Round 11 Vs Titans @Cbus Super Stadium - Sunday 26th July 4pm

[franklin2323]

I prefer to be an optimist you on the other hand ?

I don’t understand the death riding the kid. He deserves better than that and the fact you believe his selection automatically consigns us to losing against the Titans is farcical.

It isn't death riding someone to think we have better options

 

[Kilkenny]

Here is something to think about.

Maybe Burton has been training at FB/Centre and not doing well.....

Interesting point but I’m sure Burton is training the house down.

It is hard to be too critical of the decisions of the head coach when we are sitting on top of the ladder and I know you are not being critical.

I think our head coach has been fortunate thus far but injuries are now impacting upon us and the next couple of weeks could be interesting to see how we fare.

Other sides are in the same position and I would like to think we can respond in a positive manner beginning with a win this week.

Very much week to week now we are down on troops.

 

[Kilkenny]

It isn't death riding someone to think we have better options

Do you think you are better placed to make such decisions as opposed to our head coach and his team?

You have your opinion, I have mine, but you have to support the decisions of our head coach and his team, surely.

 

[maple_69]

Our pack will be what wins us this one. It’s a huge jump in class over the Titans. They have probably two guys that make our pack (Arrrow and Fotuaika). Once they are tuckered out, Cleary and Luai are good enough to run some points through them.

 

[franklin2323]

Do you think you are better placed to make such decisions as opposed to our head coach and his team?

You have your opinion, I have mine, but you have to support the decisions of our head coach and his team, surely.

Well I don't think that backline will look like that when we play... So that will show the coach also agrees

 

[Kilkenny]

I worry about every game, take nothing for granted.

I really hope we can somehow get the two points on Sunday. They will be invaluable given injuries are now really starting to hit home.

The Titans have had some shockers but if they are up for it remain dangerous opponents.

 

[Blues Riff]

Yep, I'm 50/50 on all our games. We win or we don't.

 

[betcats]

He's not. 22 first grade games with most at half or hooker often off the bench. May is very much overrated by the fan base.

May is the perfect 14 IMO. I actually think if we do start with Aekins at fullback we need to get May on there earlier at lock. Both Api and now May get themselves into second receiver when we are attacking sometimes and help with the big back line shifts. Look at Apis involvement in Crichtons second try V sharks or Mays involvement in Crichtons try V cowboys. Both Api and May were playing in the middle at the time of the tries but got the ball in a back line shift at second receiver and both provided the final pass before the tries. We will miss that quality with Api and Dylan out, having that third guy out there who can play like a half is important for our attack inside the 20m.

Also if you happen to look Crichtons second try V sharks again take note of the beautiful long pass Staines throws from dummy half, a guy with his speed and passing ability gets me excited.

 

[betcats]

I prefer to be an optimist you on the other hand ?

I don’t understand the death riding the kid. He deserves better than that and the fact you believe his selection automatically consigns us to losing against the Titans is farcical.

No ones death riding Aekins but he just isnt very good we've seen him enough to have that opinion, he is a black hole in good attacking position, almost every time he gets the ball in the attacking 20m he gets tackled with it. He is solid most of the time and tries hard, but that isnt good enough, not at this level. He is a genuine reserve grader, no club would make him a starting fullback or probably not even a winger as he is too slow.

If Edwards isnt available in the finals I do not want Aekins stepping in. Hopefully Staines will be ready if that occurs but if not Staines then id much rather take a risk on someone who can spot an overlap and make a simple pass. Laurie or Burton can do that, if they can catch bombs then lets have a look at one of them Vs Titans and get an idea if they can play fullback at this level.

 

[WestyLife]

May is the perfect 14 IMO. I actually think if we do start with Aekins at fullback we need to get May on there earlier at lock. Both Api and now May get themselves into second receiver when we are attacking sometimes and help with the big back line shifts. Look at Apis involvement in Crichtons second try V sharks or Mays involvement in Crichtons try V cowboys. Both Api and May were playing in the middle at the time of the tries but got the ball in a back line shift at second receiver and both provided the final pass before the tries. We will miss that quality with Api and Dylan out, having that third guy out there who can play like a half is important for our attack inside the 20m.

Also if you happen to look Crichtons second try V sharks again take note of the beautiful long pass Staines throws from dummy half, a guy with his speed and passing ability gets me excited.

You're right. I don't hate May as a footballer or anything. I do think we need him in that utility role off the bench. Let guys like Crichton, Staines, Burton, Naden etc. Take on the backline positions.

 

[betcats]

Re Aekins, if there was a NSW cup comp this season Aekins wouldnt be the fullback. Staines and Laurie pushed him out of that spot last year and certainly would be ahead of him for the NSW cup fullback spot this year.

 

[Exsilium]

Tyrone May is a very good footballer. Moral opinions aside, he's a genuine 14.

IMO, the utility role is criminally underrated in the modern game. Its one thing to have a player who can moonlight in different positions but to genuinely be a threat and play well in those positions, is a massive advantage on game day.

The major hurdle is players want starting spots in their preferred position but the utility position should be just as important as a starting player. If they reduce the interchange again, players like May become invaluable.

 

[Jane Murray]

Seriously Jane I am flabbergasted by the talk on here around the non selection of Matt Burton.

Do we collectively as fans truly believe our brains trust are totally stupid.

Burton could be a superstar in the making, could be. Ivan and everyone else at the club are well aware of this fact, trust me.

His time will come, whether it is this week, next week, next month or next year only time will tell.

I have no doubt he is going to be huge for us, once he fills out, has another full off season he will be great next year, just need to be patient.

So those of us, who support Burton, are not allowed to air our views?

 

[WestyLife]

One thing to remember is coaches are often loath to take the risk/reward approach. Many coaches over the years have been criticised for playing it too safe. It really comes down to whether or not Ivan is willing to take a risk to potentially improve the roster or if he would rather play it safe and remove the risk while playing the back up options which are "safe" but lacking.

 

[Dean Faraway]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/dfc19db590827d7a0c61ec0752396977

Api out for 4 weeks?

 

[chrisD]

Not good but if it is going to happen better it does now.

 

[Fangs]

On May, he has gone from overated to underated almost immediately upon his return. I was sceptical on what he would provide being out of the game for so long. But it's obvious why the coaching staff have such big wraps on him. He looks so comfortable in first grade.

 

[John Hamblin]

Caleb Aekins is off contract this year. He may struggle to get another gig in the NRL. That's why he should not be playing this weekend.

 

[ACTPanthers]

Do you think you are better placed to make such decisions as opposed to our head coach and his team?

You have your opinion, I have mine, but you have to support the decisions of our head coach and his team, surely.

So have the opinion, but don't voice it on a forum? That's essentially what you're saying. We can't put forward differing opinions on team selections because we HAVE to have infallible faith in our staff? This would be a very boring place if we all just agreed all the time...

 

[franklin2323]

May is a genuine 14 normally but when we are weakened like we are then he needs to start.

You need 3 ball players out there. Kenny will do a decent job but isn't a creator. Different story when Staines is back next week but now we need to get attack out there