My team for round 1

[dragonssamy61]

I would really feel for Mann and Milne if they missed out on a spot for the start of the season. Thought they both did enough in a poor side last year to earn their spots for kick off this year.

That said, if Dufty gets fullback, all of a sudden there is going to be some hard calls made in the wing and center spots.

Does anyone think Milne would make a decent bench back row interchange? He could terrorize tired forwards with his footwork and offloads

Hi Danny
I think attack wise mybe but defence dont thi ks so would have to improve a lot.
I would play him as a centre or not at all. Imo

 

[watatank]

Aitken and Milne are more natural right edge players for mine. They could play left but they wouldn't be as effective.

Mann has played most of his NRL career at left wing or left centre. That's enough information to go on. If he is going to go elsewhere it's unlikely he will be seen as a half. Other clubs would look at him as a centre or backup utility.

Anyway his value would be to play centre but utility value. Not a bad way to go although I get the feeling that McGregor doesn't rate him

 

[Dragon Revival]

I believe that Mann is our best winger
and that he is one of our three best backs along with Dugan and Aitken. Dufty should get a go early on at wing or fullback. Last year the team was not picked on form. Aitken, Mann, Milne and Hutchison should have been promoted earlier and Havili been first choice hooker instead of Rein and Host used earlier.If McGregor continues to
stuff up with selection of mediocre players the poor results will continue.

 

[GC Dragon]

Aitken and Milne are more natural right edge players for mine. They could play left but they wouldn't be as effective.

Mann has played most of his NRL career at left wing or left centre. That's enough information to go on. If he is going to go elsewhere it's unlikely he will be seen as a half. Other clubs would look at him as a centre or backup utility.

Anyway his value would be to play centre but utility value. Not a bad way to go although I get the feeling that McGregor doesn't rate him

Yeah I agree . Listening to Matt Cooper and Justin Hodges who were asked about playing centre on there non chosen side . They both said it wasn't so much a problem in attack but in defence they found it very hard and were beaten far more easily . I think Aitken struggles more playing left centre because he is a right centre as is Milne , Dugan , Herbert , Garrick and Dodd . I have no doubt that Mary will pick Dugan and Aitken as our round one centres and Nighty and McDonald as our wingers but I really feel for Milne and agree with you that Mary doesn't really rate Mann .

 

[Frank Facer]

Like it Frank
Only change for me is nona at 6 widdop at 7 .
Nona much better suited to 6 and its his natural position.
Widdop play 7 for England so why not for us. But mann at 7 is also good

Thanks dragonssammy 61. I have not seen Nona play, but from what I have heard of his form from last year, he probably does deserve a chance too. I have not seen Mann play in the halves, besides a few highlights of him playing for QLD in the Under 20's state of origin. Last year, I was reading numerous reports from supporters saying that he is a gun half or 5/8. I would have liked to see Mann given a go in the halves last year. If so we may already know if he is a solution to our half problems. I suspect that he is more of a 5/8. The same applies to Nona and Widdop too. I did not watch the internationals, where Widdop played halfback, but I was calling for Price to try Widdop at halfback from the moment we signed him,

 

[Walpole]

For mine Widdop needs to step up and take control of the team. He's the captain, an international and now there's no Benji to get in his way (or to lay the blame on). So I'd have him at halfback and give Mann a shot at 5/8. Dufty at FB, Dugan in the centres, Nighty to at least start the season on one wing.

Dufty and Mann add some speed (where's Dino?) that we haven't had in recent seasons.

 

[JDHD]

Gee must of gone up a bit , pretty sure it was only a 100 grand last year

You're right, I'm an idiot haha. I was thinking of the proposal to make it a million. It was actually $370k last year but that's still nothing to sneeze at

 

[Qdf]

Widdop 7,Nona 6,Mann 5,Duges 1,bring Dufty's in after 6-12 games in the Cutters.On the wing,to swap with Duges at fullback on occasions, when possible. This is the best way for him to adjust to the fullback roll.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

1. Dufty.
2. MacDonald.
3. Dugan.
4. Aitken.
5. Milne.
6. Widdop (c).
7. Mann.
8. Packer.
9. McInnes.
10. Vaughan.
11. Host.
12. Thompson.
13. Frizell.
RES :
14. DeBelin. - middle rotation, (strong, consistent, great tackler).
15. Leilua. - edge rotation. (ball player, runner, game breaker).
16. Sims. - middle / edge rotation, (aggressive, energy).
17. Nightingale. - cover for a lot of positions, great dummy half runner late in games (energy & passion).

Yes it's a slightly different team. Might just be me but I like having a back on the bench. How many times in games do you see a three quarter go down early and it can have a big effect on the team.
I remember last year when Oates was injured early for the cheating Donkeys and Kodi N played wing and let in about four try's down that side.
If Nighty no good for number 17 look at options for Milne / Aitken to cover the reserve back position.
Host and Thompson can play 80 minutes plus if needed Host can have a stint in the middle when Luc is on.

 

[BennyV]

How many times in games do you see a three quarter go down early and it can have a big effect on the team.

While I dont know the exact number, I'd wager that it's less than 5% of games. Certainly not often enough to warrant wasting a bench spot a winger with no proven skillset or experience in any other position, particularly when you have specialist edge backrowers who are more than capable of moving out 1 position to cover a major injury and a hooker who hasnt proven to be switched on for 80 minutes.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

While I dont know the exact number, I'd wager that it's less than 5% of games. Certainly not often enough to warrant wasting a bench spot a winger with no proven skillset or experience in any other position, particularly when you have specialist edge backrowers who are more than capable of moving out 1 position to cover a major injury and a hooker who hasnt proven to be switched on for 80 minutes.

