the 2012 season.

In the 2011 season, McCrone scored 9 tries and played five-eighth for the majority of the year due to Terry Campese being injured. As a result, the Raiders signed Matt Orford from the English Super League but used rookie Sam Williams instead for most of the year to partner McCrone in the halves.

Relegated to New South Wales Cup for most of 2015, McCrone was named at five-eighth in their 2015 Team of the Year.

In his time at the Canberra Raiders he has played 133 NRL games and scored 34 trys.

No room for Mann in your backline Dragon66?

Curious option putting McCrone at 7. Not sure this will happen but I like your thinking. Definitely outside the square, which I think we need to be doing more of with limitations in our roster.

I like Widdop but playing 2 positions may be a bit much ����

 

[Dragon66]

Thanks giboz. Well spotted, of course i meant Benji at 6. I believe that Mann was nothing more than a stop gap centre at the Storm. I'm sure he would prefer play in the halves or FB. I'll wait for the trials to make a judgement on his form,and hopefully he will get a chance to shine in his favoured positions.

On stats alone - Aitken would be the starter. But I'm a huge Aitken fan, and I believe as he gathers more experience he will only get better.

Widdop likes to go wide where an attacking fullback is normally positioned, and those that say Widdop has no pace or good reflexes check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmGWBk8XVPQ

I would love to see a highlights reel on some of his great defence. I thought he was outstanding in D this season

 

[Vasilevsky]

It's a long off season so I will wait until trials before I make my mind up on this. Right now all I have is the following thoughts and ideas:

FULLBACK: Talk of Mann coming as a "ball playing" fullback and Dugan moving to centres. Like everyone else here I haven't seen Mann play in his supposed preferred positions of 5/8 or fullback, so the jury is still out on this one. I will say this - regardless of his ball playing ability he will need to be able to come close to replicating Dugan's kick return/running metres and positional play. I am not in favour of weakening one position to strengthen another.

I also hope Mata'utia is given some time at fullback during the trials. He looks great in open space, has good hands and is just a natural footballer.

If all else fails we still have a solid fullback in Dugan.

WINGS: Nightingale on the right, that's a given. Not interested in his form last year, he carried injuries and never got to full fitness. Regardless he is a club legend and one of the best wingers in the game. He will be back to best in 2016.

If Mata'utia misses out on a spot in the centres then he deserves the vacant wing spot. Otherwise YKG, KFFL and Milne can fight it out.

CENTRES: As mentioned above if Mann can hold his own at fullback then I would like to see Dugan moved to the 3/4 line. Mata'utia and Aitken to fight it out for the vacant centre position.

IMO at this stage Mata'utia has his nose in front, but Aitken was enormous in our last showing against the Bulldogs and I expect him to improve significantly with another off season under his belt. Aitken was only supposed to be blooded for a few games last season but injuries and poor form (Farrell) meant that he was required to play most of the season. The experience puts him in good stead for 2016.

HALVES: These are the only positions I'm solid on ATM. Benji and Widdop. Regardless of any criticism they attract from armchair experts on here they are world class and the best 2 halves in the club by a considerable distance. For 2016 however I would like to see Widdop in the 7 and tasked with steering the team around whilst Benji reverts back to his natural 2nd receiver position.

Widdop reminds me a lot of Hornby the way he just goes about his business without any fanfare and the last game against the Bulldogs showed that he is ice-cold under pressure and a real leader. I''m not sure how he'd feel about being in the 7 but I think it could really unlock our attack.

I like your thinking. Matautai is a guy who comes across as being able to play fullback. Mann, who from what I have seen makes Beale look like a block-busting fullback or centre, doesn't.

But as for the red underlined text, are we talking about the last game against the Grubs last season? The one where the smaller more mobile Dragons seemingly had the fat grubs ready for their Mad Monday at McDonalds only for Widdop to go for a massive play when it wasn't required and merely manage to hand the game to the Grubs?

