Round 1 2021 semi realistic sides

[Maddragon99]

I’m not sure what you mean by this. When I talk about dominant halves I mean someone who game manages. Usually the halfback. Sometimes on the ball but always the General. Eg Cronk, Hornby. Are we using the term in different ways?

Yes we are looking at the same issue from different perspectives. I was meaning Hunt isn’t the kind of player to run at the line & ball play, he prefers to sit back & pass before the line & do the bulk of the kicking. I think Sullivan can compliment him because Sullivan will run the ball & create opportunities. Take the pressure of Hunt.

 

[SBD82]

Yes we are looking at the same issue from different perspectives. I was meaning Hunt isn’t the kind of player to run at the line & ball play, he prefers to sit back & pass before the line & do the bulk of the kicking. I think Sullivan can compliment him because Sullivan will run the ball & create opportunities. Take the pressure of Hunt.

Ta. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I think Hunt is at his best when he is running and creating doubt. I think his game management is really quite poor. His decision making in passing is ordinary; he regularly dumps the ball instead of giving it early or at the line. His long kicking game is good, but his short kicking regularly lets us down.

My other issue with pairing Hunt with Sullivan is that Hunt overestimates his ability to finish sets and over calls his 6. Given that Sullivan is a rookie I think he’d be better paired with Clune, who plays a simple style and seems much better at bringing other players into the game.

 

[BLM01]

Agreed. The back row isn’t ideal. We are particularly weak at 13, for reasons that have been thoroughly covered elsewhere.

I think that a genuine 13 completes the side, and I’d leave Lawrie out completely if we had one available. Would also shift Alvaro to the bench and bring in Kerr to start to solidify the middle across the game.

Agree Lawrie or Graham should never been even considered for a number 13 spot
Lawrie’s potential which he has not quite reached yet is front row.
He is gone now but I would of put Friz there in recent years.
Now Bird if fit Is a ready-made 13
Cam if fit my 2nd choice if not hooker
JDB if available would be my 3rd choice
Not sure if Ford can fit that role?
Just got to look at the likes of Murray and Radley and even Canberra had Bateman
Melb use Finucane as a bigger body
Brown at Parra etc etc

 

[Maddragon99]

Ta. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I think Hunt is at his best when he is running and creating doubt. I think his game management is really quite poor. His decision making in passing is ordinary; he regularly dumps the ball instead of giving it early or at the line. His long kicking game is good, but his short kicking regularly lets us down.

My other issue with pairing Hunt with Sullivan is that Hunt overestimates his ability to finish sets and over calls his 6. Given that Sullivan is a rookie I think he’d be better paired with Clune, who plays a simple style and seems much better at bringing other players into the game.

Yes I agree with all of that. Hunt’s best year was 2018 before Norman arrived. I think Hunt’s form dropped off in 19 & 20 once partnered with Norman who is utterly useless.

I’ll be very surprised if Norman is still playing first grade after round 7 or 8. In my opinion any revival in Hunt’s form won’t happen with Norman in the team.

 

[SBD82]

Yes I agree with all of that. Hunt’s best year was 2018 before Norman arrived. I think Hunt’s form dropped off in 19 & 20 once partnered with Norman who is utterly useless.

I’ll be very surprised if Norman is still playing first grade after round 7 or 8. In my opinion any revival in Hunt’s form won’t happen with Norman in the team.

I wouldn’t have Norman starting at all. He’s shown nothing to me that suggests he is currently first grade quality. Time for him to fight for his career through the lower grades.

 

[Maddragon99]

Agree Lawrie or Graham should never been even considered for a number 13 spot
Lawrie’s potential which he has not quite reached yet is front row.
He is gone now but I would of put Friz there in recent years.
Now Bird if fit Is a ready-made 13
Cam if fit my 2nd choice if not hooker
JDB if available would be my 3rd choice
Not sure if Ford can fit that role?
Just got to look at the likes of Murray and Radley and even Canberra had Bateman
Melb use Finucane as a bigger body
Brown at Parra etc etc

I know I’m in the minority on here but I think Merrin can still offer something at Lock until either Bird regains full fitness or JdB comes back. Even Fuimaono would be a better choice than Lawrie at 13. Lawrie is a prop.

