What the ---Burt/Graham

[Utey]

Oh he could IMO, but I think now isnt a time to be blooding juniors as every match we will need to be competitive. It would be a lot of pressure for a young kid.

 

[dazeely]

Well surely he couldn't do any worse.

Suity

As Suity says why not blood them because its not as if they could do worse. I'm also really concerned with 1. Erics injury 2. Petersens return. I'm not overly confident they will be back / and or go the distance. Why not give them the shot now rather than have to come the finals. I would rather go down knowing we at least tried something than go in 'lay down massare' type thing with Ash & Burt.

 

[Utey]

As Suity says why not blood them because its not as if they could do worse. I'm also really concerned with 1. Erics injury 2. Petersens return. I'm not overly confident they will be back / and or go the distance. Why not give them the shot now rather than have to come the finals. I would rather go down knowing we at least tried something than go in 'lay down massare' type thing with Ash & Burt.

GOOD POINT!

 

[fish eel]

grothe wasnt so much out injured but out sick with a virus.

 

[Suitman]

grothe wasnt so much out injured but out sick with a virus.

But the point still remains.........

Go into the semis with a tried Reddy or an untried Reddy?
Is it any worse than a tried and useless Graham?

Suity

 

[fish eel]

I hear ya suitman I hear ya, and its a compelling argument.

The only counter I have is that since he came to our club, I think Smith has shown terrific judgement in blooding players when they are ready. He doesnt play kids for the sake of playing kids. From Hindmarsh to Tim Smith, smithy has shown that if he thinks the kid is ready, they'll play. So I've no doubt if he thought Joel Reddy was up to it, both physically and mentally, he'd play.

BS knows more about these kids than we do. and as fans, we're always pretty keen to see our next star get a run.

 

[theicemandanno]

If anything, Graham's performance on Saturday made me realise just how specialist the position of winger really is. Do we take the position for granted in thinking that a fullback or centre can play there?

The reason I say this is that Graham was woeful with respect to the receptiona nd return of kicks. His positional play was glaringly pathetic. Just like the whole Wagon brew-ha-ha, players should be named in their proper positions.

With that in mind, our wingers for the Warriors game, pending injury, should be Williams and Grothe. If either are injured, then Burt should replace them.

 

[Suitman]

I hear ya suitman I hear ya, and its a compelling argument.

The only counter I have is that since he came to our club, I think Smith has shown terrific judgement in blooding players when they are ready. He doesnt play kids for the sake of playing kids. From Hindmarsh to Tim Smith, smithy has shown that if he thinks the kid is ready, they'll play. So I've no doubt if he thought Joel Reddy was up to it, both physically and mentally, he'd play.

BS knows more about these kids than we do. and as fans, we're always pretty keen to see our next star get a run.

I couldn't agree with that more, my only fear being that we may get caught with someone who has, on many an occassion, been found wanting, while the opportunities were there to have someone more competant fill his place.

As you said, only Brian knows.........and only Brian will live and die by the sword.

Suity

 

[Suitman]

With that in mind, our wingers for the Warriors game, pending injury, should be Williams and Grothe. If either are injured, then Burt should replace them.

There is no doubt that Burt is an infinitely better winger than Graham, but he is also better than him at Fullback, centre and Prop.
And everyone knows what I think of Burt, so that ain't saying much for Graham.

Suity

 

[Delboy]

Iceman, did you really suggest we keep Burt in the side, what game have you been watching? 1 good game = 5 poor ones, we cant afford him in the side, his goal kicking is below average, fails to make ground, doesnt go on with the breaks he gets. They attack his side at every chance.
Give the kids a chance if we need to, I have spoken to some ex-players (internationals at that) and they have said we will not win anything with him in the side. Believe it, he is no longer a 17 year old we should forgive mistakes, he is a mature player who has not improved....Maybe the best trainer in the club but thats not on the field. I know people who have half jokingly said they will find another team if he keeps getting picked , harsh but true...
Why did Sideshow and John Williams get injured, pick Delaney and put Tahu on the wing until they come back..there's the answer

 

[fish eel]

I think with Peterson out, our wingers should be grothe and Burt.

Burt, has had a couple of poor games, however I think generally he has been solid without being unspectacular this season. He certainly hasnt been as bad has some have made out.

I certainly wouldnt shift Tahu onto the wing.

 

[Bigfella]

Yeah Suity makes a good point. The other thing is there is some advantage in having Ash play in that game ... if no winger had been required until the first semi Ash would have had first crack ... and probably produced that game. Rather Sat v Knights than September v Bulldogs. Now we know that the younger guys need blooding. Having said that I have no doubt that Williams would have been next after Grothe Peterson and Burt. This stuff about playing favourites is pretty weak considering how many were actually unavailable.

 

[WA Eel]

I don't know what's happened to Burt in the past few seasons. I mean he was good in 2001 (as was almost everyone else I guess), but even before that, him and Jason Moodie had formed a good solid wing pairing for years. I remember that there was a time when him and Moodie used to swap wings so he can attack an opposite wingers perceived weakness in the air.

The only think I've noticed is that he now grab tackles a lot more than before he broke his collar bone twice a few seasons ago, but that still shouldn't affect his catching or attacking game.