Do we really need Gidley as a utility?

[hybrid_tiger]

At the risk of dragging this thread on further

Did you watch the ANZAC test? How about the 4N final? How many players could have covered specialist positions like hooker and centre for massive chunks of rep games like Gidley did.

No he isnt NSW best fullback, 5/8 or half but he is for sure the best utility in the game.

Oh, and no, I dont think we need a utility but if one is selected Id have Gidley for sure

I disagree, he isn't a utility IMO.

A backrower could cover in the centres (hell, we have a backrower as a starting centre currently) and someone like Farah can cover #9 and the halves better than Gidley can.

 

[Springs]

I think it's funny how everyone was saying Gidley should be on the bench as Hayne should be fullback, even if our captain has to be on the bench to start the game.
Now, as usual, people automatically then deride the selection.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I think theres both room for Lewis and Gidley in the team. I think Lewis is the better player to cover wing, center and the back row. Gidley better for fullback, halves and hooker.

It just depends on how we use both players. Me, Lewis would start at lock and almost play the whole game there. If we have the momentum and are going for the killer blow, id really consider bringing Gidley on for one of the back rowers to have both Ennis and Gidley use a one 2 punch.

The broblem I have with Gidley in the team is having him control the play, or a play here and there. He cant pull things off like our other playmakers. He shouldnt not have a licence to control the sets, I think he should support when needed.

There definatly is a place for Gidley in the team as a utility, but its just how we use him and how much control we let him have.

 

[TheEelDeal]

Kidley as captain off the bench is so LOL, that its ROFL!

 

[Joker's Wild]

I disagree, he isn't a utility IMO.

A backrower could cover in the centres (hell, we have a backrower as a starting centre currently) and someone like Farah can cover #9 and the halves better than Gidley can.

Well you answered my question then, you did miss the ANZAC test and 4N final.

 

[orochimaru]

Kidley as captain off the bench is so LOL, that its ROFL!

you sound like an internet nerd homosexual.

 

[clipser]

you sound like an internet nerd homosexual.

Nice observation :sarcasm:

 

[Vic Mackey]

At the risk of dragging this thread on further

Did you watch the ANZAC test? How about the 4N final? How many players could have covered specialist positions like hooker and centre for massive chunks of rep games like Gidley did.

No he isnt NSW best fullback, 5/8 or half but he is for sure the best utility in the game.

Oh, and no, I dont think we need a utility but if one is selected Id have Gidley for sure

in the 4N final you would just shift lewis to center and any of the backrowers on.

in the ANZAC test you could put whoever was there instead of him at hooker, or gallen at a pinch (who has played there in first grade for cronulla)

i agree with the hooker sentiment. if there isnt an injury (which is 90% of the time) then the utility comes on and plays 20mins of hooker then goes off. your better off picking a hooker who can also play elsewhere if required.

craig wing was the ultimate bench utility and shaun berrigan was also great at it as they were really hookers but could also play other positions well. i dont mind gidley there, but in reality he is a fullback and isnt much chop elsewhere.

 

[Joker's Wild]

*sigh* I knew Id regret trying to argue with idiots

FMD of course if a specialist goes down you'd want to replace him with a specialist but its a little hard to predict that isnt it.

 

[Jason Maher]

I'm a little bit confused by the NSW team listing. Is Gidley captain of the interchange bench or the whole team?

If he's captain of the team, will he be yelling out if there's a penalty in front of posts, "Take the two!" or "Take the tap!"

I hope they give him something to do while he's on he bench. A Wii or something would be good. I don't think I could sit there as captain watching my team, and not being able to do anything.

Just thinking of Kurt really.

I'm surprised at how difficult it is for people to figure this one out. It will be like any other game where the captain is off the park (e.g. 70 Cent for Penrith). Some bloke who is still on the park will take over the captaincy duties. This will presumably be Trent Barrett.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Dont bite Daz's bait Jason

It only reinforces his delusion that he has the wit level above that of a South American head lice.

