Ryan
Journey Man
I know this will be an unpopular post, because we are talking about many fans favorite player(s) here, but I think we need to look at this backrow and lock position going forward to stay in touch with the modern game. As we've seen recently, when we've had Lawton / Brown filling in there (2 players with some mobility, leg speed, and intensity at the line), we've looked MUCH better in both attack and defense.
But what do we do?
Jake Trbojevic: Here's the toughest one. He adds so much value character, leadership and often in defense. To offset that (if we are being honest), he offers very little in attack (he looks like he's running in quicksand), and he can certainly give away a penalty (his defense seems to be tapering off). It's this reason I believe he's given very little minutes in Origin - you just can't risk a player of his pace against the elite speed, pace and mobility of those other representative players. My view, is that he needs to lose 15 k/g's odd, and move into a prop rotation (basically replacing Lodge who should probably go). Before you rip me for saying that, look at how it rejuvenated Talau (he's got a new lease on life right now to almost becoming some peoples favorite player !!). It will also prolong his career guys. We also needs to avoid having too many of the same types of players (Jake, Lodge, Woods, Sips, Condon, Aloiai, Burbo, James, Brown - all lumbering types).
Ben Trbojevic: He's 22, so can develop. But look at our difference in both attack and defense with Lawton in the 12. We honestly need a hole running, ball playing, lighter, faster, more mobile and agile backrower here. Burbo's defense is also deplorable. I think it's due to lack of lateral movement in defense. He's a spot defender, and gets targeted due to his size, and arm grabbing. I WANT him to be different. In the junior grades, he was QUICK. I don't know what's happened. The below is not what we are getting. He had an inner Turbo in him here:
My solutions:
1. Jake to prop (and with quite a bit of weight off)
2. Acquire a Liam Martin, Victor Radley, Karl Lawton (lite) for that 12 jersey
3. IF we stick with Burbo (use someone like Arthur if he hasn't gone) in the 13
4. If we get a new more mobile 12, move Nathan Brown into the starting 13 position pending point 1.
Thought's guys?
But what do we do?
Jake Trbojevic: Here's the toughest one. He adds so much value character, leadership and often in defense. To offset that (if we are being honest), he offers very little in attack (he looks like he's running in quicksand), and he can certainly give away a penalty (his defense seems to be tapering off). It's this reason I believe he's given very little minutes in Origin - you just can't risk a player of his pace against the elite speed, pace and mobility of those other representative players. My view, is that he needs to lose 15 k/g's odd, and move into a prop rotation (basically replacing Lodge who should probably go). Before you rip me for saying that, look at how it rejuvenated Talau (he's got a new lease on life right now to almost becoming some peoples favorite player !!). It will also prolong his career guys. We also needs to avoid having too many of the same types of players (Jake, Lodge, Woods, Sips, Condon, Aloiai, Burbo, James, Brown - all lumbering types).
Ben Trbojevic: He's 22, so can develop. But look at our difference in both attack and defense with Lawton in the 12. We honestly need a hole running, ball playing, lighter, faster, more mobile and agile backrower here. Burbo's defense is also deplorable. I think it's due to lack of lateral movement in defense. He's a spot defender, and gets targeted due to his size, and arm grabbing. I WANT him to be different. In the junior grades, he was QUICK. I don't know what's happened. The below is not what we are getting. He had an inner Turbo in him here:
My solutions:
1. Jake to prop (and with quite a bit of weight off)
2. Acquire a Liam Martin, Victor Radley, Karl Lawton (lite) for that 12 jersey
3. IF we stick with Burbo (use someone like Arthur if he hasn't gone) in the 13
4. If we get a new more mobile 12, move Nathan Brown into the starting 13 position pending point 1.
Thought's guys?