I was wondering what other people thought about the possibility of Gidley simply being picked in his best position which is fullback. I have been along the line of thought that Mini should be fullback, but I have just started thinking today that maybe I am looking at it wrong.
My thought process is that I think Gidley is a better fullback than anything else. The general thought process seems to be pick him as a bench utility, but I wondered will that work. Yes he has played I think all backline positions bar wing at club level, but is he really an origin standard player anywhere but fullback. I know he has played a lot in the halves for the knights, but anyone who has been around forums for a while will know how much knights fans have at times bagged him in those roles. His only good form at 6 was outside Johns and we all not thats different than being outside anyone else. Gidley is primarily a running player, and seems at his best chiming in when he pleases not being the main playmaker. His passing game is not amazing, neither is his kicking game so for mine picking him at 6 would be wrong. His form in city/country at 6 wasn't great. While Anasta isn't great either, he has more form at 6 than Gidley. So the question is where do you bring him on at? I would have thought the idea was that at some stage Anasta would get a rest or go to lock and gidley would run at 6, but as I said fullback is his best spot.
So after all that I thought maybe this would be my team:
1. Gidley
2. Minichello
3. Cooper
4. King
5. Grothe
6. Anasta
7. Kimmorley
8. Mason
9. Buderus
10. Kite
11. Hindmarsh
12. Simpson
13. Ryan
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14. Farrah
15. Hoffman
16. Gallan
17. Bailey
I left Lyon out I don't think he has done much since he came back, and I think Cooper and King deserve the spot more. Gidley will kick goals by the way. Went for Grothe for his size and he is incumbant, and mini has played plenty of wing. Anasta is the only choice bar a punt on youth. Kimmorley is the best of the experienced halves. I don't mind if they pick Mullen I think he will be one of our long term halves. Could be a 6 you know, came through as a 6 and would have played there this year if not for johns injury.
I think for mine Mason, Kite, Buderus, Hindy, Simpson, Ryan and Bailey will all be there and deserve to be.
I would pick Hoffman on the bench, his form has been great for the last 12 months and he is a linebreaker on the edge of the ruck.
That leaves one an a hard one, I went for Gallan as he was great Friday night and is another who deserves a go. Could have had Bird, Tupou, Laffranci, or Creagh or if you want another prop Brett White. But I think outside of bailey, mason and kite, simpson can play prop and so can Hindy if really needed.
I like to have Farrah, if you have a utility player make it someone you can use. The wing/buderus has been great for nsw, farrah could be great at the end of halves. Hoffman can play centres if cover is needed outwide.
Thats my team.
