Steve Naughton and Braith Anasta

[Guest]

I think Naughton did OK for his debut, but I think he is just far too small for the top grade... Just never made an impact all game. Not to mention he looked all at sea under the high ball.. which led to points.. Maybe a little harsh as it was his debut, but I think we should be going with Pritchard or Mataka in the backline if Perrett is still injured.. Rhys Pritchard has scored doubles in his last 2 games for Newtown, is big and has speed to burn. Willie Mataka is also big and would be a great centre who can also play in the back row - very strong ball runner and would be great running on the fringes. I believe he will be named in the centres next week due to our injuries.. Anasta won't play centres.. Look for him to again have the 12 on his back.

Wouldnt be against giving prtichard or mataka a go or even young cheyse blair on the wing - they all have plenty of potential.


i like mataka as well but precisely your description of the merits of mataka as a centre is exactly the sort of role BJ would play there. As a kid BJ rotated between centre and backrow and is a powerful destructive ball runner with all the skills. I dont like making this sort of comparison but his playing style is very similar to that of SBW minus the attitude. Considering maubs and symonds seem destine to be our secondrow pairing and rightfully so i think the key for us in the centres is to have two guys that are strong ball runners as well to compensate for the fact that by nature of their playing style and build, maubs and symonds arent exactly battering rams. Id love to see:
2. Linnett
3. Leilua
4. SKD
5. Perrett

11. Maubs
12. Symonds

Both symonds and maubs have looked fantastic inside SKD but id be most inclined to have Symonds play down the right inside perrett and SKD. Maubs would combine really well with BJ down the left imo as maubs is an excellent hole runner and one on one defender which would complement BJ who is a more athletic and explosive power runner. Linnett outside those two would give us a genuine finisher with excellent pace and cap off a good 3/4 line. To cap off the backline we simply need a replacement for mini at fullback and imo we are set in that department.

[Cockadoodledoo]

You're right... Carney 7 Anasta 6.

After this game however, Anasta won't play centres... it will be 6 or 2nd row.

I am hoping for 2nd row... 2nd row of the grand stand.