2018 YART time

[Chip and Chase]

I don’t know if this is a retro idea, but it worked in 2007/8 but why not a second fresh hooker / reserve half off the bench and 3 big forwards in rotation?

Bring the reserve hooker/ half ( primarily a hooker but there if one of the halves gets injured) into the game about the 60th minute and let him run wild for 10 minutes, if it works he stays on if he doesn’t API subs back in after a 10 minute break.

Could that work and if not why?

Not sure how many sides run with that set up these days. Dogs did it a bit last year, as did Rabbits. Broncos were forced into a bit when McCullough got injured. I can see Sharks probably utilising it with Seggy off the bench.

The real question is do we have someone capable of playing that role or are we better off just sticking with Api for the 80mins ?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Not sure how many sides run with that set up these days. Dogs did it a bit last year, as did Rabbits. Broncos were forced into a bit when McCullough got injured. I can see Sharks probably utilising it with Seggy off the bench.

The real question is do we have someone capable of playing that role or are we better off just sticking with Api for the 80mins ?

I was thinking of that Hooker from the under 20’s last year (forget the name) or did he get snapped up somewhere else?

 

[maxta]

I was thinking of that Hooker from the under 20’s last year (forget the name) or did he get snapped up somewhere else?

Fainu - A hot prospect and in Barrett's sight....expect he will get a run in the trials mate.

 

[COMMANDER]

Our backline has questions all over it. Walker may never be the same, Jorge coming back from an ACL, no established 5/8, Brian Kelly defensively is weak. It may go really badly for us.

 

[maxta]

Our backline has questions all over it. Walker may never be the same, Jorge coming back from an ACL, no established 5/8, Brian Kelly defensively is weak. It may go really badly for us.

Exactly right Commander - that is why this team will rely extra heavily on a robust forward pack to win the momentum and lay the platform.
Thing is - if the 5/8 in question slots in well, alongside another rookie stepping up, the quality of DCE and Turbo can make this a strong 2018 season....worst comes to worst I see 4 Jim Beam bottles in that Avatar - this can help reduce pain.....

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Fainu - A hot prospect and in Barrett's sight....expect he will get a run in the trials mate.

Yeah that’s him, thought he was a real gun in the finals of the twenties!!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Our backline has questions all over it. Walker may never be the same, Jorge coming back from an ACL, no established 5/8, Brian Kelly defensively is weak. It may go really badly for us.

I don’t think all those things will happen , if they do then yes I agree we are in deep do do!!

 

[maxta]

Yeah that’s him, thought he was a real gun in the finals of the twenties!!

Tbh mate - the Eels were marking both Fainu and Wright with triple coverage, including THAT last pass when the 2nd defender turned in allowing Fainu to throw the match winning pass at the death....how sweet that was....and he usually dominated far more in most other games in 2017.
I feel if given the opportunity, he will cause headaches regardless of those calling him "too young", the kid is the goods and if he does well in the trials, I won't be surprised to see his name throughout the season.

 

[BOZO]

Barrett would already have almost all positions locked in. Trials are not for selecting teams they are for gaining match fitness and an early hit out for players. The message it sends to players when a team is already locked in is that those who missed out need to wait for an opportunity, till then play well.

So if you were coach you would select players on training drills only and not trial match performances .
I think you and I would make different coaches feathered friend

 

[Mal Cochrane]

depends who else steps up for the front row position. AFB is better than Lussick every day of the week, but we don't want to lose marty & AFB after 25 minutes and have 2 soft props come on. That is why i feel atm that AFB is better suited to the bench for the sake of team

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Tbh mate - the Eels were marking both Fainu and Wright with triple coverage, including THAT last pass when the 2nd defender turned in allowing Fainu to throw the match winning pass at the death....how sweet that was....and he usually dominated far more in most other games in 2017.
I feel if given the opportunity, he will cause headaches regardless of those calling him "too young", the kid is the goods and if he does well in the trials, I won't be surprised to see his name throughout the season.

I watched a few of the 20’s games last year and he always impressed me, to be honest I thought he might have been one of the ones to be snapped up elsewhere.

 

[ricardo]

depends who else steps up for the front row position. AFB is better than Lussick every day of the week, but we don't want to lose marty & AFB after 25 minutes and have 2 soft props come on. That is why i feel atm that AFB is better suited to the bench for the sake of team

100% agree. Marty and AFB are awesome. Luss needs to lift to his best

 

[Holmsey]

So if you were coach you would select players on training drills only and not trial match performances .
I think you and I would make different coaches feathered friend

Id pick players on past performances and proper nrl preformances, not trial matches that are only meant for gaining match fitness. If any coach picks mainly on a couple of trial preformances against reserve grade line ups and players who are only playing for a hit out they are a bad coach.

 

[Holmsey]

Barrett has his top 17 like most coaches....thing is, this team is a long way from finalised and with any number of forwards battling for 2-3 positions and at least a centre - 5/8 spot up for grabs, if a players heats up the trials and the other player ahead on points today does not fire, 1 would have rocks in their head not to think players could easily play their way into a top 17 position based on these trials.

A good game in a trial doesnt mean you walk into A team!

 

[double hoops]

Feels like Barrett is almost resting anyone important this trial. Not that it's a bad thing. Croker it is.

 

[BOZO]

Id pick players on past performances and proper nrl preformances, not trial matches that are only meant for gaining match fitness. If any coach picks mainly on a couple of trial preformances against reserve grade line ups and players who are only playing for a hit out they are a bad coach.

If you pick players on past performances then you should sign the likes of Lewis Brown on a life time contract. Trial games are not only for match fitness they are also for match performance . Many stars were born in trial matches thanks to astute and proactive coaches .
We will agree to disagree feathered friend

 

[maxta]

A good game in a trial doesnt mean you walk into A team!

No - but the factors of open positions in let’s say 5/8, centre and 2 or 3 spots in the forwards may open up an opportunity.
That imo is far from a set 17.
It also ensures those not guaranteed a spot have a willing player on their heels and if not up to scratch - could be leapfrogged.
In fact, looking at Barrett’s team for the opening trial, it pretty much seems on the money, as the key players who are 100% starters are having what I would call a rest, to let these other boys try prove themselves.

 

[Holmsey]

If you pick players on past performances then you should sign the likes of Lewis Brown on a life time contract. Trial games are not only for match fitness they are also for match performance . Many stars were born in trial matches thanks to astute and proactive coaches .
We will agree to disagree feathered friend

Past performance means current form and performance, not the way you twisted it to sound. And the trial games are for match fitness, thats exactky why they have them.

 

[double hoops]

No sign of Sika Manu on this weeks team sheets.

 

[KNUCKLES]

No sign of Sika Manu on this weeks team sheets.

Where can I find the blacktown team sheet?