Our roster

[possm]

Can't say I've been impressed with Lomax. Looks like he can become a competent first grader, but not an absolute gun. I hope I'm wrong.

I've always rated Lomax very highly. All he needs is a good coach to bring him through and give him the confidence he needs to succeed.

 

[possm]

On paper. We have 4 SOO forwards. That's probably more than any other team. Add Graham and McInnes and some potential young guys and its a top forward pack.

They need to live up to their reputation though. A good coach could elevate them.

It is the coach and the game plan that is the problem. Our forwards are great but as with all clubs we should freshen up our roster each year.

 

[41yearsaint]

Remember what a good signing James Graham was going to be?
His best was several seasons ago and his signing has contributed basically zilch on field in so far as what he creates.
Remember what a good signing K Sims was and how it was going to be the "bruise" brothers well that became a myth very quickly.
Remember how T Sims was a great signing and how he was SOO and how dare he be questioned well his effort and form are appalling and akin to what he was doing at Newcastle. He had 1 season in the sun and couldn't maintain it.
Leilua always promising to deliver but never quite does and mostly ineffectual in the hard stuff.
People keep wanting to fantasise about how good our pack is just will not face reality in that they struggle to get us into the opposition half, are poor down the middle in defence and are easily dominated in all facets of the ruck.
FFS people in here criticise Mc Innes for some unknown reason and he is without a doubt our best player let alone forward.

Agree Mc Innes 100%. I believe our pack are sick of carrying the backs. The only back who takes the tough runs and makes a dent is Rav, periera used to, but been dropped for Pearson? and if our centres haven't been a cut and paste for years, wouldn't even know there names, never see em. Can't blame the pack. If an opposition pack equal our pack we lose, hence 2018 when our pack where fatigued 3/4 through the season. This year no change, they said fu Mary.

 

[blacksafake]

Paper is a good thing in regards to recruitment which is where this whole debate about our pack started. But the coaching, morale, defense and attitude whatever at the moment is at a low standard so of course the pack itself can not realise its potential.
And at least 13 other teams help their packs out with good starts to set from the back 5 with quick play the balls and running hard and throwing some attack at them.
Our back 5 are to shallow to do anything and should try passing the ball forming "the buzz word ATM shape" in attack.
OT..No one has said ATM that our pack is one of the best of the comp in current form..and there in lies another issue with our coaching staff.
But I if alone would not swap our best 9 forwards including hooker for another pack except for maybe Melbourne

Spot on mate, Especially your take on the back 5 helping out from our end. Besides Rav 4 the others offer nothing in this department.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

I've always rated Lomax very highly. All he needs is a good coach to bring him through and give him the confidence he needs to succeed.

Well he isnt going to get one around here.....well at least not for 2 years anyway

 

[Dragonslayer]

We have a good roster, not great but good. At the very keast this roster should he comfortably sitting in the top 8.
So, why isn't it?

To me it started at season start, not wirh the JDB incident, but with the continued swapping/changing of our backline. Trying to fit in Hunt, Widdop and Norman was always going to be difficult. Rava, Periera and Lomax all have played wing, whilst our centres continue to be the butt of most jokes in the NRL.

Turning the attention to our forwards. We have a very strong pack, debatable if its the best in the league, but very strong. However, they are playing tired and broken. Vaughan, Friz and Sims lack the impact of previous seasons. Graham is running on old legs, still inspirational, but that can only go so far. Young Lawrie, he's an old fashion prop, head down, bum up. Unfortunately, he has no ball skills, just bash and barge. Latimore should never have seen a 1st grade jumper this year.

Where do we go from here? Thats the million dollar question.
We heed a fullback, thats the 1st priority (besides a new coach). We have sone junior prospects but they are a year or 2 away from 1st grade.
Next us a revamped backline, something like.
1. New fullback
2. Saab
3. Rava
4. Lomax
5. Periera
6. Norman
7. Hunt

If Graham goes round for 1 more season then he has to be on the bench.

I guess the make-up of the rest of the forwards will be determined at tonorrows JDB appeal. If successful, one would think he comes into the squad. However if the reported "split" in the playing group is true, how will this effect the team and ultimately, our roster?

 

[redVinme]

Our squad doesn't need a whole lot.
Sack McGregor
Sack JDB and deal with it later.

Like for like replacement I'd be chasing Nathan brown if he can stay healthy. Available to speak to Nov 1

Sack/relegate
Lafai, Aitken, latimore

Chase katoni staggs also available to talk to after Nov 1

I'd be looking at
Dufty(until we can source a new option)
Saab
Lomax
Staggs
Rav
Norman
Hunt
Vaughn
Mccinnes
K sims
Sims
Friz
Brown

Graham/Lawrie
Kerr/timm(new coach maybe he'd stay)
Luc/ford
Host/blacker