Your Starting 17 Round 1 2016

[the_flight_of_the_magpie]

I heard we were shopping williams to the uk?

and the Sharks

 

[Abz]

i don't know if sharks have cap space for williams, but with pritchard going, we'll need some size in the pack

i also heard loko is on his way out - combination of injury and unable to crack into first grade (we can safely say Rona has secured his spot on the flank)

 

[Rhyno]

Imo the team needs to be re-jigged a bit and some fresh blood needs to come in.

1. Abbey
2. Rona
3. Lafai
4. Jmoz
5. BMoz
6. Mbye
7. Carney
8. Klemmer
9. Lichaa
10. Graham
11. Jackson
12. Lane
13. Eastwood

Bench

14. Tolman
15. Kasiano
16. Browne
17. Elliot

Dogs won't make the 8 next year with that squad

 

[lafai]

Chase Stanley must be in your starting line up, he's been in great form

f**k off merkin

 

[Abz]

dont take the bait bro

 

[Mixmasterreece]

We may find little change to the team initially, as players from last year deserve a shot, new guys may take a while to settle in, and depending on trial form etc.

If you get a chance to watch some Warriors NYC games, check out Brad Abbey.
He is a specialist fullback who is fast, has footwork, ball playing ability, and kicking game and can kick goals.

Abbey has to translate his NYC form into the NRL, but his NYC form is good.

We also have Jaline Graham in the NYC team who IMO is similar to Ben Barba. Perhaps not as fast a Ben, but has plenty to offer.

As I see it these 2 guys and BMoz are all in the mix for fullback, depending on form, injuries etc.

The other consideration is BMoz has played most of his career on the wing and is an excellent winger.

I don't really know what Des has in mind, but I imagine the intention is for Abbey to play fullback, but he may start on the wing.

From what I saw in the semis, we may need Abbey in the side for goal kicking and kicking in general play.

Brad Abbey is one of the worst defenders on the NYC and that's really saying something

 

[Dogs Of War]

Brad Abbey is one of the worst defenders on the NYC and that's really saying something

You can teqxh people how to. Defend. Hatf to teach that attacking instinct.

 

[MarkC]

Brad Abbey is one of the worst defenders on the NYC and that's really saying something

Abbey is playing fullback, I have seen his defense it is not that bad.

He is definitely better than Ben Barba.

Abbey might not stop a big prop on the charge 5 meters out from the line, but very few fullbacks do.

 

[Bronco18]

Cook seemed to be going great guns when he came into first grade, while Lichaa seemed to not live up to the hype that came with his transfer.

As someone who didn't watch a lot of him play, what's his appeal?

 

[MarkC]

Cook seemed to be going great guns when he came into first grade, while Lichaa seemed to not live up to the hype that came with his transfer.

As someone who didn't watch a lot of him play, what's his appeal?

I hope the Dogs retain Cook and play with Lichaa starting and Cook on the bench next year.

Lichaa is a stronger defender, he is a good dummy half runner and is a good ball player.

Due to Lichaa stepping up to player 80 mins and a lack of combination with the Dogs forwards we did not see the best of him this year.

Cook plays a different style with quicker service, and show cased his speed.

On the basis of what Cook showed it is surprising he did not get a run earlier, particularly when Lichaa was carrying a few injuries and needed a rest.

If I had to pick one I would still go with Lichaa mainly because he is a stronger defender.
Lichaa needs forwards to run onto his passes and quicker play the balls to be really effective. When he gets that he can roll the ruck forward, put players into gaps and generally create opportunities.

Cook gives faster service and that gives the halves more opportunity to play, the Dogs didn't really have the halves to take advantage.

 

[Abz]

I've heard that Cook is on the Rabbitohs radar. He's said that he wants to go with whichever club will give him the most FG games. He's not contracted to us next year and with Lichaa being a preference to Des, it's almost certain the Cook will be off to the Rabbits. They can offer him good money too with Luke and Stewart off. They're also after Marty Tapau.

 

[Johnnie Red]

I know that we have signed Lichaa for a number of years but we need to keep Cook on our roster.

For me, Cook was equally as strong defensively but offered so much more in attack along with a kicking game which Lichaa doesn't have.

Cook could potentially be a utility option although a little on the small side.

 

[Dogs Of War]

With reduced interchange can you afford yo carry 2 hookers? I suppose you would consider them a utility player going forward but I'm sure there are better options for that sort of role

 

[Tigers Tale]

Hope you don't mind a visitor making comment....

I actually dropped in specifically to see what was happening with Cook. I have been very impressed with him in the few games I have seen him play. Has good speed and vision so for that reason, could he be considered at half?

I know Mbye is the likely choice but gee, you guys are in a good position across quite a few positions next year. If Cook is looking for a hooker role Souths will be looking at him hard as their backup to Luke just doesn't seem to have the spark they are after. Their pack didn't seem to fire with him playing.

Be interesting to see what happens with Cook....

 

[Abz]

Don't be surprised if he goes. I doubt the club wants another bitch fight over the halves/hooker role like we have been having since last year. Letting Hokko go was meant to alleviate the pressure, however Cook finding his feet has actually revived this 'good' problem.

 

[MarkC]

With reduced interchange can you afford yo carry 2 hookers? I suppose you would consider them a utility player going forward but I'm sure there are better options for that sort of role

I think we can carry 2 hookers in most games, but probably with Lichaa dropping back to an old fashioned lock role when Cook comes on.

Both can play big minutes and makes lots of tackles, that is not the problem, the problem is how best to use the interchange.

I think Kasiano & Graham both need to start off the bench, with Kasiano coming on 10 minutes before halftime.

We would only want to make 3 changes in the first half, so it is tricky.

Des will need to rethink things for next season, it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.

 

[Abz]

In my opinion Graham is/can be an 80 minute player so that's 1 less interchange we need to worry about. Also keep in mind the concussion test/brain scan injury thingy is a free interchange so that will help.

 

[Packy]

I hope the Dogs retain Cook and play with Lichaa starting and Cook on the bench next year.

Lichaa is a stronger defender, he is a good dummy half runner and is a good ball player.

Due to Lichaa stepping up to player 80 mins and a lack of combination with the Dogs forwards we did not see the best of him this year.

Cook plays a different style with quicker service, and show cased his speed.

On the basis of what Cook showed it is surprising he did not get a run earlier, particularly when Lichaa was carrying a few injuries and needed a rest.

If I had to pick one I would still go with Lichaa mainly because he is a stronger defender.
Lichaa needs forwards to run onto his passes and quicker play the balls to be really effective. When he gets that he can roll the ruck forward, put players into gaps and generally create opportunities.

Cook gives faster service and that gives the halves more opportunity to play, the Dogs didn't really have the halves to take advantage.

Cook was great for us this year but he surprised more than just us. He had some terrible moments in his other grade chances.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Cook was great for us this year but he surprised more than just us. He had some terrible moments in his other grade chances.

His only other oppurtinties were those during origin period 2014. He waamt good, but that said It did seem he learnt heaps about where he needs to vem that said licxha with a year under his belt should be able to take the next step.

U reckon let him gi and let another club find out his limitations

 

[Gina Minehart]

Ship tony Williams off and find a good young half

We will win jacques shit with mbye and Reynolds there

I also think we hold cook over lichaa

Package deal sharks you can have them both. We'll even throw in Perrett