Your RD 1 2018 line up

[franklin2323]

I understand the club believe Jed Cartwright has what it takes to play in the centres should the need arise due to injury.

From what I saw of him in NSW Cup last season he could be a weapon in the role should the need arise due to injury. Obviously his strengths are not in the speed department but he is very strong defensively and his ability to off load out wide could be very handy should he be called upon. I have no doubt he could do a very good job if called upon.

Despite his try scoring exploits Sivo is a work in progress and still has a lot to learn about the game before he could be seriously considered for the NRL. He is in same situation as Eto Nabuli who scored tons of tries and looked the goods in NSW Cup but didn't debut for us, was released to the Dragons where he did appear in a couple of NRL games but didn't quite cut it and not sure where he is now. Rugby Union somewhere?

I agree on Sivo. Which makes the decision to not recruit any outside backs crazy

 

[franklin2323]

Round 1 waqa played in the centres and Whare played on the wing(and was poor) so round 2 we switch Whare to the centres and move Waqa to the wing. That had nothing to do with the behaviour or what happened in Melbourne, he was already on the wing when he got dropped for that. Our lineups are changing dramatically each year under griffin he cant settle on a lineup to sae his life. He thinks the answer to everything is change when the reality is the best teams have the least change.

Why does Griffin get so much benefit of the doubt around here? he has not done anything in the nrl and barely did anything in the lower grades, what team has Griffin ever lead to a premiership? I seriously think he only got the job because Gus and he have the same manager. Since he has arrived we have offloaded so much talent and most of yet to hit there prime. That's not good no matter what spin you put on it. He seriously creates his own excuses by continually changing things and getting rid of players. And after all that there is every chance we will be looking for two new halves in two years given Maloney is old and Nathan likely will be the most in demand half in the comp by then. All these changes and they haven't even secured our future long term, that seriously worries me.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/01/29/your-NRL-clubs-experience-factor-for-2018/

A few different players from other clubs saying how important experience is

The bottom 4 least experienced teams

Us
Tigers
GC
Knights

Compare where we are compared to them. That is why Griffin in the past has got a pass mark from fans it is also why the last 3 off seasons we have got Merrin, Tamou and now Maloney.

Though saying that sooner or later being just in finals won't be enough and then the pressure for results we be part of it. There was a table on Fox Sports over the weekend from 2008-2017 our win % was 37%. That included 2 top 4 finishes so these bad years are nothing compared to that

 

[Kilkenny]

I agree on Sivo. Which makes the decision to not recruit any outside backs crazy

I tend to agree with you but you have to assume our brains trust believe they have the squad to cover whatever lays before us in 2018.

 

[franklin2323]

I tend to agree with you but you have to assume our brains trust believe they have the squad to cover whatever lays before us in 2018.

No one knows how easy or hard it will be to call on replacements into 30 man squad. So we will see as the season goes on

 

[OldPanther]

I agree on Sivo. Which makes the decision to not recruit any outside backs crazy

I agree with copperhead

"He played 13 games for the Dragons, which is more than a couple. They offered, and he accepted a contract extension, so they must have felt he "cut it". He left for bigger money with the Queensland Reds and debuted for the Wallabies against Scotland last year.

Despite all that, Sivo looks a better prospect"

 

[Kilkenny]

No one knows how easy or hard it will be to call on replacements into 30 man squad. So we will see as the season goes on

I agree. I agree with your previous comment, perhaps Chrichton and Sivo may have been better options filling the 29th and 30th spots given there would be two back or front rowers who realistically are never going to play first grade so on our logic what would be lost by throwing them into the top 30? At the same time the composition of the squad is discussed at length by Gould, Griffin and who knows how many other members of the coaching training staff get involved so I am sure all eventualities and options were discussed before settling on the final make up.

 

[franklin2323]

I agree. I agree with your previous comment, perhaps Chrichton and Sivo may have been better options filling the 29th and 30th spots given there would be two back or front rowers who realistically are never going to play first grade so on our logic what would be lost by throwing them into the top 30? At the same time the composition of the squad is discussed at length by Gould, Griffin and who knows how many other members of the coaching training staff get involved so I am sure all eventualities and options were discussed before settling on the final make up.

Even if not them. Cerruto will get plenty of game time at dogs. He and Crichton would of been my 29 and 30 but let's see what happens

 

[Kilkenny]

Even if not them. Cerruto will get plenty of game time at dogs. He and Crichton would of been my 29 and 30 but let's see what happens

Like all our former players, I hope they do well. Even thou Mason was only with us for one season I hope he kicks on with the Bulldogs. Andy Saunders got a debut with the Dogs so hopefully Mason Cerruto does too.

 

[hindy111]

Centre is a funny position in today’s game, and generally very weak throughout the competition.
I would argue that Blake, peachy and whare are some of the best going around but have been underused with a lack of early ball.
Who would you have out of any centre in the comp?
Roberts for that speed, walker maybe, leilua on a good day, Chambers is decent, Dugan is glass.
really there are not many dominant centres around that don’t either have defensive issues or mistakes in them.

Jennings

 

[Aliceinwonderland]

Jennings

 

[MrBlack]

Jennings

When we let him go it was good for both him and us.

A few years later, I would love for him to be back. Would swap any of our current centres for him.

 

[OldPanther]

When we let him go it was good for both him and us.

A few years later, I would love for him to be back. Would swap any of our current centres for him.

I wouldn't swap Blake for anyone. The other side is the issue for me.

 

[ACTPanthers]

Would never give up Blake for Jennings, a Jenko/Blake pairing would be nice but it'll never happen

 

[hindy111]

When we let him go it was good for both him and us.

A few years later, I would love for him to be back. Would swap any of our current centres for him.

His first year at eels was average but 2017 was back to best. If only he could pass.

I still rate him the best all round centre in game if consider defense.

 

[hindy111]

His younger brothers havent kicked on. I expected George to get game time at eels.

 

[mxlegend99]

I would say people need to change their top 17s now..but apparently Bryce wasn't a top 17 player so everyone should be sweet.

 

[kinghippo]

RCG. Wallace JFH
Yeo kik
Merrin
Cleary
Maloney
Mansour
Peachy
Blake
DWZ

CHN until fit
Tamou
Leota
Katoa

 

[billypilgrimnz]

JFH our starting prop? I don't see it.

 

[OldPanther]

JFH our starting prop? I don't see it.

Not in a team with RCG, Tamou, Kikau, Browne.

 

[kinghippo]

RCG. Wallace JFH
Yeo kik
Merrin
Cleary
Maloney
Mansour
Peachy
Blake
DWZ

CHN until fit
Tamou
Leota
Katoa

I am aware there is zero chance of this team hitting the field.
I expect griffin will pick whare and Browne.
Katoa i am not sold on but Wallace needs a replacement, I think it needs sorting out before May is fit.
I like JFH as prop, he hits hard in defence and can rough up people for the first 20 minutes.
Leota has a lot of potential and can do some work in the front row if needed. He had a couple of really good games last year.