Mann Vs Aitken, who deserves the starting centre role?

[BennyV]

Lol@Aitken.

 

[Saints Forever]

Aitken doesn't have the ability to set up his winger and he is not powerful enough to play in the back row.

Time to play Mann at Right Centre and Lomax at Right Wing.

Flo is a legend and always will be but he is showing signs of being past his used by date.

Lomax has already shown he can cope with the physicality of FG.

Prefer to lose a few games blooding Lomax than lose a few games watching Flo tarnish his tremendous contribution to the club.

 

[getsmarty]

Mary will start with Aitken....Also will not drop nightingale.

 

[MaryMcGregor]

I do know a little something about right centre.

Besides, Euan grew here, Kurt flew here.

 

[Datramp]

Another game another try directly caused by aitkens defence.

 

[RufusRex]

Put him in jumper 38

 

[KiamaSaint]

Another game another try directly caused by aitkens defence.

*Tries

 

[hazzbeen]

*Tries

Yep he tries hard but doesn't cut it .....

 

[MaryMcGregor]

You’re not seeing Euan’s work of the ball.

He’s handy on the paint cans, just quietly.

 

[KiamaSaint]

Euan does a fair bit of work of the ball.

He’s handy on the paint cans, just quietly.

Not to mention the photos he has...

 

[possm]

Aitken doesn't have the ability to set up his winger and he is not powerful enough to play in the back row.

Time to play Mann at Right Centre and Lomax at Right Wing.

Flo is a legend and always will be but he is showing signs of being past his used by date.

Lomax has already shown he can cope with the physicality of FG.

Prefer to lose a few games blooding Lomax than lose a few games watching Flo tarnish his tremendous contribution to the club.

So I ask again, why was Mary and Millward so keen to extend Aitken when the likes of Gagai was up for grabs.

 

[possm]

You’re not seeing Euan’s work of the ball.

He’s handy on the paint cans, just quietly.

Yep, Aitken is very keen to run up and cut off the oppositions attack. The only problem is more often than not he misses his target and leaves a gaping hole for others to deal with.

 

[Dragons 09]

Definitely Aitken. Not even a question. So much more powerful in attack.

Mann isn't a centre, fullback or half. Good 14.

Welcome back champ.........look forward to Mann proving you wrong, again!

 

[Reddragon]

How come Gitano can vote 4 times?

 

[Dragons22]

A right edge combination of Lomax and Mann would be dangerous! Lomax and Mann in for Aitken and Nightingale! Although unfortunately, I don't believe super-coach would pick them.

 

[emu62]

How come Gitano can vote 4 times?

Thats obvious Red dragon . He's at least 4 times more knowledgeable on football than everyone else
Just ask him!

 

[Old Timer]

Nice that we are trying to resolve this situation with lots of good posts but in reality we need 2 centres and neither Mann nor Lomax can play both positions at the 1 time.
Most likely the question was never just Aitken V Mann we just thought it was?
So is the real question Lomax and Mann for starting centres and can anyone else other than Aitken or Lafai dislodge them?
I was a believer that Aitken deserved his chance Rd 1 but on what I have seen, I have to admit he is not a natural centre and we do have more creditable alternatives.
Re Lafai I just think he has bluffed the coaching staff and his best was 2014 and that form will never return.

 

[Life's Good]

My take is that Lafai, whilst rocks & diamonds, has more to his game to give us a bit of variety. He was killing it early last year but fell away as our 'power game' diminished which gave him less to work with.

After the trials its clear Aitken has either no confidence or is simply not up to it(we are talking about a player 3 years into his career). He needs a stint in NSW Cup or maybe even moved on.

That would leave the other centre spot open and on play so far Lomax is living up to the hype. That said I would go with Mann for the early rounds. He's not going to let us down in either defence or attack.

 

[RufusRex]

Lafai will do two things if he gets the ball near the line ..
Big step inside or take the tackle/hope to draw the winger and then pop the pass.

That 2nd one needs two things to happen
1. Nene needs to be in position outside him to receive it
2. If the pass is not on he needs to be screaming at lafai to hold the ball and hope the message gets through.

If Nene cuts inside and doesn't talk the ball will be thrown over the sideline. Lafai if being man handled by two or three tacklers wont know where Nene is or if the pass is not on .. he needs to be communicated with.

 

[SEAT 1A]

My take is that Lafai, whilst rocks & diamonds, has more to his game to give us a bit of variety. He was killing it early last year but fell away as our 'power game' diminished which gave him less to work with.

After the trials its clear Aitken has either no confidence or is simply not up to it(we are talking about a player 3 years into his career). He needs a stint in NSW Cup or maybe even moved on.

That would leave the other centre spot open and on play so far Lomax is living up to the hype. That said I would go with Mann for the early rounds. He's not going to let us down in either defence or attack.

Good read LG. Add Lafia's defence, not many get pass him.

I wouldn't throw Aitken on the scrap yet, had a major injury and I think he is ginger at the moment.

His best game was in the Country V City game ie no Mary and he is signed long term so he is here to stay and on trail form, Mann should start.