Our predicted lineup R1

[Crush]

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.

Mann will be there somewhere. I reckon he may even start if fit.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Mann will be there somewhere. I reckon he may even start if fit.

I'm glad you've got confidence in McGregor's selection abilities.

I don't.

Mann has been badly shafted by 'the coach' during his time with SGI, and I don't expect the season opener to be any different.

 

[Crush]

I'm glad you've got confidence in McGregor's selection abilities.

I don't.

Mann has been badly shafted by 'the coach' during his time with SGI, and I don't expect the season opener to be any different.

You are probably right. Aitken and Lafai are his boys and won't be dropped for at least 16 rounds. Good thing for Mann that Aitken is made of cheese biscuits and will be injured before too long.
I wonder if Lafai will get dropped if he continues to throw flick passes to the 3rd row of the crowd? Nah probably not.

 

[blacksafake]

Would it be an option to use Mann as a backup for McInnes occasionally instead of just sitting there getting splinters up his acre. If he’s going to be on the bench - We all know he won’t be picked in the run on team. At least he should be used.

 

[Frank Facer]

Would it be an option to use Mann as a backup for McInnes occasionally instead of just sitting there getting splinters up his acre. If he’s going to be on the bench - We all know he won’t be picked in the run on team. At least he should be used.

I have considered Mann coming on as a replacement hooker. I am not sure if it would work.

 

[blacksafake]

I have considered Mann coming on as a replacement hooker. I am not sure if it would work.

My either but just having him sitting there for 75/80 minutes is a total waste.

 

[Overseas dragon]

My either but just having him sitting there for 75/80 minutes is a total waste.

Perhaps the bronco idea of hooker maybe jack debelin for a change might work

 

[Overseas dragon]

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.

Nicholls might be cover for McInnes what do you think Mary .....

 

[BennyV]

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

Problem with option A - hooker playing 80 minutes ends up in player burnout and stifles our attack. Sims is far less effective playing 80 minutes. And unless one of these changes is in the last 10 minutes, there's little contingency.

Problem with option B - leaving JDB and Friz off the field in the final quarter of the game is silliness. Sims is far less effective playing 80 minutes. And there was no one named as a second hooker.

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

If JDB is going to rotate with anyone, it's Sele. He is far further developed than Kerr and is a closer match to JDB game. Problem with the above is that if we are running with the above, you want Host and JDB on to finish the game, so doesnt leave us with 1 interchange. Best bet would be leave the final interchange (JDB on for Sele) until the last 10 minutes, which means less time suffered in case of an injury. But that doesnt solve the hooker rotation problem.

 

[Frank Facer]

Problem with option A - hooker playing 80 minutes ends up in player burnout and stifles our attack. Sims is far less effective playing 80 minutes. And unless one of these changes is in the last 10 minutes, there's little contingency.

Problem with option B - leaving JDB and Friz off the field in the final quarter of the game is silliness. Sims is far less effective playing 80 minutes. And there was no one named as a second hooker.


If JDB is going to rotate with anyone, it's Sele. He is far further developed than Kerr and is a closer match to JDB game. Problem with the above is that if we are running with the above, you want Host and JDB on to finish the game, so doesnt leave us with 1 interchange. Best bet would be leave the final interchange (JDB on for Sele) until the last 10 minutes, which means less time suffered in case of an injury. But that doesnt solve the hooker rotation problem.

I had Host playing 50 minutes straight and Lucky coming on to play the last 30 minutes.

Lock and prop are very similar in today's game. I think Kerr would provide more impact than Sele. I would also hope that Kerr would give us more strength in the middle defence, when the likes of Graham, Vaughn and DeBelin are off the field.

I want an 80 minute hooker.

I would still have one interchange up my sleeve.

 

[BennyV]

I had Host playing 50 minutes straight and Lucky coming on to play the last 30 minutes.

Lock and prop are very similar in today's game. I think Kerr would provide more impact than Sele. I would also hope that Kerr would give us more strength in the middle defence, when the likes of Graham, Vaughn and DeBelin are off the field.

I want an 80 minute hooker.

I would still have one interchange up my sleeve.

Prop and lock are similar in theory. But you want a different skillset from your lock to provide a point of difference. You wouldnt see Finucane, Taumololo or Jake Turbo playing front row because they provide longer minutes and something additional in attack/defence than you'd get from your prop rotation.

I liked the look of Kerr in his 15 minute cameo against Hull. But Sele is leaps and bounds ahead, and far more suited to filling in for JDB.

Oh, and bringing Leilua on for the dying minutes would have opposition little men licking their lips at this stage. He's got a lot of work to do.

 

[giboz71]

I really don't see where Luc fits in the 17 to be honest?

He can't start and be the 80 min back rower Thommo was (that spot should go to Host). He's not really a prop (where LAM and Sims should be the bench props). And Sele is more suited to give JDB or even Friz a rest.

He could be the 4th forward on the bench if we go that way, otherwise, he doesn't make the side at this stage.

