Errgghh, I'd go Jorganson at fullback till Wright (is hopefully back) but he hasn't shown too much atm.. Im just hopeful he can.. I'd go Piestch and Filipo on the wings. Potter's to rocks and dimonds for me, Tooles to small and we dont use him right. Ikitau and JAS in the centres.. probably Carter at 10... and 9 I'd start Longers .. as i think Gordan can spark a comeback and Ryan can kick 100 million times better then any of the other pricks starting...
The two we miss the most are Nic White and Tate. Since they have gone we have looked toothless in attack. They both dictate the speed of the game and the rhythm of our attack. Gordon has always lacked feel for the game. Lonergen has speed off the deck and promise. He should start with Gordon at 10 and take the goal kicking duties.
I’d back jorgo at fullback because we’ll need some options in case wright does his acl again and then we’re stuck with an older kellaway. Wingers we have depth.
McReight was carrying the team a bit, much like M Hooper used to as well. Must be a core role of Aussie #7s.
Yep, He ain't no Wright yet, but he has all the skill, we need that organiser and danger from our 15.. Some one that can put you on the back foot or put someone through a hole..
McReight and Hooper too... There's something up with Bobby V, he still great, but the dude just may need a break to get his calf right.. His not what he was..
bye
this, this and this ...
PCL ? very rarely loses integrity.
I think the change happened a few years ago and some of the kids have been signed to senior squad contracts for 2025 and for 2026. But will still be a bit off being established test players. Jorgenson is probably the front end of it. But then there is guys like Wilson, Ieli, De Lutiis, Martens and a raft of the NSW kids like Harvey. The very best of them will be in contention for debuts as early as next year and a few will feature in 2027. The rest are probably going to come into contention with the changing of the guard in 2028.
I thought Bobby V still looked off too - but then I checked the stats and he had 12 runs in the time he was on the field and he also made some strong tackles.
post of the thread award goes to ...A couple of observations from me -
- Schmidt must regret tying himself to Fisher’s ‘connected line speed’ defence. It’s been our biggest issue and continues to be
- although our ability in the air is a close second
- early in the season our discipline was very good. Now we seem to have fallen back into old habits. We are constantly giving easy metres/points to the opposition team
- on top of that 4 kicks out on the full. Basic forward passes off set plays. Basically we were just kicking our selves in the nuts
- early in the year our bench was providing a step up for us. The likes of McDermott & Tizzano off the bench were a point of difference. Williams off the bench was a very different player to Williams starting. We no longer have Bell coming off the bench either. We aren’t getting that lift anymore.
- I don’t think Frost & Williams works as a starting pair.
- our best two halves this year have been White & McDermott. Gordon is a step down. If Schmidt doesn’t trust Lonergan than maybe give Thomas a go. At least he might bring some spark. But I wouldnt mind seeing Lonergan get a start
- without Ikiatau, Wright & Jorgenson the backline has lost a lot of bite. But it still doesn’t explain why we’ve reverted to such a narrow game plan
- I thought C Gordon did pretty well. Hope his quad is okay. But don’t like the idea of using Kellaway as goal kicker
Positives - McReight & Hooper both did very well. Tupou is playing his best footy for some time.
Hard balance for the next test. As much as change is needed large scale changes aren’t going to get a better result. Ikitau and Skelton to come back in - or if Skelton isn’t available play Salakai-Loto. Bring Jorgenson back. I dunno who else.
