Ideal Composition of the Interchange Bench

[Captain Apollo]

With SBW due to return in Round 5, it got me to thinking what would be the best ideal composition of our interchange bench?

In round 1, we had an interchange bench of FPN, Napa, Aubusson and Mortimer with Guerra having been promoted to the starting side. This meant effectively FPN was used to spell one of Moa or JWH.

In round 2, with SBW's suspension we had Aubusson promoted to start in his place, FPN to start at lock, with a bench of Napa, Guerra, Evans and Mortimer.

So for Round 1 the composition was effectively 2 backrowers (FPN and Aubs), 1 front rower (Napa) and 1 half/hooker (Mortimer). Round 2 was 1 backrower (Guerra), 2 front rowers (Napa and Evans) and 1 half/hooker (Mortimer).

The questions I'd value opinions on:

1. What would be the best composition of our interchange bench positions wise (e.g. 2 front rowers, 1 back rower, 1 half/hooker)?
2. Which players should fill those positions (e.g. Guerra and/or Aubs as the second rower/s)?

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Barring no injuries I would go with

Mortimer
Aubusson/Guerra
Liu
Napa/Evans

But I think Robbo will play both Guerra and Aubusson where possible and one of Napa, Liu and Evans. Going off Saturday night you might even put Evans in front of Napa in the depth order but I think when he's fit Liu might in front of both.

 

[Horrie Is God]

I want to have another look at Evans, but against stronger opposition..

He looked awesome on Saturday, but Parra did turn it up..

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

A couple of big tests coming up for him if he's picked to play.

Napa the ferocious defender and Evans the barnstorming big man. Hopefully Napa doesn't get "homesick"

 

[Horrie Is God]

Evans is a massive unit, but actually looks like he is still filling out..

Kid is gunna be a monster..

 

[Chook]

Depends on who we are playing as I think Robbo is still working out how best to utilise the bench.

In round 1 he had a light bench with Maubs and Morts on it against souffs massive pack which seemed strange unless he overcompensated for the speed of the game and was planning on a mobile game to run em ragged. Smith did that back in 2010 and 2011 and we smashed them from memory. But it obviously didn't work out.

In round 2 against one of the smaller packs Robbo had the twin towers of Napa and Evans on the bench and we just rolled through the middle all night.

Against the Broncos just have backrowers on the bench as that's all they have in their 17.

Chook.

 

[bellyache]

Depends on who we are playing as I think Robbo is still working out how best to utilise the bench.

In round 1 he had a light bench with Maubs and Morts on it against souffs massive pack which seemed strange unless he overcompensated for the speed of the game and was planning on a mobile game to run em ragged. Smith did that back in 2010 and 2011 and we smashed them from memory. But it obviously didn't work out.

In round 2 against one of the smaller packs Robbo had the twin towers of Napa and Evans on the bench and we just rolled through the middle all night.

Against the Broncos just have backrowers on the bench as that's all they have in their 17.

Chook.

Forwards need to be able to play the ball quickly, bend the line and play big minutes in 014, the team that gets it right will win the comp..


Turk.

 

[bellyache]

I want to have another look at Evans, but against stronger opposition..

He looked awesome on Saturday, but Parra did turn it up..

Who was it we played?

 

[Headless Chook]

1. Mortimer (obviously)

2. Auby. Has to play off the bench. He gives us that flexibility across the park and can compensate for any backline injuries during the game. That said, there's a strong argument he could be picked in the 1st 13. Rate him highly.

3 and 4. Evans / Napa

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Napa is too undisciplined. Gives away penalties. Expect to see Remi Casty as the second replacement prop before long.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

If we went by giving away penalties then JWH & Friend wouldn't be in the team :lol: smh