Tim Lafai v Taane Milne

[TomRedVRiver]

The title of this thread would suggest to you that I think Tim Lafai actually has a chance (or deserves a chance) of claiming a starting centre spot over Taane Milne.
Before jumping to conclusions, read on..

I've been browsing through some pre-season training photos as well as reading a few comments and discussions on Facebook and it's come to my attention that Tim Lafai has actually shed about 7 or 8kgs.
Not only this, but it looks like Taane Milne has bulked up quite a bit, i'm talking he's put on at least 6-8kgs.

Now please keep in mind, it's pre-season, so this is only speculation and let's face it we're all bored out of our minds.

I was dead set on the idea of Lafai either leaving the club or making a move to the back-row for depth due to his bulky frame and loss of speed. His chances of a starting centre spot had all but disappeared with Milne rising through the ranks and showing us the attacking flair he possesses. However in recent times, it seems McGregor has pushed for Lafai to drop to the playing weight he was sitting at when playing his best footy at the Bulldogs in 2014.
Milne has gone in the other direction, he's gone from a solid, strong centre build to a bulky, stocky back-rower type build.

Could McGregor ACTUALLY be that insane to turn the tables? Could he be preparing Milne for a switch to the forwards so that Lafai can claim that centre spot instead of the other way around?
I don't want to believe it, don't get me wrong Lafai looks great, but Milne is incredibly talented AND 4 years younger than Lafai. SURELY McGregor can't be that stupid?
The club and coaching staff have a history of bulking up players a little too much and as a result those players lose quite a bit of pace (and sometimes playing ability). I will be so livid with the coach if he f**ks Milne's development by making him put on too much weight when he doesn't need to at all.

 

[gitano]

I think you had it right early in the post, it's the off season. Player's weight changes significantly over the off season, and the chance to put any sort of size on is quite limited.

More important than what the scales say, is how agile and fast is player x. For mine, Lafai moves like he's busted and will never be the player he was. I'd think he's a bench/depth option. Milne looks explosive and fast enough for the centres. Strength is probably more an asset for his game than speed is.

Off season stuff like this isn't really worth reading into though. Even if there is a logical explanation to draw from it, McGregor is our coach.

 

[rasaint]

Really interesting post. Look at Lafai at his best and he was a top shelf centre.

Yes a serious knee injury. Yet Even last season I saw situations of that sharp side step and flair he may recapture. Even his 80 sprint try against Souths was just that 80 metres in NRL is worth bragging about. Jokes were told about the 'tin man' running style but actually he was motoring along pretty well. Yes the quick Souths bloke got to him but only coming across towards him, not running him down from behind. Don't dismiss Lafai, if he is training hard, knee settling, weight off he may be very good.

Taane Milne is very impressive. Should be picked for the 1st grade team if he picks up where he left off last season.

 

[Crush]

I think the observations that lafai looks lighter and milne looks heavier are valid but surely bringing McGregor into the conversation is speculation out of control? Mcgregor wants Lafai lighter? Mcgregor preparing Milne for forwards? It COULD be true I suppose but so could anything.
Not everything is controlled by the coach.
I think players pre-season weight fluctuations may just be one of those things....

 

[hazzbeen]

We seem to have a few options going into next year , being able to move players around trying different combinations , Im exited about what could turn out not so bad . Then I snap out of it because we have the same guy as our head coach , and more than likely he will stick with much the same as this year . On Lafia hope he does come good .....

 

[Lethal25]

Luciano seems to have had a slight weight fluctuation in the off season also

 

[Dragsters]

Not sure where all these ideas about moving centres into the pack are coming from.

We have some good back row depth as it is and if we also have decent depth in the centres then I say let's keep it that way!

Injuries happen...

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I'm just speculating mainly because i'm bored guys haha. I am a little bit worried that they're trying to pack a little too much weight on Milne. We all know how that worked out for Lafai and Dugan.

Interesting idea though, if Lafai gets back to his best that will be a serious selection headache for the coach.

