.... He will move these players into positions in 2009 where they will have the most impact and build the side around them, as follows:
1. Phil Graham to fullback
This has been thrown up before and shot down, but if he recovers well from the knee reco I reckon he should be trained there in the off season, with Bronx as back up. He has played there in QLD cup and was a sensation with his footwork and room to move and accelerate through the line, ala Brett Stewart. he also has some ball playing skill and a kick and chase which could be used to full effect. If it doesn't work, put in bronx and put him on the wing but not in the centres where he is wasted.
2. Tongue to hooker
Another controversial one... but assuming we don't get Flanagan this is our best option. Let's face it, Tonguey is a tackling machine in the middle and he can be just as effective in defence in the 9. He isn't big enough to make metres in the backrow, so we are wasting the lock position with his lack of size. Alan has a clever brain, can pass well off both sides and make quick yards out of dummy half and can mix it up with a kick here and there as well. If you have Withers off the bench then you can keep Alan on the field for 80 minutes by pushing him into lock later in the game. Again, train him there all off season and see what happens.
3. Carney to 5/8
No brainer, his best position, he's not an orgainiser, give him space to create!
4. Campese to lock
He has the body for the backrow and could be dynamic choosing his time to break the line and do a bit of ball playing to take the pressure off the halves.
5. Mick Monaghan to halfback
THE FINISHING TOUCH!!!!!!!!
1. Phil Graham to fullback
This has been thrown up before and shot down, but if he recovers well from the knee reco I reckon he should be trained there in the off season, with Bronx as back up. He has played there in QLD cup and was a sensation with his footwork and room to move and accelerate through the line, ala Brett Stewart. he also has some ball playing skill and a kick and chase which could be used to full effect. If it doesn't work, put in bronx and put him on the wing but not in the centres where he is wasted.
2. Tongue to hooker
Another controversial one... but assuming we don't get Flanagan this is our best option. Let's face it, Tonguey is a tackling machine in the middle and he can be just as effective in defence in the 9. He isn't big enough to make metres in the backrow, so we are wasting the lock position with his lack of size. Alan has a clever brain, can pass well off both sides and make quick yards out of dummy half and can mix it up with a kick here and there as well. If you have Withers off the bench then you can keep Alan on the field for 80 minutes by pushing him into lock later in the game. Again, train him there all off season and see what happens.
3. Carney to 5/8
No brainer, his best position, he's not an orgainiser, give him space to create!
4. Campese to lock
He has the body for the backrow and could be dynamic choosing his time to break the line and do a bit of ball playing to take the pressure off the halves.
5. Mick Monaghan to halfback
THE FINISHING TOUCH!!!!!!!!
