Round 1 vs. Manly Discussion + Voting

[GoTheBroncs]

f**k I hope Norman has been training at full back. Yes he will improve our attack in the opposition 20 but otherwise I think Norman is too slow for full back.

I don't have a big issue with Thaiday at prop as I think he has been pretty ineffective running the edges for a while now...

I also think Hoffman on the wing is a bit dangerous. I could have lived with him playing in the centres.

 

[Hanscholo]

How do you guys rate Mitchell Dodds? And how do you think Griffin will use Stagg, Glenn, Parker and Gillett from a rotation perspective?

 

[broncoman]

I think thats pretty close to the best formation we could put together with the players available. Thaiday at prop is interesting but one that was probably coming for a while, despite being captain I believe its only a matter of time before he's benched for Hannant though.

 

[hellteam]

Don't think I've ever gone in to a season with hopes so low...

 

[some11]

You and me both bud.

 

[Big Pete]

I'd imagine Thaiday won't spend that much time on the field - he's still a little underdone so they'll use him more for spurts if anything. Hopefully it's just temporary, apart of the reason his 2012 was so ordinary was because he spent so much time in the middle due to Gillett & Te'o.

I have similar concerns as you GTB on Norman at fullback. He reckons he spent the off-season working on his speed so hopefully that means he spent sometime at fullback, otherwise it could get ugly with DCE raining bombs on him.

 

[Pierced Soul]

i dont like thaiday at prop. i still think he's more effective on the edges but if gilletts playing well that may have pushed him into the front row.

i'm hopeful for the season, i think the return of prince is a plus and you gotta remember with a lot of the same squad we were well in contention till the wheels fell off after origin.

Norman may help with a bit of creativity at the back but hopefully he's learnt to catch bombs better than his first year in first grade. I'm a fan of hoffman but i think he may be wasted on the wing, he doesnt seem like a winger to me.

 

[icewind]

well i guess we'll see how this works out, but I don't hold out a lot of hope re: norman at fullback. We do have some talent on the sidelines still in the form of Hala, Kemp, Baptiste and Yow Yeh.

 

[JamesBrandy]

I'm surprised to see Hannant on the bench. He was one of our best towards the end of last season. I would rather see Thaiday in 12 and Hannat in 10 with Gillett as an impact player late in the half coming off the bench.

 

[jakepearce94]

How do you guys rate Mitchell Dodds? And how do you think Griffin will use Stagg, Glenn, Parker and Gillett from a rotation perspective?

i don't really rate dodds, although he doesn't get that many minutes to prove himself. i think glenn and parker will play 80 with stagg to give gillett a break.

 

[jakepearce94]

Norman may help with a bit of creativity at the back but hopefully he's learnt to catch bombs better than his first year in first grade.

please refresh my memory on this ? i don't remember him having trouble with bombs. not being a smartass but i just wouldn't mind a video link to watch or something.

 

[Big Pete]

Round 3-5 2010 he always came up with a pretty bad drop or two.

 

[Country Bronco]

I'm not happy with chosen side. I don't agree with players being chosen out of position. Norman's preferred position is five eighth. He's not selected at five eighth shouldn't be in team. I don't see why we've got to have two players not playing in preferred position to keep one in the team. Thus two unhappy players now.

 

[user_nat]

Not hugely excited about that team. Should have actually trialed Norman at fullback if that was the plan.

I don't think Thaiday at prop has ever been very effective. If we had to move one backrower, I'd move Parker. Since he probably won't be doing the kicking anymore.

 

[Big Pete]

Parker already plays through the middle though.

 

[gUt]

I think thaiday might surprise at prop this year. He's a bit older now and that means muscle and experience. He should go ok provided he's 100% fit.

 

[unbreaK]

Uhhhhhhhhhhhh, Norman at fullback = game over, I'd be surprised if we make the 8 with that team, very low expectations indeed.

 

[AceAv]

Im optimistic. Norman played a great Rd 1 at fullback in 2010! But present day, I am prepared to see him work up some good form.

Hannant will really bring some wrecking ball action into play. Stag I expect will be safe and solid. Will really come down to hodges and princess as was said I agree. Manly usually have a rusty 1st round, so hopefully we get a crowd roaring to lift our boys and get on top.

 

[Country Bronco]

There's only one worst case scenario less than current team selection. That's naming Wallace at 7, Norman at 6 and Prince on the bench. Its a whisker away from being equal if not worse.

I know over previous seasons we've used Thaiday to play in the middle because our middle was weak. No doubt his endurance and strength has helped in defence although its diminished his attack. I see the return of Hannant, the improvement of both McGuire and McCullough as well as the workhorse of Parker more than adequate to handle the middle. Added the defensive Dodds from the bench and it is a good middle. With Stagg on the bench you've got player who makes no impact but has great workrate should play majority of the game and use others as impact forwards. I think this is a better plan as we struggle to score points.​

 

[jakepearce94]

Round 3-5 2010 he always came up with a pretty bad drop or two.

they didn't show any drops in the highlights videos, he looks pretty weak in defence though !