Round 17 vs Melbourne

[The Damo]

I agree. You’ve got 3 players who all stepped up and did their job.

Take a look at the differences in their game:

• Host playing longer minutes than he has previously – seemingly without effort and without major game time in NRL
  
  
• Lawrie stepping up and doing his job with around 20 minutes game time to date
  
  
• Luc, based on his previous time in first grade, has obviously made some improvements to his game and showed signs of progression

There has to be some work being done by the coaching staff in the background to prepare these players. This isn’t all based on the individual’s skill – although I’m sure some of it is attributable to this. And that is a great advertisement for the recruitment team to be able to identify and retain those with the most promise.

Let’s look at this game – how many positions do we NEED to fill? 6? Even if we rotated 6 players through the team during the games to date (and we had a crystal ball so we knew this many players were needed), you end up probably giving most of the players around 40-60 minutes total first grade game time before you hit this point. Does that prepare them for this game? I would say hardly. Unless you are picking 2 and sticking with those players to the exclusion of all others, you aren’t going to be able to give them enough game time to adequately prepare them. And realistically, would you be replacing the current NRL players (who are performing) with youngsters just to get them game time? I know I would prefer to have my best players on the field as often and as long as possible.

What is the definition of preparation? 20 minutes total? 2 full games? Does preparation not include any sort of work outside of NRL game time? It’s great to say ‘prepare’ them. But what is your interpretation of preparation and how do you achieve it?

Unless we win this game, Mary will be on a hiding to nothing. Some people on here have been building this scenario up from the start of the season and, finally, at round 17, in the midst of origin and significant unforeseeable disruption, they may finally get to say “see, I told you so”.

Yeah that’s what it looks like to me too.
Host played 54 mins, has been playing close to 80 most weeks in ISP - looked prepared to me.
Lawrie - played 34 minutes, ran 85 metres, 29 post contact metres, 1 tackle break, 27 tackles, 1 miss - looked prepared to me.
Luc - played 28 minutes, spent most of last year playing 80 in ISP I believe, ran 65 metres, 24 pcm, 12 tackles, 1 miss, came within centimetres of scoring a try and setting up another - looked prepared to me.

As you point out there are limited opportunities in first grade because the best players are in form so they play most minutes, and we’ve had amazing luck with injuries. Sure you could argue there could be be better use around the margins, but it would only amount to a small amount of minutes spread amongst half a dozen players.
And again, by the results, it’s working. We needed some young players, they were ready and stepped up and we won.
Picking how this weeks game is going to play out is impossible- both teams with major changes, playing in Melbourne against a team with Cameron Smith, I’ve got no idea what’s going to happen. But based on what I’ve seen, I’m not at all worried the young players will be unprepared.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I'm predicting this team:

1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Lafai
4. Aitken
5. Mann
6. Widdop
7. Nicholls
8. Graham
9. McInnes
10. Ah Mau
11. Host
12. Leilua
13. Sele/Lawrie

14. Latimore
15. Lawrie/Sele
16. Nighty (pointless, but he'll be there)
17. Robson/Ford?

Can't see Mann getting picked at halfback. The whole point of buying Nicholls was as a back-up half to Hunt. It's his natural position, and he's been doing well there in ISP. Mann is not a halfback, he was dropped back for McCrone last year after two games, and rightly so.

 

[giboz71]

I dont think I’m delusional (but crazy people never think they’re crazy)
But I would note purely as an observation - we had 3 young players in the last match, they all looked well prepared, and played their roles well. Lawrie and Leilua particularly looked notably more at home and up to pace than their previous games.
Is it delusional to think that coaching might have something to do with that? Is it even slightly possible that actually there has been a plan and by the results so far - it’s working?

Can’t comment on how the reserves are being prepared. But the ISP results are pleasing so that’s a good clue.

My take is that there is big competition for spots, especially in the forwards where our whole pack are rep quality.

Said it elsewhere, the reserves are going to have to play out of their skins to get a go as the standard has jumped a notch. Leilua getting dropped after he tanked against Souths being an example. Remember quite well Graham berating him.

So while people seems to be bagging Mary for not giving the young guys more of a go, perhaps not just handing them FG jerseys may actually pay dividends.

