Match Discussion: Round 8 vs Cowboys @ 1300SMILES Stadium

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Nathan Cayless was pretty young when he became Eels captain IIRC.

Im fairly sure Cayless holds the record for youngest GF captain, but ive got no idea about regular FG.

My money would be on a Baby Bronco getting the C during Origin.

 

[Btp]

Great strategy by Brown to have Feeney come off bench. He was quoted in Herald today that he wants to see how Feeney and Lamb go for a while to help decide recruitment targets.

We know this isn't a long term halves combo, but I think it's a plan for the future whilst they play there cards with comes off contract throughout year. Hodgo sounds like he could be done for a few weeks.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

As I said, I cant stand Feeney and I don't expect much from him but at the very least Brown had to replace Trent with someone (I didn't care if it was with a bloke of the street) to at least let the Newcastle fans know he was effing furious with what the 7 had dished up so far this season.

Im not expecting much from Feeney, but if he is average again i want him to get a few weeks before we try someone else. If nothing else, he will strengthen the defence and be an extra body in attack which still puts him lightyears ahead of Trent...

If Feeney is dropped, Trent still doesnt deserve to come back. Id rather try Randell (i havent seen him in NSW Cup this year, but last year i thought his form and talent level would make him a passable stop-gap at half).

After that, id either look at trying another NSW Cup half, moving Gagai to 5/8 or just run a backrower beside Lamb.

F*ck, i would bring back Dane Campbell before i let Trent back in the side....

Sione at 5/8 would at least give us a bigger body defending in that position and we know he can ball play a little so I don't think we would lose too much there. Feeney could then come on when the defence gets a bit tired which would suit his game better I think.

I think Feeneys best chance of a FG career in the long term is as a strike player off the bench.

With Kosjasent perhaps done for good (im only going to learn how to spell his name if he actually runs on the field for us), there is a utility spot open in the team. Buhrer has been filling in there for us, but i think that is more out of necessity through a lack of alternatives.

Id much rather have Buhrer in the backrow for potentially 80minutes a game and someone else coming of the bench as utility. ATM Feeney seems most likely to take that job, but he needs to prove he is up to it in these next few games

 

[Mr_Knightside]

At the very least the Feeney experiment gives us fans something to get interested in again. Watching our pop-gun attack for the last few weeks has been pretty demoralising so I just want to see someone running at the line with support and giving us a few options.

 

[slotmachine]

Sione at six will be a disaster. But still better than Hodko.

 

[Glendale]

Hess will be running at whoever plays half on that side. So maybe get Sione to put a few shots on him early then he'll be easier for a fresh Feeney to deal with.

 

[mozza91]

Expecting to lose by 30 but still get wraps from the media for our competitiveness and effort for some reason.

 

[perverse]

Sione at six will be a disaster. But still better than Hodko.

Why? He's likely to just play his normal game of running hard, tackling hard and Hodko has been making him take the occasional kick anyway. I reckon he'll have a blinder with the C to his name. The only risk I can really see is maybe he tries too hard and gets a case of the dropsies.

I see no reason to assume it'll be a disaster - although you're always ready and waiting to lay a boot into him, aren't ya?

 

[Pedge1971]

Yeah there's been a bit of whisper in the wind to this effect. Wouldn't be the worst.

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose of dropping Hodko though? We had backrowers taking the dominant role in last plays to cover for his inadequacies. Now we are playing a backrower at 5/8 to cover his replacements inadequacies.

If Feeney aint up to it why is he in the 17. Makes more sense if you leave both blokes out tbh. Too much tinkering.

 

[Sacrolishes]

More of a defensive strategy I think. Like what was said Hess and JT (the bigger version) will be gunning for them in a big early onslaught. Not bad decision to whether that storm the. Bring Feeney in ready to dart around park.

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose of dropping Hodko though? We had backrowers taking the dominant role in last plays to cover for his inadequacies. Now we are playing a backrower at 5/8 to cover his replacements inadequacies.

If Feeney aint up to it why is he in the 17. Makes more sense if you leave both blokes out tbh. Too much tinkering.

 

[perverse]

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose of dropping Hodko though? We had backrowers taking the dominant role in last plays to cover for his inadequacies. Now we are playing a backrower at 5/8 to cover his replacements inadequacies.

If Feeney aint up to it why is he in the 17. Makes more sense if you leave both blokes out tbh. Too much tinkering.

Hodko was dropped because he was playing woefully, not because anyone was putting their hand up for his spot. This selection reflects that for mine.

 

[Spot On]

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose of dropping Hodko though? We had backrowers taking the dominant role in last plays to cover for his inadequacies. Now we are playing a backrower at 5/8 to cover his replacements inadequacies.

If Feeney aint up to it why is he in the 17. Makes more sense if you leave both blokes out tbh. Too much tinkering.

Because a statement had to made made. And has been suggested in here by some, Brown was sending a message to more than just Hodko Pedge.

I don't care what happens with Feeney tonight, the act of dropping the captain has already made up for it.

What's the worst that can happen, another loss? (not to mention a shit load of injuries but maybe we can have a week off with that?)

 

[Pedge1971]

Yeah I get that and agree with it. But if you're gonna pick a bloke, play him otherwise leave him out altogether and play someone else. Anyway my 2c worth.

 

[Spot On]

Unfortunately the depths of the playing ranks prevent 'someone else' playing. That's what makes this decision such a big one. Some may see it as monumentally stupid, but I say the coach is the only one we've ever had who is walking the walk and not prepared to let the players dictate to him.

It is refreshing.

There's no right click on Brown's mouse.

 

[slotmachine]

I see no reason to assume it'll be a disaster - although you're always ready and waiting to lay a boot into him, aren't ya?

Because the cows will tee off on lamb knowing there is nothing doing on the other side other than a hitup. At least they would have to respect Feeney's game somewhat.

And apologies, it slipped my mind that you're not allowed to say anything about the golden child other than unadulterated praise.

 

[perverse]

Because the cows will tee off on lamb knowing there is nothing doing on the other side other than a hitup. At least they would have to respect Feeney's game somewhat.

And apologies, it slipped my mind that you're not allowed to say anything about the golden child other than unadulterated praise.

And I forgot we're only supposed to predict unmitigated disaster on all fronts for the club. Just calling it as I see it. I think Sione will just play as he plays for the most part. He doesn't have to do much different, and I doubt Brown will be asking him to do much different. I expect Lamb to be the effective 7, with Sione just playing as a running 6 until Feeney comes on.

 

[Knight76]

Agree with Pedge.

If we are bringing Feeney in and dropping Hodko, play him at half and roll the dice.

I don't see the point putting him to the bench.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

At least Feeney will stuff up in new and unpredictable ways. We will be entertained.

 

[perverse]

I'd be happy enough for Feeney to start, too. I just don't care really, all options better than what we've used the past 7 rounds.

 

[slotmachine]

And I forgot we're only supposed to predict unmitigated disaster on all fronts for the club. Just calling it as I see it. I think Sione will just play as he plays for the most part. He doesn't have to do much different, and I doubt Brown will be asking him to do much different. I expect Lamb to be the effective 7, with Sione just playing as a running 6 until Feeney comes on.

You realise our halves play on different sides of the ruck right? It doesn't matter what number is on lambs back he'll still be on the right and Sione will still be on the left for the most part. The point being is that on last tackle and inside attacking 20 the cows don't have to worry about what Sione is doing because he's not going to threaten with kicks or ball playing.

As everyone is saying, if you're picking Feeney start him and see what he's got. Brown obviously worried about defence but we're not going to win 2-0, and there is more points in Feeney