Both of these seem more obvious on experience and we may well get but I hope not. They would wreck our whole structure and gameplan.
I can’t see Crossland playing 60 minutes at lock like Mann does, and then jumping into hooker for 20 minutes to spell Randall. Not even close. Minutes aside, Crossland doesn’t have the same physicality or running threat in the lock role either.
If Barnett starts at lock we go back to 2021 attack shape, which I would prefer not to as it will nullify Clune and Clifford in a game we don’t have Ponga. I think if AOB surrenders to that he will probably just play Sue at 13 and leave Barnett on the edge, two guys he seems to trust over Jirah.
I would rather just next-man-up which is Sasagi. On Monday in NSW Cup he played 80 minutes at lock, had 54 touches, 37 passes, and made 182 metres. In the highlights he is playing that Mann role to a tee.
The Mann role is what he is being groomed for, so if they don’t pick him it will have to be because they are not confident in his defence just yet. I’d like to think he is ready to step up.
The Newcastle Knights come away with their first win of the season after defeating the Western Suburbs Magpies in round 2 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
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