Team v Dragons.

[Iron Lion]

^ probably why you're not a coach

5 years of no finals Pal, probably going to be 6 years. Think about it..........

 

[Philip_Smith007]

They just dont have the players to put a squad together to win, but if I was coach with the current line up, it would look like this to compete

1.RTS
2.LOLOHEA
3.FUSITUA
4.JOHNSON
5.KATA
6.FORAN/HINGANO
7.LINO
8.LISONE
9.BELL
10.VATUVEI
11.MATULINO
12.MANNERING
13.T.SIPLEY

14.CLARKE
15.AFOA (PROP)
16.P.SIPLEY
17. GAVET/THOMPSON/SAO/HOFFMAN all covering 2nd row but honestly dont want any of them. Thompson would be the pick probably but want none of these guys playing more than 20 - 25mins max

Surprised Mannering made the team.

 

[ozbash]

With the exception of Mannering, I pretty much agree with what the Lion says..

Apart from the coaches it's basically the same squad as last year, and we all know what happened there....

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

^ probably why you're not a coach

Hes the coach of losing.

 

[JJ]

Will be interesting to see what Foran adds - at the end of the day Norman has shown he's more important at the Eels - Foran could be too damaged and/or past his use by date like Luke appears to be. He could be heavily motivated, as a strong season (or start) could leverage him a big contract next year.

Not sure why Lion focuses on the back row - they're ok imo - it's the vaunted spine that's shit - Johnson is Johnson - whatever that it is doesn't seem to be a 7 that can lead a team week in week out, he'll have a patch where it looks that way but in reality we've seen enough. Luke is just rubbish, whether he's in semi-retirement or just not very good any more, he's just a myth at the moment. RTS is brilliant, but can't do everything, and Hingano is promising but he's not the one (yet) that should be providing direction - that's Johnson. As above on Foran, who knows, he could be the glue

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

1. RTS
2. Fusitua

• scores more tries on the wing based off last year and can score those crazy dive tries no one else does in the club
• runs hard and straight like Maumalo does
• chases bombs and contests, probably the best in the air in the club

3. Ayshford

• proven - obviously had a good season last year, my pick of the 2016 backs was SJ, Kata, Fus and Aysh
• strong on his legs and carries himself forward in the tackle

4. Kata
5. Manu
6. Foran

• Hingano has been doing well and Id like to keep him selected as often as possible, but the situation were in requires a Foran
• defence

7. Johnson
8. Vete
9. Luke

• Kearney might be looking to bring up Lukes match fitness to Cam Smith level, he leaves Luke on even when hes tired, thats the only sense I can make of it

10. Sipley

• we lack size and line denters, Im not he will dent 1st grade lines but Ive seen enough in the ISP, this guy just needs a 2017 chance

11. Thompson
12. Hoffman
13. Mannering

14. Tevaga
15. Lisone
16. Afoa
17. Lillyman

 

[JJ]

1. RTS
2. Fusitua

• scores more tries on the wing based off last year and can score those crazy dive tries no one else does in the club
• runs hard and straight like Maumalo does
• chases bombs and contests, probably the best in the air in the club

3. Ayshford

• proven - obviously had a good season last year, my pick of the 2016 backs was SJ, Kata, Fus and Aysh
• strong on his legs and carries himself forward in the tackle

4. Kata
5. Manu
6. Foran

• Hingano has been doing well and Id like to keep him selected as often as possible, but the situation were in requires a Foran
• defence

7. Johnson
8. Vete
9. Luke

• Kearney might be looking to bring up Lukes match fitness to Cam Smith level, he leaves Luke on even when hes tired, thats the only sense I can make of it

10. Sipley

• we lack size and line denters, Im not he will dent 1st grade lines but Ive seen enough in the ISP, this guy just needs a 2017 chance

11. Thompson
12. Hoffman
13. Mannering

14. Tevaga
15. Lisone
16. Afoa
17. Lillyman

Hard to argue with that side - personally I'd start with Lillyman and have Sipley off the bench - if he shows the ability then probably Vete to the bench - purely because of the physicality Lillyman has, I think that's suited to the first 20 mins. Overall it doesn't matter much it's about balancing the bench minutes - but we've seen Kearney like McFadden seems to like having a bench man that's purely injury cover - which I find weird

I also wonder if Afoa should be the third middle forward, and Mannering play on the edge - Thompon's just ok for me

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Will be interesting to see what Foran adds - at the end of the day Norman has shown he's more important at the Eels - Foran could be too damaged and/or past his use by date like Luke appears to be. He could be heavily motivated, as a strong season (or start) could leverage him a big contract next year.

Not sure why Lion focuses on the back row - they're ok imo - it's the vaunted spine that's shit - Johnson is Johnson - whatever that it is doesn't seem to be a 7 that can lead a team week in week out, he'll have a patch where it looks that way but in reality we've seen enough. Luke is just rubbish, whether he's in semi-retirement or just not very good any more, he's just a myth at the moment. RTS is brilliant, but can't do everything, and Hingano is promising but he's not the one (yet) that should be providing direction - that's Johnson. As above on Foran, who knows, he could be the glue

I think Luke has lost a bit of acceleration with his weight gain and understandably, age. He slimmed down this year but doesnt have that confident energy he had with Souths. Might still be carrying uneccessary luggage around the waist. Most of my league mates that returned home from Australia put on the beef as they said the food in NZ was better. "I love NZ KFC" is what one of them said. Luke probably just having difficulty eating right.

