Lehi the 1 Turbo centre

[manlyfan76]

Both players played really well in the Pacific championship.

But Lehi needs to be our fullback next year and Tom can roam at centre.
Koula the other centre.
Ruben wing, Talau wing.

Turbo was such a threat in origin and the tests at centre and Lehi will be a great fullback.

 

[Disco]

Personally my view is Tom is clearly our best player and you want your best player in the position where they impact the game the most


Tom 1, no questions asked.

 

[Ben]

I wouldn’t be against this change. Both players are really effective in this new set up as Tommy can inject himself when ever he wants. I also feel Lehi is a better scramble defender than Tommy. Lehi has a real knack for getting his body in the right spot to hold the ball off the ground and I’ve seen him do it more times than one.
This would allow Garrick to go back to the wing where he belongs. Saab and Talau will fight it out for the last wing spot

 

[Nordburg]

Personally my view is Tom is clearly our best player and you want your best player in the position where they impact the game the most


Tom 1, no questions asked.

It’s Silvertails,this question is asked bi monthly,for goodness knows why

 

[madmax]

Both players played really well in the Pacific championship.

But Lehi needs to be our fullback next year and Tom can roam at centre.
Koula the other centre.
Ruben wing, Talau wing.

Turbo was such a threat in origin and the tests at centre and Lehi will be a great fullback.

And Saab?

 

[manlyfan76]

And Saab?

Earn a spot if he's up to it.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Tom defends better at centre than fullback and with Lehi defending so well at fullback as a team we would be better defensively.
As long as Garrick goes back to the wing(according to Seibold,not happening)I don't care if Tom or Lehi is fullback.

 

[manlyfan76]

Tom defends better at centre than fullback and with Lehi defending so well at fullback as a team we would be better defensively.
As long as Garrick goes back to the wing(according to Seibold,not happening)I don't care if Tom or Lehi is fullback.

I think it could really unlock Brooks and Haumole ( IE both sides of the field)

 

[Smokin Joe]

He did look like he was running freely today and had more pace at times,if centre reduces injuries and keeps him on the field then I am ok with it.If he stays injury free(yes,if) he can unlock pretty much any defense on both sides when at fullback.
For me both options can work in attack,I just want him on the field running freely like he was today.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I too think Tom’s defence is better at centre and he can roam in both positions. As long as Hoppa talks to the defensive line from the back.

 

[Waz13]

I think this needs to happen. Tom clearly the better fb but I think a centre shift might help preserve him a bit. Lehi just needs to put on 10kg.

 

[double hoops]

Personally my view is Tom is clearly our best player and you want your best player in the position where they impact the game the most


Tom 1, no questions asked.

May be. It's a tough one.

Both players need to be in our back line.

I actually wonder if the way forward is they both play fullback some times.

They both play else where at other times.

Putting all our eggs in the Tommy basket at fullback just hasn't bared fruit and actually hurt us most years when Turbos been out.

Lehi is some talent and we need a plan.

Is Lehi as good on the wing as Tom is at Centre? May be. But variety can be the spice of life as well.

They are both guns.

 

[Uk eagle]

Master and apprentice. Tom is an elite fullback, probably the best in the world when fit. Lehi is still learning. Keep Lehi in the 17 and as back-up for Tom but it shouldn't even be a debate who starts

 

[sheridanstand78]

Defensivly we really struggled to defend out wide. Garrick and Saab are liabilities in defence and for that reason I would not be against Tom playing at right centre with Garrick on the wing and it allows Lethal Lehi to be our full back. This kid is street smart, brave, fearless and is only going to get better and better!

 

[Dion Johnson]

Both players played really well in the Pacific championship.

But Lehi needs to be our fullback next year and Tom can roam at centre.
Koula the other centre.
Ruben wing, Talau wing.

Turbo was such a threat in origin and the tests at centre and Lehi will be a great fullback.

I think this will happen at a certain point, not sure when though, Lehi is extremely good at being in the right place and reading the play, without the ball he would be the option at the back.

With the ball Turbo is probably the best fullback in the game when fit, if Lehi can get a bit more muscle over the offseason and his attacking game develops it could be next year, though for me the best option to start the season is with Turbo at the back and Lehi at left wing.

1. Turbo
2. Saab / Garrick
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Hoppa (has to be in the 13) generational player you have to play, similar to how Turbo started his career.

 

[eagleron]

I think this needs to happen. Tom clearly the better fb but I think a centre shift might help preserve him a bit. Lehi just needs to put on 10kg.

And offload the Lionel Ritchie mo

 

[Scorpio]

When the team is defending, it might be better if Lehi is the fullback. In attack Tom is still our best option at #1.

It's not unheard of for players to switch roles during a game. Bozo did this with Andrew Johns and Geoff Toovey at the 1995 World Cup if I remember correctly. So it could work.

Tom is still elite at representative level but at centre he also has the luxury of not being the obvious focal point in attack. It's a different story at club level where the ball usually goes wherever Tom is, and the opposition know it.

 

[jbb/james]

Tom looked excellent at centre for Aus as he was given early ball with space to challenge individual defenders. At manly he is given the ball with cluster if defenders already positioned to pounce. No use moving him as he wont get the same quality ball
Tom hasnt had so much clean ball in soooo long
Like huamole , given the ball with too much to do, too late, too often

Watching Oz play , it shows how poorly Tom is used and how he is a ball runner, and not our crash play man, looking to unload

 

[Pete W]

While it may seem inconceivable for many to put our current best fullback at centre, without a doubt, we become a far stronger team with Turbo at right centre and the prodigious Lehi as our fullback.

Turbo at right centre strengthens one of our biggest weaknesses. He plays this position so well, over-qualified for the role, he roams and is at times unstoppable from this position. His experience, communication and IQ immediately fixes our defensive woes too. (I also believe a player lake Bateman here, with Garrick on right wing makes this edge world class - Ola'akautu would benefit more playing alongside Brooks. But that's a debate for another thread I think).

Despite the fact that Turbo is our best fullback, he is actually our best right centre - and by a fair bigger margin!

We are blessed to have our future fullback already very capable, and an International already. For our long-term outlook, Lehi has an amazing opportunity to get in valuable years behind an experienced spine with Turbo in his ear and by his side. Moving him around, bench, reserve grade, etc will only slow his progress.

This would be a massive move by Seibold - but I believe a wonderful opportunity to best use our 'weapons' to maximum effort.

 

[ALinda]

Let's hope Seibs reads this thread and acts accordingly, in the best interests of the team 🤞