gr8_1, I've been advocating questions since rnd 1. It's been obvious since the first game that something ain't right.
I was chatting with Warren and Leo Epifania came over. He at least recognises that there is an attitude problem throughout the club. We're just not competing. Some chances coming in Flegg for sure. With the Ball lads available, there are going to be cuts. Trimarchi is almost a certainty to start in the centres next week and Gallant, O'Donnell and Rysko will be coming up soon too I'd say.
The new guy Fotu is one huuuge mother. Showed some good things too, but it was his first league game in a long while so positioning and fitness showed. He was very reticent to get involved too much. Virtually made our first try, but mostly bludged in the centres. If he keeps that up he won't be any use to us, but if he gets fit and involved then he could be a gun. Leo was talking about maybe using him as a centre :roll: , I hope he was joking. Said he had some pace (which is certainly true for a Prop), but the Bears exploited him bludging out in the centres when they went to the blind he was covering with a winger and simply out paced him on the outside to score the game clincher. He also hung back in defence. Wouldn't get in and make the first tackle. Came over the top and crunched plenty of guys who had been halted. That might, just might fly around the rucks, but he can't get away with that out wide. Certainly a promising project, but without question lots of work to do. Give him a No. 8 jersey, and tell him bluding won't be tolerated.
Ben Weir seems to be carrying a hernia. He should go and get it fixed. Sam Hoare is going good. I hate to see Brinky out of the side, but he's lost the 9 for sure. I don't think 13 is Water's spot, maybe Brinky should be there with Nath in the centres. Hammer is always the 100% man, but he hasn't the size to be in the front row. I'd leave that to Young, Paselio, and Fotu. Pritchard has been a massive disappointment. He should be one of the best in the grade, but he's doing zip. Mannion hasn't over impressed either.
The halves look better when they have runners. Roberts is the guy who can win a game on his own, but he makes so many blunders. We don't have any real options here though. Neither Ben or Borgie's kicking game instills fear in the opposition, but Roberts goal kicking seems to be improving greatly.
Without McMahon our outside backs look pretty ordinary. Don't know what happened to scissors. I'd play Dalts at the back, but the club doesn't seem to want him there, and he didn't go too well at centre yesterday it must be said. I just don't think Parkyns is as dangerous from there that Anthony would be.
I'd hope to see something like:
1. Dalton (or maybe McDonnell), 2. Gallant, 3. Trimarchi, 4. Waters or Soper, 5. McMahon, 6. Roberts, 7. Borg or Wisbey (gee didn't Brycey Poisel carve us up), 8. Young, 9. Hoare, 10. Auelua, 11. Hampson, 12. Mannion, 13. Brinkworth, with Rysko, Pritchard, Paselio, Ramirez, Parkyns, etc on the bench. Lots of work for these boys to do.
