My team for round 1

[Glenn01]

He was given 2 matches at fb and had a shocker against sharks round 2 and was dropped. I don't think that classifies as being trialled at fullback, everyone has an off game. He shouldn't have been dropped, poor coaching from mary.
And field to centres? Really?

He had a shocker and was dropped but even before that he was looked Gerald Beale-like at best.

Absolutely Field in the centres. Not this year but when after he has bulked up a little more. Why not? Fast, elusive, good passing ability. Like a upgrade on James Roberts but who is able to drink a beer without losing his mind.

 

[BennyV]

I love it...take one of our most hyped youngsters, a fullback who transitioned into a 5/8 and is looking to break into first grade at halfback, and stuff him into the centres, despite some of our best junior prospects in years already waiting for a spot in the centres!

This is Tim Sheens level genius!

 

[possm]

Field
Macdonald
Milne
Dugan
Nightingale
Mann
Widdop
Sims
Havili
Vaughan
Thompson
Frizell
De Belin

Ah Mau
Host
Leilua
McInnes

 

[borat]

In my opinion we are pretty much guaranteed that McCrone will be in the 17.

If one of our untried halves, Mann/Field/Nona, makes the starting team then I think you will see McCrone on the bench for insurance.

If McCrone starts at 7 then I can see a genuine hooker on the bench in Havili. Unless Mann can slot into hooker as well which I doubt.

 

[Glenn01]

I love it...take one of our most hyped youngsters, a fullback who transitioned into a 5/8 and is looking to break into first grade at halfback, and stuff him into the centres, despite some of our best junior prospects in years already waiting for a spot in the centres!

This is Tim Sheens level genius!

In the interests of accuracy I didn't state he should be a centre, I said he could be a very good centre. You don't think so? That is Steve Price and Paul McGregor level genius.

 

[Crush]

He had a shocker and was dropped but even before that he was looked Gerald Beale-like at best.

Absolutely Field in the centres. Not this year but when after he has bulked up a little more. Why not? Fast, elusive, good passing ability. Like a upgrade on James Roberts but who is able to drink a beer without losing his mind.

Glenn, you have lost me on the field to centres call but you are entitled to your opinion mate

 

[possm]

I think it is great that our youngsters are so versatile.

 

[Glenn01]

Glenn, you have lost me on the field to centres call but you are entitled to your opinion mate

See above. I would prefer him at 5/8 or fullback but if Mann excels at 5/8 and Dufty excels at fullback, IMO Field could be a very good centre.

 

[hazzbeen]

See above. I would prefer him at 5/8 or fullback but if Mann excels at 5/8 and Dufty excels at fullback, IMO Field could be a very good centre.

Glenn with his speed he has to be somewhere in the team , even if its coming off the bench scooting from dummy half .......

 

[GC Dragon]

Mann was tried out at fullback and failed miserably. He should get a chance at 5/8. If he goes well there, next season field can slot in at fullback or in the centres. And speed is all well and good but who is going to be the playmaker? Widdop? God help us if that is the case.

I thought Mann's first game at fullback against the Storm he went pretty well . The game against the Sharks the entire team failed . Mary with his prime objective of saving his own arse made Mann the scapegoat .

The miserable failure was our CEO who should have called Mary in and told him his services were no longer required . Then appointed JD as head coach . If that had of happened we would have had a better year last year and our entire squad would have been further along this year .

 

[BennyV]

In the interests of accuracy I didn't state he should be a centre, I said he could be a very good centre. You don't think so? That is Steve Price and Paul McGregor level genius.

Im not so sure he could be anything more than serviceable at centre. His strengths are his speed, but he uses this to create for himself usually by sliding, and he wont get the room to do this at centre. Hitting holes/running angles arent his thing. He's also more likely to get exposed in defense at centre. The comparisons to Roberts are off, at Roberts has a fair bit of upper body strength to compliment his speed.

Putting him in at centre over the likes of Milne, Aitken, Dugan, Herbert or even Garrick would be madness.

