Round 17 vs Melbourne

[SBD82]

I see Mann going into the halves nighty back to the wing and Nicholls staying right where he is in isp

I'd be ok with this as long as it was a proactive plan to give Robson decent minutes at 14.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

We will be without DeBelin, Frizell and Vaughan and Hunt if all of the origin players get picked for NSW and Qld respectively. Melbourne will be without Slater, Chambers, Kaufusi, Munster and Addo Carr if they all get picked for Qld and NSW respectively. Melbourne will also be without Jesse Bromwich and Kasiano due to injuries. I think we are getting them at a good time. Without our origin players, I would pick

1 Dufty
2 Mann
3 Aitken
4 Lafai
5 McDonald
6 Widdop
7 Nicholls
13 Lawrie
12 Sims
11 Host
10 Graham
9 McInnes
8 Ah Mau

14 Nightingale
15 Lucky
16 Latimore
17 Sele

I think that looks like a decent team, without our 4 origin players.

The build-up to the Storm Dragons game earlier this season was enormous. Shame this game is affected by Origin but that's just how it goes.

Personally I've written this game off as a loss and a win would be a bonus.

 

[Twenty10]

We will be without DeBelin, Frizell and Vaughan and Hunt if all of the origin players get picked for NSW and Qld respectively. Melbourne will be without Slater, Chambers, Kaufusi, Munster and Addo Carr if they all get picked for Qld and NSW respectively. Melbourne will also be without Jesse Bromwich and Kasiano due to injuries. I think we are getting them at a good time. Without our origin players, I would pick

1 Dufty
2 Mann
3 Aitken
4 Lafai
5 McDonald
6 Widdop
7 Nicholls
13 Lawrie
12 Sims
11 Host
10 Graham
9 McInnes
8 Ah Mau

14 Nightingale
15 Lucky
16 Latimore
17 Sele

I think that looks like a decent team, without our 4 origin players.

Nicholls won’t play. Nightingale starting winger and Mann to 5/8. Widdop half.

 

[SBD82]

The build-up to the Storm Dragons game earlier this season was enormous. Shame this game is affected by Origin but that's just how it goes.

Personally I've written this game off as a loss and a win would be a bonus.

Massive shame that this isn't two full strength teams.

Hopefully Widdop McInnes and Dufty can shine and get us home. A win over Melbourne leaves us three wins ahead of them. In terms of teams jostling for the top 4, that would be a huge advantage for us.

 

[West coast dragon]

I'd be ok with this as long as it was a proactive plan to give Robson decent minutes at 14.

Eggzactly

 

[Reddragon]

I think Sims will be out too & that is a big loss to our pack.

 

[giboz71]

I'd love for him to get a game, he's been so close for so long. But barring injury I can't see who they would drop for him.

Yep the whole squad is inexperienced. Fittler would want to give the starting 17 the whole 3 games.

 

[BennyV]

The reason is that, frankly, he’s not first grade standard. He’s got no leg drive, he doesn’t go looking for work in defence or attack, he’s smaller than most players (but that’s no excuse, look at Victor Radley at the chooks) and he struggles to make an impact in reserve grade. Lawrie may be a bit of a potato but at least you notice him when he runs.

Seriously? Sele has been great when he’s got a decent run in first grade, he’s the closest thing we’ve got to another JDB and competes with Host for our most promising young forward. He’s got great footwork at the like, runs hard and has great ball skills (set up a killer try in first grade last year with a short ball to Friz I think). He also hits hard in defence. Been recognised by plenty of good judges as a future star and is a far more natural lock than Lawrie, who is an out and out prop.

 

[giboz71]

Speaking of Host, he’s looked good the last couple of games.

He looks bigger and more intimidating.

Must be the new beard

 

[Old Timer]

Speaking of Host, he’s looked good the last couple of games.

He looks bigger and more intimidating.

Must be the new beard

Just not utilised correctly in attack
Other teams bring in young players and get them involved in all aspects of the game and we need to follow suit and not just use them as battering rams and tackling machines.

 

[Frank Facer]

Is sims available? I'd have thought he would travel to qld with the blues if he is still 18th man.

18th man gets to play for their club the weekend prior to origin.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Nicholls will play. We signed him specifically to cover for Hunt provided his form was good in ISP and he’s been our best reggies player.

Wanna bet?

Our conservative coach will stick to what he already knows.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

The reason is that, frankly, he’s not first grade standard. He’s got no leg drive, he doesn’t go looking for work in defence or attack, he’s smaller than most players (but that’s no excuse, look at Victor Radley at the chooks) and he struggles to make an impact in reserve grade. Lawrie may be a bit of a potato but at least you notice him when he runs.

Yes, "runs" in a way reminiscent of George Rose.

 

[giboz71]

Just not utilised correctly in attack
Other teams bring in young players and get them involved in all aspects of the game and we need to follow suit and not just use them as battering rams and tackling machines.

Well based on recent form, should be out of him and Lawrie to be that 3rd bench forward.

Would be the ideal player to spell Friz.

He’s not going to get a run as starting edge forward any time soon the way Friz and Sims have been going.

 

[JDHD]

Seriously? Sele has been great when he’s got a decent run in first grade, he’s the closest thing we’ve got to another JDB and competes with Host for our most promising young forward. He’s got great footwork at the like, runs hard and has great ball skills (set up a killer try in first grade last year with a short ball to Friz I think). He also hits hard in defence. Been recognised by plenty of good judges as a future star and is a far more natural lock than Lawrie, who is an out and out prop.

The only game I’ve seen him look even half decent in was when we put 50 on the Titans. Maybe I’ve just been missing it.

 

[OzDragon]

Speaking of Host, he’s looked good the last couple of games.

He looks bigger and more intimidating.

Must be the new beard

You jest about the hair but Debelin cut off the man bun and his form has gotten tremendously better since.

 

[slippery5]

The only game I’ve seen him look even half decent in was when we put 50 on the Titans. Maybe I’ve just been missing it.

That's because it is the only game he got more than 7 minutes.

 

[Como Connection]

That's because it is the only game he got more than 7 minutes.

Sele missed game time when Mann got the 14 job.
If Kurt is to stay on the wing, Nightingale should make way for Sele in my opinion.
CC

 

[slippery5]

Sele missed game time when Mann got the 14 job.
If Kurt is to stay on the wing, Nightingale should make way for Sele in my opinion.
CC

He, Host or Luc should be on the bench for both Nighty & Latimore for that matter.

 

[Frank Facer]

Mary probably wants a back on the bench, in case he has to cover for an injury to a back.