What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Webbys bench strategy

GoSouths

Juniors
Messages
240
Been noticing that AFB is playing the whole of the first half for several weeks now. Gets a break in the second half when Ale comes on and then finishes the game. Ale seems to last 15mins. AFB has got a hell of a motor.
Doesnt seem to be any other interchanges in the first half apart from Barnett for Afoa.
Second half is when you will first sight Curran and Sironen. Harris and Ford dont get subbed unless injured and Niakore gets a break when Curran comes on.
Seems a marked difference from previous Warrior coaches.
Is this a stopgap strategy until Walker and Jazz are back on the bench together as earlier in the season they would be entering the game in the first half together and it worked quite well.
 

SpaceMonkey

Immortal
Messages
40,602
Yeah I think he’s adjusted the strategy for the troops available, which is smart. Jazz and Walker obviously capable of big minutes so with those two on you can start the rotation earlier. I think in the current game you need to keep as much of your powder dry as possible in the first half due to the potential need for HIA replacements.
 

CWC

Juniors
Messages
21
The gun bench for me would be Walker, Jazz, Barnett, Curran

I feel if we could have at least 1 star player fit for particular functions it’d be fine, eg 2–prop position, we need at least 1 of AFB and Barnett playing, No.13 - play Tohu or have Walker or Jazz as replacement if he’s injured, and on the bench one of bald bros for that impact player position.

Ideally you wanna have a full squad for the knock out games but mid season we need at least 1 star player for each function, if we get another big impact prop who can play Afoa’s position and say if Barnett is suspended he can play 40-50 minutes then we would have 2 big props for each game it’d be an upgrade for what we have now

Might have to let go Tane and Williame as CHT can play their positions, I do like what Siro is doing now hope they keep him, hope RTS comes back this year he’s not even in the Blues 23, then releasing the 2 players mentioned above might give cap space for that prop this year? We’ve got the back line depth just grow the young guys
 

nswarrior

Juniors
Messages
1,321
He seems to keep a lot of fresh players on the bench until there is 20 to go. I think Curran can do bigger minutes but there isn’t an opportunity for him atm
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
I think it’s a little unfair to say Ale and Afoa only last 15-20 mins, as it’s ultimately Webster who determines how many stints they play and how long for. I love Ale off the bench and would have him, along with Tevaga, Walker and Barnett as my ideal bench.

I’ll take as much AFB as possible.
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
He seems to keep a lot of fresh players on the bench until there is 20 to go. I think Curran can do bigger minutes but there isn’t an opportunity for him atm

yes there is. Hook the big error-making lug he has playing second row ahead of him.

Seriously, I love Webster, but his selection of Ford over Curran and his usage of Curran the other night is grating me.
 

GoSouths

Juniors
Messages
240
He obviously loves his attitude, effort and fitness levels. I used to get the same feeling when Kearney kept playing Jazz despite all the brain snaps.
 
Last edited:

nswarrior

Juniors
Messages
1,321
I can’t question a strategy that is working. Ford plays 80 minutes so it might look like he is making more errors and he has had a couple of poor games but Meth is a bit harsh on him

We all have short memories . After just avoiding the spoon last year I can’t believe how the team is playing and the results this year
 

GoSouths

Juniors
Messages
240
I can’t question a strategy that is working. Ford plays 80 minutes so it might look like he is making more errors and he has had a couple of poor games but Meth is a bit harsh on him

We all have short memories . After just avoiding the spoon last year I can’t believe how the team is playing and the results this year
17 hitups, 130m, 38 tackles, 3 errors. Thats an acceptable trade off in errors vs the output.
 

