Our predicted lineup R1

[possm]

Benny, I wasn’t concerned what number Lawrie and Ford had on their back, just that I think Lawrie is going to develop into a gun middle player, and would be wasted on the bench. Ford will also be a beauty and as you said he is will be playing on the edge.

And on Aitken, what he gives is another useful interchange player, as well as been ready cover a backline injury if necessary.
That’s four players on the bench that can rotate and all add some impact.

As a centre he is competent, not much more, but his strengths are his fitness, strong defensive technique and powerful leg drive when carrying the ball forward.

And he won’t be wasted as just a possible sub for an injured backline player the way Mann was.

And until Robson develops to a level to challenge McInnesd, I’m happy for McInnes to be an 80minute player until that happens.

If you're right, then Aitken should be dropped to the bench in reserve grade and prove his suitability as a utility player for use in the forwards and if needed in the backs. The ideal way to bring Robson through would be to put him in the hooker rotation which would give him valuable experience and give McInnes a much needed rest of 10min either side of half time.

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

If you're right, then Aitken should be dropped to the bench in reserve grade and prove his suitability as a utility player for use in the forwards and if needed in the backs. The ideal way to bring Robson through would be to put him in the hooker rotation which would give him valuable experience and give McInnes a much needed rest of 10min either side of half time.

All this is based on the premise that Mary knows how to use a bench rotation properly, I think we know he dosnt.

 

[Frank Facer]

Is Johns even contracted to us?

I don't think that Matherson-Johns is part of our top 30, but he is part of our club and if I was in charge, he would be eligible for first grade. I am not sure how promoting youngsters who are not in our top 30 squad works. I have only seen a bit of him, but I liked what I saw and think he could develop into a first grade winger.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I don't think that Matherson-Johns is part of our top 30, but he is part of our club and if I was in charge, he would be eligible for first grade. I am not sure how promoting youngsters who are not in our top 30 squad works. I have only seen a bit of him, but I liked what I saw and think he could develop into a first grade winger.

I believe Johns, Willis, Lomax (Hayden, Zacs brother) and a few others, are contracted to us as U20 players and on junior contracts.
Like Lovodua, they can be upgraded to a development contract in the future, or if good enough straight to top 30. But that would be rare given the pathways programs.

 

[Overseas dragon]

Just a comment from left field MELBOURNE lost 4 games last season and they will look to equal or better that this year .BELLAMY is a coach .McGregor is a joke and the sooner this clown is sent packing the better .REGARDLESS if Mary had the Queensland Soo team he would FAIL .TIME TO END THIS JOKE

 

[Dragsters]

WE'll have to agree to disagree on Robson and Aitken. While I'd love to give Robson a full year in ISP to get his body ready for a huge workload in NRL, we dont have any other backup hookers so we actually need to fast track him. Giving McInnes a rest throughout the game is just an advantage.

And I just dont see what role Aitken will play off the bench. At best he might give Host a breather while the kid gets used to playing 80 minutes but if that's the case, there are better back row options. I'm against keeping a player on the bench purely for contingency, its detrimental to the player and to the team (need to be doing whatever we can to avoid player burnout over the year). It would be better for Aitken and the team if he dropped back and was allowed to develop more to his game from ISP.

I agree it is a waste carrying a player just in case of injury.

I'm pretty sure mary will pick Aitken at right centre and Mann on the bench. A bench hooker is the ideal option.

I reckon our best chances to dominate the donkeys will be through the forward pack with Hunt and Widdop creating off the back of good go-forward, so my team for Round 1 would be...

DUFTY
MCDONALD
MANN
LAFAI
NIGHTINGALE
WIDDOP
HUNT
GRAHAM
MCINNES
VAUGHAN
FRIZELL
HOST
DE BELIN

AH MAU
LATIMORE
SIMS
LEILUA

4 bench forwards for this game with Host to start and run hard and Leilua to come on the back end of each half. Kerr or Lawrie and Allgood to battle it out for Latimores spot as the season progresses and form warrants.