 

[Frank Facer]

Prop and lock are similar in theory. But you want a different skillset from your lock to provide a point of difference. You wouldnt see Finucane, Taumololo or Jake Turbo playing front row because they provide longer minutes and something additional in attack/defence than you'd get from your prop rotation.

I liked the look of Kerr in his 15 minute cameo against Hull. But Sele is leaps and bounds ahead, and far more suited to filling in for JDB.

Oh, and bringing Leilua on for the dying minutes would have opposition little men licking their lips at this stage. He's got a lot of work to do.

Kerr would provide more impact than Sele in attack. He could come on 10 minutes before half time and play 10 to 15 after half time. We would also probably be stronger defensively in the middle with Kerr there instead of Sele. I think when Sele comes on to replace DeBelin, we lose a lot, especially in defence. I don't think Sele provides much at all.

I can argue that bringing on Leilua with 30 minutes to go would have a fresh Leilua taking on players who have been playing for up to 50 minutes. If Leilua can not handle 30 minutes at the back end of the game, then he will not be considered for any spot in first grade.

 

[slippery5]

I don't believe Mary's preferred backline is 'safety first'. There is nothing safe in selecting out of form players. Nightingale and Aitken should be replaced with Mann and Lomax in the backline. Leilua and Latimore should be replaced with Host and Kerr in the forwards.

Nighty, Aitken & I won't be surprised if Latimore is on the bench, is exactly why it is safety first, he will never ever ever ever put a 18yr old rookie in against a hardened Bronco's unit in round 1 & we can count out any hope for Kerr, for the same reasons. Leilua is possible due to backrow but I'd expect him to come of bench if any chance.
If it is any different to this & shows some balls, I'll withhold any future comments towards the nufty

 

[Gareth67]

Off the track slightly , when we come to the front row , would we perhaps be better served by having Graham and Ah Mau as our starting props with big Paul Vaughan coming off the bench as a replacement for either one ? Can you imagine the damage he would course to a wilting defence , more so after our more 2 ' hard nosed ' props have already put their mark upon the game .

 

[possm]

From what I've seen of the trials:
1. Kerr should be 4th prop in the rotation.
2. Sims should be Thompson's replacement.
3. Robson should be used in a hooker rotation from time to time.
4. Lomax should replace Aitken at right centre.
5. Mann should replace Macdonald at left wing.
6. Nightingale should be replaced by a young gun outside back.

 

[The Friz]

Kerr would provide more impact than Sele in attack. He could come on 10 minutes before half time and play 10 to 15 after half time. We would also probably be stronger defensively in the middle with Kerr there instead of Sele. I think when Sele comes on to replace DeBelin, we lose a lot, especially in defence. I don't think Sele provides much at all.

I can argue that bringing on Leilua with 30 minutes to go would have a fresh Leilua taking on players who have been playing for up to 50 minutes. If Leilua can not handle 30 minutes at the back end of the game, then he will not be considered for any spot in first grade.

Did you not watch Charity Shield mate?
Sele was outstanding when he came on in both attack and defence. Provided great impact, threatened the line and provided a great lift. If his performance doesn't translate to selection then scrap the game, waste of time.

 

[Frank Facer]

Did you not watch Charity Shield mate?
Sele was outstanding when he came on in both attack and defence. Provided great impact, threatened the line and provided a great lift. If his performance doesn't translate to selection then scrap the game, waste of time.

I watched the Charity Shield and every other game last year. In the Charity shield we were actually going very well until Mary replaced Graham, Vaughn and DeBelin. Sele was one of the replacements. I am not holding him solely responsible for us going bad when he replaced DeBelin, but he must be partially responsible. I think he missed a tackle that led to a try in the game against Hull. I don't want to criticise Sele, I am just not convinced about him. He may develop? I hope he does.

I just think that Kerr would provide more than Sele 10 minutes before half time and 10 to 15 minutes after half time. That is my opinion.

 

[The Friz]

I watched the Charity Shield and every other game last year. In the Charity shield we were actually going very well until Mary replaced Graham, Vaughn and DeBelin. Sele was one of the replacements. I am not holding him solely responsible for us going bad when he replaced DeBelin, but he must be partially responsible. I think he missed a tackle that led to a try in the game against Hull. I don't want to criticise Sele, I am just not convinced about him. He may develop? I hope he does.

I just think that Kerr would provide more than Sele 10 minutes before half time and 10 to 15 minutes after half time. That is my opinion.

And you're certainly entitled to your opinion. All good, we don't have to agree.

 

[giboz71]

Did you not watch Charity Shield mate?
Sele was outstanding when he came on in both attack and defence. Provided great impact, threatened the line and provided a great lift. If his performance doesn't translate to selection then scrap the game, waste of time.

Sele was good in both games. He's the perfect bench player actually, just raw energy to come in when JBD or Friz needs a rest.. He had a an error or two in him last year, but nothing to worry too much about.

Fittler obviously rates him, hence he made the emerging Blues squad.