 

[BLM01]

Ta. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I think Hunt is at his best when he is running and creating doubt. I think his game management is really quite poor. His decision making in passing is ordinary; he regularly dumps the ball instead of giving it early or at the line. His long kicking game is good, but his short kicking regularly lets us down.

My other issue with pairing Hunt with Sullivan is that Hunt overestimates his ability to finish sets and over calls his 6. Given that Sullivan is a rookie I think he’d be better paired with Clune, who plays a simple style and seems much better at bringing other players into the game.

I think your summation of Hunt being an instinctive type player is pretty accurate
That is why I would pair Clune & Sullivan also
But I thought last year they had it right with Hunt at 9 and Cam 13, I know many do not agree but I think he is a ready-made 13.

The poor forward and yardage work + clunkiness and no speed between back row, centre and wing in both attack and defence, well nothing would of worked.

 

[BLM01]

I know I’m in the minority on here but I think Merrin can still offer something at Lock until either Bird regains full fitness or JdB comes back. Even Fuimaono would be a better choice than Lawrie at 13. Lawrie is a prop.

That’s what I said
No to Merrin, he is ready for park footy.
Lost his size and impact as a prop and too slow for 13 or edges.
Fui could be but too many dumb errors

 

[SBD82]

I think your summation of Hunt being an instinctive type player is pretty accurate
That is why I would pair Clune & Sullivan also
But I thought last year they had it right with Hunt at 9 and Cam 13, I know many do not agree but I think he is a ready-made 13.

The poor forward and yardage work + clunkiness and no speed between back row, centre and wing in both attack and defence, well nothing would of worked.

I can see the argument for playing Cam at 13. And I think he could make a fist of it.

My issue is that it again places Hunt in the general’s role. And I just don’t think he has the temperament or game management for it.

 

[SBD82]

I know I’m in the minority on here but I think Merrin can still offer something at Lock until either Bird regains full fitness or JdB comes back. Even Fuimaono would be a better choice than Lawrie at 13. Lawrie is a prop.

I have doubts about both Merrin and Bird at 13, but I guess i also have my doubts about Lawrie.

I’d be inclined to keep Bird on the right if possible. He has always played his best football there, whether in the halves or the centres. And I’d like to think that he could transition that to playing edge forward. Coming back from injury and transitioning to the middle might be a bridge too far imo.

I’d like to be optimistic that Merrin still has something to give. But I just can’t see it. I’d be overjoyed to be proven wrong.

Which leaves Lawrie. Certainly not an ideal option. But if Hook can get him to lose the extra kegs, then maybe? Hope springs eternal.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Reserving judgement until we have our full compliment of players. If im not mistaken we still need 2 more, or is it 3? if we are excluding DeBelin seeing his 'contract' cannot be registered as yet. I also believe DeBelin isnt training so even if a positive result, he eould be many months away from starting at NRL level.

Interesting to see what names pop up over the next few weeks.

As for Merrin at 13, I think most CC games start around that time. Lawrie is a prop not a lock. At present, the only one who could fill that role would be Fuimaono, but given his form in the latter half of last season, it would be very risky. Maybe Hook and Co can get his mind in the right space. This is why i believe our next signing/s will be able to fit that role of lock/running forward.

 

[SBD82]

Reserving judgement until we have our full compliment of players. If im not mistaken we still need 2 more, or is it 3? if we are excluding DeBelin seeing his 'contract' cannot be registered as yet. I also believe DeBelin isnt training so even if a positive result, he eould be many months away from starting at NRL level.

Interesting to see what names pop up over the next few weeks.

