The Answer

[Guest]

Linnett is miles ahead of both of those players as a centre.

More speed.

More brains.

Better defence.

Great attitude.

Some forget about Graham's escapades at centre last year. Especially that shocker against NZ.

You are high if you think Graham doesn't have Linnett covered on every one of those aspects except (maybe) speed at the moment. Obviously long term that isn't the answer though.

Look at some of the tries Graham put on for Mini early last season and a few he scored himself. He's a born centre and did a damn good job for us on the wing too.

He is also the best defender we have at both positions on that side.

Long term it probably should be Carney and Linnett down that side with BJ on the bench as an impact second rower and/or centre but they will probably all have some time in reserves to work on certain aspects of their game and when that is happening Graham will always do a solid job at either spot and the other guy with him will improve his defence at the same time.

Also expect Carney to come on really well if Graham and him spend some games together at Newtown.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Quoted for truth.

I thought Linnet was one of our best on the weekend. Has to contend with Anasta clogging that corridor and works well with his winger. Doesn't leak points like our right side does either.

We finally get a natural centre and people want to get rid of him already LOL.

The only criticism i have of him is that he needs to bulk up a bit more. Classy young player.

Bulking up will come over time but will be at the expense of pace. It is not just our other Centre who too often try a miracle plays after making a break. Anasta and Perrett would be 2 of our other biggest culprits. What they need to realise is that whilst breaks do not always lead to tries, it is often the play after the break that does. Linnett played that one perfectly last week. He had no support and managed to stay far enough infield to take the sideline out of the equation. How many times do our players make breaks and end up bundled over the sideline? He kept his cool, took the tackle and we were able to score over the other side on the following play.

[Cockadoodledoo]

You are high if you think Graham doesn't have Linnett covered on every one of those aspects except (maybe) speed at the moment. Obviously long term that isn't the answer though.

Look at some of the tries Graham put on for Mini early last season and a few he scored himself. He's a born centre and did a damn good job for us on the wing too.

He is also the best defender we have at both positions on that side.

Long term it probably should be Carney and Linnett down that side with BJ on the bench as an impact second rower and/or centre but they will probably all have some time in reserves to work on certain aspects of their game and when that is happening Graham will always do a solid job at either spot and the other guy with him will improve his defence at the same time.

Also expect Carney to come on really well if Graham and him spend some games together at Newtown.

the problem with Graham is his dummy half running is appalling and he is hopeless under a kick or on a kick chase.. Watch that Warriors game again from last year to see why he quickly fell out of favour.. I do admit he was brilliant in the early part of last season but fell apart after that.

[Bansai Pipeline]

On Perrett you'll be suprised how many supporters for other teams rate him, seemingly more than our own fans do.

I would be surprised.

I am also surprised that he's an automatic selection for the Kiwis when he spills so much ball.

Every time he receives the pill I hold my breath.

[Guest]

You are high if you think Graham doesn't have Linnett covered on every one of those aspects except (maybe) speed at the moment. Obviously long term that isn't the answer though.

Look at some of the tries Graham put on for Mini early last season and a few he scored himself. He's a born centre and did a damn good job for us on the wing too.

He is also the best defender we have at both positions on that side.

Long term it probably should be Carney and Linnett down that side with BJ on the bench as an impact second rower and/or centre but they will probably all have some time in reserves to work on certain aspects of their game and when that is happening Graham will always do a solid job at either spot and the other guy with him will improve his defence at the same time.

Also expect Carney to come on really well if Graham and him spend some games together at Newtown.

If after last year you would prefer Graham to Linnet then you must of been watching with the back of your head facing the game.

Graham is a shirt grabber. Linnett has a classic style of defence. Wraps up the bigger man easily and has a knack for cutting people down.

Linnett plays with more enthusiasm. At times I was wondering if Graham was playing at all.

Linnett is better out of dummy half.

Linnett hits a hole. The hole hits Graham.

I cannot see that Graham, working his way back after an injury can force his way back into the squad so easily. He better impress in reggies to deserve a call up like Linnett did last year. At this stage i would call up Mataka ( Malaka ?) ahead of Graham. He has been tearing it up in the trials and for Newtown.

Graham can wait for an injury and in the meantime concentrate on his form for newtown. Lets face it, he is not a reputable winger who makes it back to first grade on name alone.

Graham for captain-coach of Newtown for the rest of the season.

[Guest]

I would be surprised.

I am also surprised that he's an automatic selection for the Kiwis when he spills so much ball.

Every time he receives the pill I hold my breath.

Given how often he handles the ball, i wonder what his error/hit-up rate is compared to other players.

[novice chook]

I would be surprised.

I am also surprised that he's an automatic selection for the Kiwis when he spills so much ball.

Every time he receives the pill I hold my breath.

You could say exactly the same about SKD whom we just signed to a multi-year deal. So why the bagging of Sammy?

As for those criticising Linnett - geez, your hard taskmasters. To me he is the classic centre - catches, draws, passes and creates opportunities for his winger. And he can defend. I just wish SKD had a few more of his unselfish attributes. Fact is Linnett is a team man, not an individualist, and that what makes him of great value to the team. He is a definite keeper long term.

No team can afford to include too many 'hot and cold' players and we have more than our fair share. At least with Kane you know what you get week after week.


NC

[Vasco]

Quoted for truth.

I thought Linnet was one of our best on the weekend. Has to contend with Anasta clogging that corridor and works well with his winger. Doesn't leak points like our right side does either.

We finally get a natural centre and people want to get rid of him already LOL.

The only criticism i have of him is that he needs to bulk up a bit more. Classy young player.

Who said anything about getting rid of him?

In fact, the only player who doesn't fit in to the team is the captain!

[Guest]

the real answer...TRY HARDER

[Bansai Pipeline]

Linnet is a talent. Both he and BJ are destined for greatness.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Given how often he handles the ball, i wonder what his error/hit-up rate is compared to other players.

He's fine from dummy half.

If it involves catching, particularly near our goal line, he's suspect.

[Rooster_6]

Yeh lets replace a bloke who makes 10+ metres on nearly every dummy half run for a bloke who's going to give us more go forward

As for being error ridden;

BJ Leilua - 4 errors
Shaun Kenny-Dowall - 3 errors
Sam Perrett - 3 errors
Kane Linett - 2 errors

Considering the amount of hard work he gets through in our own danger zone he's not the one I'd be throwing stones at.

[Cockadoodledoo]

He's fine from dummy half.

If it involves catching, particularly near our goal line, he's suspect.

Perrett is actually very good under the high ball, he positions his body extremely well and has a good vertical leap.. like SKD he can have problems with the rolling ball.. that drop last week was a shocker, that was a no brainer to stop with the feet.. they are the mistakes that kill you.

[Guest]

The answer is for the Forwards to hold the farging ball!!!

The end.

[BUDDY]

Perrett is actually very good under the high ball, he positions his body extremely well and has a good vertical leap.. like SKD he can have problems with the rolling ball.. that drop last week was a shocker, that was a no brainer to stop with the feet.. they are the mistakes that kill you.

The only thing Inglis did in two games was catch an uncontested bomb between Perrett and SKD. It was actually comical watching them. Neither are great defending a kick. Both are ok at attacking a bomb depending on who is defending it.

The team we had on the weekend will beat anyone on best form. If we are to improve the team solely on personnel my three in order would be.

1/ Riddell for Watts
2/ Anasta for Symonds
3/ Perrett for Carney

Each of the replacements offer more in attack, defense, speed and smarts.

Whoever thinks Linnett should be replaced is off their head.