Luke in 2015

Luke with us

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

They just dont have the players to put a squad together to win, but if I was coach with the current line up, it would look like this to compete

1.RTS
2.LOLOHEA
3.FUSITUA
4.JOHNSON
5.KATA
6.FORAN/HINGANO
7.LINO
8.LISONE
9.BELL
10.VATUVEI
11.MATULINO
12.MANNERING
13.T.SIPLEY

14.CLARKE
15.AFOA (PROP)
16.P.SIPLEY
17. GAVET/THOMPSON/SAO/HOFFMAN all covering 2nd row but honestly dont want any of them. Thompson would be the pick probably but want none of these guys playing more than 20 - 25mins max

No Watmough or Matai????

 

[ozbash]

Kearney might be looking to bring up Lukes match fitness to Cam Smith level,

3 rounds in and 3/4 of the team look to be struggling with fitness.

 

[Rich102]

1. RTS
2. Fusitua

• scores more tries on the wing based off last year and can score those crazy dive tries no one else does in the club
• runs hard and straight like Maumalo does
• chases bombs and contests, probably the best in the air in the club

3. Ayshford

• proven - obviously had a good season last year, my pick of the 2016 backs was SJ, Kata, Fus and Aysh
• strong on his legs and carries himself forward in the tackle

4. Kata
5. Manu
6. Foran

• Hingano has been doing well and Id like to keep him selected as often as possible, but the situation were in requires a Foran
• defence

7. Johnson
8. Vete
9. Luke

• Kearney might be looking to bring up Lukes match fitness to Cam Smith level, he leaves Luke on even when hes tired, thats the only sense I can make of it

10. Sipley

• we lack size and line denters, Im not he will dent 1st grade lines but Ive seen enough in the ISP, this guy just needs a 2017 chance

11. Thompson
12. Hoffman
13. Mannering

14. Tevaga
15. Lisone
16. Afoa
17. Lillyman

I like some of your thinking.
Which Sipley are you thinking about in 10?
How about swapping Manu and Kata? Give manu a run further in and Kata doesn't pass anyway.
That said Manu is struggling anyway.
Bring back Ayshford!

 

[vvvrulz]

If Kearney had a spine, and we know by now he doesn't, Tui and Luke would be well and truly out of there in favour of guys who actually try. Kata not far behind.

We're almost to the point where it doesn't even matter who we name anymore until we get Foran, Mutts and RTS fit and playing every game. That's the only difference between now and us last year, with the status quo we're heading straight for the spoon.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

I like some of your thinking.
Which Sipley are you thinking about in 10?
How about swapping Manu and Kata? Give manu a run further in and Kata doesn't pass anyway.
That said Manu is struggling anyway.
Bring back Ayshford!

The Sipley that had a short stint last year.

Manu would probably operate as a second second-rower if we brought him in, and Kata does play like a winger with his side stepping. Just not sure about Manus defence and knowing our luck, if Kearney does make that swap, Manu will probably get a draw and pass situation and the opposition intercepts it. Considerin Kata hasnt showin ball playin ability which restricts our line denter Manu from gettin the ball, why not try it in increments during games.

 

[JJ]

If Kearney had a spine, and we know by now he doesn't, Tui and Luke would be well and truly out of there in favour of guys who actually try. Kata not far behind.

We're almost to the point where it doesn't even matter who we name anymore until we get Foran, Mutts and RTS fit and playing every game. That's the only difference between now and us last year, with the status quo we're heading straight for the spoon.

Nah. We'll have a mid-season resurgence.

But you're right, Anderson and Cleary were the only two coaches we've had with balls - for a while now there's been a need for some courageous selections, if there are younger (hopefully) guys that will bust their balls for the team, they should play - we will plod along to 7-10th anyway, might as well do it with guys that are trying and will improve imo

 

[Rich102]

The Sipley that had a short stint last year.

Manu would probably operate as a second second-rower if we brought him in, and Kata does play like a winger with his side stepping. Just not sure about Manus defence and knowing our luck, if Kearney does make that swap, Manu will probably get a draw and pass situation and the opposition intercepts it. Considerin Kata hasnt showin ball playin ability which restricts our line denter Manu from gettin the ball, why not try it in increments during games.

Because there is enough confusion there at the moment without creating more.

 

[Rich102]

Nah. We'll have a mid-season resurgence.

But you're right, Anderson and Cleary were the only two coaches we've had with balls - for a while now there's been a need for some courageous selections, if there are younger (hopefully) guys that will bust their balls for the team, they should play - we will plod along to 7-10th anyway, might as well do it with guys that are trying and will improve imo

I agree JJ. But even if we don't have better replacements in reserve grade some players need to be dropped and others given a go, otherwise the miscreants will just take their jerseys for granted - like has happened for the last 5 years.

 

[jamaman]

need to go back to Jungle football..lol

 

[JJ]

yeah, need to get those monster forwards rolling, play some jungle ball - where's Lowie, surprise he hasn't started talking about "contract football"

 

[jaseg]

Too busy laying the boot into Manly for now..

 

[vvvrulz]

need to go back to Jungle football..lol

Well we might as well, at least we'll be trying something ffs.

Cleary coached structure in; every idiot after him coached it out and somehow took jungle ball with it. What the hell happens to our offloads and second phase? We pretty much got to the grand final shocking the competition with that.