Round 8 vs Eels

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I don’t get this team. Wouldn’t it be better to have a utility on the bench rather than just a centre? Can Aitken play half, five eighth, or hooker if needed?

 

[Walpole]

Couple of questions. Is Pearson actually playing any good? And I see people talking up Timm now - is Kerr injured or just forgotten?

 

[Mickthedragon]

It's just player rotation
It will be Jordy next week

Agreed, this is Marys grand plan for fatigue management in full force but it should be happening anyway and Pearson should be getting a shot instead of Rav. The backs are not the ones that need fatigue management, hello Mary, its the fwds. But maybe he is going to start that in a few weeks in some other games. Can only hope Lomax has a blinder and forces the issue at centre now.

 

[Frank Facer]

I don’t get this team. Wouldn’t it be better to have a utility on the bench rather than just a centre? Can Aitken play half, five eighth, or hooker if needed?

Aitken is better suited to playing backrow than Lomax or Mann were. He can cover centre if there is an injury to a back, which would then force a reshuffle of our backline if it was to fullback, wing or one of our halves.

 

[Frank Facer]

The promotion of Lomax to centre and the dropping of Aitken to the bench is very pleasing. It is the best news I have received regarding Saints in the last year or so.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

Aitken is better suited to playing backrow than Lomax or Mann were. He can cover centre if there is an injury to a back, which would then force a reshuffle of our backline if it was to fullback, wing or one of our halves.

I don’t see him as a back rower. Back rowers are supposed to be good at tackling. Something that Aitken is not.

 

[Drakon]

I sure hope not but there could still be a shuffle before kickoff. When Lomax takes the field in the run on team I'll be happy.

 

[KogarahWarrior]

I don’t see him as a back rower. Back rowers are supposed to be good at tackling. Something that Aitken is not.

His tackling isn't too bad. It's his defensive reads that kill us.

 

[hazzbeen]

I sure hope not but there could still be a shuffle before kickoff. When Lomax takes the field in the run on team I'll be happy.

Thinking the same thing , hope there is no reshuffle before kick off . On Aitken said way before this bring him on in the forwards . He is a strong runner of the ball , he wont have to pass the ball which will suit him . Most tackles for him will be mainly head on , wont have to read to much in defense, could become a good second row or lock ........

 

[Coppo_ForeverYOUNG]

His tackling isn't too bad. It's his defensive reads that kill us.

Spot on mate, one on one he is quite a good defender, more often than not its that split second instinctive decision to jam in or hold

 

[slippery5]

Or possibly there are not many in the club to replace him with. Algood ? Meh. Kerr? He seems to have disappeared. Anyone else who is NRL ready?

Timm has more speed & leg drive then Plodder ever has & is only 22, reports he has been going great guns in CC surpassing Kerr, which is why his name is on the extended bench ahead of him.
If you get chosen purely on who has more to offer with a bit of 1st grade experience before the pointy end of the season than surely Timm has to get a start.

 

[Old Timer]

Thinking the same thing , hope there is no reshuffle before kick off . On Aitken said way before this bring him on in the forwards . He is a strong runner of the ball , he wont have to pass the ball which will suit him . Most tackles for him will be mainly head on , wont have to read to much in defense, could become a good second row or lock ........

Edit:
Rava must have learnt shit loads during the week to earn his spot back.
Good to see Lomax get his chance but of course he has Rava outside him so that complicates the issue whereas a really good winger would get lots of benefits of Lomax.
Now to the bench sigh
We still have constable plod and to back him up we have a bloke who has been dropped from the centres (how dare they do that to the SOO contender) and people thinking he can mix it in the forwards a position he hasn't played at NRL level.
To top it off we have the musical chairs caper still going on in the 13 jumper with Lawrie 1 week then Host the next then Lawrie again and all the time us playing a prop down and trying to make edge players cope in the centre of the paddock.
Coach just couldn't get his head round drop the winger, drop the centre, drop the plodder he had to complicate it as usual.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

His tackling isn't too bad. It's his defensive reads that kill us.

