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its hard not to focus on the circus surrounding Carney at the moment, but I thought I would throw out a few thoughts about some other issues that Smith will need to address before the season kicks off.
- Team balance
if as expected Myles gets suspended for the first couple of rounds who should makeup the backrow, we were already unbalanced having Maubs/Anasta as second rowers as their workrate/size is not what is required in the modern game, the loss of Myles will only make the problem worse.
- Has BJ won the vacant wing spot
has been a heavily debated topic on this forum, judging by the pre-season it looks like Smith has decided on a back 5 of Mini,Perrett,SKD,Linnett,BJ. I don't mind BJ on the wind when we are at full strength he has the ability to break tackles and create second phase play on kick returns which will help alleviate some problems we have had with our go forward.
- Changes in rule intrepretations by Harrigan
this is a serious problem for our team, recently we have been the most penalised team and its only likely to get worse with Harrigan running the show, also our dummy half running is likely to be somewhat negated by a slower play the ball putting more pressure on our forward pack to lay the platform.
- Conn's injury status
not entirely sure of the injury to Conn but judging by the performance against the Tigers we could certainly use his tough defence and second phase play, when fit needs to be part of the top 17.
- The Carney Situation
whether we like it or not we are likely to be without his services for the first part of the season, what is not clear is how Smith will deal with his absence, he has shown a reluctance in the pre-season to let Anasta anywhere near number 6, but surely the team will have a better balance with Anasta at 6 and a more sturdy backrow of either Maubs,FPN,Conn or FPN,JWH,Maubs
- Piggy Riddell
has Riddell down enough to earn a spot on the bench, we went into the biggest game of the year without a bench hooker, I doubt Smith has any plans to dump Riddell but hopefully his form picks up to warrant a spot in the top 17.
- the SKD/Anasta contract situationalthough it shouldn't effect either players on field performance for the good of team harmony their contracts should be settled either way before round 1 kicks off.
would be interested to hear others thoughts heading into the season opener.
- Team balance
if as expected Myles gets suspended for the first couple of rounds who should makeup the backrow, we were already unbalanced having Maubs/Anasta as second rowers as their workrate/size is not what is required in the modern game, the loss of Myles will only make the problem worse.
- Has BJ won the vacant wing spot
has been a heavily debated topic on this forum, judging by the pre-season it looks like Smith has decided on a back 5 of Mini,Perrett,SKD,Linnett,BJ. I don't mind BJ on the wind when we are at full strength he has the ability to break tackles and create second phase play on kick returns which will help alleviate some problems we have had with our go forward.
- Changes in rule intrepretations by Harrigan
this is a serious problem for our team, recently we have been the most penalised team and its only likely to get worse with Harrigan running the show, also our dummy half running is likely to be somewhat negated by a slower play the ball putting more pressure on our forward pack to lay the platform.
- Conn's injury status
not entirely sure of the injury to Conn but judging by the performance against the Tigers we could certainly use his tough defence and second phase play, when fit needs to be part of the top 17.
- The Carney Situation
whether we like it or not we are likely to be without his services for the first part of the season, what is not clear is how Smith will deal with his absence, he has shown a reluctance in the pre-season to let Anasta anywhere near number 6, but surely the team will have a better balance with Anasta at 6 and a more sturdy backrow of either Maubs,FPN,Conn or FPN,JWH,Maubs
- Piggy Riddell
has Riddell down enough to earn a spot on the bench, we went into the biggest game of the year without a bench hooker, I doubt Smith has any plans to dump Riddell but hopefully his form picks up to warrant a spot in the top 17.
- the SKD/Anasta contract situationalthough it shouldn't effect either players on field performance for the good of team harmony their contracts should be settled either way before round 1 kicks off.
would be interested to hear others thoughts heading into the season opener.
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