Team List Tuesday - Round 6

[Dragonslayer]

Well this will be interesting with 3 important changes to be considered.

1. Who plays fullback?

2. Is Aitken fit? and if not who plays centre?

3. Who will come into the 17 as the bench warmer?

Scenario 1: Nighty to fullback, Mann to wing, Milne to centre, Field 17
Scenario 2: Mann to fullback, Milne to centre, Field 17

I think these are the only 2 scenarios really (but probably a hundred more) If Aitken had a hammy complaint I would rather see him take another week (or 2) to be fully repaired and then have him as the 17 and bought on as an impact player. Field is also a risk coming back from injury and I don't think Dufty has done enough in Reggies to earn a place.

It will be an interesting read when it comes out at 4pm.

Thoughts guys?

 

[BennyV]

Playing Nightingale at fullback would be a huge failure IMO.

 

[possm]

I'm going for:
1. Mann
3. Milne
17. Leilua

If Mann shows he is not handling it at the back, then swap Mann and Nightingale. Mann could inject some variety in the backline with his accurate passing game, speed and elusiveness. Mann also showed great defensive skills against the Tigers last game.

Milne is the obvious choice at right centre. His combination with Macdonald could be a winner. Big, strong and fast, Milne has the ability to bust through in attack and be a monster in defence.

Manly have a very strong pack so I've picked a young impact forward to help with some minutes towards the end of each half. If Leilua is selected he will have to be mindful of the need to put in 150% defence. I see him replacing Thompson towards the end of each half. Host is able to help in both the front row and backrow positions. His efforts over the past 3 rounds have been great and show incremental improvement each game.

No one can in our squad can do what Dugan does however, I believe the above line-up would be our next best option.

 

[dragonssamy61]

I'm going for:
1. Mann
3. Milne
17. Leilua

If Mann shows he is not handling it at the back, then swap Mann and Nightingale. Mann could inject some variety in the backline with his accurate passing game, speed and elusiveness. Mann also showed great defensive skills against the Tigers last game.

Milne is the obvious choice at right centre. His combination with Macdonald could be a winner. Big, strong and fast, Milne has the ability to bust through in attack and be a monster in defence.

Manly have a very strong pack so I've picked a young impact forward to help with some minutes towards the end of each half. If Leilua is selected he will have to be mindful of the need to put in 150% defence. I see him replacing Thompson towards the end of each half. Host is able to help in both the front row and backrow positions. His efforts over the past 3 rounds have been great and show incremental improvement each game.

No one can in our squad can do what Dugan does however, I believe the above line-up would be our next best option.

Agree possm
I would go the same way.
But we need to play smart and have the correct game plan.

 

[MilanDragon]

I'm going for:
1. Mann
3. Milne
17. Leilua

If Mann shows he is not handling it at the back, then swap Mann and Nightingale. Mann could inject some variety in the backline with his accurate passing game, speed and elusiveness. Mann also showed great defensive skills against the Tigers last game.

Milne is the obvious choice at right centre. His combination with Macdonald could be a winner. Big, strong and fast, Milne has the ability to bust through in attack and be a monster in defence.

Manly have a very strong pack so I've picked a young impact forward to help with some minutes towards the end of each half. If Leilua is selected he will have to be mindful of the need to put in 150% defence. I see him replacing Thompson towards the end of each half. Host is able to help in both the front row and backrow positions. His efforts over the past 3 rounds have been great and show incremental improvement each game.

No one can in our squad can do what Dugan does however, I believe the above line-up would be our next best option.

Possm is that with Aitken being out? Or even if he is fit?

It'll be interesting if Aitken is fit who plays 17, whether it's Milne, Dufty or Field.

 

[Alec's-saints]

mann fb, milne centre. mann will add more in attack then dugan, but we will miss dugans run metres and cover defense big time.

 

[possm]

Possm is that with Aitken being out? Or even if he is fit?

It'll be interesting if Aitken is fit who plays 17, whether it's Milne, Dufty or Field.

I don't know if Aitken is fit or not, but if fit, I'd be preparing him in the Illawarra team for the 17 spot on the bench. I think Aitken would make a big impact coming on late in a backrow position in first grade.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Playing Nightingale at fullback would be a huge failure IMO.[/QUOTE

As much as Im a Nighty fan I agree, fullback is not suitable for this stage of his career...whilst he is safe under the high ball Im not sure he has the legs to return kicks or cover like Duges anymore

 

[The Doc]

If Aitkens is fit he will be starting centre.
Milne will miss out. If Aitkens isnt fit, Milne takes the centre spot.
Mann will play fullback for sure.
The #17 will go to either Leilua or Havilli, that would be my guess.

 

[Old Timer]

I think it unlikely that with an unsettled backline Filed will be added to the bench.
If they go for an extra forward then I think it will be Sele as he has been part of the extended squad from early on although Havili has 1st grade experience.

 

[Datramp]

Is big mose ready yet? .

More likely field though

 

[Dragonslayer]

Is big mose ready yet? .

More likely field though

I doubt Mose will ever see first grade again.

The #17 is basically between, Field, Leilua and Sele, although McGregor likes a utility so either Havili or dare I say Marketo will come into reckoning. I thought it weird that both Leilua and Sele didn't play for the Illawarra team last weekend yet named in the original 21 for the NRL squad.
We all know that the 17 will see only about 10 mins of game time if any at all and against the Eagles, and if the game is tight the latter will almost certainly apply.

 

[possm]

I don't think Field, Dufty or Mosoe are fit and ready to play first grade however, I'd rather have Field on the bench for 10min game time than Marketo. If Mary needs an extra forward on the bench than any one of Leilua, Havili or Sele would do however Havili is good for the backup of Hooker and backrow.

 

[Crush]

If nightingale isnt fullback I will be VERY surprised

 

[Dragonslayer]

So we have our answers:
NRL Squad for Round 6 v Manly Sea Eagles:

1. Jason Nightingale
2. Nene Macdonald
3. Euan Aitken
4. Tim Lafai
5. Kurt Mann
6. Gareth Widdop (c)
7. Josh McCrone
8. Russell Packer
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack de Belin
Interchange:
14. Tariq Sims
15. Leeson Ah Mau
16. Hame Sele
17. Taane Milne
18. Blake Lawrie
19. Kalifa Faifai Loa
20. Luciano Leilua
21. Jacob Host

 

[The Doc]

Its in... Nighty fullback... Aitkens named at centre... and mann named on the wing.
Sele named on bench, interesting to see how he goes.

 

[Gm5]

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has named his mandatory 21-man squad for the Dragons' Round 6 clash against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland this Saturday, April 8.

The Dragons have a few changes following their 28-6 win over the Wests Tigers in Round 5 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

With fullback Josh Dugan out for two weeks, Jason Nightingale has been named on the wing. Kurt Mann will shift to Nightingale's edge with Euan Aitken named to return in the centres.

Kingsgrove Colts junior Hame Sele is also set to make his NRL debut from the interchange.

The Dragons will also celebrate Aitken's 50th NRL game, who debuted in Round 3, 2015 against the Canberra Raiders.

quite the blunder

 

[Alec's-saints]

we all know nighty won't let us down

 

[ALSGI]

we all know nighty won't let us down

Agree, effort wise he never lets us down. I would have gone Mann at FB, and that may still eventuate on the day.
I'd also love to see how Sele goes, and interesting to see Host drop back, some good competition for the forward positions is healthy.

 

[Ace-STi]

So what did host do wrong or was Sele in good form in the Cutters?