As for Merrin at 13, I think most CC games start around that time. Lawrie is a prop not a lock. At present, the only one who could fill that role would be Fuimaono, but given his form in the latter half of last season, it would be very risky. Maybe Hook and Co can get his mind in the right space. This is why i believe our next signing/s will be able to fit that role of lock/running forward.

Would love to see them recruit there. Other sides are moving back towards smaller ball playing locks, but to be honest I don’t think that’s necessary for us. We have enough creativity in the side, especially if Hunt plays 14 and Bird is on an edge.

I’d be looking for a lock who is primarily a defender. Someone in the mould of Jeremy smith would be ideal. Probably a pipe dream though. We’d likely have to gamble on an up and comer.

 

[Maddragon99]

I can see the argument for playing Cam at 13. And I think he could make a fist of it.

My issue is that it again places Hunt in the general’s role. And I just don’t think he has the temperament or game management for it.

I’m not sure McInnes will want to extend his contract if he’s going to be playing 13. Sure his work rate is second to none but he’s undersized to be a long term fix at Lock. Best hope is that Norman gets dropped & Sullivan/Hunt can lead us forward with McInnes at 9

 

[Maddragon99]

Would love to see them recruit there. Other sides are moving back towards smaller ball playing locks, but to be honest I don’t think that’s necessary for us. We have enough creativity in the side, especially if Hunt plays 14 and Bird is on an edge.

I’d be looking for a lock who is primarily a defender. Someone in the mould of Jeremy smith would be ideal. Probably a pipe dream though. We’d likely have to gamble on an up and comer.

I still think Angus Crichton would look great in the Red V

 

[SBD82]

I’m not sure McInnes will want to extend his contract if he’s going to be playing 13. Sure his work rate is second to none but he’s undersized to be a long term fix at Lock. Best hope is that Norman gets dropped & Sullivan/Hunt can lead us forward with McInnes at 9

Don’t get me wrong, I much prefer McInnes at 9. But he’s someone who I think could play the 13 role if he chose to.

 

[redVinme]

I still think Angus Crichton would look great in the Red V

This.

 

[SEAT 1A]

I'll have go.

1.Dufty
2.Ramsey
3.Lomax
4.Feagai
5.Rav 4
6.Norman
7.Hunt
8.Vaughan
9.McInnes
10.Alvaro
11.Ford
12.Sims
13.Fuimaono
14.Faamausili
15.kerr
16.Lawrie
17.bird

Uncharted waters ahead.

 

[BLM01]

I can see the argument for playing Cam at 13. And I think he could make a fist of it.

My issue is that it again places Hunt in the general’s role. And I just don’t think he has the temperament or game management for it.

Yeh but Hunt goes alright at 9 at rep level, but see your point for a 14 jesrey as could fill either.
And get your point re Bird at right edge but see him adapting well to the 13..but my opinion.
Cam used to play a 13 type role at Souths and did OK there
I know the 9 jersey and playing 80 mins there has a bit more prestige to it like Cook, Smith etc but Cam's game and skills remind me of a Murray, Radley type player as he tends to get them back peddling as quicker around the ruck.
Dont get me wrong he is an adequate 9 for us but I want him to create more from there.

 

[redv13]

Yeh but Hunt goes alright at 9 at rep level, but see your point for a 14 jesrey as could fill either.
And get your point re Bird at right edge but see him adapting well to the 13..but my opinion.
Cam used to play a 13 type role at Souths and did OK there
I know the 9 jersey and playing 80 mins there has a bit more prestige to it like Cook, Smith etc but Cam's game and skills remind me of a Murray, Radley type player as he tends to get them back peddling as quicker around the ruck.
Dont get me wrong he is an adequate 9 for us but I want him to create more from there.

Merrin can be the starting 13 for reserve grade. Totally past it

 

[redv13]

Fui should get first crack at 13. Strong front on defender and would go well in the middle.