Truth be told, if I was the coach, when Killer, Skivy and Jorge return from injury my backline would look something like:
Snake, Tom T, Peta, Skivy, Wolf/Jorge, Killer, DCE.
Though whoever the coach is, it'll probably be more like:
Snake, Peta, Killer, Skivy, Tom T/Jorge/Wolf, Foran, DCE.
Killer has the experience and skill to be our 5/8. I know he's a centre but unless Foran changes his attitude for the better he's probably our best option. Age is also catching up to Killer, he's not as quick as he once was and centres these days (like fullbacks) need to have the speed of a winger. That wouldn't be exposed as much playing pivot. Also has a decent kicking game.
Ok, I know Skivy isn't quick either, but then he never has been really. His strength in attack is his support play and positioning. His physical strength also helps. And we all know he hits like a jack hammer in defence. His game is probably better suited to the back row, but with his body he'd last about 10 minutes with all the required tackling before coming off clutching his neck or one of his shoulders.
Peta Hiku showed me something tonight. As I said in another thread, he reminds me of a stockier, slower running version of Dale Shearer. A skillfull player who can play almost anywhere in the backline. His defence needs a bit of work, though it was good today and has definitely improved this year. The Four Nations did him the world of good in that regard. And while I still think fullback is his best position, he can handle playing in the centres. And who knew he could kick goals? His 2 kicks were from near the sideline. He kicked the 2nd and the first attempt hit the post. Matthew Ridge Mk.II??
Cheyse Blair needs to be dropped to NSW Cup, plain and simple. Opposition teams are currently averaging around 2 tries per game down his wing which is not good enough and its mostly because of bad positioning in defence. Running in and leaving your opposite winger unmarked is not a good thing. Safe under the high ball and can make some good running metres, but his poor defence often cancels those efforts out. I'd bring in the Wolfman next week. A known try scorer and can now catch bombs. That wing spot should be between the Wolf and Jorge when the big boy returns from injury.
I wouldn't drop DCE or Snake. Neither are in form right now, but I still wouldn't be dropping them for any reason. I know he's had plenty of injuries but I would love to see Snake return to the running fullback we know and love. He's a great fullback, our best ever IMO and still one of the best in the game, but I have noticed he rarely does a lot of the kick returns any more, he always seems to leave that to the wingers. And when he does run the ball, unless its against a broken line where he can run through a gap and make a break, he seems to easily submit to tackles if there is a wall in front of him I remember not too long ago when he would run around that wall.....
That leaves one wing spot. Although I was against his selection because I didn't want to see one of our junior prospects get smashed after being rushed into first grade before he was ready, Tom Trbojevic impressed tonight. Manly fans should be licking their lips at the prospect of this kid. Didn't get to show any real speed tonight, but I would love to see how he goes in open space. Scored two tries on debut, though helped by a Canberra winger who had Cheyse Blair syndrome - come in and leave a big opening outside. But every time the Raiders tested him with a bomb he was 100% safe. Did not put a foot wrong tonight and was our best by a country mile. Even when Killer and Skivy return this kid should remain in first grade. Now I know why people have been talking about the Trbojevic brothers as the future of Manly.
