Team v Rabbitohs

[Meth]

We survived the Eels. This will be a big game.

1- Tuivasa Sheck
2- Fusitu'a
3- Beale
4- Kata
5- Maumalo
6- Green
7- Johnson/Lino
8- Gavet
9- Luke
10- Paasi
11- Papalii
12- Harris
13- Mannering

Res- Blair, Afoa, Tevaga, Vete

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

1. RTS
2. Fusitua
3. Ayshford
4. Beale
5. Maumalo
6. Green
7. Johnson
8. Gavet
9. Luke
10. Vete
11. Blair
12. Harris
13. Mannering

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

 

[JJ]

Oh I wish Blair would be dropped - further than you'd punted him Meth - he and Lisone are just mud for different reasons

We've been manhandled something chronic through the middle in recent weeks, I fear for what the Big Bunnies might do to us

 

[Iafeta]

I’m not a fan of Blair. But I think he’s been fine this year. He’s never going to grab a ton of metres but I like his defensive urgency.

 

[JJ]

I’m not a fan of Blair. But I think he’s been fine this year. He’s never going to grab a ton of metres but I like his defensive urgency.

There are few I've disliked more unfortunately

That last couple of minutes against the Roosters sums him up for me, just needed a late shot to the back of a half to complete it

 

[sup42]

Blair is an important part of why we don't concede points through the middle of the park, he is also the second best ball player in that pack.

Pretty important part of our success I recon even if he is a bit of an egg. I'd hate to see how we go without him.

 

[JJ]

I'd happily have Simon in 13 and Blair elsewhere

 

[Leber]

It'll be the same team, RTS in instead of Hiku.

But I'd like to see Cook at 7 instead of Lino.

 

[playdaball]

Desperate to see SJ and RTS back in the team. Sao needs to be in the 17 too.

 

[sup42]

*duplicate post

 

[sup42]

Mannering ar 13 instead of BLair is a good call....Simon looks horrible as an edge forward now that he is aging.

Mannering comes on and they run him for two hit ups.. Jazz is usually there also. ..suddenly our go forward struggles and we are losing to the oppositions forward pack.
This last game they had Bunty off the bench too...and I sense his role was to boost the loss of go forward from Simon and Jazz....incidentally that was the worst game from Bunty Meters wise since the Broncos match.

It does make more sense to have Mannering take Blairs role in the middle and to use Blairs ball playing where Pulu was at left edge backrow.

This must be the first year in a very long time where Simon is not the MVP at the club.

He is on big money....I hope we use that to get one more meter eater next year...so that there is no drop off when the bench kicks in.....at the moment our best bench guy....whether Bunty or Gavet....has been playing a lone hand.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Funny you say that.., Simon still actually made to most metres of any of our forwards against the chooks. Though maybe he was the only one tryingnin that game.

 

[sup42]

Funny you say that.., Simon still actually made to most metres of any of our forwards against the chooks. Though maybe he was the only one tryingnin that game.

Not surprising they give him double up runs when he comes on so that is logical.

Key Stat is what happens to our ruck..I worry when our replacements come on, in the early pre Mannering rounds (not actually blaming him ) we went up a gear...of late my honest impression is that we lose a step or three when the bench comes on...not Mannerings fault...rather the configuration...the game plan...that relies on him as a frequent hit up artist....the guy is a super tacklebot...we need runners in his stead in that bench impact role.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Yeah I agree he isn’t an impact player and is most effective as a tackler and occasional hole runner, not a hit up merchant. Problem is Kearney is trying to fit both him and Blair into the same 17 and balance them.

 

[sup42]

Yeah I agree he isn’t an impact player and is most effective as a tackler and occasional hole runner, not a hit up merchant. Problem is Kearney is trying to fit both him and Blair into the same 17 and balance them.

True...Mannerlng ls in his last season and Blair is signed for three years...they are clones....Kearney had to offer the greatest Warrior something for bringing in a tackling middle forward in his stead.

The bench and edge forward role I suspect is loaded towards rewarding Mannering for his service...it certainly does not marry up with his current iteration as a defence player with historically little to offer in attack.

 

[Big Marn]

Not surprising they give him double up runs when he comes on so that is logical.

Key Stat is what happens to our ruck..I worry when our replacements come on, in the early pre Mannering rounds (not actually blaming him ) we went up a gear...of late my honest impression is that we lose a step or three when the bench comes on...not Mannerings fault...rather the configuration...the game plan...that relies on him as a frequent hit up artist....the guy is a super tacklebot...we need runners in his stead in that bench impact role.

i had been noticing the same thing. When we had Ligi Sao coming on, the impact seemed to be still there, and also Lisone was going ok in the early rounds. Now, it seems theres no oomph as Gavet hasnt really got his levels up to where they need to be, and Sao is completely out of the rotation. (What did he do?)
Also, the defense doesnt seem to be as stout when Mannering comes on. Its almost as if subconsciously the other players are relaxing on defence because their best D guy has come on to take the load. When he wasnt playing at the start of the year, they didnt have that luxury and the defence seemed to be more consistent, (although still missing tackles, conceding penalties).

Thats my impression anyway.

 

[ozenzud]

Blair has been one of the reasons our defense has improved this year, so it would be stupid to drop him.

Gavet has been mud this year. No idea why people are saying he has to be there. Lisone was very good in the first 5 weeks or so and has dropped off the pace.

Are they saying Pulu is out to round 20? Is that right? I thought he'd be back soon when he first went out. We do need him back.

 

[Meth]

Gavet has been mud this year. No idea why people are saying he has to be there. .

Not sure that he has to be there. I am just not sure anyone is banging down the door or that he has done enough to lose his place just yet.

I didn't think Gavet was awful on the weekend.

 

[Rich102]

His hair was and the rest of him wasn't that far behind.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Sam Burgess and Alex Johnston have injuries with Johnston being more doubtful to play this week. Sam could still play and is expected to be named.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/2aa372f4387d4bf24439b17bc6ccd2de