mickeylane
Bench
- Messages
- 4,991
There's no doubt that this years squad has a "bee in its bonnet" and are going out of their way to prove to everyone that they won't run out of steam in 2018 like last few years - the chorus is being led by JDB, FRIZELL, Sims, Nightingale and WIDDOP who are really playing with a lot of purpose and gusto - all these players have all been part of the clubs past failures and have felt the hurt and embarrassment which is driving them enough so that it seems that this effort at least this year will take us pretty close to a grand final dance.. My thoughts are though - how can we become a better team next year and where cAn we improve to ensure we have continued success in coming years.. These are my thoughts.
Backline:
This is one area we can definitely improve dramatically - We will definitely need to sign a strike winger to replace Nightingale unless we have Lomax come through or push out MANN to the wing. I really like Anthony Donn from GC if we had to go for a winger.
I would really like to see Lomax brought into the starting line up somewhere but can't see Aitken being pushed out.
I would also like to see Field brought through and utilised as a utility weapon to add some speed around the ruck especially during latter parts of halves - like a Phil Blake type of role but this only happens if MANN is moved to the wing.
Halves:
We are set for the next 4 years
Forwards
We will need a starting prop as I think Grahams role from next year onwards will be more of player coming on to lift the energy - I would like to see LAM kept to become a starting prop along w Vaughan.
We then just need another first grade quality prop to come on as a tandem w Graham after 25m to ensure we have continued energy through our forwards.
I'm not convinced we are covered in the back row beyond Sims, Frizell and JDB - there's a huge gap in class when you look at their immediate replacements (Sele, Host , Luciano) - I think we need a THOMPSON type of 2nd rower coming off the bench - a player w experience and can offer impact.
So in summary I think to ensure we have a competitive team pushing for a top 4 spot from 2019 onwards we will need to sign most definitely
2nd rower
Prop
And potentially a speedy winger.
We are building nicely to having a top 4 team for the next few years ...
Backline:
This is one area we can definitely improve dramatically - We will definitely need to sign a strike winger to replace Nightingale unless we have Lomax come through or push out MANN to the wing. I really like Anthony Donn from GC if we had to go for a winger.
I would really like to see Lomax brought into the starting line up somewhere but can't see Aitken being pushed out.
I would also like to see Field brought through and utilised as a utility weapon to add some speed around the ruck especially during latter parts of halves - like a Phil Blake type of role but this only happens if MANN is moved to the wing.
Halves:
We are set for the next 4 years
Forwards
We will need a starting prop as I think Grahams role from next year onwards will be more of player coming on to lift the energy - I would like to see LAM kept to become a starting prop along w Vaughan.
We then just need another first grade quality prop to come on as a tandem w Graham after 25m to ensure we have continued energy through our forwards.
I'm not convinced we are covered in the back row beyond Sims, Frizell and JDB - there's a huge gap in class when you look at their immediate replacements (Sele, Host , Luciano) - I think we need a THOMPSON type of 2nd rower coming off the bench - a player w experience and can offer impact.
So in summary I think to ensure we have a competitive team pushing for a top 4 spot from 2019 onwards we will need to sign most definitely
2nd rower
Prop
And potentially a speedy winger.
We are building nicely to having a top 4 team for the next few years ...
. 
