Backline for 2004

[The Worm]

It seems there is a plethora of talented young guys all aiming at a first grade spot next year. Some are still unproven, and others need more development/experience, but I think Smith has a pleasant problem with so many guys all contesting.

I'd line up the backs like this:

Prince
Grothe
Lyon
Burt
Graham
Dykes
Witt

I was impressed with Prince in the last couple of games last year. He had a lot of good attacking options and was very safe.

Dykes should not be given more than six weeks to find form.

Jamie Lyon MUST get more ball this year. One of our best should be handling more than four or five times per game.

Luke Burt will have a great year. He's matured into an attacking weapon.

What do you guys think?

 

[The Colonel]

Vaealiki has to be in the side. How many times did he put Petersen into space this year? With Petersen or Grothe running off him the left hand side will be potent. Burt and Lyon look another safe option now that Moods has retired and Burt is one of the best finishers in the game.

Graham should be the first choice fullback once he is back from injury. Prince is good however I think his confidence can be severely dented if he makes a mistake. Graham makes mistakes however he will still try something if he has the opportunity. He isn't too bad under the high ball either and the way he brings the ball back would allow Burt, Petersen or Grothe a good link at the back to get them in space.


1. Graham
2. Burt
3. Lyon
4. Vaealiki
5. Petersen/Grothe
6. Dykes
7. Witt

 

[PB]

have they set any date when they expect Graham to be able to play? He wont be right for the start of the season?!

It will depend who works the best in preseason as to who starts at fullback and who gets the wing start.

I would think that Burt will slot into the fullback role, and go pretty well there and if he really puts his heart and soul into preparing for the season, Grothe on the wing.

 

[MR GEORGE]

let the fight for positions begin.

 

[Eelementary]

1. Graham/ Burt/ Prince/ McKinnon - a lot of depth. For all we know, Wade could turn out to be our number one choice at fulbback. I'd stick with raham though. I'd love to have Prince play there, but it would be a kick in the teeth to Graham who has not done anything wrong really.

2. Burt/ Petersen/ Katavarata - any one of these guys would be great. However, I'd stick with Burt.

3. Lyon

4. VAeliki

5. Grothe

6. Dykes

7. Witt

So, my team would look like:

1. Graham

2. Burt

3. Lyon

4. Vaeliki

5. Grothe Jnr.

6. Dykes

7. Witt

 

[The Colonel]

have they set any date when they expect Graham to be able to play? He wont be right for the start of the season?!

Provided once he comes back he is 100% fit he still should make his way back in fairly easily. Burt would probably get the nod early though Prince and maybe McKinnon will be putting in their two cents worth.

 

[Misty Bee]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Burt, Grothe and Peterson all left wingers? without Moods, I think a crucial fight will begin to rtner Jamie Lyon.

I reckon Peterson has to be given first chop at L wing. Hiowever, Burt has to be in the side.. So does Vaialiki.

Therefore, I'm sort of wondering wetherthis is on the cards for early season:

Vaialiki
McKinnon
Lyon
Burt
peterson

grothe, IMHO, has to EARN his spot, not just grab it because his dad was cool. Prince and especially Graham will have a say as well.

 

[fish eel]

Misty,

I cant see McKinnon getting a crack on the wing if we are at full strength.

I'd shift Burt onto the wing, Vaeliki to the centre Graham to fullback. Possibility also for Graham to go on the wing, Vaeliki to the centres and Burt at Fullback.

 

[PB]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Burt, Grothe and Peterson all left wingers? without Moods, I think a crucial fight will begin to rtner Jamie Lyon.

I reckon Peterson has to be given first chop at L wing. Hiowever, Burt has to be in the side.. So does Vaialiki.

Therefore, I'm sort of wondering wetherthis is on the cards for early season:

Vaialiki
McKinnon
Lyon
Burt
peterson

grothe, IMHO, has to EARN his spot, not just grab it because his dad was cool. Prince and especially Graham will have a say as well.

I dont mind Vaealiki at fullback, but i can't see Smith using him there after buying McKinnon, having Prince, and last year prefering Burt to Vaeliki at fullback when Hodgosn was injured. Having said that, Smith has shown a tendancy in the past, to like to try and rotate the fullbacks through the course of the game to help players with involvement and to keep oppositions on their toes. By that reckoning McKinnon could find himself on a wing rotating with Burt and Freshy at fullback. Once fit, Graham could also slot into this sort of rotation

I also agree that Grothe has to earn his spot, and i am sure he will have to. But i really hope he puts in, and throws everything into this second stint with us. A few of those tries like he scored against penrith a few years back would be sensational!

 

[bartman]

Hmm. It will be interesting to see how the backs line up at the start, and change through the year.

My preference, assuming everyone is fit would be:
1. Prince/Graham
2. Burt
3. Lyon
4. Vaeliki
5. Petersen (then Grothe once in form?)
6. Dykes (with Thorman from bench?)
7. M. Witt

Graham would be unlucky to miss out, but I still believe his best position is centre, while Prince is a specialist fullback. Graham will be first picked in any spot 1-5 when there's an injury.