Mann at right centre to stiffen up that edge in defence...

 

[BennyV]

I agree it is a waste carrying a player just in case of injury.

I'm pretty sure mary will pick Aitken at right centre and Mann on the bench. A bench hooker is the ideal option.

I reckon our best chances to dominate the donkeys will be through the forward pack with Hunt and Widdop creating off the back of good go-forward, so my team for Round 1 would be...

DUFTY
MCDONALD
MANN
LAFAI
NIGHTINGALE
WIDDOP
HUNT
GRAHAM
MCINNES
VAUGHAN
FRIZELL
HOST
DE BELIN

AH MAU
LATIMORE
SIMS
LEILUA

4 bench forwards for this game with Host to start and run hard and Leilua to come on the back end of each half. Kerr or Lawrie and Allgood to battle it out for Latimores spot as the season progresses and form warrants.

Mann at right centre to stiffen up that edge in defence...

4 forwards sounds good in theory but we've only got 8 interchanges. Prop rotation burns 4, if you want Leilua to come on and off at the end of each half there's another 3. We also want to make sure JDB plays most of the game and that we are getting value out of our interchanges. Doesnt add up.

 

[possm]

4 forwards sounds good in theory but we've only got 8 interchanges. Prop rotation burns 4, if you want Leilua to come on and off at the end of each half there's another 3. We also want to make sure JDB plays most of the game and that we are getting value out of our interchanges. Doesnt add up.

Option: A
With Sims / Frizell / JDB in the backrow
Prop rotation 4
Backrow rotation 4
Sims plays 80min
McInnes plays 80min

or

Option: B
Prop rotation 4
JDB / Sele 1
Frizell / Leilua 1
Sims 80min
Hooker rotation 2

 

[New Dragon]

I believe Johns, Willis, Lomax (Hayden, Zacs brother) and a few others, are contracted to us as U20 players and on junior contracts.
Like Lovodua, they can be upgraded to a development contract in the future, or if good enough straight to top 30. But that would be rare given the pathways programs.

i know Johns' family albeit from a distance and as far as i know he will be looking to have his future sorted one way or another relatively quickly. He is still on a 20's contract and i think the aim was to see how he would go against men in reggies first given that he had played a couple of games there last year. so far in the trials he has done well. I also know there are a couple of options for him elsewhere so hopefully the dragons are keen but they can't keep everyone.

 

[Dragons22]

The team I believed should be picked:
1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Lomax
4. Lafai
5. Mann
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
8. Graham
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Sims
13. De Belin
14. Kerr
15. Host
16. Ah Mau
17. Laitmore/ Leilua/ Sele/ Aitken/ Field/ Nicholls (Not really sure)

The team that will be picked:
1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Leilua
13. De Belin
14. Sims
15. Ah Mau
16. Lawrie or Sele
17. Mann

We all obviously know which side is better, but SuperCoach is an expert.

 

[The Friz]

Did any of you guys wanting Leilua in the team for next week actually watch the trials?
I'm far from convinced he is in our best 17.
Sele was head and shoulders above him.

 

[watatank]

i know Johns' family albeit from a distance and as far as i know he will be looking to have his future sorted one way or another relatively quickly. He is still on a 20's contract and i think the aim was to see how he would go against men in reggies first given that he had played a couple of games there last year. so far in the trials he has done well. I also know there are a couple of options for him elsewhere so hopefully the dragons are keen but they can't keep everyone.

Johns is a good player and hope we can find space but there’s a lot of talented young outside backs. I feel like the club need to make a decision on Garrick and Herbert sooner or later if johns is to stay on

 

[Old Timer]

Option: A
With Sims / Frizell / JDB in the backrow
Prop rotation 4
Backrow rotation 4
Sims plays 80min
McInnes plays 80min

or

Option: B
Prop rotation 4
JDB / Sele 1
Frizell / Leilua 1
Sims 80min
Hooker rotation 2

Sims is not an 80 minute player never was never will be but people seem to think he can hack it and all it does is destroy his impact and the balance of the team.
Frizell to give way for Leilua is just laughable you can't have a soft replacement for your biggest powerhouse.

