Re: First choice 17 : Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:35 pm  

Or thane wrote:

I liked what i've seen of him and think he's clearly got alot of skill and talent. Be a shame if he does missthe first 7-8 games but hopefully will see what he can do as the season progresses. Not saying he's amazing but i like the look of what i've seen and think he will do well for us
But if he doesn't work out he's only here for a year

I’ve only seen the games available on YouTube, but he does seem to read a game well. If we are indeed going with a more skilful approach, then I like the look of him too. There aren’t many 13s around like that in SL. I’d also be happy with Currie there I think. Maybe that’s how Powell is going. Hughes and Holmes, with Currie locking?

Re: First choice 17 : Wed Jan 19, 2022 8:06 pm  

The Speculator wrote:

Philbin forgotten or deliberately omitted?

Forgotten, would prefer him off the bench though.

Re: First choice 17 : Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:15 am  

easyWire wrote:

I’ve only seen the games available on YouTube, but he does seem to read a game well. If we are indeed going with a more skilful approach, then I like the look of him too. There aren’t many 13s around like that in SL. I’d also be happy with Currie there I think. Maybe that’s how Powell is going. Hughes and Holmes, with Currie locking?

I have been thinking about Currie at 13. I don’t know enough about the technicalities to have an informed opinion (but that has never stopped me) but it struck me that he should be able to play a similar role to Sculthorpe (P!). Is there any technical reason why he can’t?

Re: First choice 17 : Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:32 am  

Captain Hook wrote:

Is there any technical reason why he can’t?

I’m pretty sure he played there regularly at academy level? I think Walter Wizard would have more info about that. I think he’s a lot more creative than we’ve seen under Price. Even Sculthorpe would have looked like a simple, strong-running second row under Price.

Re: First choice 17 : Thu Jan 20, 2022 7:47 pm  

easyWire wrote:

Hughes and Holmes, with Currie locking?

Lock - now there's a term I've not seen for a while!

I agree that Currie at 13 could work well (although as Captain says - Im no expert on the attributes for a good 13).
I like ball playing creative 13's rather than props playing at 13.
Sculthorpe and Tewera Nikau spring to mind.
Philbin is not and will never be a 13. By contrast Ben Harrison was decent because he could play a bit rather than just 'take it up' as a prop.

So from my earlier 'I havent a clue who will be in the team' post Im now clear on 1 to 9.
2nd prop and the rest of the pack and subs are less clear.
I think Philbs will take 10 and probably Currie, Holmes and Hughes the rest of the pack.
The bench will partly depend on the opposition, but generally I expect Walker to be there with Clark, Bullock, Magoulis and Mulhern if everyone is fit. (Yes I know, 5 but I cant make my mind up).

Injuries will take their toll.
If a back is injured I can see Thewlis and Minikin being 1st port of call, with Wrench under consideration.
In the halves, then Ratch would step up, Dean in reserve.
If a forward is injured then one of the 5 above plus Davis (tough call on him missing the 17), Wrench, Lonstaff and Butler.

That covers it.

With the type of play I think Powell will promote, I hope it will mitigate our lack of depth in the prop department.

Re: First choice 17 : Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:23 pm  

fez1 wrote:

With the type of play I think Powell will promote, I hope it will mitigate our lack of depth in the prop department.

This is what I’m hoping for, too.

Of course, I’d love a Hill standard player to complement Cooper, but maybe that’s not as critical if we aren’t a Price type team.

Re: First choice 17 : Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:48 pm  

Magoulias confirmed to miss the first 4-5 rounds so i'm expecting to see hughes at 13 from the start.

Re: First choice 17 : Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:38 pm  

Or thane wrote:

Magoulias confirmed to miss the first 4-5 rounds so i'm expecting to see hughes at 13 from the start.

I thought that I read somewhere that Hughes was touch and go as to whether he'd make the first couple of rounds due to a hand injury / surgery?

Re: First choice 17 : Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:11 pm  

easyWire wrote:

I’m pretty sure he played there regularly at academy level? I think Walter Wizard would have more info about that. I think he’s a lot more creative than we’ve seen under Price. Even Sculthorpe would have looked like a simple, strong-running second row under Price.

Hi EW; it is funny you should ask this question as I was talking about BC with Rich Marshall on Wednesday and he was saying about when BC was coming through the Under 20s he played him at loose forward and stand off as he had fantastic hands and his ability meant he could cover virtually any position.

I would say that second row is his best position now though!!!

Re: First choice 17 : Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:57 pm  

1. Ratchford
2. Ashton
3. Mata’utia
4. King
5. Charnley
6. Widdop
7. Williams
8. Cooper
9. Clark
10.bullock
11.Currie
12.Hughes
13.holmes
14.Philbin
15. Mulhern
16. Magoulis
17.Walker


Thewlis n longstaff should get ample game time and there will we will have competition for places too from others