Monster pack is it all overated?

[Dragon Slayer]

I keep hearing how Parramatta have invested in 120kg prop forwards during the off season and made a point that everything about forwards today is about size,size and more size. Frankly I think their barking up the wrong tree.Especially with the abolition of the standing flop tackle. These guys are just not going to be able to get back the 10 metres all the time.

I think you have to have some size to your pack but in the end it's about offloading skills and mobility that makes the best pack of forwards. And the key thing......a work ethic. The Panthers and Roosters packs which have won the past two premierships are hardly the biggest packs going around but two of the most explosive,skilled and mobile.

I think with the acquisitions we've made with Russo and Lomu we are certainly going to get a bit of much needed explosiveness and skill. And I think Bailey's experience out in the centres will also give him a better edge in this department as well if as expected he plays second row this year. Add Matt Hilder and I think we're starting to get together the type of skill factor we've sorely missed in the pack for some time.

Has Brian Smith blundered again or should we of invested in more big bopper type of forwards?

 

[Chest Pain]

Ando tried that did'nt - Tweddle and Wessel. The results speak for themselves me thinks.

 

[Genius Freak]

Parra's 'Monster' pack includes nuffies like Armit, Muckert, Fui Fui Mui Mui, and Vella. They can keep their 'monster' pack. I'll take our boys anyday.

 

[Macca]

The thing you want these days in a pack of forwards is definatley mobility and skill. The big boppers are going to fall behind the pace in todays game.

 

[wittyfan]

Yeah, mobility is going to be a problem for them for sure, especially with the heat in the opening rounds. Remember Tweddle's and Wessel's efforts against Melbourne on a warm March afternoon last year? Brian Smith, on the surface, appears to be innovative with this idea of having a monster pack, but he's just clutching at straws to stop their progressive slide since 2001.

 

[Special K]

they may all be huge but they are all soft.

 

[Sheros los Deros]

Ando tried that did'nt - Tweddle and Wessel. The results speak for themselves me thinks.

Took the word right out my mouth. Size and strength means nothing if you can't play.

Guys like Nutley whilst small do a ton more work than big Lummox's like that.

 

[troy]

It doesn't matter what pack you have , if you have Dykes and Wagon as your play makers ???

 

[Alan Shore]

It's funny 'cause it's true! :lol: :lol: :lol:

You need a mixture of size, mobility and ball-players. I think we have the combination right this year with mobie guys like Hilder, Russo and Nutley, ballplayers like Lomu and Galloway, with big guns in Stevens, Beattie and Newton.

 

[SirShire]

Ahh Newton! I have a feeling that this guy is going to go crazy this season! I reckon (hope) he has an unreal season.

 

[Cometshark]

I'd say for the last ten years teams who have good ballplaying backrowers have taken it out.

 

[shadowboxer]

I worry about parra, like not that i cant sleep at night but they may be right in their thinking but i have a feeling that they are kidding themsleves. I mean they have dumped alot of players and as already noted they have dykes steering the ship.

In all the interviews so far Smith has been praising the hell out of dykes and his trial form. It wil be interesting to see what smith does when dykes falls injured again. I remember a mate who is a parra fan bagging us because they had snared dykes away from the sharks, i laughed at him and reminded him that he only turns up every other year and does his magic, we had the last laugh after his last good year was 2001. We wait and see what he produces this year.

Their pack is massive with the occassional rock ape but is this going to help the rot. Im betting in 6 months brian smith and chris anderson will be drinking soy lattees together up on the gold coast trying to lobby for a job.

 

[The Popper]

Depends on the quality. A good big man will always beat a good little man.
Guess the old joke exemplifies this:
Q. Would you rather fight Mike Tyson or Jeff Fenech?
A. Mike Tyson. Cause I'd be out cold after one punch. But with Jeff Fenech I'd be hurting for a month.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

Bad analogy Popper.
Mike Tyson with one punch could vegatablise me or kill me.
I'd prefer to hurt for 12 months.

& if monster packs are over rated, we had be very worried, because we have a monster pack.
Stevo is the biggest of the big boppers.
Bailey is f**king huge. Lomu. Russo, They are all big boys.
Parra have done nothing except strengthen their front row of which they were way under manned & strength last year.
They have put big fast guys on their wings. A very good move in my opinion.
As for dykes? Well , I wish he was playing 5/8 for us.
Hang on, maybe I'd prefer Bird?

 

[King of the Hill]

Bailey f**king huge? I dont know about that

As for dykes? Well , I wish he was playing 5/8 for us.
Hang on, maybe I'd prefer Bird?

Dykes > Bird

However Dykes is injured most of the time and he's a bit hit and miss
He was outstanding for us in 2001, probably our best player...but he was invisible in 2002

 

[blacktip-reefy]

Actually I think thats a fair assessment of his 02 form.
I think he played 5 games

 

[Macca]

Dykesy left because he knew the flat style wouldn't suit him. He was probably right. He was simply brilliant in 2001 and thats difficult for me to admit considering the sprays I used to give him in previous years. He has been injured on and off since so it is impossible to tell how well he has gone at Parra. I remember him getting out of hospital to get us close to beating Newcastle in 2001. We would have beaten Parra too.

Now that Ando has moved on I wouldn't be surprised if he comes back. He and Noddy might just go alright together too.

 

[PJ]

He won't be back.

I think there was a bit of politics involved in his leaving as well not suiting Ando's style.

I believe and hope that Aitken will become a far better 5/8 for us than Dykes ever was.

 

[Sharkie73]

We didn't have a huge pack in 2002, yet we matched with all the huge packs. and came within a wisker of the GF

 

[Macca]

That would be nice!