Host, Lawrie and Leilua have all had to up their games and it shows.

 

[West coast dragon]

Think of Jamal Idris...………….heaps of potential, but a lot of marshmellow about his play.

And his midriff

 

[watatank]

Can't see Mann getting picked at halfback. The whole point of buying Nicholls was as a back-up half to Hunt. It's his natural position, and he's been doing well there in ISP. Mann is not a halfback, he was dropped back for McCrone last year after two games, and rightly so.

Mann moved to the centres that week because Dugan and Aitken were unavailable. He played the game after that (the last one) at halfback.

Nicholls might play but there's no guarantees. Chances are the coach opts for Mann based on his defence, experience and the adequate depth in the outside backs.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Just an thought, how about:

Herbert to wing
Nene to centre
Aitken to lock
Sele to bench prop/lock rotation

This would strenghthen our bench imo with Lam, Lawrie, Sele and Nighty.
Mann stays on wing and Nichols as the 7.
Just for this game.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I'm predicting this team:

1. Dufty
2. MacDonald
3. Lafai
4. Aitken
5. Mann
6. Widdop
7. Nicholls
8. Graham
9. McInnes
10. Ah Mau
11. Host
12. Leilua
13. Sele/Lawrie

14. Latimore
15. Lawrie/Sele
16. Nighty (pointless, but he'll be there)
17. Robson/Ford?

Can't see Mann getting picked at halfback. The whole point of buying Nicholls was as a back-up half to Hunt. It's his natural position, and he's been doing well there in ISP. Mann is not a halfback, he was dropped back for McCrone last year after two games, and rightly so.

Called it.

 

[Buz-V]

Called it.

Haha nice work mate.
I guess Robson is available to back up then. Also I really hope Nicholls has a great game!

 

[Old Timer]

In hindsight I do like the fact that he went for Nicholls at 7.
We signed him, so best we use him because he was the go to if Hunt had of broken down early in the season.
Also if he goes well and Hunt needs a week off if the cork still troubles him then we can do it without worrying ourselves to death down the track.
Not sure how the Robson selection works as he is in the U/20's SOO so can they play the normal round and then also SOO?
I hope the plan is for Nighty to wing and Mann to lock at some point as I do believe we will be one prop short in the rotation and may need Lawrie to put some time in up front.
This week was never going to be easy re selections especially after Sims was deservedly called up for SOO.
In the end I will not be surprised that in actual fact they take the field with some players in different positions to those they are selected in.
Good luck to them all and I know they will bust a gut doing our club proud.
Dragons by 7 (Nicholls to pot the 1 pointer)

 

[Brutalitops]

I am pretty happy with this week's team

 

[Brutalitops]

In hindsight I do like the fact that he went for Nicholls at 7.
We signed him, so best we use him because he was the go to if Hunt had of broken down early in the season.
Also if he goes well and Hunt needs a week off if the cork still troubles him then we can do it without worrying ourselves to death down the track.
Not sure how the Robson selection works as he is in the U/20's SOO so can they play the normal round and then also SOO?
I hope the plan is for Nighty to wing and Mann to lock at some point as I do believe we will be one prop short in the rotation and may need Lawrie to put some time in up front.
This week was never going to be easy re selections especially after Sims was deservedly called up for SOO.
In the end I will not be surprised that in actual fact they take the field with some players in different positions to those they are selected in.
Good luck to them all and I know they will bust a gut doing our club proud.
Dragons by 7 (Nicholls to pot the 1 pointer)

Great point regarding Nicholls and making him able to cover any potential Hunt injury/resting.

Who knows, if Nicholls performs well, maybe Hunt could have a rest for the Tigers game if he needs it.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

Great point regarding Nicholls and making him able to cover any potential Hunt injury/resting.

Who knows, if Nicholls performs well, maybe Hunt could have a rest for the Tigers game if he needs it.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

This is the test which all the doubters, including myself, have been waiting for. Personally, I can't see us beating Souths regardless of who we go with but the Storm are the next biggest challenge - even when like us they have five players out. My fear is that our lack of forward depth will be cruelly exposed ( Joel Thompson would have been very useful on this occasion).