Penrose_11

Juniors
Messages
1,266
Gonna be interesting in 3-4 weeks when everyone pretty much available. How the coach fits Walker, Jazz, TMM into what’s already a well functioning team ain’t gonna be easy. For me Walker makes the 17 every week. And I think Jazz does as well. TMM and Metcalf gonna battle for that #6. Both can’t be in team. Bench he’s one prop and 1-2 other forwards. Also needs dummy half cover. Other than Siro, what forward is reliable enough to cover a dummy half role if Egan injured during game? Jazz maybe but I think he’s moved past this. Walker?? I see him playing in the 13/12/6 positions.
I think our best bench with everyone there is Walker, Jazz, Curran, Barnett. But one of them needs to up their dummy half game. All impact players and offer point of difference when they come on. Especially with our current high impact, high intensity, fast paced style of game
 

Benek

Juniors
Messages
1,974
I reckon Walker is versatile enough to do a stint at DH. He can cover so many positions and that’s what makes him a first choice bench player.
 

TheDMC

Bench
Messages
3,419
Gonna be interesting in 3-4 weeks when everyone pretty much available. How the coach fits Walker, Jazz, TMM into what’s already a well functioning team ain’t gonna be easy. For me Walker makes the 17 every week. And I think Jazz does as well. TMM and Metcalf gonna battle for that #6. Both can’t be in team. Bench he’s one prop and 1-2 other forwards. Also needs dummy half cover. Other than Siro, what forward is reliable enough to cover a dummy half role if Egan injured during game? Jazz maybe but I think he’s moved past this. Walker?? I see him playing in the 13/12/6 positions.
I think our best bench with everyone there is Walker, Jazz, Curran, Barnett. But one of them needs to up their dummy half game. All impact players and offer point of difference when they come on. Especially with our current high impact, high intensity, fast paced style of game
Injuries and suspensions will make this a very short term too many riches to select from problem I suspect. But a good problem to have!
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
With Ford, whatever good he does is undone by the amount of penalties, errors and ruck infringements. Simple as that.

11- Curran
12- Niukore
13- Harris

it’s not even a contest
 

GoSouths

Juniors
Messages
240
With Ford, whatever good he does is undone by the amount of penalties, errors and ruck infringements. Simple as that.

11- Curran
12- Niukore
13- Harris

it’s not even a contest
wasnt it Curran not paying attention when Pompey passed him the ball for what would have been a try?
Isnt it Niukore who was sent to the bin last game and has 2 other charges already for careless high tackles?
Isnt it Tohu who has been missing games due to injury this season?
I love all these guys. The point is none of them are perfect either.

You are also conveniently overlooking play time vs errors. Ive seen Curran come up with ruck infringements and errors and he doesnt get anywhere near the time Ford is on.
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
wasnt it Curran not paying attention when Pompey passed him the ball for what would have been a try?
Isnt it Niukore who was sent to the bin last game and has 2 other charges already for careless high tackles?
Isnt it Tohu who has been missing games due to injury this season?
I love all these guys. The point is none of them are perfect either.

lol the Harris one is a streeeeeeeetch

And sure, everyone makes errors and we can point to them. (And Niukore's tendency for foul play in another issue) The point is Ford tends to make more of them
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
35,737
You are also conveniently overlooking play time vs errors. Ive seen Curran come up with ruck infringements and errors and he doesnt get anywhere near the time Ford is on.

I'm not so much overlooking it as I am generally unable to say everything about everything in every post. Don't try to paint me as being disingenuous champ.

To your point, I'd argue that there's a case for the probability of making an error increasing with a limited time role. Ask Nicho Hynes
 

GoSouths

Juniors
Messages
240
well, i ran the numbers and hes averaging 1 error a game from the 12 hes played and 0.6 penalties a game. He really isnt that bad. Maybe its the moment in the game that it is happening that is upsetting you.
 

Izz

Bench
Messages
3,925
well, i ran the numbers and hes averaging 1 error a game from the 12 hes played and 0.6 penalties a game. He really isnt that bad. Maybe its the moment in the game that it is happening that is upsetting you.
Is there anywhere that tracks set restarts? They're not included in penalties anymore and when I went looking a couple weeks back I couldn't find any stats for them. Because Ford gives away a whole lot more than 0.6 set restarts a game...
 
Top