Jake Friend May not come back?

[chopstiks]

I haven't been able to listen or read much post match but assumed at HT that Robbo said look fark the attack now, let's work on our defensive patterns. They'll be right.

[Rooster1908]

Me too...although I'm not quite sure what I'm agreeing with.

Think you where agreeing that it was your shout , make mine a bundy

[zac]

Not writing Jake off just yet ...

[dice]

I heard Joey and Freddy talking about staph. That has to be way off the mark, or at least a milder version. Ron Coote almost lost a limb through it in his playing days. He was never the same.

I had staph a few years ago in RPA. Luckily not the golden staph version that Cootey had. I was on a drip at four hour intervals each day for a week. Then I knocked it over, but my veins were cactus in parts and the canulas get lumpy and painful. It's not easy and I felt like doing a runner near the end of it.

Let's hope it is no form of staph, but if so he could be right by the grand final. Big risk of course re fitness allowing for our medical staff's expertise at prepping a player. If it's a more minor infection than this could be just Joey sounding off. Either way we could do without 'complications'.

They commented that many people have been contracting staph from hospitals. Not that Friendy did.

[Hawkeye]

They commented that many people have been contracting staph from hospitals. Not that Friendy did.

They did chat about that, but this whole conversation started with John's saying "heard that Jake Friend had contracted an infection and may not be back this year"

[dice]

They did chat about that, but this whole conversation started with John's saying "heard that Jake Friend had contracted an infection and may not be back this year"

They did mention Friend contracted an infection. I meant the conversation digressed into hospital staph infections.

[Lydon]

Apologies in advance but I have learnt a while ago not to take anything the Johns boys say seriously,they are the master exaggerators and kings of spin so I’ll wait until the Club confirms it..

[Rooster1908]

Just watch the highlights and the pass from

Verrills to cronk in the leadup to our first try was superb , if Jake is out come finals I think this kid will handle the pressure.So much talent coming though , Billiy Smith , Verrills , Radley , Butcher,.Future looks bright

[DP1990]

I really wonder why Robbo is resting Verrills in parts of the game. I think although it is giving Sam a rest/breather it does put an extra workload on Victor. You can see how much of an impact Victor has at lock when Verrills is at #9 and we tend to slow down in attack when Radley is playing at hooker. If anything shouldn't Robbo be giving all the game time and exposure much as possible to Sam as we edge closer to the finals ? He needs all the match fitness and experience possible in order to be ready to go come finals time. Defence wise well neither are solid in tackles compared to Friend but the Chooks need to press forward with the mind set that Friendy may not play again this year.

[Old Man Rooster]

Has there been any comment from the club recently about Jake? We have been so fortunate that Verrils and Radley have been able to cover but it will be a difficult task to go back to back without him.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I'm not buying the Joey Johns mail just yet. Still expect Jake back for the finals.

[The Lip]

I really wonder why Robbo is resting Verrills in parts of the game. I think although it is giving Sam a rest/breather it does put an extra workload on Victor. You can see how much of an impact Victor has at lock when Verrills is at #9 and we tend to slow down in attack when Radley is playing at hooker. If anything shouldn't Robbo be giving all the game time and exposure much as possible to Sam as we edge closer to the finals ? He needs all the match fitness and experience possible in order to be ready to go come finals time. Defence wise well neither are solid in tackles compared to Friend but the Chooks need to press forward with the mind set that Friendy may not play again this year.

Maybe it’s because there is truth to the Freind story and that means if anything happens to Verills we will have no choice but to use Victor so he is just giving him 10-15 mins a game to keep him warm in that role?

[Old Man Rooster]

Maybe it’s because there is truth to the Freind story and that means if anything happens to Verills we will have no choice but to use Victor so he is just giving him 10-15 mins a game to keep him warm in that role?

Yeah and also lets not forget playing hooker for 80 minutes is a difficult task. Verrils is still a young guy who probably will get much stronger and match hardened in years to come. Its great to see the way the team supports each other though.

[rented tracksuit]

Agreed. 80 mins at Hooker is a very tough ask. Even the great Jake gets a break during games.

[morley101]

I have not made my mind up as to starting Verills and give 15 min break or start with Victor and give Verills a straight 60 mins....