Brian Smith eyes fullback role for Todd Carney

[Chris]

Why? our best fullback is playing Wing and our best 5/8 is playing fullback. Yo want another spoon dont you? go on admit it.

I like that it knocks Kenny-Dowall out of the equation.

I said i'd be satisified with it. Obviously i'd prefer Mini at Fullback and Carney at 5 8 next to Pearce, but ill be satisified if thats the way things go..

[Guest]

I'm with The Mack:

I'd have this:

1 Perrett
2 Minichiello
3 M. Aubusson
4 Graham
5 Kenny-Dowall
6 Carney
7 Pearce
8 Ryles
9 Friend
10 Nuuausala
11 Mason
12 Myles
13 Anasta

but wouldn't mind or be surprised to see this:

1 Carney
2 Minichiello
3 Perrett
4 Graham
5 Kenny-Dowall
6 Anasta
7 Pearce
8 Ryles
9 Friend
10 Nuuausala
11 Mason
12 Myles
13 M. Aubusson


Point is, irrelevant where Carney plays, I'd have Minichiello on the Wing anyway.
1 Perrett 2 Minichiello is a better combo than 1 Minichiello 2 Perrett. I think Mini plays both positions extremely well whereas Perrett is a far better fb than winger.
And lol@Tries From Kicks. Minichiello would have no problems containing Tuiaki

[melon....]

I like that it knocks Kenny-Dowall out of the equation.

I said i'd be satisified with it. Obviously i'd prefer Mini at Fullback and Carney at 5 8 next to Pearce, but ill be satisified if thats the way things go..

OK then. Give the man his second spoon.
i hope youre satisfied with that as well.

[Guest]

I'm with The Mack:

I'd have this:

1 Perrett
2 Minichiello
3 M. Aubusson
4 Graham
5 Kenny-Dowall
6 Carney
7 Pearce
8 Ryles
9 Friend
10 Nuuausala
11 Mason
12 Myles
13 Anasta

but wouldn't mind or be surprised to see this:

1 Carney
2 Minichiello
3 Perrett
4 Graham
5 Kenny-Dowall
6 Anasta
7 Pearce
8 Ryles
9 Friend
10 Nuuausala
11 Mason
12 Myles
13 M. Aubusson


Point is, irrelevant where Carney plays, I'd have Minichiello on the Wing anyway.
1 Perrett 2 Minichiello is a better combo than 1 Minichiello 2 Perrett. I think Mini plays both positions extremely well whereas Perrett is a far better fb than winger.
And lol@Tries From Kicks. Minichiello would have no problems containing Tuiaki

Correct. Just so long as the rest of the team stays as stable as it possibly can, then I don't mind seeing the halves, lock and fullback have a bit of a swap-around to find the best combination.

Perrett can handle a LOT more work than Mini, hence that is why fullback (if Carney is at five-eighth) or centre (if Carney is at fullback) is the best opton for him. Mini needs to be preserved, but we still need his experience and pace. Hence, play him on the wing, and he can sporadically get involved at fullback to take the load off Sammy's or Todd's shoulders.

Personally, I think Carney at fullback would be a mistake. In my honest opinion, we should go with:

1. Perrett, 3. Aubusson, 6. Carney, 7. Pearce, 13. Anasta

The ONLY problem with that, is Braith's questionable defense at lock. Which can be solved simply by swapping Anasta and Aubusson in defense, have Aubusson cover-tackle in the middle of the field while Braith can situate himself on the fringe.

With the Carney > fullback option, the biggest issue is Carney's defense at fullback, and positional play. He has had little to no experience there, whereas Anasta is more than capable of playing as an attacking lock.

[Guest]

So you would prefer SKD or Sonny on the wing to defend these guys,as they are our only other choices at this stage,then please,you are the one confused...
PS,Mini played every game of 02 on the wing,not a couple as you hazard to guess.Have you forgotton Diamond already?

I stand corrected, I had forgotten about Phillips

I'd still say that Mini would be a non entity on the wing some eight years on. He isn't a shadow of the 2002 version. As for Kenny Dowall and Sonny, agreed, they are barely up to first grade standard. But you're forgetting Perret.

[Guest]

So you would prefer SKD or Sonny on the wing to defend these guys,as they are our only other choices at this stage,then please,you are the one confused...
PS,Mini played every game of 02 on the wing,not a couple as you hazard to guess.Have you forgotton Diamond already?

I stand corrected, I had forgotten about Phillips

I'd still say that Mini would be a non entity on the wing some eight years on. He isn't a shadow of the 2002 version. As for Kenny Dowall and Sonny, agreed, they are barely up to first grade standard. But you're forgetting Perret.