I guess it was a conscious decision. He knew the homies on here wouldn't criticize him if he missed (but may find a way to blame Marshall or Dugan) but would hold him up as the greatest ever Dragon if he made it and followed it up with a field goal.

 

[Saints Forever]

I like your thinking. Matautai is a guy who comes across as being able to play fullback. Mann, who from what I have seen makes Beale look like a block-busting fullback or centre, doesn't.

But as for the red underlined text, are we talking about the last game against the Grubs last season? The one where the smaller more mobile Dragons seemingly had the fat grubs ready for their Mad Monday at McDonalds only for Widdop to go for a massive play when it wasn't required and merely manage to hand the game to the Grubs?

I guess it was a conscious decision. He knew the homies on here wouldn't criticize him if he missed (but may find a way to blame Marshall or Dugan) but would hold him up as the greatest ever Dragon if he made it and followed it up with a field goal.

Very harsh Vas

the guy showed great heart and played probably his best game of the season.

If he makes the kick they right a song about him in his honour.

The idea was good, the execution of the idea was not.

Widdop is a class player.

Its up to Mary to give the halves clearly defined roles.

Benji and Widdop properly managed tactically could prove to be the best halves combo in the Comp.

Over to you Mary and balance of coaching staff. Get this right and Saints are well and truly contenders.

 

[BennyV]

I like your thinking. Matautai is a guy who comes across as being able to play fullback. Mann, who from what I have seen makes Beale look like a block-busting fullback or centre, doesn't.

But as for the red underlined text, are we talking about the last game against the Grubs last season? The one where the smaller more mobile Dragons seemingly had the fat grubs ready for their Mad Monday at McDonalds only for Widdop to go for a massive play when it wasn't required and merely manage to hand the game to the Grubs?

I guess it was a conscious decision. He knew the homies on here wouldn't criticize him if he missed (but may find a way to blame Marshall or Dugan) but would hold him up as the greatest ever Dragon if he made it and followed it up with a field goal.

That kick was 100% the right decision. We weren't going anywhere and Bulldogs have the ability to make metres at will at the start of extra time. Their wingers were up to try and rush a backline play, the fullback was poorly positioned. It was poorly executed, but it was the play.

For someone with such a hard on for Benji, you seem oddly critical of some out-of-the-box thinking that didnt pay off!

 

[Vasilevsky]

Very harsh Vas

the guy showed great heart and played probably his best game of the season.

If he makes the kick they right a song about him in his honour.

The idea was good, the execution of the idea was not.

Widdop is a class player.

Its up to Mary to give the halves clearly defined roles.

Benji and Widdop properly managed tactically could prove to be the best halves combo in the Comp.

Over to you Mary and balance of coaching staff. Get this right and Saints are well and truly contenders.

I don't the idea was good. As I stated, it seemed like the kind of play the exhausted fat Grubs needed, not us. I agree about Widdop and Benji potentially forming and outstanding combo. Widdop the stead hand and Benji going for the big plays. For that to happen I don't see why it wouldn't benefit both to swap positions.

 

[Vasilevsky]

That kick was 100% the right decision. We weren't going anywhere and Bulldogs have the ability to make metres at will at the start of extra time. Their wingers were up to try and rush a backline play, the fullback was poorly positioned. It was poorly executed, but it was the play.

For someone with such a hard on for Benji, you seem oddly critical of some out-of-the-box thinking that didnt pay off!

Be so kind as to leave your homo erotic fantasies out of this. I have no interest in it.

Right place, right time.

 

[Get2dachopper!]

Vas had it been Widdop who went down injured instead of Marshall in that game, do you think we even get close to beating the dogs? I highly doubt it.

 

[hardbaby]

I'm still spewing they picked an injured Thompson. That was bad.

 

[Vasilevsky]

Vas had it been Widdop who went down injured instead of Marshall in that game, do you think we even get close to beating the dogs? I highly doubt it.

Judging by the flow of the game and the way Benji was playing (Widdop was also playing well) and judging by the games played with Benji but without Widdop and vice-versa last season, I would have been very confident of victory. Still, it's purely hypothetical.