Do we really need Gidley as a utility?

[ME SO HORNBY!]

So lets say Luke Lewis was playing origin 2. Do we really need Gidley as a utility?

The make up of rep teams has changed in recent years in that its quite common to see a utility selected on the bench to cover many positions in case of injury. NSW and Australia have selected Gidley in recent years and QLD have now selected Cronk to cover the halves, hooker and some outside back positions.

However 90% of the time, the utility comes on at dummy half to provide a spark from dummy half and catch a tiring defence off guard and make quick metres and get the team rolling downfield.

However I think Gidley isn't needed if you use Lewis as your utility. Lewis can cover outside backs, halves, hooker and back row.

If Hayne goes down - Morris to fullback, Lewis to wing

If a centre or winger goes down - straight swap for Lewis

If a half goes down - straight swap for Lewis

If a Prop goes down - Hindmarsh or Tom Leroyd Lahrs to cover prop and Lewis comes into back row

If Hooker goes down - straight swap for Lewis.

So my point? Get rid of Gidley, start Ennis at hooker and put Farah on the bench to provide that spark considering that the utility comes into play dummy half 90% of the time anyways. Imagine the carnage Farah could do off the bench with a tiring forward pack. He would be 100 times more effective than Gidley and with Lewis you still have that utility value to cover other positions.

 

[perverse]

so good to see a fresh topic of discussion...

the answer is no, btw.

 

[Talanexor]

But Gidley gives amaaaaaaaazing blowies. Just ask Laurie Daley. He's the only man in NSW who seems to think Gidley should be in the team.

Unfortunately for you guys, he's a selector.

Bwahahahaha!

 

[voltron]

well lewis is suspended
so kinda a moot point

 

[perverse]

well lewis is suspended
so kinda a moot point

shhhhhh!

we need to make sure we have every single possible angle of this issue covered. it's imperitave that everyone is given a chance to get this off their chest... because up until now we really haven't had that opportunity.

 

[ME SO HORNBY!]

well lewis is suspended
so kinda a moot point

Well im talking about game three and into next year. With the role that Gidley plays as a utility, and with Lewis in the team after his suspension id rather pick a forward, or if the selectors want to pick a player to provide a spark from dummy half than pick a second full time hooker off the bench. Makes much more sense to me to pick the best man for the role to be played which essentially is dummy half (i.e. Farah).

 

[Ike E Bear]

With Wing now out of the NRL, I think Gidley is actually the best choice for utility.

Sure, Farah is a very, very close candidate. Most backrowers could fill in as a centre if a back goes down and Farah provides coverage for an injury in the halves.

I still think Gidley provides value as a utility, though.

The worry is that he'll get in the halves' ways when he comes on, as he'll try too hard ... especially since he's, you know, captain. Hahaha.

 

[ME SO HORNBY!]

shhhhhh!

we need to make sure we have every single possible angle of this issue covered. it's imperitave that everyone is given a chance to get this off their chest... because up until now we really haven't had that opportunity.

Kurt Gidley doesnt deserve his spot. Deal with it.

 

[perverse]

Kurt Gidley doesnt deserve his spot. Deal with it.

i've dealt with it.

have you? the creation of this thread would suggest - no. not at all.

 

[voltron]

seriously as a knights fan if he wasnt picked id be disappointed
and annoyed at the ribbings id have to hack
but meh really
i want the blues to win
if he's picked he does everything he can to win
maybe someone can do better, but its not gidley's fault he's picked
and he aint going to knock it back
and who would step down from captaincy except for an indiscretion? like really?

 

[hybrid_tiger]

90% of the time, the utility comes on at dummy half to provide a spark from dummy half and catch a tiring defence off guard and make quick metres and get the team rolling downfield.

So my point? Get rid of Gidley, start Ennis at hooker and put Farah on the bench to provide that spark considering that the utility comes into play dummy half 90% of the time anyways. Imagine the carnage Farah could do off the bench with a tiring forward pack. He would be 100 times more effective than Gidley and with Lewis you still have that utility value to cover other positions.

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*

 

[Apey]

i've dealt with it.

have you? the creation of this thread would suggest - no. not at all.

:lol:

Anyway since Timmah isn't here, couldn't this have been discussed in numerous other already existing threads that revolve around Gidley not being Origin material?

Someone should make a topic about how it was Gidley's fault NSW didn't get enough penalties in Game I.

 

[Direct]

I'd like to see Gidley play the full 80mins at lock or hooker during origin. The fitness and workrate he is renown for is wasted when he's on the bench or in the backline.

 

[Joker's Wild]

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.

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

 

[watatank]

The real question is, do we need a utility?

 

[Dazzat]

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.

 

[ANTiLAG]

Do you need a utility?

No, but they're sure handy to cover injuries as well as offer impact.

But you could select four second rowers on the bench if you want.

Or go:lol: for four centres too.

 

[hutch]

So lets say Luke Lewis was playing origin 2. Do we really need Gidley as a utility?

The make up of rep teams has changed in recent years in that its quite common to see a utility selected on the bench to cover many positions in case of injury. NSW and Australia have selected Gidley in recent years and QLD have now selected Cronk to cover the halves, hooker and some outside back positions.

However 90% of the time, the utility comes on at dummy half to provide a spark from dummy half and catch a tiring defence off guard and make quick metres and get the team rolling downfield.

However I think Gidley isn't needed if you use Lewis as your utility. Lewis can cover outside backs, halves, hooker and back row.

If Hayne goes down - Morris to fullback, Lewis to wing

If a centre or winger goes down - straight swap for Lewis

If a half goes down - straight swap for Lewis

If a Prop goes down - Hindmarsh or Tom Leroyd Lahrs to cover prop and Lewis comes into back row

If Hooker goes down - straight swap for Lewis.

So my point? Get rid of Gidley, start Ennis at hooker and put Farah on the bench to provide that spark considering that the utility comes into play dummy half 90% of the time anyways. Imagine the carnage Farah could do off the bench with a tiring forward pack. He would be 100 times more effective than Gidley and with Lewis you still have that utility value to cover other positions.

i agree!

 

[Dazzat]

So lets say Luke Lewis was playing origin 2. Do we really need Gidley as a utility?

The make up of rep teams has changed in recent years in that its quite common to see a utility selected on the bench to cover many positions in case of injury. NSW and Australia have selected Gidley in recent years and QLD have now selected Cronk to cover the halves, hooker and some outside back positions.

However 90% of the time, the utility comes on at dummy half to provide a spark from dummy half and catch a tiring defence off guard and make quick metres and get the team rolling downfield.

However I think Gidley isn't needed if you use Lewis as your utility. Lewis can cover outside backs, halves, hooker and back row.

If Hayne goes down - Morris to fullback, Lewis to wing

If a centre or winger goes down - straight swap for Lewis

If a half goes down - straight swap for Lewis

If a Prop goes down - Hindmarsh or Tom Leroyd Lahrs to cover prop and Lewis comes into back row

If Hooker goes down - straight swap for Lewis.

So my point? Get rid of Gidley, start Ennis at hooker and put Farah on the bench to provide that spark considering that the utility comes into play dummy half 90% of the time anyways. Imagine the carnage Farah could do off the bench with a tiring forward pack. He would be 100 times more effective than Gidley and with Lewis you still have that utility value to cover other positions.

If the ref goes down - Gidley straight on.

 

[ANTiLAG]

Look as Laurie Daley says "Kurt Gidley is an origin player". How can NSW afford to drop an origin player. You only have 17 of them in any one game. And you wanna drop him? Ludicrous.