Game Day: Manly v Eels [Round 1, 2017]

[BOZO]

No but he can slot in at centre and Walker can play from the back.

Hastings can play fullback and Walker can remain where he plays best at centre

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Sorry Bozo, your Brown-bashing is over the top. He didn't excel last year but wasn't as bad as you make out. I expect him to go well this year as bench utility. As for Hastings, we all hope he does well, but has he ever played full-back in NRL? Ever played hooker in NRL? Centre? Second row? Brown played a grand final at centre and he'd only be an emergency there nowadays but I'm sure you get my point.
I did think Hastings kicked quite well in the reserve grade trial.

 

[Stevo]

Hastings can't cover the forwards though.

Trent Barrett and Bob Fulton agree with me. I win!

 

[Fluffy]

Sorry Bozo, your Brown-bashing is over the top. He didn't excel last year but wasn't as bad as you make out. I expect him to go well this year as bench utility. As for Hastings, we all hope he does well, but has he ever played full-back in NRL? Ever played hooker in NRL? Centre? Second row? Brown played a grand final at centre and he'd only be an emergency there nowadays but I'm sure you get my point.
I did think Hastings kicked quite well in the reserve grade trial.

Hastings did spend some time at Hooker and looked ok there in 2-3 games last year.

He is the only one who gives enough versatility outside of Brown to play a proper utility role imo. He could play lock as a forward and Jake into the back row or Prop if needed. Hastings needs to prove 2 things - 1 his head is right and 2 his match fitness after his injury late in pre-season.

Cullen is a half/hooker backup only so really just a specialist reserve not utility.

So really right now if you want a utility its Brown or Hastings.

If you want a second hooker then its Cullen or Lussick with Hasting a possibility but relatively inexperienced in that role.

Both have pros and cons, neither is right or wrong.

I prefer the Utility as a safety net and given last seasons start where we didn't finish any of the first 5 games with 17 players its at the front of my mind, also would rather Api come on as the fresh hooker if that is the way we want to go and start with someone else, he looks the best with a little bit of room to move.

 

[nightster]

The dickens you say! Well I was wrong. But a gentleman would never have pointed that out.

little doggies !!

 

[The Who]

Less than 24 hours until the footy kicks off again, just a pity it's the bloody Donkeys first up.

Sickening that even for an away match we are subject to the over-exposed Donkeys.

 

[FlyingHigh]

Tom T is injured?

 

[Holmsey]

Tom T is injured?

No why?

 

[Ben]

Can Brown cover the fullback position if Tom T is injured ?

Could Craige Wing cover prop? Im not comparing Brown to Wing at all but but bench utilities can't cover every position. Im happy to see either Brown or Hastings on the bench for that reason.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

So when do we go to 19 and who drops off???

 

[Mitch]

So when do we go to 19 and who drops off???

Not until 24 hours before kick off I believe mate.

 

[Fluffy]

2 players drop off

 

[bob dylan]

our line up is patchy at best.

Hope the Eels done bring their cricket gear, I'm worried it will be very ugly.

 

[robbiea]

Can Brown cover the fullback position if Tom T is injured ?

Walker or Kelly slides back to fullback & Brown plays centre....(pretty simple really).

 

[BOZO]

Walker or Kelly slides back to fullback & Brown plays centre....(pretty simple really).

It is not that simple as we are moving players that specialize in the centre position and breaking their combination and to make it worse Brown the snail that cant tackle is left in the centres where the opposition will have a field day . Did you see how affective Brown was playing in our backline last year ? His arm grabbing tackling style turned out to be a turn style .

 

[BOZO]

Could Craige Wing cover prop? Im not comparing Brown to Wing at all but but bench utilities can't cover every position. Im happy to see either Brown or Hastings on the bench for that reason.

If that is the case I would rather have the young and eager Cullen who can cover for the halves and at Hooker . Brown to me has proven to be a liability . He is the weakest link .

 

[robbiea]

It is not that simple as we are moving players that specialize in the centre position and breaking their combination and to make it worse Brown the snail that cant tackle is left in the centres where the opposition will have a field day . Did you see how affective Brown was playing in our backline last year ? His arm grabbing tackling style turned out to be a turn style .

It's not every game.Its a hypothetical what if.It would only be for the remainder of that game.You cannot have an individual specialist for every position sitting spare on the bench..

 

[robbiea]

Guess what - every team has a weakest link !

 

[BOZO]

Guess what - every team has a weakest link !

Not the ones that compete for the title each year

 

[BOZO]

It's not every game.Its a hypothetical what if.It would only be for the remainder of that game.You cannot have an individual specialist for every position sitting spare on the bench..

Mate , this is the only bench seat I would have Brown warming up
lets leave it to that .