Blues to get new fullback and skipper

Warren Ryan always makes the point that Gidley is a runner rather than a distributor. That is why Ryan was horrified at the idea of Gidley playing either 6 or 7 for NSW this season (which was the rumour at one point). This being the case, Gidley is only a second-half hooker, for when the game opens up. Ideally Gidley could find a role for NSW like that of Issac Luke for South Sydney and NZ, i.e., as a replacement hooker for after the 30-minute mark of a match. The problem with this is that NSW like to play a hooker who will be the brains on the field for the whole match, i.e., someone like Farah or Buderus (cf. NZ's use of Thomas Leuluai, who is OK but not in the league of these two). I know that NSW experimented at times with giving Buderus a rest, but it never really worked, not least of all because the player himself hated it. I suppose that if they go with someone like Ennis at hooker, it could work to start him for the period of really tough stuff, and then bring on Gidley once the game starts to open up. Anyway, interesting times for NSW. I guess many of us feel that they have the players to beat Qld if they get it right at the selection table and tactically. So far that has only happened occasionally under Bellamy, which is a disappointment given how good a coach he otherwise seems to be. The only way for NSW to beat this Qld side is to get everything correct. I feel the other key area for NSW is back-row, because this is the one area where they can be confident of superiority over Qld. But they have struggled to get the balance right in their selections, as has Australia. This is ironic given that back-row is one thing that B McCarthy should understand well. And it's interesting that at what is meant to be the deadest time of year for rugby league, plenty of people are keen to discuss it. Obviously people are not all that enthused about other sport on offer at the moment.

Here is is sledgeross, http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23463020-10389,00.html http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/rotten-shark-should-be-jailed/2008/04/06/1207420195784.html http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/defiant-gallen-drops-the-cword-20091123-j083.html Do you think the old guys lament grabbing people's testicles or rubbing someone face so hard to make their stitches split just to keep them off the field? Does that make Gallen a hard nut? As I said, he wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes in the 80's where rough play was allowed but so were square-ups and those actions descibed in the article might have seen him smashed into little pieces....

Scott, a good and necessary article. When I heard rumour that Kurt Gidley was likely to be named NSW captain this season, I posted this comment at The Roar: "I don’t believe any selector could close his eyes and honestly imagine Kurt Gidley leading a winning team onto the field and holding the trophy aloft." Well I was wrong about the selectors, but I was right with my comment! At the time of writing the above, I therefore expected Gallen to be named NSW captain. Not sure if that is politically possible now, given his subsequent suspension for racial comments. Who then? If necessary the selectors should just have a look around at the club captains, and choose the best option. But definitely not Gidley! In fact, Gidley can be grateful to Japanese rugby (for luring Craig Wing away) that he will even get the NSW 14 jersey next year.

Define "cheap shot" ;) What Gallen does today would not have attracted as much coverage in the 80's. Its funny, when the rep teams are announced and the old school players lament the lack of mongrel, they always mention Gallen as one of the few players with the "old school" mentality.

Comparing him to Watmough shows the company he's in.... Gallen's not a throwback, he just would've copped it back much more than he does now. Can you imagine him cheap shotting Ray Price or Dallas Donnelly? He would've been chewed up and spat out.

Actually Chop, if you look at Gallens penalties conceded, he actually is just on the average for a forward. I believe Watmough is a worse offender slightly. When blokes get a reputation though, you notice it more. Gallens a throwback in some ways, he should have been playing in the 80s.

Its not that I dont like him. As I said before. Hes a solid first grader. I just think there are better options... Remember that Gordon doesnt have rep experience like those blokes ahead of him, and has essentially only had one year in first grade (given his injuries) after starring in the Qld cup a few seasons ago. Covells not as slow as some people make out. He is one of the canniest players in the game, with a knack for game winning plays. Its a moot point though really, cos I dont think he would be eligible anyway.

I think you pick your best team and then choose a captain out of it....If Gidley is the best option somewhere within the team then I'm happy for him to be picked as skipper again, if not, well pick someone from the best team possible to be captain. As for Gallen, No thanks, he's a walking penalty and a cheap shot merchant, I still stuggle to see how he gets picked for representative teams so don't make him captain....I might have to cheer for the Maroons over him winning a series as captain....

I think you pick your best team and then choose a captain out of it....

Campese and Carney can both kick. In fact Jarryd Hayne is also a good goal kicker.... Ennis is made for SOO (even though I think he's a w@nker), he's tough and doesn't take a backward step, he can kick goals as well.

Are we talking about the same winger, Gordon, from Penrith? Strong and big? Hes quick and can kick goals, hes solid, thats about it. If Covell didnt align himself with the Kiwis, he would be a better option. Im not saying that Flash is rubbish, its just there are other blokes ahead of him.

Just another reason to pick Ennis then. And he hasn't played Origin or any rep footy so how do we know he can play in that class.

El Masri was selected once. If they wanted him for goal kicking they would have selected him before the series was gone. And to say that Gordon is a better player than El Masri...El Masri has played over 300 games, including when he wasn't 1st choice goalkicker, scored 150+ tries and is the highest pointscorer ever. Gordon has played 59 games and is already 26 and hasn't really shown he is better than Morris, Morris, Grothe, Tahu, Burt, Turner, Quinn, Williams, Monaghan, etc. etc.

Brett stewart on his day is the best fullback, his support play and passing skills are phenomenal and he is faster than hayne and slater. He has saved manlys hide so many times it is not funny. Just look at his 2008 performances he was better than slater and in 2009 well enough said. As for hayne he is either a fullback or not at all because his defence is not too flash, and kurt gidley should never play origin.