Keep Gallen at 5/8?

[NthCronullaLocal]

Aitken is 185cm and 90kg. That is not small people cannot use that as an excuse anymore. That would be bigger then most of our current first grade backs. He didnt have his best game the other night but has been playing reasonably well before that. People which have seen Aitken play on a regular basis such as ali, popper and myself can all see Aitken's ability. I hope he gets to show it in first grade sooner rather than later.
I rate Goodwin. He has been one of the better players for Flegg this season and went alright in PL the other night without being exceptional.

 

[Foz]

I'd be playing Aitken 5/8.
He didnt do too much wrong when he had a go there.
A guy on the way up surely must be worth a go rather than a second rower who has filled in for 2 games.
If we have a problem up the middle of the ruck (which I am assuming the coach thinks we have and I agree) get rid of the forward not doing his job.
To me this problem up the ruck appears after about 20 minutes.
Read into that what you like.

 

[Mr Angry]

My question.
BK gets injured who plays half?
The answer should be our 5/8 IMO.
Gallen has been great where ever we play him, however IMO he should be 11 or 12.

As for Sullivan defending in the front line @ 5/8, he defends at hooker when on, I would prefer him defending @ 5/8, either way it is the frontline.

 

[ali]

We need another ball player to take the pressure of Noddy like Scott Hill did in the City country game. I think like McSharkie said lets find out if Aitken is ready once and for all. If it doesnt work out let him go back to PL till he is ready. Aitken is a quality ball player and id love to see what he can do down the right with Merritt and Vagana.
Also if you want Gallens hit up and defence off the scrum pack Russ in as lock and just let Gallen play 5/8 at the scrum. It could be a happy median with the way we use Gallen.

This is exactly my opinion. Aitken is not making mistakes in PL, he's just not getting involved enough. But when he does, its class, and he is probably leading try scorer in the club. So he can't be as disappointing as some people have suggested.

Gallen would be a good player if we put him in 3, 4, 6, 13, 12, 11, 10 or 8. The question is, would Aitken add another dimension to the team? My opinion is yes. Even the biggest believer in playing forwards at 5/8, Brian Smith, has finally backed down this week and picked 2 traditional halves. Its time we followed suit.

 

[chili pepper]

I hope Aitken gets a go sometime soon, the Souths game could be an ideal chance to try him out. Gallen could help him out in defence ala Carroll with Lockyer at Broncos. Playing and training beside a player like Noddy would also do him the world of good.

 

[Booyah]

Keep Galls there. He hasn't put a foot wrong and the Roosters had a bit of trouble with him there last week. It's a good tactic by Stuey too.

We don't really need a 5/8 because of Noddy so effectively we have 4 backrowers.

 

[Macca]

Yeah, 4 back rowers, 1 point of attack & 1 kicker in general play.

 

[carinashark]

Souths would love Atkien , they would go at him all nite ! That would be a win for them and twice in one season. Please no Atkien!
carinashark

 

[givmeabeer]

Gals is actually one of our quickest over 40 metre in the club.

He'll be ok

 

[Macca]

He is the fastest forward in the NRL over 40m at 4.7 secs. (not counting Craig Wing)

That is still fast for a back though with the fastest being Matt Rieck at 4.3 from memory.

 

[Mr Angry]

But he cannot kick. :?
Short term solution or long term fix?

 

[Macca]

I agree Mr Angry. He isn't a solution at all. He is just there to tackle and take the ball forward. He is playing as a third second rower. We need another ball player that can kick in general play. I know you think that person is Sully but I want to see him continue his good form at hooker. Give Aitken a go against Souths. It's important that we start shaping our team for the future.

 

[brumal]

Gallen did well against the Roosters, and I would keep him there against the Sea Eagles, he deserves another chance. Although I would probably like to see Sullivan start in that position soon or starting as hooker.

 

[Surely]

He is the ideal 5/8 big strong fast ... give him a chance to develop his game there.

Do we need a ball playing 5/8, we have a ball playing fullback.
Peachey more or less plays like a 5/8 in attack ... creating the holes, it is up to the other guys to back him up.

 

[Macca]

Hmmmm,

Peachey doesn't have a kicking game though.

 

[DJDL]

Peach can kick alright.
He just rarely does.

 

[Alan Shore]

Peachey should kick more. If he isn't helping out with the kicking, Noddy should be bombing for Peach. Nobody can outleap him.

I'd have Gallen start at 5/8th, then shift him to the forwards after 20 and bring Aitken on from the bench.

 

[carinashark]

Why dose everyone love Atkien . Ive watched him most weeks and he is nothing special! He has done nothing special! Even Greg Bird got 5 tries in one match! Whats Atkien done to even play PL?
Please someone tell me something great!
Carinashark

 

[NthCronullaLocal]

What Russ Aitken has done:
Matthews Cup - scored 3 tries in nearly every game
Made NSW u17 twice - captained them the second time.
NSW schoolboys
Australian Schoolboys
MOM in Flegg as a 17 yr old making his debut.

If those arent good enough credentials i will turn it up.

You obviously havent seen enough of him. Others who have watched him regulary know what he is capable of and that he is all class. He had an injury prone season last year which set him back but IMO he has the ability to handle first grade and it would not hurt to give him a run in first grade especially if we drop a game or two in the coming weeks (We i hope we dont).

 

[King of the Hill]

Matthews Cup - scored 3 tries in nearly every game
Made NSW u17 twice - captained them the second time.
NSW schoolboys
Australian Schoolboys
MOM in Flegg as a 17 yr old making his debut.

Sounds like he'd be good at the 17 year old level