 

[Glenn01]

Im not so sure he could be anything more than serviceable at centre. His strengths are his speed, but he uses this to create for himself usually by sliding, and he wont get the room to do this at centre. Hitting holes/running angles arent his thing. He's also more likely to get exposed in defense at centre. The comparisons to Roberts are off, at Roberts has a fair bit of upper body strength to compliment his speed.

Putting him in at centre over the likes of Milne, Aitken, Dugan, Herbert or even Garrick would be madness.

I would bet that at the same age Roberts wasn't much, if any bigger than Field is now. And I didn't say put him ahead of anyone. I merely said that he could be a good centre. No doubt he shows more promise as a fullback or 5/8.

 

[BennyV]

I would bet that at the same age Roberts wasn't much, if any bigger than Field is now. And I didn't say put him ahead of anyone. I merely said that he could be a good centre. No doubt he shows more promise as a fullback or 5/8.

Fair enough. As I said, I reckon he'd he a serviceable centre, at best. If he's good enough, he'll outdo Dufty and/or Mann for one of his preferred positions.

 

[betcats]

I would bet that at the same age Roberts wasn't much, if any bigger than Field is now. And I didn't say put him ahead of anyone. I merely said that he could be a good centre. No doubt he shows more promise as a fullback or 5/8.

Roberts would of been heavier at 18 when he made his debut or very close to it. By time he was 20 he had a couple NRL preseasons under his belt, no way he wasn't at least 80kgs by then.

 

[Uplifting]

I have to say, as a Dragons fan it seems that this year there's more of a level playing field for earning spots that are open - at this stage of the year.

Let's see if the round 1 team actually reflects how players go in the trials.

 

[Uplifting]

I'd like to think Havili would be rewarded with a spot if he performs well. He may have been a forgotten man last year.

 

[Uplifting]

As for further along I believe mixing up team selection creates a great dynamic. It gives all players motivation to have a go and confidence in themselves.

Also playing with different people brings different elements out in each player. It also promotes better creativity. The thing we've lacked the most IMO.

 

[hazzbeen]

Who plays where and who will be half back who will be fullback , its great we now have these option we have youth and speed vying for positions . Now its up to our Genius coach to use to our advantage ......

 

[Dragonslayer]

So, here's a bizarre backline that could work, or is it I've had too many of my meds today.......

1: Field
2: Nighty
3. Dugan
4: Milne
5: McDonald
6: Mann
7: Widdop

After 25-30 mins swap Mann and Field (a bit like in the trial against the WT last weekend). Gives Mann a break and injects Field against some tired forwards. Mann can still inject himself into the play from fullback. Repeat again in second half about 65-70th min mark.

I still prefer to have Field start in the Cutters, but IF he has to be included in the 1st grade team I think this would help him given he will have both Dugan and Nighty as his "shotguns".

Anyway maybe too many meds today......

 

[Frank Facer]

So, here's a bizarre backline that could work, or is it I've had too many of my meds today.......

1: Field
2: Nighty
3. Dugan
4: Milne
5: McDonald
6: Mann
7: Widdop

After 25-30 mins swap Mann and Field (a bit like in the trial against the WT last weekend). Gives Mann a break and injects Field against some tired forwards. Mann can still inject himself into the play from fullback. Repeat again in second half about 65-70th min mark.

I still prefer to have Field start in the Cutters, but IF he has to be included in the 1st grade team I think this would help him given he will have both Dugan and Nighty as his "shotguns".

Anyway maybe too many meds today......

I do not think it is bizarre at all. I was basically thinking exactly the same backline last night, but with Mann at halfback and Widdop at 5/8. I like it too. I think Field could be very good roaming around behind the play, picking his time to inject himself. He would be able to play both sides of the ruck too. I think he could play a Milford Barba style of game and be very effective.

My only concern is picking someone to play fullback who has very little experience in that position. Will he be good under the high ball? Will his positional play be good? If I was coaching Saints I would seriously consider taking the gamble of trying Field at fullback. If it did not work, then he could go back to the Cutters and play a full game at 5/8.