Burty was going great when uninjured, and deserves to return to the wing spot. Petersen got the job done in 2003, and Grothe has lots of potential, but needs to establish it before an automatic return to fiorst grade.

Dykes on his day could be great, but we can't wait half a year again for him to find form. Dykes couldn't get the ball to Lyon hardly at all in the first half of the season, and has to produce consistant play with no injuries this year. Otherwise, give Thorman the starting spot, and shift Dykes to the bench instead. A mate also suggested Dykes could end up as lock during the year, like Kenny toward the end of his career?

Players to watch:
McKinnon, Kataverata, and Webster will probably all end up playing first grade throughout the year too, depending on injuries. McKinnon as back-up fullback, Wise as a very solid winger, and Webster as back-up halfback.

Player that mustn't get pikced in the backline:
Wagon. When he's five-eighth the attack doesn't flow at all. He can defend and run the ball stright, so put him in the pack or as a bench forward to do that job and that alone. We must make sure whoever plays five-eighth (Dykes, Thorman, Witt) has their defence up to scratch, and then we never need to consider Daniel for the backline again.

 

[Forum Idiot]

i declare that we will have the best FORWARD pack in the nrl this season! no doubts! hurry up season!!! damn you.

 

[Jake the snake]

How about this:

Burt
Grothe
Lyon
Vaeleki
Williams
Dykes
Witt

or

Graham
Grothe
Lyon
Vaeleki
Williams
Dykes
Witt

If I were the coach Id gor for the bigger guys to be on the wings, that would give us even better go forward assist. Id even be tempted to put Wise K in their as well. John Williams does look the goods he is big strong and very fast.

 

[Phillips]

1- Luke Burt

2- Eric Grothe

3- Jamie lyon

4- David Vaealiki

5- Wade McKinnon

6- Chris Thorman

7- Michael Witt

the other players i want to see come into the backline maybe some time during the year are: Ronald Prince, Ashley Graham & Wise Kativerata

 

[Jake the snake]

Phillips

Mckinnon doesn't seem to have that raw pace u need to be a winger. don't get me wrong he is not slow but he not fast enough to be a winger.

Fullback is more is game.

 

[Hollywood Jesus]

burt
grothe
lyon
vaealiki
petersen
dykes
witt

thats how i think it will start, but after 6 or so weeks form and fitness might change the side

 

[Twizzle]

1- Luke Burt

2- Eric Grothe

3- Jamie lyon

4- David Vaealiki

5- Wade McKinnon

6- Chris Thorman

7- Michael Witt

the other players i want to see come into the backline maybe some time during the year are: Ronald Prince, Ashley Graham & Wise Kativerata

Hooooray..............................some one can spell Vaealiki.

Its the old storey, what would we do. or what will BS do.

He loves Burty at Full back and so do I.

Ash Graham will be in the starting line up when match fit, on one wing. Smithy likes this guy as well.

The two centres pick them selves. Dykes and Witt will be the halves.

For me the only spot in contention is who will play on the other wing. I would pick the best two wingers, regardless of which wing they are used to playing on.

It will be a fight between Guru jnr and Sideshow.

Sideshow is still surviving on his 4 try effort from last year and a couple of good games. Guru jnr is injury prone, but I guess preseaon form will dictate which gets the nod. My money is on Guru jnr.

I know we have other good players such as Wise, McKinnon and Prince (and Thorman), but I think if they get a gig, it will be later as the season gets underway, because those guys will have to force their way in. Where as the ohter guys I mentioned are already there by default, possibly with the exception of one wing.

 

[The Worm]

I don't agree with Burt on the wing. He is an excellent attacking player who can create opportunities. He'd be wasted. I also think he would be an excellent partner for Lyon.

Vaealiki has been hot and cold for his entire career with the eels. I'm sure you'd agree with that. Parra's problem last season was consistency early in the year. If we can't have guys who perform week in, week out, give the job to one of the young fellas and invest in them.

Someone also mentioned that Daniel Wagon must never play backs again. I could not agree more. I realise that locks and 5/8's are interchangable nowadays, but Daniel cannot play 5/8. He doesn't have the ball skills and the outside backs starve. Not only this , but opposition teams know exactly what he's about to do, and shut down the play. I definately think there is a permanent position in the team for Wags, but it aint number 6.

 

[Stagger eel]

Backline no.1 Backline no.2

Graham Prince

Burt Williams

Lyon Kata

Vaeliki McKinnon

Peterson Grothe

Dykes Muspratt

Witt Thorman

other notable mentions

Lantry

Russell

Delany

Gruzka

Pai

Smith

 

[Maroubra Eel]

Prince
Burt
Lyon
Vaealiki
Peterson
Dykes
Witt

 

[Dean]

1) Burt
2) Peterson
3) Lyon
4) Vaealiki
5) Grothe
6) Dykes
7) Witt

Burt is wasted on thewing. Fullback suits him down to a tee. Dykes startedto hit his straps towards the endof the season last year and deserves a shot in front off Thorman. Graham will be unlucky i think, unless Parra have a crap year with injurys again. God no!!