 

[Frank Facer]

Option: A
With Sims / Frizell / JDB in the backrow
Prop rotation 4
Backrow rotation 4
Sims plays 80min
McInnes plays 80min

or

Option: B
Prop rotation 4
JDB / Sele 1
Frizell / Leilua 1
Sims 80min
Hooker rotation 2

Option C

Prop rotation 4 Vaughn/Graham/Simms/AhMau
Frizell plays 80 minutes
Host 50 minute/Leilua 30 minute
DeBelin 60 minute, Kerr 20 minute
leaves one interchange

 

[Frank Facer]

i know Johns' family albeit from a distance and as far as i know he will be looking to have his future sorted one way or another relatively quickly. He is still on a 20's contract and i think the aim was to see how he would go against men in reggies first given that he had played a couple of games there last year. so far in the trials he has done well. I also know there are a couple of options for him elsewhere so hopefully the dragons are keen but they can't keep everyone.

If other clubs are interested in Matherson Johns, then that is another indication, that he could become a first grader in the near future.

I like the idea of Matherson Johns instead of Nightingale right now.

 

[Frank Facer]

The team I believed should be picked:
1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Lomax
4. Lafai
5. Mann
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
8. Graham
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Sims
13. De Belin
14. Kerr
15. Host
16. Ah Mau
17. Laitmore/ Leilua/ Sele/ Aitken/ Field/ Nicholls (Not really sure)

The team that will be picked:
1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Leilua
13. De Belin
14. Sims
15. Ah Mau
16. Lawrie or Sele
17. Mann

We all obviously know which side is better, but SuperCoach is an expert.

Mate, I would pick exactly the same 16 as you picked, except I had Host starting and Simms on the bench as a prop. My number 17 was out of Leilua or Aikten.

 

[Crush]

Imo, Duges was consistently amongst our best over the last few years despite his shortfalls.

His defence will be missed, his kick returns will be missed and his barnstorming runs will be missed. He had the ability to earn us a lot of penalties with his ‘work’ during and post contact.

His presence on the field will be missed.
His mistakes, finishing and injuries won’t be missed.

Opposition sides have to commit multiple players to defend against him as we will find out in a few weeks - just wish he could’ve passed when this hapened. Let’s hope Flano hasn’t taught him how to pass.

Not sure if Flano has taught him how to pass yet but he sure hasn't taught him how to behave on the drink!
I've been to Cronulla RSL on a number of occasions and nobody has ever asked me to leave for swearing at the top of my lungs and having a go at staff. But then again I am not an overpaid piece of trailer trash.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Did any of you guys wanting Leilua in the team for next week actually watch the trials?
I'm far from convinced he is in our best 17.
Sele was head and shoulders above him.

Agreed.

I don't believe Sele offers much as a metre gaining forward though.

 

[Crush]

The team I believed should be picked:
1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Lomax
4. Lafai
5. Mann
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
8. Graham
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Sims
13. De Belin
14. Kerr
15. Host
16. Ah Mau
17. Laitmore/ Leilua/ Sele/ Aitken/ Field/ Nicholls (Not really sure)

The team that will be picked:
1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Aitken
4. Lafai
5. Nightingale
6. Widdop
7. Hunt
9. McInnes
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Leilua
13. De Belin
14. Sims
15. Ah Mau
16. Lawrie or Sele
17. Mann

We all obviously know which side is better, but SuperCoach is an expert.

I think Mary will pick Latimore on the bench.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

I think Mary will pick Latimore on the bench.

Latimore is a 'shoe in' for a bench spot. I'm surprised many cannot see this. I also doubt Mann will gain a position anywhere in the top 17.