Gillett to play 6 if Lockyer out

[hellteam]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ckyer-forced-out/story-fn2mcuj6-1226141087396

Matt Gillett will face the biggest challenge of his career if Brisbane Broncos captain Darren Lockyer fails in his brave bid to play Friday's NRL preliminary final against Manly.



Broncos young guns Corey Norman and Ben Hunt were tagged as possible replacements for Lockyer, who had three plates inserted in the left cheek fractured during the 13-12 golden-point semi-final win over St George Illawarra on Saturday.

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But coach Anthony Griffin revealed to AAP on Monday he would play gifted utility Gillett at five-eighth should Lockyer be unable to play.

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Hunt already plays a key bench role, backing up hooker Andrew McCullough, which Griffin would be hesitant to disrupt at such a crucial time.

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Lockyer plans to train on Tuesday with the intention of playing against rugged Manly with a place in the grand final at stake.


A decision on him could be made as early as Wednesday to minimise disruption to the team's preparations.


2010 NRL rookie of the year, Gillett was a standout performer at five eighth in the 2009 Queensland Cup playing for Norths Devils.


He burst onto the NRL scene in 2010 with 12 tries and has six tries in 2011 despite missing several games through injury.


Griffin believes Gillett's 105kg frame will be needed against Manly's powerful left-side attack.


"If Locky doesn't play, Matt will wear the No.6 jumper," said Griffin.
"He's strong, he's good on his feet, can defend, has good hands and he can also kick.


"We'll definitely need his size against Manly who are very aggressive in attack."

Thoughts? Obviously not ideal having a backrower at five eight, although I think he is a lot more suited to it than Tonie Caroll was in 2009. I did see quite a lot of Gillett at Norths, he had a few really good games at five eight.

I don't think Lockyer will play, so looks like this will be our team in my opinion. Can see us hanging in there with Manly, defending well and being close at halftime, only for them to score a few in the second half. Can't see us having the attack to match them really.

 

[Mr Fourex]

You really don't think Lockyer will play?

Gillett at 5/8 doesn't worry as much as Wallace on his own........

 

[00digger00]

I know what hook has written, but I would have thought Hunt to 5/8 and Baptiste to come off the bench for McCullough. But Im not going to second guess a bloke that has got us this far.

 

[pennywisealfie]

didnt they learn anything from 2009?

 

[user_nat]

didnt they learn anything from 2009?

Couldn't do any worse.. Right?

 

[Frank_Grimes]

Lockyer will play.

 

[devoid]

Bit rough on Corey Norman - thought he would be on stand-by for sure.

 

[AceAv]

1) Lockyer is a 90% chance to play it would seem (edit)-Guess I was wrong
2) Gillet would be the right choice to replace him. I haven't seen his kicking game or his playmaking style. But only good can come from the bestamancanget
3)Corey Norman really isn't anything special
4)Baptiste is quick and clever, but I dont think he has the much needed minutes to play solidly

 

[hellteam]

If Lockyer can't play, can we at least get him out there as a waterboy? Could direct our team well. I'm not even joking..

 

[Snappy]

If Lockyer can't play, can we at least get him out there as a waterboy? Could direct our team well. I'm not even joking..

I like it. I like it a lot !

 

[Snappy]

I think Gillett is the best option really, to cause as little change as possible.
Just as long as he doesnt try to do too much, like when he played a game in five eighth last year. Let Wallace and Macca look after kicking duties, and Gillett play a Greg Bird style of 5/8th

 

[The Crane]

I think Gillett is the best option really, to cause as little change as possible.
Just as long as he doesnt try to do too much, like when he played a game in five eighth last year. Let Wallace and Macca look after kicking duties, and Gillett play a Greg Bird style of 5/8th

Yes. I agree with this. When he tries too hard, he fails. Reminds me a lot of David Taylor actually.

 

[GoTheBroncs]

if lockyer can't play, can we at least get him out there as a waterboy? Could direct our team well. I'm not even joking..

^^^ this!!!

 

[Frank_Grimes]

If Lockyer can't play, can we at least get him out there as a waterboy? Could direct our team well. I'm not even joking..

Can you imagine the howls of "unfair" if they did just that?

 

[Seagullsrock]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ckyer-forced-out/story-fn2mcuj6-1226141087396



Thoughts? Obviously not ideal having a backrower at five eight, although I think he is a lot more suited to it than Tonie Caroll was in 2009. I did see quite a lot of Gillett at Norths, he had a few really good games at five eight.

I don't think Lockyer will play, so looks like this will be our team in my opinion. Can see us hanging in there with Manly, defending well and being close at halftime, only for them to score a few in the second half. Can't see us having the attack to match them really.

Those media orgs don't have a clue. Gillett played 80-85% of his footy with Norths at lock. Same with Reed at centre. They play one or two games at 5/8/2nd row respectively and they're a standout in that position supposedly.

 

[AceAv]

I gauruntee Lockyer will be up in the box with Griff doing just that! -speaking into the mic piece and getting waterboy Langer to dictate the plays!

 

[johns_reds]

hasn't this been done before when lockyer was out? and we got smashed, pretty sure we tried gillett at 6 last season, might have even been the last game of the season that we needed to win to make the finals?

 

[AceAv]

Dont compare last season to this one, 2010 is a shadow of what we are now

 

[beads6]

Dont compare last season to this one, 2010 is a shadow of what we are now

It was 2009 when we did that. I'd prefer we just play Norman or Hunt in the 6 but if Gillett is the man so be it.

 

[user_nat]

2009 was CarrolL against Melbourne in the PF.
2010 was Gillett against Parra.

Neither worked.