Sorry...I have no faith in his ability to be a backrower. We have plenty of better suited players for that position. If he can’t be a utility, then he should be in reserve grade.

 

[possm]

Edit:
Rava must have learnt shit loads during the week to earn his spot back.
Good to see Lomax get his chance but of course he has Rava outside him so that complicates the issue whereas a really good winger would get lots of benefits of Lomax.
Now to the bench sigh
We still have constable plod and to back him up we have a bloke who has been dropped from the centres (how dare they do that to the SOO contender) and people thinking he can mix it in the forwards a position he hasn't played at NRL level.
To top it off we have the musical chairs caper still going on in the 13 jumper with Lawrie 1 week then Host the next then Lawrie again and all the time us playing a prop down and trying to make edge players cope in the centre of the paddock.
Coach just couldn't get his head round drop the winger, drop the centre, drop the plodder he had to complicate it as usual.

I'd say that Ravalawa is going to be looked through the lens of hime being outside Lomax. I supposed that it is hoped he will do better with some clean ball. In addition it will be hoped that he and Lomax will improve the right side edge defence.

 

[LINESPEED]

I sure hope not but there could still be a shuffle before kickoff. When Lomax takes the field in the run on team I'll be happy.

Yep

For me #3 has always been the number of the Magic Dragon - a symbol of the Club

And it’s been disrespected for 5 years

At last we have a footballer worthy of the number

 

[Life's Good]

Gitanos heart will be Braitken while the rest of us can relax, safe in the knowledge it’s a YES for Lomax.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Yep

For me #3 has always been the number of the Magic Dragon - a symbol of the Club

And it’s been disrespected for 5 years

At last we have a footballer worthy of the number

True that, mate.
Let's just hope he steps up.
If he does, its his for a long time.
If he doesn't, he's going to play 'bench shuffle' for some time.
We need McGregor to give Lomax as much time as Rava has had, to make the centre spot, his.

 

[hazzbeen]

Edit:
Rava must have learnt shit loads during the week to earn his spot back.
Good to see Lomax get his chance but of course he has Rava outside him so that complicates the issue whereas a really good winger would get lots of benefits of Lomax.
Now to the bench sigh
We still have constable plod and to back him up we have a bloke who has been dropped from the centres (how dare they do that to the SOO contender) and people thinking he can mix it in the forwards a position he hasn't played at NRL level.
To top it off we have the musical chairs caper still going on in the 13 jumper with Lawrie 1 week then Host the next then Lawrie again and all the time us playing a prop down and trying to make edge players cope in the centre of the paddock.
Coach just couldn't get his head round drop the winger, drop the centre, drop the plodder he had to complicate it as usual.

Old Timer agree with all , on Aitken if he has to be in the side , rather he is dropped, he may be suited better in the fowards . I am not convinced center is his best position . Anyway over to Super Coach he will work it out......

 

[slippery5]

Agreed, this is Marys grand plan for fatigue management in full force but it should be happening anyway and Pearson should be getting a shot instead of Rav. The backs are not the ones that need fatigue management, hello Mary, its the fwds. But maybe he is going to start that in a few weeks in some other games. Can only hope Lomax has a blinder and forces the issue at centre now.

Lomax's performances in the finals last year didn't seem to matter in regards to forcing his way into the starting team this year, so I do not believe this is a forgone conclusion.

 

[Gareth67]

Remember Ken Maddison anyone ? One of the toughest centers in the game in the 60’s , when he slowed a bit they put him in the forwards as a 2nd rower and was still great . Not suggesting for a moment that is the case with Atkin as defense wise they are like chalk and cheese .

However perhaps the change may make him a better all round player . He will have plenty of tackling practice there that is for sure , so the move may be advantageous for him and the team , it is certainly worth a try .