BennyV, it doesn't matter anyway. Just had a text from Mary and this is what he is going with for Round 1.

1. Dugan.
2. MacDonald.
3. Aitken.
4. Lafai.
5. Nightingale.
6. Widdop (c).
7. McCrone.
8. AhMau
9. McInnes.
10. Vaughan.
11. Thompson.
12. Frizell.
13. DeBelin.
RES :
14. Packer.
15. Sims.
16. Marketo (long minutes).
17. Havili (no game time at all).

Old heads in McCrone, Lafai & Marketo to get the job done.
Will Matthews 18th man.
No room for any up and comers (Dufty, Milne, Luc, Host).
Mann still on shitlist from Round 2 last year.

 

[blacksafake]

Ok I'll have a go.

Dufty
McDonald (i don't think he's been signed to play reserves)
Duges
Milne (i think he just offers more than Aitken at the moment)
Nighty (deserves to be given 1st go)
Mann
Widdop
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Friz
Thommo
JDB (just tackle & run for 80)

Host
Leilua
Sims
Havili

Anyway it's all pointless because L plate will pick his favourites.

 

[Qdf]

It's got To be Nona at 6,he's got a kicking game,played extremely well in the last two games for the Cutters. Widdop misfired last season,give him a chance at 7.If he fails to fire, drop him & promote Man or McCrone.

 

[blacksafake]

BennyV, it doesn't matter anyway. Just had a text from Mary and this is what he is going with for Round 1.

1. Dugan.
2. MacDonald.
3. Aitken.
4. Lafai.
5. Nightingale.
6. Widdop (c).
7. McCrone.
8. AhMau
9. McInnes.
10. Vaughan.
11. Thompson.
12. Frizell.
13. DeBelin.
RES :
14. Packer.
15. Sims.
16. Marketo (long minutes).
17. Havili (no game time at all).

Old heads in McCrone, Lafai & Marketo to get the job done.
Will Matthews 18th man.
No room for any up and comers (Dufty, Milne, Luc, Host).
Mann still on shitlist from Round 2 last year.

Don't be surprised if this team is very close to the mark EHD

 

[BennyV]

Ok I'll have a go.

Dufty
McDonald (i don't think he's been signed to play reserves)
Duges
Milne (i think he just offers more than Aitken at the moment)
Nighty (deserves to be given 1st go)
Mann
Widdop
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Friz
Thommo
JDB (just tackle & run for 80)

Host
Leilua
Sims
Havili

Anyway it's all pointless because L plate will pick his favourites.

I'd laugh if it wasnt true

 

[to_ddeath]

BennyV, it doesn't matter anyway. Just had a text from Mary and this is what he is going with for Round 1.

1. Dugan.
2. MacDonald.
3. Aitken.
4. Lafai.
5. Nightingale.
6. Widdop (c).
7. McCrone.
8. AhMau
9. McInnes.
10. Vaughan.
11. Thompson.
12. Frizell.
13. DeBelin.
RES :
14. Packer.
15. Sims.
16. Marketo (long minutes).
17. Havili (no game time at all).

Old heads in McCrone, Lafai & Marketo to get the job done.
Will Matthews 18th man.
No room for any up and comers (Dufty, Milne, Luc, Host).
Mann still on shitlist from Round 2 last year.

Mann was obviously terrible in that game but redeemed himself later on IMO.
I can't leave him out of the 17, offers too much & was one of the few who bothered in the back end of the season....


T.

 

[Dragsters]

Ok I'll have a go.

Dufty
McDonald (i don't think he's been signed to play reserves)
Duges
Milne (i think he just offers more than Aitken at the moment)
Nighty (deserves to be given 1st go)
Mann
Widdop
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Friz
Thommo
JDB (just tackle & run for 80)

Host
Leilua
Sims
Havili

Anyway it's all pointless because L plate will pick his favourites.

I fear you are right mate but for what it's worth your team is the same as mine barring Havilii as I went with LAM coz I reckon we need another prop on the bench...

 

[blacksafake]

I fear you are right mate but for what it's worth your team is the same as mine barring Havilii as I went with LAM coz I reckon we need another prop on the bench...

Yea i'm probably a prop short Dragsters but LAM to me is too predictable & Mose who knows. I thought JDB could fill in for a bit & maybe Sims at a pinch. Anyway who knows what L plate will do.

 

[KiamaSaint]

BennyV, it doesn't matter anyway. Just had a text from Mary and this is what he is going with for Round 1.

1. Dugan.
2. MacDonald.
3. Aitken.
4. Lafai.
5. Nightingale.
6. Widdop (c).
7. McCrone.
8. AhMau
9. McInnes.
10. Vaughan.
11. Thompson.
12. Frizell.
13. DeBelin.
RES :
14. Packer.
15. Sims.
16. Marketo (long minutes).
17. Havili (no game time at all).

Old heads in McCrone, Lafai & Marketo to get the job done.
Will Matthews 18th man.
No room for any up and comers (Dufty, Milne, Luc, Host).
Mann still on shitlist from Round 2 last year.

Spot on, that is exactly the team Mary will pick thinking it will somehow save his bacon.

 

[KiamaSaint]

Ok I'll have a go.

Dufty
McDonald (i don't think he's been signed to play reserves)
Duges
Milne (i think he just offers more than Aitken at the moment)
Nighty (deserves to be given 1st go)
Mann
Widdop
Packer
McInnes
Vaughan
Friz
Thommo
JDB (just tackle & run for 80)

Host
Leilua
Sims
Havili

Anyway it's all pointless because L plate will pick his favourites.

If they don't move Widdop to 1 (I still think he is a fullback), and JDB is healthy, this is pretty close to the team I would choose also.