What if it's the 6?

[Frenzy.]

I'll throw this one up for discussion.

There was a lot of talk about who would come in for BK assuming he is the Blues half.

What about if the next most critical player was playing with a chronic injury that could very easily become an acute injury needing surgery? What if we needed to replace both halves?

 

[White Poiner]

aitken 1/2
bird 5/8

 

[NthCronullaLocal]

I havent seen much PL but i would be inclined to bring up both Hall and Aitken. Would have to have struck up some sort of combination by now.

Hall to provide the direction as from all reports is a very smart halfback and Aitken to take over a la Dykes when Hall is out of the play.

So how bad is Dykes' ankle?? Whats possibility of surgery happening ??

 

[Frenzy.]

aitken 1/2
bird 5/8

Yeah, scary thought isn't it.

Great sig poiner!!

 

[White Poiner]

well it sayes o0n the sharks site dykes is a definate to play.

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

we got stacks of players who can play in the halves:

kimmorley
dykes
gallen
aitken
bird
covell
sullivan

there are options left right and centre
relax ppl

there are advantages. if people like kimmorley are out it just means guys ilke covell and sullivan have to get more involved

 

[White Poiner]

Yeah, scary thought isn't it.

Great sig poiner!!

yeah great sig.

 

[Frenzy.]

Didn't say he wasn't playing did I??

 

[spirit of league]

yo reality check !

aitken and covell is not a premiership winning halves combo.

dykes ankle is a BIG concern. any chance of a blow-up he should do whatevr to get it right now ! be back for september.

 

[Shark]

BBSF...

Have you actually watched any games in the past two years where Noddy has NOT played?

We get towelled as a general rule!

Sully was half a chance of going OK, but our lack of a decent 5/8 meant he had way too much pressure on him for a part time half to wear.

This year, you only have to look at the Manly debacle to realise how important BK is to our chances.

 

[Mr Angry]

Sully 7
Aitken 6

Bird PL

 

[Frenzy.]

I find it a potential dilemma of epic proportions.

David Hall is the only other genuine half (now you all know why I was asking Bluebag about registrations for Newtown players).

Aitkens been used, albeit minimally, and hasn't really looked the goods. Sully might be able to wing it a la Presto but his passing and organising would need a lot of improving. Bird's been tried with very little success as a 6.

Those three make three possible combos (six if you take a box trifecta)

7. Sully 6. Bird
7. Aitken 6. Bird
7. Sully 6. Aitken

Or we bring Hall in and pick a six.

 

[Macca]

If both Noddy and Dykesy are out we are in big trouble Da Vinci. No doubts there. In fact when Noddy is out we are in big trouble.

I think the best combination we can hope for is this.

7. Aitken (Alot of pressure on him as the chief ball player.)
6. Dumas

Peachey becomes the back up ball player with Hilder/Sully the second kicking option.

Another option is to put Vagana into 5/8th, after all he has played there as an international. Bring McGoldy back up.

 

[imasharkie]

The reports from Bluebag's ratings from PL indicate Hall would be an able replacement for Noddy but 5/8 then becomes a huge problem. Sharks have tried Hilder, Bird and Aitken with little success, so they're all out of the question. Covells been used in the past by the Tigers so he maybe the answer as he seems to have good hands and is a twinkle toes on his feet or we could bring up Prestons double from PL.

 

[carinashark]

I dont see a problem . Put Gallen or Vags at 5/8 , move Covell to centre , Move up any one of our good backrowers and bring up Merritt or Pelo for the wing spot. Sullivan at Half. Ok it wont be as creative but having Gallen -Vags at 5/8 will stiffen up the defence. So whats this injury of Dykes? His ankle needs surgury?
Carinashark

 

[sydneysharkbrisbane68]

We also have Reece Blayney at 5/8 in flegg and Ben Green half back flegg, maybe one of these is capable of taking the big step.

Has been done before Tim Smith at parra and Soward at Roosters

 

[Frenzy.]

We also have Reece Blayney at 5/8 in flegg and Ben Green half back flegg, maybe one of these is capable of taking the big step.

Has been done before Tim Smith at parra and Soward at Roosters

Both Smith and Soward have the "freak" factor. Neither Green nor Blayney are anywhere near ready IMO

 

[ali]

If we've learnt anything this year it has got to be the advantage of having 2 proper halves. So if Dykes and Noddy are both out, then the only option is to bring up Hall and Aitken together.

Sully has never impressed me at half, Bird, Gallen and Vagana are not halves. The only reason Vagana played 5/8 for NZ was because they had shortage. He still played like a centre.

 

[Frenzy.]

If we've learnt anything this year it has got to be the advantage of having 2 proper halves. So if Dykes and Noddy are both out, then the only option is to bring up Hall and Aitken together.

Sully has never impressed me at half, Bird, Gallen and Vagana are not halves. The only reason Vagana played 5/8 for NZ was because they had shortage. He still played like a centre.

I reckon you could well be right ali. There's a million possible combos but only one logical combo.

Hall and Aitken at least understand each other.

 

[Frenzy.]

I'm bumping this because it has become relevant. It now looks likely we'll be without Dykes for 2 weeks at least. Not the way I believed it would happen but the sentiment is the same.

Might become even more complicated now if Gallen is suspended and/or if BK can't back up from S.O.O. (touching wood)

A quote attributed to Raper in one of the papers is also of concern to me.

"Losing Dykes made it difficult,'' said Cronulla coach Stuart Raper. "It was probably my error that we didn't train to lose him. You don't expect to lose two [playmakers].

How can you not allow for that? It was plain to see anyway as the team looked totally disorganised when Dykes went off.

Anyway, we now face a remote possibilty of being without all of our back 3 at the same time.

If BK doesn't back up, Dykesy is injured and Gallen suspended the cat is really amongst the pigeons

The week after it would depend on length of any suspension Galls might get, SOO selection and progress of Dykesy's injury. Lucky the Cows will have 1/2 a dozen out for that one.

Working off we do know the back three for Parra will be PG, BK & AD.

The most likely ommission is AD at thsi stage. Easy that, Bird to 5/8 again.

If PG is suspended as well we obviously need 6 and 13. I favour something different for this. MH to 6. GB to 13. KK to hooker.

Then if BK cant back up I'd go completely differently I think. I'd go DH to half. RA to 5/8. This is to keep a winning combo together and make planning for the game hard for Brian Smith as he likely will no little of DHs game. GB to 13.

Lots of disruption possible over the next few weeks.