Charity Shield 2017

[Dragonslayer]

In respect of Havili you just have to hope that he is already pencilled in for the bench in round 1 and he is playing Cutters purely on the basis he will benefit greatly for match fitness by playing big minutes rather than coming off the bench in the CS.
If this is not the case then the selection policy is already bewildering.
If Matthews section in the trial means he is in the mix for 1st grade then even more bewildering.

Matthews selection is bewildering as you say, my only explanation is that Luciano is not fit enough and rather than give him 20 mins or so play him in the Cutters for a full game. It would be very surprising to see him named in the Rd1 team, but who knows what McGregor thinks.
As far as Havili is concerned, I agree it could be just a case, like Luciano of getting a full game in, I mean you cant play everyone in the CS. Also, on the other side is his court case and maybe McGregor may need McCrone as his "back-up" hooker if the worse case scenario happens. Lafai is in the same boat but I think it was Havili who was charged with striking.

 

[dragonssamy61]

In respect of Havili you just have to hope that he is already pencilled in for the bench in round 1 and he is playing Cutters purely on the basis he will benefit greatly for match fitness by playing big minutes rather than coming off the bench in the CS.
If this is not the case then the selection policy is already bewildering.
If Matthews section in the trial means he is in the mix for 1st grade then even more bewildering.

OT
I think they are just building up his minutes.
As you indicated.

 

[possm]

Again, I can't wait to see Field and Mann in action this Sunday. I hope they have a blinder. GO THE DRAGONS

 

[Uplifting]

Sorry Possm ur going to have to wait until Sunday.

I think a lot of us will enjoy watching those boys go around - hoping they can stand up and do well.

 

[Slippery Morris]

I think people are looking to much into this non selection of Havilii and Nona as they were selected in other trials and did well. Probably liked what he saw already and giving the others a longer stint to push their case.

Nona set up a nice try against the Tigers with a nice grubber so I think he showed some promise and Havilii came on against the Warriors in the 9's and changed the game which was also impressive. Did he play well against the Tigers?

My point is you can't play them all and it is the last trial so may as well give game time to others who did not play much in the other games.

Any word on Masoe? Will he be ready for Rd1? I am really hanging to see this guy have a crack. He is a freak on his day and it is a pity we have not had the pleasure of watching him play in the red V.

 

[blacksafake]

I think people are looking to much into this non selection of Havilii and Nona as they were selected in other trials and did well. Probably liked what he saw already and giving the others a longer stint to push their case.

Nona set up a nice try against the Tigers with a nice grubber so I think he showed some promise and Havilii came on against the Warriors in the 9's and changed the game which was also impressive. Did he play well against the Tigers?

My point is you can't play them all and it is the last trial so may as well give game time to others who did not play much in the other games.

Any word on Masoe? Will he be ready for Rd1? I am really hanging to see this guy have a crack. He is a freak on his day and it is a pity we have not had the pleasure of watching him play in the red V.

I think you could be giving Mary too much credit there Slippper

 

[Dragonslayer]

Have to remember too, that IF Field is selected to play in round 1 it would be a marketing bonanza......more bums on seats = income.
Wouldn't surprise me in the least wether he was ready or not.

 

[possm]

Have to remember too, that IF Field is selected to play in round 1 it would be a marketing bonanza......more bums on seats = income.
Wouldn't surprise me in the least wether he was ready or not.

Who is to know if Field or Dufty when fit, is ready for first grade. Surely we wouldn't rely on Mary's judgment given history surrounding Jack Bird.

A good coach who has monitored a player through a full pre-season training program should have a good feel for a players suitability for first grade. Selection in the 9's competition and in the pre-season trials should be a way to work on combinations and structures.

Bird and Dufty are exciting players who can change the direction of our Club if given the chance. And they come at the right price.

Mann is now a seasoned first grader who may very well be the five-eighth to partner Hunt in 2018. What he needs is a good run in 2017 to hone in his skills.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I think people are looking to much into this non selection of Havilii and Nona as they were selected in other trials and did well. Probably liked what he saw already and giving the others a longer stint to push their case.

Nona set up a nice try against the Tigers with a nice grubber so I think he showed some promise and Havilii came on against the Warriors in the 9's and changed the game which was also impressive. Did he play well against the Tigers?

My point is you can't play them all and it is the last trial so may as well give game time to others who did not play much in the other games.

Any word on Masoe? Will he be ready for Rd1? I am really hanging to see this guy have a crack. He is a freak on his day and it is a pity we have not had the pleasure of watching him play in the red V.