 

[ALSGI]

In hindsight I do like the fact that he went for Nicholls at 7.
We signed him, so best we use him because he was the go to if Hunt had of broken down early in the season.
Also if he goes well and Hunt needs a week off if the cork still troubles him then we can do it without worrying ourselves to death down the track.
Not sure how the Robson selection works as he is in the U/20's SOO so can they play the normal round and then also SOO?
I hope the plan is for Nighty to wing and Mann to lock at some point as I do believe we will be one prop short in the rotation and may need Lawrie to put some time in up front.
This week was never going to be easy re selections especially after Sims was deservedly called up for SOO.
In the end I will not be surprised that in actual fact they take the field with some players in different positions to those they are selected in.
Good luck to them all and I know they will bust a gut doing our club proud.
Dragons by 7 (Nicholls to pot the 1 pointer)

Nicholls would have to be one of the oldest debutants ever wouldn’t he? Especially at half back.
Congratulations and best of luck to him, hope he kills it.

 

[hewi]

I’m predicting a great debut by Nichols, he’s composed and has a great kicking game. Well done to him, kill it my man.

 

[slippery5]

I wonder if Host, Sele, Leilua kill it this week, do they find a permanent spot on the bench with quality game time?

 

[True_Believer]

In hindsight I do like the fact that he went for Nicholls at 7.
We signed him, so best we use him because he was the go to if Hunt had of broken down early in the season.
Also if he goes well and Hunt needs a week off if the cork still troubles him then we can do it without worrying ourselves to death down the track.
Not sure how the Robson selection works as he is in the U/20's SOO so can they play the normal round and then also SOO?
I hope the plan is for Nighty to wing and Mann to lock at some point as I do believe we will be one prop short in the rotation and may need Lawrie to put some time in up front.
This week was never going to be easy re selections especially after Sims was deservedly called up for SOO.
In the end I will not be surprised that in actual fact they take the field with some players in different positions to those they are selected in.
Good luck to them all and I know they will bust a gut doing our club proud.
Dragons by 7 (Nicholls to pot the 1 pointer)

I believe the U20s don't go into camp until the Friday - so I'm assuming there is a chance he can play on the Thursday night.

 

[Old Timer]

This is the test which all the doubters, including myself, have been waiting for. Personally, I can't see us beating Souths regardless of who we go with but the Storm are the next biggest challenge - even when like us they have five players out. My fear is that our lack of forward depth will be cruelly exposed ( Joel Thompson would have been very useful on this occasion).

IMO Souths are very beatable with the correct game plan.
Reynolds is a turnstile in defence and then keep the ball on the ground when kicking in their 20 m zone and aim at the Burgess boys who have hands like feet if put under pressure.
Melbourne at full strength are so quick and so good at getting outside the opposition backs they really are scary when on.

 

[Gareth67]

In hindsight I do like the fact that he went for Nicholls at 7.
We signed him, so best we use him because he was the go to if Hunt had of broken down early in the season.
Also if he goes well and Hunt needs a week off if the cork still troubles him then we can do it without worrying ourselves to death down the track.
Not sure how the Robson selection works as he is in the U/20's SOO so can they play the normal round and then also SOO?
I hope the plan is for Nighty to wing and Mann to lock at some point as I do believe we will be one prop short in the rotation and may need Lawrie to put some time in up front.
This week was never going to be easy re selections especially after Sims was deservedly called up for SOO.
In the end I will not be surprised that in actual fact they take the field with some players in different positions to those they are selected in.
Good luck to them all and I know they will bust a gut doing our club proud.
Dragons by 7 (Nicholls to pot the 1 pointer)

Yes OT most pleased also to see young Niccolls in the team , can direct the boys around the park and as said he has a good kicking game to back it up . This will be the game that will certainly give the juniors some good experience , one way or the other . With James Graham to point the way for the those younger players they should not be too overawed .

 

[blacksafake]

Haven’t seen Nicholls play but many on here say he’s composed with a good kicking game which is what he needs to do against the storm. Just a couple of questions for those that know. can he run & more importantly can he tackle.