Brian Smith on ABC Grandstand just then.

[elo]

He said he signed some country kid that is as fast as Jennings (also mentioned he was the most promising outside back in years he has seen in country league)........also said Anasta at lock wasn't what he wanted out of a lock.....hmmmmmmmmm, only confirmed Pearce would be 7, wasn't sure about where Carney or Anasta would play.

He sounded very keen to start work, bring on the 2010 trials already.

[Guest]

He said he signed some country kid that is as fast as Jennings (also mentioned he was the most promising outside back in years he has seen in country league)........also said Anasta at lock wasn't what he wanted out of a lock.....hmmmmmmmmm, only confirmed Pearce would be 7, wasn't sure about where Carney or Anasta would play.

He sounded very keen to start work, bring on the 2010 trials already.

Thank god. He can finally see what needs to be seen.

Smithy is on the ball. He played Hilder at lock at Newcastle. We need that sort of player, a roving defender who can tackle anything that moves.

We should have only signed Carney if Anasta was leaving. Now we have two specialist five-eighths fighting for one position, obviously one of them will be played out of position and hence creating a problem similar to what we had in 2006, where we have too many players vying for the same spot, and squeezing them all into the team will edge out specialist players.

The way I see it, personally:

Minichiello
Perrett
(centre signing or Linnett) / M Aubusson
Graham
Kenny-Dowall
Carney / Anasta
Pearce
Myles
Friend
Ryles
Mason
(backrow signing or Conn) / M Aubusson
Anasta / M Aubusson

Jones
Symonds
Paea
Nuuausala

Thank god for Morbs, in all seriousness. His versatility allows us coverage at centre or backrow if needed, and can do both well.

[moses123]

Carney at hooker?

[Guest]

Anasta or Carney to centre?

[elo]

He did blurt out Carney may have the ability to play full-back.....maybe Kurt Gidley style?

I am intrigued to see what Smith does.

[elo]

BTW - name of that fast player is Jim Stanley (sp?) and he's playing centre for Lower Clarence Magpies which is being covered on ABC Grandstand in NSW right now.

Brian Smith is at the match.

[TheBigFella]

"Smithy is on the ball. He played Hilder at lock at Newcastle. We need that sort of player, a roving defender who can tackle anything that moves."

Hey Mack.. Maubs is the man to do this... Or Symonds..

[Guest]

He did blurt out Carney may have the ability to play full-back.....maybe Kurt Gidley style?

I am intrigued to see what Smith does.

This could be a great idea. He has the speed needed and is a good broken field runner
My Team
Carney
Minichiello
Perrett
Graham
Kenny-Dowall
Anasta
Pearce
Myles
Friend
FPN
Mason
Symonds
M Aubusson

Jones/J Aubusson
Paea (Ryles if Signed)
Hargreaves
Cherrington

[Guest]

"Smithy is on the ball. He played Hilder at lock at Newcastle. We need that sort of player, a roving defender who can tackle anything that moves."

Hey Mack.. Maubs is the man to do this... Or Symonds..

I agree that Morbs is the new Ricketson if used right, will be a great lock-forward if given the chance.

Cusack - Ryles
Bonetti - Friend
Morley - Myles
Fletcher - Mason (if he goes, Cherrington)
Fitzgibbon - ???
Ricketson - M Aubusson

Wing - Jones
Flannery - Symonds
Cayless - Paea
Lomu - Nuuausala

That is how I view our best pack, and the modern equivalents. M Aubusson, much like Ricketson, can be a defensively apt outside back who can shift into the pack as a roving defender. Mason/Cherro is the explosive backrower, I would have preferred we keep Tupou however. Ryles takes after Nutley and O'Meley as the experienced prop to lead our pack. Myles can take after Morley as our aggressive hardman. Paea is pretty much the new Cayless, just needs the afro back - Paea's 2007/2008 were just as good as JC's 2003/2004 in aggression and explosiveness (talking individual performance, not team performance), but while JC improved in 2005, Paea got worse in 2009. Nuuausala can be the bench metre eater, Symonds can be the hole-hitting fringe runner, and Jones can provide the zip off the bench after Friend gets through the hard work.

We are one forward short of an outstanding pack. Who will step up and replace Fitzgibbon? Will it be Conn? Cordner? Waerea-Hargreaves?

[elo]

JWH will be a beast under Smith, I'm certain of it Mack.

What about Smith suggesting Carney to FB? Buy it?

[Guest]

If we did not re-sign Minichiello, I would definitely like the idea.

Mini and Perrett on opposite wings = FAR too short. We will be outjumped. We need at least one of Ryan Williamson, Sandor Earl or Shaun Kenny-Dowall on the wing so that at least we have someone to compete for the aerial ball. Perrett deserves the other wing spot.

Also, I think that Paea will have his last year with us next year, before I think that the younger brigade of Myles, Nuuausala and Hargreaves replace him.

[elo]

Perrett is 6ft and can leap, surely tall enough to not be bullied.

1. Carney
2. Minichiello
3. ?
4. Graham
5. Perrett
6. Anasta
7. Pearce

That's a pretty damn exciting backline.

[Guest]

Perrett is 6ft and can leap, surely tall enough to not be bullied.

1. Carney
2. Minichiello
3. ?
4. Graham
5. Perrett
6. Anasta
7. Pearce

That's a pretty damn exciting backline.

Maybe switch Perrett to the centres, and Graham to the wing?

Graham is the tallest of the lot, and has a great running leap.

Or maybe Minichiello to the centres?

Carney
Perrett
Minichiello
Graham
Kenny-Dowall
Anasta
Pearce
Ryles
Friend
Myles
Mason
Conn
M Aubusson

Jones
Symonds
Paea
Nuuausala

Not too bad. Just a question mark on the defensive ability of the centre pairing. But I maintain, an aerial target like SKD, Earl or Williamson would be a serious benefit, especially in the modern game with big wingers everywhere you look. Monaghan was a huge advantage in 2005 and 2007, and Mellars was a great target to kick to in 2006 as well.

[Guest]

We dont need Jason Ryles we have Nate Myles i would rather see Myles as a prop then second row

1. Carney
2. Mini
3. Perrett
4. Graham
5. Kenny-Dowall
6. Anasta (c)
7. Pearce
8. Myles
9. Friend
10. Nuuasala
11. Conn
12. Mason
13. Aubusson

14. Jones 15. JWH 16. Symonds 17. Paea

See if we get Ryles we would have to take out either JWH or Paea and i would much rather JWH then Ryles. And i know most of you will say get rid of Conn and Put Myles in the second row but i just see Myles to slow for Second Row. JWH might start infront of Conn but JWH is better to come on an impact.

[Guest]

We dont need Jason Ryles we have Nate Myles

See if we get Ryles we would have to take out either JWH or Paea and i would much rather JWH then Ryles.

Disagreed.

i would rather see Myles as a prop then second row

And i know most of you will say get rid of Conn and Put Myles in the second row but i just see Myles to slow for Second Row. JWH might start infront of Conn but JWH is better to come on an impact.

Agreed.