*Official* NRL 2014

[dermo]

James Tedesco to stay at Wests Tigers despite signing with Canberra Raiders

 

[Burgey]

The juggernaut back on track. Top four spot awaits.

 

[NUFAN]

I'm convinced more than ever that QLD need to make a good number of changes in our forward pack for game 2. Assuming Slater is out injured I would go with:

1 Greg Inglis
2 Darius Boyd
3 Will Chambers
4 Justin Hodges
5 Brent Tate
6 Johnathan Thurston
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Matt Scott
9 Cameron Smith
10 Brenton Lawrence
11 Sam Thaiday
12 Nate Myles
13 Matt Gillett

14 Jake Friend
15 Dave Taylor
16 Corey Parker
17 Jacob Lillyman/ Josh McGuire

I've read some articles that QLD lost momentum when Cronk was injured and while true, Scott left the field soon after and that was a major problem as we had no one with the ability to play like Scott on the bench. For this reason, I've gone with a specialist prop at 17 and I'm holding back Parker as he can make some tough metres and second phase play, with Myles (or Thaiday) moving to prop for when the second starting prop goes off. Dave Taylor is in devastating form and while its a bit harsh on the likes of Teo, McQueen, Papalii and Guerra, I think Taylor can offer more impact. I'm not totally sold on Friend at 14, but I've gone for him to cover DCE (Smith would move to the halves). I wouldn't object to someone else in 14 though, but just think with Friend as 19th man for Game 1 and DCE's injury concerns, he might be useful and less of a gamble than say a Ben Hunt or Anthony Milford.

 

[Burgey]

You need someone to ride shotgun for JT. It's not that he can't tackle but he's a spot player and Hayne terrorised him both gave one and last night.

Who can fill the role Kato Carroll used to for Lockyer?

 

[NUFAN]

I guess Thaiday might have to fulfill that role. Not 100% sure who should though, not completely sure on defensive structures, but definitely agree that limiting Hayne is the key. It was nice to watch Hodkinson and Reynolds do basically nothing last night.

 

[NUFAN]

Who would you pick to replace the Morris twins? I would be pleased if Daley does play Scott or Lewis in the centres. I wouldn't even play Lewis, Bird should replace him.

 

[Coronis]

Who would you pick to replace the Morris twins? I would be pleased if Daley does play Scott or Lewis in the centres. I wouldn't even play Lewis, Bird should replace him.

Were you even watching the game when Lewis came on? Get rid of useless **** Scott.

 

[NUFAN]

Were you even watching the game when Lewis came on? Get rid of useless **** Scott.

No, I stopped watching the biggest game of the year just so I could make my post, ****, of course I was watching.

 

[Burgey]

They're crucifying hoppa for a bad game against Penrith. Inglis is likely to be out now anyway, but the way to beat Qld is to try to out points on them, not pay holding type players in attacking positions.

Hoppa or if not him then a recognised centre, and Mansour on the wing

In more important news, great work Brad Arthur getting De Gois to parra immediately in the wake of Peats' injury.

 

[Burgey]

I guess Thaiday might have to fulfill that role. Not 100% sure who should though, not completely sure on defensive structures, but definitely agree that limiting Hayne is the key. It was nice to watch Hodkinson and Reynolds do basically nothing last night.

Big ask having Sam make a tackle on his own isn't it? His method in defense has seen the ICC rename the position on the boundary between slip an gully "Thaiday".

 

[NUFAN]

If I was Mick Potter I would find it difficult to include Chris Lawrence in my 17 next week. Woeful hands tonight and has often made poor footballing decisions this year.

 

[Burgey]

If I was Mick Potter I would find it difficult to include Chris Lawrence in my 17 next week. Woeful hands tonight and has often made poor footballing decisions this year.

I reckon Lawrence is one of the most over rated players of the past decade tbh. So many seasons he was touted as a possible Origin player, but he's as weak as piss IMO and made of glass to boot. They time him with a sun dial.

If he was a forward he'd be Ben Creagh, he's that much of a myth.

 

[NUFAN]

I reckon Lawrence is one of the most over rated players of the past decade tbh. So many seasons he was touted as a possible Origin player, but he's as weak as piss IMO and made of glass to boot. They time him with a sun dial.

If he was a forward he'd be Ben Creagh, he's that much of a myth.

Haha yeah, exactly. There was a time where I thought he definitely was a future Origin player and its weird to think he is just 25, but ever since his hamstring injuries (in 2011 or maybe 12) he has looked exactly how you said.

BTW, Panthers did well to get Koroisau next year. I wonder if the Raiders or Sharks even attempted to get him.

 

[Ausage]

I think Lawrence definitely would be in rep contention if his body wasn't made of glass. He looks old because his body has been beaten up more than most 35 year old players. Before his injuries he was fast, strong and solid in defense. It's a shame, but that's how it goes.

 

[dermo]

agree lawrence was awful on friday but he sure is better than keith lulia, so until there's a better option at centre he stays there.

there was a time when he was a gun, but that was before he dislocated his hip and problems with his hamstrings hence losing all his speed

 

[dermo]

go to 6:46 in that and watch him burn billy slater, that speed isn't there anymore and he's now half the player he was because of it

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah he had speed to burn. I'm sure there is a more scientific way of putting this, but perhaps his mind hasn't worked out that his speed has dropped. I mean, other footballers lose a yard of pace but understand their limits and are still make good footballing decisions, Lawrence this year often doesn't. I suppose Bodene Thompson could be worth a shot in the centres since the Tigers have a reasonable number of backrowers. Thompson has been good in the backrow and I understand it might be a little mad having a player in NSW Cup taking up so much salary when they never dropped Anasta or Blair. Overall, I just think dropping Lawrence even to the bench might be the tonic to get him fired up once again.

The Eels played really well today. An important win for the club without Hayne and away from Pirtek. Only issue is their goal-kicking, the worst in the NRL.

 

[Burgey]

The juggernaut now well and truly stirring with that away win sans Hayne, Hopoate and Peats. Can't wrap Brad Arthur enough for moving so quickly to get DuGois over mid-season. Shame both sides had so many good players out. A full strength clash between those two teams at Homebush would have drawn close to 70,000 or so.

 

[NUFAN]

70,000!! Maybe for a final.

I FINALLY tipped my first perfect round and correct margin in 2 1/2 years of trying in NRL and AFL. I don't even mind that it was a short round, margin always makes it difficult.

 

[Ausage]

I feel hopeful/confident that we'll win tomorrow and it scares me.