The No 6 jersey - Anasta or Mortimer?

[Guest]

Morts for mine. No point going backwards (no pun intended stsae) in 2012 having Anasta glogging up the backline. We've signed Mortimer as a half so no point wasting him on the bench or at hooker, play him in the number 6 and let Braith plan his golf trips and media gigs.

Chook.

[Guest]

I agree.

Moving forward as they say

[melon....]

Depends how the kid trains and responds. Anasta doesnt do teh 6 justice, and he is a waste on the pack....but he is needed out there - he can do some good things which make the difference some games.

My experiment would be to play morts off the bench. Rotating with Mitchell at hooker, Friend to halfback, pearce to 5/8 and anasta left right out. lets face it, Braiths not in the long term plans. Given Morbs is back, the defensive workload on the hooker will be halved, and i think that may help the experiment. Try it or the first 3 or 4 rounds. But only if Morts shows good signs during trials against quality lineups - Foundation Cup against Tigers for example.

[Guest]

For the love of all that is Satanic and Unholy, put Daniel Mortimer into the 5/8th position. Unlike Todd Carney, he won't fall off the wagon when Braith starts playing his "woe is me, I'm the bestest 5/8th in the world and should be paid millions" games in the media.

[novice chook]

I'd like to see the Mortimer/Pearce halves combo given the opportunity to see how they blend together. But I understand that may take a while to achieve. Remember we never saw the Pearce/Carney combo until mid season 2010.

Injuries could play a big role in this as well. One or two injuries in the forwards (and we do have some that are prone to injury) and Braith could be shifted to the forwards, at least temporarily.

NC

[Guest]

Mortimer definately!!

[chook 56]

I'd like to see the Mortimer/Pearce halves combo given the opportunity to see how they blend together.
NC

Yep, give Mortimer a chance.I've got a feeling the guy will surprise a few here, given the support & chance.
Braith? Geez, paying him a hell of a lot so what to do with him?
Yeah, maybe go play flog.

[Guest]

What a depressing choice. "Would you like the s.hit sandwich....or the other s.hit sandwich?"

[Guest]

I'd take Brendan Hall back over Anasta!

[Guest]

Six to one ... half a dozen to another ...excuse the pun

I went with Anasta at 5/8, on the fact that our forwards/ depth in forwards is our strength for next year, nothing to gain in playing anasta there , more to the point more to loose if he plays second row.

Also had to factor in the end to this season with those 4 wins in a row.

Injuries , possible rep dutys could change this, that said if a NSW half back was picked on form Maloney from warriors would surely edge out pearce, guessing he does qualify for NSW

[TheBigFella]

Where's the "someone else" choice???? Actually i'd probably vote "Anyone else"... Lets stick Adam Henry there...

[Guest]

Braith isnt getting 300k+ to be on bench

His say is considered and he is captain

He wont be benched or @ 13

His say was considered. carneys gone. No way they wont play him @6 unless injury

I think many fans look past the fact he is captain of our team. A captain following the lights of Fittler and Fitzy.

[Guest]

Good thread and tough question. I say stick with Anasta. Not because I like him or think he is a great 5/8. But rather we are stuck with him for at least another year. He is either going to be 5/8 or second row (possibly lock but unlikely) and captain. Given that option I think 5/8 is the better option. He seems better suited to the position and we just have too many good young forwards fighting for places to see him fark up our forwards.

To be honest I don't think either solution is particularly the right one. A lot will depend on Anasta and his form. As someone else mentioned he does do good things sometimes. I like the option of Mortimer as a bench utility in the Craig Wing mould. However, if we take that option that would leave Anthony Mitchell out of the 17 for the moment. We have to keep in mind that Mortimer has struggled over the past two years and will have to show something in trial/training to push for a starting position.

When we consider team balance it becomes more and more difficult to see where Anasta fits in. However, he is here and as I have previously stated I am going to support him until the end of Round 6 and then reevaluate. If he he can play smart and get busy he may still have something to offer at 5/8 behind a young, tough and enthusiastic pack of forwards.

[Guest]

Mortimer over Anasta,all day,every day....
No more Anasta,6 years is enough suffering!!!

[Guest]

Chuck Morts in and give him a run.