 

[SaintElroy]

Milne might just have a bit of Xmas pudding. I'm up 4 kgs already. My mrs will make me shed it early next year also

 

[giboz71]

Centre is going to be interesting next year as we seem to have 5 or 6 options heading into pre-season.

There's talk about Duges moving back into centre, Aitken and Milne are the incumbents, Lafai is still around, Mann needs a new position seeing Nene will likely take his wing spot. Then we have some decent lower graders in Dodd, Herbert and Thompson who may have an opportunity as well.

End of the day, we need some pace and ball skills out wide that we severely lacked this year.

Hopefully, the answer lies somewhere in the names above.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Congrats to Nene for being named in the emerging QLD SOO squad.

 

[glenndragon]

With Milne still a youngster, maybe he's growing into his man body....if he can keep his pace & those silky offloads,a few more kg's than last year won't hurt.

 

[glenndragon]

If Lafai can be offloaded at a minimal cost....freeing up monies to keep the likes of Milne, Herbert etc beyond next season imo would be a good business move....

 

[dragonssamy61]

With Milne still a youngster, maybe he's growing into his man body....if he can keep his pace & those silky offloads,a few more kg's than last year won't hurt.

Spot on most people that is males.
Only stop growing when they reach 25 years old.

 

[TruSaint]

Milne must be given 1st option based on what he showed last year, and his years. I feel for Lafai , but since his injury he never looked liked regaining the form that he showed at the Dogs. Taane can be anything. I hope Mary doesnt muck this up again. It took way too long for Tim Lafai to be dropped. Blind Freddy could see he was playing either busted or without confidence.

 

[2010]

It is becoming more obvious that we several positions that will be fought for my different players.
The thing that worries me is that the final decision will rest with the coach. Based on last years team selections it worries me that Mary will screw team selection again

 

[TruSaint]

It is becoming more obvious that we several positions that will be fought for my different players.
The thing that worries me is that the final decision will rest with the coach. Based on last years team selections it worries me that Mary will screw team selection again

2010,

Mary needs to aim up and pick on form and potential. He will not be coach in 2018, we all know that.

Question beckons will he pick the team that is best for 2017, or will he go with his " tried and tested ". The later worries me.

Whilst many think 2017 is a write off, and it may be, i think potentially we have the stock to make a real statement. I wish Mary uses the resources around him, takes advice and puts the best 17 on the paddock each week.

Being the ultimate optimist, i think we have the players and depth to make 2017 more than just a building phase.

 

[Lethal25]

2010,

Mary needs to aim up and pick on form and potential. He will not be coach in 2018, we all know that.

Question beckons will he pick the team that is best for 2017, or will he go with his " tried and tested ". The later worries me.

Whilst many think 2017 is a write off, and it may be, i think potentially we have the stock to make a real statement. I wish Mary uses the resources around him, takes advice and puts the best 17 on the paddock each week.

Being the ultimate optimist, i think we have the players and depth to make 2017 more than just a building phase.

Tru

I worry that if Mary does pick on potential and that potential is realised and results flow in 2017 Mary will be coach in 2018 and beyond.

For me I've seen enough to be comfortable in saying we need a different coach, many others have expressed the same opinion. If we finish top 8 what does the board think then???

 

[Gareth67]

Somebody mentioned earlier in the week that Mary could at least be remembered as promoting the juniors , in this his final year . ( ? ) Hopefully that will be the case , and as
Tru-Saint said picks his best 17 on form .

That being the case Tom Lafai should bide his time in the Cutters , as Tanne Milne has shown enough this season to warrant a place in the centres .

And should Mary listen to this new panel , of Coyne and company ,then the combination of experience and youth , will ensure that the Dragons shall have a far better year in 2017 , but as we all realise , only if the right selections are made .

 

[TruSaint]

Tru

I worry that if Mary does pick on potential and that potential is realised and results flow in 2017 Mary will be coach in 2018 and beyond.

For me I've seen enough to be comfortable in saying we need a different coach, many others have expressed the same opinion. If we finish top 8 what does the board think then???

I understand your angst.. and by the way I agree.
I really believe the club has made a decision for 2018 already.
And YES 100% we need a new coach.