Roar Rookie
Joined January 2016
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Concerned with everything
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A relatively talented team, you wouldn't have been questioned for expecting them to finish somewhere in the top eight. Unfortunately, they've been absolutely decimated…
Rugby league's foundations are based around toughness and competition. This considered, it's hardly a surprise that the ancestors who set the groundwork, along with…
Yet another Test between the Kangaroos and Kiwis, finishing with a familiar tone. With the post-season Test still fresh in the rear-view mirror, here…
Sitting firmly atop the NRL ladder after a historic 13 consecutive wins, the Sharks are rolling through the 2016 competition, and Paul Kent looks…
The Sharks are on a tear, 13-2 on the season, with their last 12 wins coming consecutively. Streak anyone? For some historical perspective, Cronulla…
For the first time in recent memory, Queensland have a selection dilemma. This is not to be misunderstood - the majority of the team…
After a bleak start to the season, the St George Illawarra are beginning to round into form, which can be attributed to the performance…
The Newcastle Test is in the books. The Kangaroos were professional, yet unimpressive in squeezing out a 16 point victory in an off-kilter, back…
The right team and tactics can help the New Zealand Kiwis take down the Australian juggernaut A new era of Test football has arrived.…
Indeed they did, as clearly stated in the article
Losing to win: Checking the road to the title for the Sharks
Thanks for the correction, was submitted simply as Bird, obviously in reference to Jack, not sure what went wrong there.
Agreed, the number one priority has to be finishing top two, then worry about resting players but their schedule is rather soft so they may be better off turning the focus now and catching some momentum heading into the finals
Losing to win: Checking the road to the title for the Sharks
Regardless of Cronks form he is simply too quality of a performer to be on the bench. Considering the last time he was absent from the QLD side was the only series they lost in 10 years, its safe to say the would be hesitant in moving him anywhere.
I’m glad you mentioned this, a potential idea I was toying with and wanted some feedback on was potentially leaving Boyd over on the right wing and slotting Morgan in at fullback. Firstly it limits the amount of debutants in the side, and leaves Boyd and Inglis together, the best scoring duo in origin history. It allows them to capitalize on Morgans form and his combination with JT, and adds arguably a more dangerous threat than Boyd at the back. For as good as Boyd is, it hard to argue he is a better player than Morgan at this stage.
Next in line: The Queensland outside backs for game one
To clarify, that was in reference to Queensland Origin. Was phrased poorly my bad. As stated, Chambers will be available for the back end of the season and the storm finals run.
I guess playing Centre full time it would be more fair to say Feldt is safer than O’Neil under the ball rather than O’Neil being shaky, although he did have some suspect game last year. Being the natural winger Feldt would slide into that role more comfortably.
Next in line: The Queensland outside backs for game one
All in reference to selection for game 1. I agree Tedesco would have been a near certain selection considering his form prior to injury
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Shame really because J.morris has shown the ability to really shut down Inglis one on one, a rarity at any level let alone origin.
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Exactly, while there is a definitely a (correct) perception that Dugan is a great fullback and an average centre, the stats clearly say he is really quite average offensively, and struggles defensively – his missed tackles do go up but that stat doesn’t account for when he misses his assignment and influences the defensive line. Blues can’t afford to be giving away any opportunities, especially when it will be Inglis on the opposite side running at him.
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Thank you for the correction. Morris could play either side of the field, it has come apparent that nsw prefer him on the right side, originally to mark up against Inglis, which obviously would be the case again this year. Seems to be the forgotton man and is making way for less talented players at a position where he is a specialist. Not to mention has been a consistent performer
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Hasn’t played there for the panthers and thats why he won’t be picked there for the blues. The point being made was that Dugan is being moved out of position (to a position he isnt effective in) for a player that could effectively play a different position.
Tedesco is unavailable.
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Wild considering Moylan, who is most likely to be picked at fullback, would arguably be more comfortable moving positions (has all the makings of a 5/8) yet Dugan, the better fullback has to make way to play a position that he clearly isn’t as effective in.
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Both of you hit the nail on the head, the question should remain whether or not Dugan is a better fullback option than the other contenders, and that should be the end of the conversation. He simply isn’t the same player in other positions
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Jennings is the only centre who plays on the left for his club side, however his form has been good enough to warrant selection. Mansour is the only left wing, however any of the other candidates in Fergs, Roberts or Dugan could easily shift over to the left. That being said, I think the most effective lineup is
Moylan
Roberts
Jennings
Ferguson
Dugan
Best combination of attacking weapons and overall talent. Alternatively Ferguson could shift to the right wing and Dugan slide over to the left to allow for J.Morris to slot in at right centre. Would be concerned with Fergusons defence starting in the centers.
Unfortunately the only three positions we are weak in are three of the four most important on the field, and we aren’t just weak its seriously depleted.
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Absolutely, one of the most dynamic ball runners in the league and plays a very entertaining brand of footy. Just also trying to be realistic about both his abilities and shortcomings
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Not a drama, just appreciate the read and comment mate
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Spot on. Personally Dugans best position is fullback, however for the blues he can fill his role quite adequately on the wing. Its obvious that while he can still have the occasional good game as a three-quarter, he lacks the technically and positional understanding to produce the same output he is capable of. Atleast on the wing he can still be involved returning the ball and his safety under the high ball is a big plus. Playing on the wing reduces the effect of his lack of passing, and the fullback slot can be filled by Moylan who will do more to feed the men outside him.
Centre of attention: Determining Josh Dugan's best position
Problem is Isaac Luke really didn’t warrant selection at all.
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
Originally this was written picking from the original 19-man squad that was announced before the others pulled out. In saying that, once players did pull out and Takarangi was actually called into the squad he would of been the better option to step into the centres. He is in much better form then Beale and provides both an attacking flair and some defensive presence.
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
Its probably better said that Johnson is in (for him) some pretty bad form not helped by the fact that he isn’t playing behind a winning pack and had his ankle snapped last year. For the test, he is going to get better go forward from his bigs then he does at club level, for the kiwis it will be about whether or not he can produce from those positions
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
There is nothing to suggest Latrell Mitchell is even in the same league as Boyd, let alone better
The myth of Darius Boyd
Glenn in the centres was more a function of lack of options, and putting a weak defender in front of Inglis or Dugan with space and momentum will be disastrous. I guess that’s no longer a problem now that he’s pulled out and as an upgrade we get Beale who has started a total of ONE game this year and isn’t a starter on his on team.
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
The article was turned in on Tuesday just after the team news was announced, but thanks for pointing that out because they are important changes to the make-up of this game. I agree Beale has done next to nothing to garner a rep jersey but it wasn’t as if there are other centres screaming for selection
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
Unfortunately this is Johnson in what seems like career-worst form so if he can’t get it going early or is struggling facing the expected amoung of pressure that comes with being the only creative option the attack could be quite stagnate, quite early
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
He’s been really good coming off the bench this year but the forwards are actually very deep, might prefer him in Eastwoods spot though
Strategic squad management the key to Kiwi victory
Thanks heaps mate, really appreciate that
The resurgence of Michael Ennis