Mark Riddell ?

[Guest]

Out of curiosity, if Anthony Watts was a horse, what would have happened to him?

[Guest]

that's where our two gallopers that failed to win a single race are off to - "Koops" and "Jaubs"

[Guest]

i agree with the general sentiment and since this morning, this acquisition has really grown on me. as others have identified, we have lost our number 2 and specialist impact hooker for the majority of the season so he has already filled a potential hole. Our team is inexperienced, something he is certainly not, his contract is relatively modest for someone of his ability and experience and his position mirrors that of jason ryles this time last year - 30 years old, looking for a return to the NRL for footy reasons (rejecting the big money o/s) and he is a player like ryles that smithy has had a bit to do with and obviously rates.

i can see him playing a 15-20 min stint at hooker to relieve jake - whether that be at the begining of the game playing the riley brown role or in the middle/end is something smith needs to think about but i think also a bit of a stint at lock with jake also on the field for 10-15 minutes during games could also benefit us giving us extra penetration and bite up the middle whilst also giving someone like myles a bit of a rest (something that he could have done with a bit more often last year as his wearing body showed towards the back end of the season). Handy little signing indeed.

The only question mark or potential issue that is left with our side is our left edge. With linnett set for a full preseason having had time to recover from his various ailments and j carney fighting fit and eager to break into the team i think left centre will sort itself out - even in those 2 alone we have 2 players who have shown how much ability they have fighting for that spot with other younger players and even graham more than capable there as well. The issue therefore remains left wing. carney or linnett could simply be shifted there or graham could play there like last year (even though i dont think he has the purpose in his kick returns and running game to be a truly potent winger). that or a youngster like naughton, kherrilah, blair.

I guess there are enough quality players to fill the spots but i wouldnt mind seeing our club look to sign a winger somewhere between the age of 25 and 30 and release graham (i can imagine parra wouldnt mind picking him up) to give us a more genuine, well proven option down that edge. Someone like robertson, quinn, nightingale, talanoa. all of those players named are also at clubs that would be under salary cap pressure (storm, dragons, souths) or already have a glut of wingers (manly). Any of them could come for decent value and provide us a genuine and more seasoned strike option as a specialist winger (something we admitedly dont have) like graham but imo, all could do a better job

Great post mate. Very astute observations.

[Cockadoodledoo]

The only question mark or potential issue that is left with our side is our left edge. With linnett set for a full preseason having had time to recover from his various ailments and j carney fighting fit and eager to break into the team i think left centre will sort itself out - even in those 2 alone we have 2 players who have shown how much ability they have fighting for that spot with other younger players and even graham more than capable there as well. The issue therefore remains left wing. carney or linnett could simply be shifted there or graham could play there like last year (even though i dont think he has the purpose in his kick returns and running game to be a truly potent winger). that or a youngster like naughton, kherrilah, blair.

I think you have over looked one major player for that left edge.. BJ.. I am hoping BJ, Linnett and Carney will be fighting out those 3 positions with only one, BJ who could only play Centre, he is not an option on the Wing. I am hoping Graham will only remain for depth but I am not sold on him starting ahead of Linnett and BJ. Carney's selection would rely on him getting back to peak fitness and showing some early season form but he has the ability.

The rest of those names are depth, maybe Naughton is the top of that list and is a realistic chance of getting a run at some stage in case of injury but Kherrilah and Blair have to improve markedly to be considered. Kherrilah is very quick but a turnstile in defense and quite small. Blair just seems very lazy and also has terrible defense and attitude.

[Guest]

well done 4inch that is very good

I have to confess to "pinching" it from a Dragons forum.

On a serious note, Piggy was a very respected player whilst at the Dragons. I guess the biggest concern with him now will be his fitness and if you'll get value from him in terms of minutes on the field. Time will tell.

[stephenj]

well be lethalext season anyway, finally get some respectfrom other sides, we were after all grand finalists!

[Guest]

Out of curiosity, if Anthony Watts was a horse, what would have happened to him?

[Guest]

[QUOTE=Cockadoodledoo;95062]I think you have over looked one major player for that left edge.. BJ.. I am hoping BJ, Linnett and Carney will be fighting out those 3 positions with only one, BJ who could only play Centre, he is not an option on the Wing. I am hoping Graham will only remain for depth but I am not sold on him starting ahead of Linnett and BJ. Carney's selection would rely on him getting back to peak fitness and showing some early season form but he has the ability.


I agree that BJ is definitely a big contender for a centre spot, but don't underestimate him playing on the wing. I know that he was caught out a bit on the wing in the finals, but he was thrown in the deep end with no experience in that position.

I would not be surprised if Brian has BJ train up on becoming a specialist winger in the off season and start him round 1 on the wing. Imo BJ could be brilliant for us on the wing, i like having a big winger, T-Rex at manly and Vatuvei at the warriors give their sides some big advantages and can be devastating.

There are a fair few on here who say that BJ should be in the backrow but also say that we have so many quality backrowers, and yet we are a bit skinny on depth for quality outside backs. Cause of this BJ should be a certainty for centre/wing, he has the attributes to be a gun out wide.

[Guest]

BJ would be wasted on the wing IMO. Allows big guys to get complacent.

The only one who worked out was Vatuvei and it did take him some time. TRex is horrid out wide despite flashes of brilliance due to his size.

[Guest]

With another offseason under his belt training to be a specialist winger, I can see Brian Smith giving BJ a chance on the wing.