The weekly chopping block rant

Time to shape up or shake hands with the NSW Cup coach for…

The Burgess twins
Not sure which one is producing knock-ons, poor off-loads or being lazy in defence so I’ll put the pair of them on notice. Joey Johns had a pot shot at Adam Reynolds looking like he was on a treadmill the other night, but this pair are on the stationary bike, such is their lack of speed or aggression at the defensive line.

Unleash them on a night on the boozer in Cairns and sending nude selfies and order will be restored. If not, say G’day to Greg Florimo and the Bears NSW Intrust Cup coach for a month or two.

Tyrone Roberts
The Titans looked slick in attack last weekend against a tougher opponent and game against the Sharks at Shark Park. The return of the underwhelming Roberts looked to stifle the attack and young Ash Taylor didn’t look the player he was during his absence.

The show and go is now a play all defences can read and, for mine, he has little to offer both now and in the future. Stick with Taylor and Cullen or watch the promising start slowly dissipate in the blink of an eye, Mr Henry.

Robbie Farah
Made some good metres out of dummy half, but failed to direct or influence his young halves pairing who continued with ridiculous bombing tactics throughout yesterday’s clash. The fact they have not won a game since his return will not go unnoticed once Matt Ballin is fit and raring to go.

Farah could look at how Michael Ennis takes over with kicking on last tackle options for the Sharks, but I can’t imagine he could stomach watching his arch nemesis for pointers. Nathan Peats’ form and bruising defence should be applying the blowtorch if Farah wants another crack at Origin.

Jarrod Croker
For all the early season back slapping, the Raiders still have an elephant in the room: Croker’s poor defensive reads and technique. Targeted by the Sharks on Sunday, it appeared every time they went down his side they would come up with plenty of metres or points. A trip to the Mounties won’t happen but it should, though they gave up a 36-0 lead on Sunday and hung for dear life and a 36-32 victory.

Trent Hodkinson
Hodkinson has been anonymous, save for last weekend’s victory over the Tigers. The Knights, like the Tigers, have a pair of gun halves biding their time in the lower grades, and if they are not careful, clubs like the Dogs or Dragons could make a play to poach them. Picking the pair would bring a tear to the eye of old Wests Magpies fans.

Mark down the names Lamb and Cogger. Coach Nathan Brown is blooding so many youngsters, he may as well give this young duo a crack at some point.

Jono Wright
I must admit to being a little harsh on the winger’s Warriors career. But if I was a rival coach and looked at the team lists to see this laterally challenged fella on the flank, I’d run plays all week at training knowing I will be exposing his defensive skills, handling skills in the air and bank on 2-3 major errors per game.

Who could forget last year’s clanger at home to the Roosters dropping a field goal attempt under no pressure? Unlike Manu Vatuvei, who scores as many as he lets in, Jono is way in the negative for tries conceded as opposed to points he scores or creates. Put it this way, you wouldn’t be shocked to see Sam Perrett or even Preston Campbell outleap Jono, even though he’d have the advantage of an extra metre in height.

I could not find a starting spot for either Wright or Jeff Robson in the NSW Cup side, yet they are in the run-on side for the Warriors.

Players also on notice depending on how they travel this week include Jordan Rankin, Tim Lafai, Kodi Nikorima, Akuila Uate, Tim Browne and Luke Keary.

So get on the bandwagon Roarers and give me the brutal truth on who else or who doesn’t deserve to be preparing for a clash at Ringrose Park, Bear Park or Mt Smart No.2 this weekend or next.