 

[Yosh]

I think Gidley is the unfortunate reciever of some wierd NSW selector love. There is no doubt in my mind he is a great utillity. However to make him captain, to play him in the havles or fullback (as a starter) have put unrealistic expectations on him and therefore all the fans seem to hate the bloke. I am sure he knows all about this hate and more and its probably not helping his performances when there is so much pressure placed on him:

Captaincy
Captanicy off the bench
NSW losing streak
Fullback over Hayne
Halfback despite him being sh*t at it

All these kinda builds up and its probably not helping his game. I put the blame purely on the selectors and hopefully he'll play alot better this game coming off the bench, inserting his energy and enthusiam when it is needed.

AND whoever said you don't need a utility is an idiot.

 

[parraeelz]

Wholeheartedly agree with this (I've mentioned it in another thread), and not just because you've suggested Farah.

Unless there is an injury, the utility will ALWAYS play at dummy half when he comes on. May as well give that spot to a proper dummy half and not someone like Gidley. Farah can also cover the halves in the event of an injury (and Lewis can also play five-eighth at a stretch) - so even if its not Farah you pick, another #9 is a better choice on the bench than Gidley. I also think Ennis will benefit hugely from a rest (he looked exhausted in game 1, so having a natural hooker to come in for 15 minutes or so at the back end of each half would be a good fit.

I think Gidley's utility tag is a myth. He is really just a fullback. He is not a better fullback than Hayne or Dugan, so he should not be in the team. There are also better players that can cover the halves and hooker than him.

I also agree with other posted who mentioned Craig Wing. Now there is your perfect #14.

* If someone turns this into a Farah vs Ennis thread, they can GGF and should be banned*

Yea i agree with this actually. Any established hooker at 14 would be a great choice for the blues. Ennis in the 1st game made something like 40+ tackles. In club football hes only making around the 20-25 mark so he is bound to be fatigued. Gidley would add spark but would't create creativity and make some impact plays lke someone like perhaps Farah would. The only thing that annoys me about Gidley and Farah...well Gidley off the bench, is that they try WAY too hard and make things so hard for themselves. Its a tough one, I don't think Gidley should be in the team at all. If you are to choose someone like Farah make sure he sticks to the gameplan and doesn't overplay his hand. I also hope that the lack of prop forwards doesn't hurt us in game 2 but overall am liking the team alot better. Seems as if Hindy and Gallen will be playing some prop. Just think it does make more sense to start Hindy and bench Waterhouse though

 

[Coaster]

What you mob should have done is pick Soward at 14, but i suppose that was to obvious for you intellectual geniuses to figure out.

 

[chills74]

I think we need a utility, and one who is used like Gidley was in the test and 4N final - that is comes straight on to cover the injury - problem is if the Blues loose say a winger, they will move a fullback to the wing to cover and then bring Gidley on as fullback. We loose a second rower and a centre will be shifted in, and winger into centre, a fullback into wing, and then gidley to fullback - this is the real problem. With Craig Wing, he just came on as either back up hooker, or to replace anyone who was tired or injured, from halves to whereever he was needed - this is how a utility should be used - why switch 2 or 3 or even four players just to bring your utility on as a fullback - that doesn't make him a utility at all, more like a second fullback!

And before anyone starts, I know he can play half or 5/8, but he doesn't like to. In my mind his best positions are either fullback or hooker - playing two positions doesn't make you a utility - hell if it did then we already have a utility (or 5) in the starting lineup with Scott, Gallen, O'Donnell etc!

Please selectors get over this Gidley love - and quick smart!

Previous posters are right, when I hear utility I hear Campbell/ Lewis etc, not Gidley!

 

[watatank]

What you mob should have done is pick Soward at 14, but i suppose that was to obvious for you intellectual geniuses to figure out.

It'd make more sense to name him at 6.