[Guest]

I stand corrected, I had forgotten about Phillips

I'd still say that Mini would be a non entity on the wing some eight years on. He isn't a shadow of the 2002 version. As for Kenny Dowall and Sonny, agreed, they are barely up to first grade standard. But you're forgetting Perret.

Perrit will be on one wing if Carney is fullback.Mini is the only choice at this stage for the other wing spot,apart from Graham,who will probably play centre.

[Guest]

It's pretty clear the idea has come from POS. Smith will explore all combinations. I would love nothing more than see Mini make a return to fullback.

It really is amusing how on one hand people call the articles written rubbish but then take them as gospel most of the time.

[Kingbilly]

There are a few players that may well do wonders with a decent coach.
I know of more than one coach that rates SKD as a player, give him some decent instructions and he might turn out 10X the player he has been over the last year.
Then again me might not too

[novice chook]

Carney is Brian Smith's new Kurt Gidley it seems.

A bloke who can play fullback or anywhere in the backline, chime into the halves, and even jump into dummy half if required.

If Carney puts his mind to it and he and Smith work hard at it, there's no doubt he could play fullback. And if the bloke really wants to succeed he'll see it as a challenge and put everything into it, including the extra skills training.

I think it's great that Smith is not letting any of our blokes get complacent and is making it clear that all positions are up for grabs, some by players most of us wouldn't have considered.

The majority of our playing squad needed a reality check - looks like they're finally getting one. Onya Brian.

NC

[Guest]

I'm with The Mack:

I'd have this:

1 Perrett
2 Minichiello
3 M. Aubusson
4 Graham
5 Kenny-Dowall
6 Carney
7 Pearce
8 Ryles
9 Friend
10 Nuuausala
11 Mason
12 Myles
13 Anasta

but wouldn't mind or be surprised to see this:

1 Carney
2 Minichiello
3 Perrett
4 Graham
5 Kenny-Dowall
6 Anasta
7 Pearce
8 Ryles
9 Friend
10 Nuuausala
11 Mason
12 Myles
13 M. Aubusson


Point is, irrelevant where Carney plays, I'd have Minichiello on the Wing anyway.
1 Perrett 2 Minichiello is a better combo than 1 Minichiello 2 Perrett. I think Mini plays both positions extremely well whereas Perrett is a far better fb than winger.
And lol@Tries From Kicks. Minichiello would have no problems containing Tuiaki

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Last season mini wouldnt have tackled my 90 yo grannie without her walking frameMini contain tuiaki BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, myabe in his current state with his busted leg.

I love mini, he WAS a great great player, but he has lost a leg since coming back.

He should have retired

[Geohood]

Retired why?? Since when has he had a shocker when playing FB/wing since his last return?

[elo]

Carney is Brian Smith's new Kurt Gidley it seems.

A bloke who can play fullback or anywhere in the backline, chime into the halves, and even jump into dummy half if required.

If Carney puts his mind to it and he and Smith work hard at it, there's no doubt he could play fullback. And if the bloke really wants to succeed he'll see it as a challenge and put everything into it, including the extra skills training.

I think it's great that Smith is not letting any of our blokes get complacent and is making it clear that all positions are up for grabs, some by players most of us wouldn't have considered.

The majority of our playing squad needed a reality check - looks like they're finally getting one. Onya Brian.

NC

Very well said NC - I agree completely.

Time to throw a spanner in the works;

1. Carney
6. J. Aubusson
7. Pearce
13. Anasta

Now this I would like to see.....Jaubs impressed as a backup half at the Storm and the one match he played as half-back against the Dogs in 08. I don't rate him as a hooker, I rate him as a half or as a tackler - give him a go BS!

[Guest]

Very well said NC - I agree completely.

Time to throw a spanner in the works;

1. Carney
6. J. Aubusson
7. Pearce
13. Anasta

Now this I would like to see.....Jaubs impressed as a backup half at the Storm and the one match he played as half-back against the Dogs in 08. I don't rate him as a hooker, I rate him as a half or as a tackler - give him a go BS!

You can't be serious.

I hope Smith comes to his senses and plays Carney at 5/8, or I hope that 10 rounds into the season, I'm completely wrong. If Aubusson plays 5/8, over Anasta AND Carney, I'm going to cry.

Either way, I just ****ing hope we beat Souths.

[Guest]

Defend against the whole of the opposition? What rubbish.

So if an opposition player breaks the defensive line who does he need to get around then? I would think it would be the fullback. Maybe it should be the front rowers though....