Slippery
Last I heard re Masoe is that he was back doing light training and was 4 weeks of full contact.
I think that was two mybe three week ago.
So he would luck to be available round 2 or 3.
Hopefully
Slippery
HPU update on website.
They said Dufty had surgery wich when better than expected and he would start running sometime this week.
Hutch is progressing well and doing well.
Nothing re mose so he still doing light training but that's all.
Didn't really clear it up.

 

[Dragon66]

Poss, great news. Bird signing with the Dragons. Can't come soon enough.
Very excited. Field, Bird and Dufty in our backline - what a combination!

Aahh, We can but dream.

 

[possm]

Poss, great news. Bird signing with the Dragons. Can't come soon enough.
Very excited. Field, Bird and Dufty in our backline - what a combination!

Aahh, We can but dream.

Must be getting too old, you got me good and proper.

 

[DF4E]

Gasnier was interviewed on radio this afternoon and said McCrone and Field will get 40mins each and whoever performs the best will get the starting spot for round 1. Not sure if he has the inside information or was just passing his opinion. I cannot believe McGregor would even consider McCrone, I would rather give Mann and Field one half each.

 

[hewi]

Gasnier was interviewed on radio this afternoon and said McCrone and Field will get 40mins each and whoever performs the best will get the starting spot for round 1. Not sure if he has the inside information or was just passing his opinion. I cannot believe McGregor would even consider McCrone, I would rather give Mann and Field one half each.

If this is so, I wonder where Mann will fit in?

 

[TomRedVRiver]

If this is so, I wonder where Mann will fit in?

I'm starting to think that maybe Mann will play at fullback for 40 minutes with Dugan shifting to the centres.
I feel like Gasnier was just sharing his opinion more than having inside information though as said above.

I actually don't mind the idea of Mann at fullback for the first few rounds until Dufty returns.

 

[Crush]

I'm starting to think that maybe Mann will play at fullback for 40 minutes with Dugan shifting to the centres.
I feel like Gasnier was just sharing his opinion more than having inside information though as said above.

I actually don't mind the idea of Mann at fullback for the first few rounds until Dufty returns.

How confident are you that dufty will make it in the nrl. I am a massive fan of his speed an vision in attack but I am a tad worried that his defense may not be nearly up to 1st grade level. If you watch Barba he was electric in attack but also was very solid defensively for his size. Dufty looks a bit fragile.

 

[mickeylane]

Ma

Gasnier was interviewed on radio this afternoon and said McCrone and Field will get 40mins each and whoever performs the best will get the starting spot for round 1. Not sure if he has the inside information or was just passing his opinion. I cannot believe McGregor would even consider McCrone, I would rather give Mann and Field one half each.

mann will be the fullback and DUGAN right centre

 

[JDHD]

How confident are you that dufty will make it in the nrl. I am a massive fan of his speed an vision in attack but I am a tad worried that his defense may not be nearly up to 1st grade level. If you watch Barba he was electric in attack but also was very solid defensively for his size. Dufty looks a bit fragile.

All we can go on is his U/20s form and I've seen him make strong one-on-one ball-and-all tackles in a try saving position.

He can't be any more defensively fragile than Matt Moylan.

 

[Gareth67]

My biggest concern is that Mary has indeed appointed Jai Field's ' bodyguards ' for Sunday's game , as there will be no place for him to hide against the Rabbits big men . This game could be his make or break game depending upon how he handles those big bodies , that will be aimed straight at him , both in attack and defence .

Although only a trial match , we know just how much effort is put into winning this match . Both for the pride of holding the Shield itself and also of being able to donate the winners cheque to the hospitals .

Should be a great game of footy to wet our appetites for the season ahead .
Big Red V to win !

 

[The Doc]

Its like beetle juice... you bastards all mentioned Marketo so much he has been named in an updated side!!!
I cant get over the naming of mathews, marketo, and mccrone.
Havili for mccrone was the way to go!
We all know what Mathews and marketo offer...
Give Kerr a 15 or 20 min run to see how he goes?
Its make or break this year for mary... and he pulls of selection that will break him.
Rather then show he will use 2017 to show he will build for the future.... he shows he hasnt learnt a thing!!

 

[Old Timer]

Its like beetle juice... you bastards all mentioned Marketo so much he has been named in an updated side!!!
I cant get over the naming of mathews, marketo, and mccrone.
Havili for mccrone was the way to go!
We all know what Mathews and marketo offer...
Give Kerr a 15 or 20 min run to see how he goes?
Its make or break this year for mary... and he pulls of selection that will break him.
Rather then show he will use 2017 to show he will build for the future.... he shows he hasnt learnt a thing!!

Was Marketo added to the squad or is somebody out?