Official Blayke Brailey

[MrDravid]

We'll see how he goes against Storm, Panthers and Roosters.
And I'm a big fan.

Be interesting to see how we go against some bigger packs with the likes of McInnes, Talakai and Williams.

Fine while the weather is good, but if we get a slow track might be tougher.

 

[Vichyssoise]

Be interesting to see how we go against some bigger packs with the likes of McInnes, Talakai and Williams.

Fine while the weather is good, but if we get a slow track might be tougher.

True. I wonder if the Raiders game is going to be the blueprint from now on or if Fitz will adjust the strategy from game to game.
Our forwards took only a handful of hit-ups between them in the first 15 minutes on Sunday. Our backs did all the heavy lifting early on.

 

[Gumby]

Drums are beating louder for this guy to play 9 for the blues. I honestly think he will get his debut this year now if he continues his form for the next month.

 

[bort]

Drums are beating louder for this guy to play 9 for the blues. I honestly think he will get his debut this year now if he continues his form for the next month.

From selfish sharks perspective Nicho would be bad enough (especially if Trindall still out), no Blayke also make things very tough

 

[apezza]

Drums are beating louder for this guy to play 9 for the blues. I honestly think he will get his debut this year now if he continues his form for the next month.

I suppose it's a question of do you go with a specialist back up 9 or a utility that could fit in to that position.

 

[apezza]

Api says he should be there so case closed!

Koroisau backs Sharks star to make Origin debut

“He can easily slide in there if you need him to.”

www.zerotackle.com

 

[deano the p]

Personally I think it should be Robson (or another hooker, Brailey included) with McInnes on the bench as a middle forward with the ability to slot in. I can see Brailey potentially getting a run off the bench which I don’t agree with.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Api says he should be there so case closed!

Koroisau backs Sharks star to make Origin debut

“He can easily slide in there if you need him to.”

www.zerotackle.com

Api will 100% be there.

 

[Sparkles]

Api says he should be there so case closed!

Koroisau backs Sharks star to make Origin debut

“He can easily slide in there if you need him to.”

www.zerotackle.com

You buried the headline mate, Connor Tracey also said he'd be great. ZT with the big scoop there!

 

[apezza]

You buried the headline mate, Connor Tracey also said he'd be great. ZT with the big scoop there!

I did read that but didn't want to stir a whole debate around the credibility of CT!

 

[Tiger Shark]

I suppose it's a question of do you go with a specialist back up 9 or a utility that could fit in to that position.

For the 25 mins they’ll likely get that Api isn’t on for your probably better using a player with some utility value.

Robson can play a bit of lock/middle forward for example. McInnes if he was not so rusty as a hooker wouldn’t be terrible.

End of the day the least players we have representing the better, I get how it develops them etc but hesitant with how it’ll impact us.

Good news is all this talk will only spur those being mentioned to really perform the next month or so.

 

[Gal The Goat]

I think they’ll run a 2 hooker rotation.

Qld ran that blueprint and was a reason why they could be so dominant. Hunt starting and then a fresh Grant would tear blues apart.

I also have a feeling it might be Brailey. From a Sharks perspective i would rather Robson so we don’t lose BB, but I do think Brailey could probably offer more in a 25 min stint than Robson. His running and kicking has been impressive to start the year. Or start Robson then inject a fresh Api, holding Robson on the bench as a spare forward Incase

 

[bort]

Yeah I’d worry about McInnes except as an incase of emergency.

Robson or Kenny could play 20-30 to start and come on in forwards if needed. Api off bench.

Dont think you’d run an Api Blayke combo, very small

 

[Proud Shark]

Two hookers has worked so well for QLD because they've had two amazing gamebreaking hookers to fit in. NSW are better off with Api and our best utility IMO instead of trying to copy QLD.

 

[Sparkles]

I think they’ll run a 2 hooker rotation.

Qld ran that blueprint and was a reason why they could be so dominant. Hunt starting and then a fresh Grant would tear blues apart.

I also have a feeling it might be Brailey. From a Sharks perspective i would rather Robson so we don’t lose BB, but I do think Brailey could probably offer more in a 25 min stint than Robson. His running and kicking has been impressive to start the year. Or start Robson then inject a fresh Api, holding Robson on the bench as a spare forward Incase

Yeah I’d worry about McInnes except as an incase of emergency.

Robson or Kenny could play 20-30 to start and come on in forwards if needed. Api off bench.

Dont think you’d run an Api Blayke combo, very small

None of them are really that big. Robson is 1.8m, though 93kg. Has he played lock as well? Harry Grant is down as 87kg?! Looks and plays bigger.

Did you catch which forward Blayke nailed on our tryline last game? His technique makes up for any lack of size and he's very smart in when and where he applies his his defensive effort. Very Cam Smith in that respect.

Api doesn't look totally fit. I think he'd lift for SOO but I'm not confident he'd make it through the series.

Blayke is more a direct replacement for Cook in my eyes. He could also be half backup, though I suppose any hooker should do a serviceable job if needed.

If Nicho's in you'd think that gives Blayke the inside running, and with there being little difference between any of the other options I'm leaning towards Blayke getting the nod.

 

[MrDravid]

None of them are really that big. Robson is 1.8m, though 93kg. Has he played lock as well? Harry Grant is down as 87kg?! Looks and plays bigger.

Did you catch which forward Blayke nailed on our tryline last game? His technique makes up for any lack of size and he's very smart in when and where he applies his his defensive effort. Very Cam Smith in that respect.

Api doesn't look totally fit. I think he'd lift for SOO but I'm not confident he'd make it through the series.

Blayke is more a direct replacement for Cook in my eyes. He could also be half backup, though I suppose any hooker should do a serviceable job if needed.

If Nicho's in you'd think that gives Blayke the inside running, and with there being little difference between any of the other options I'm leaning towards Blayke getting the nod.

I'd be concerned about Api's defense in the first 20 min... could throw a Mitch Kenny type on for the first 20 min and then bring Api on when the game opens up a bit.

 

[Gal The Goat]

Two hookers has worked so well for QLD because they've had two amazing gamebreaking hookers to fit in. NSW are better off with Api and our best utility IMO instead of trying to copy QLD.

I don’t think one hooker can go the distance in origin though it’s to fast paced, Api looked spent in game 1.

They decided they needed a 2 hooker rotation for game 2 for that reason I believe, but decided to play Cook in centres instead of someone like Yeo or Murray, so the entire 2 hooker game plan went out the window.

Game 3 Cook played 55 min and Robson played 33 mins and we won. Definitely not saying that was the sole reason we one but the 2 hooker rotation might be something Blues have to stick with to keep up with the speed of the game in origin

 

[bort]

None of them are really that big. Robson is 1.8m, though 93kg. Has he played lock as well? Harry Grant is down as 87kg?! Looks and plays bigger.

Did you catch which forward Blayke nailed on our tryline last game? His technique makes up for any lack of size and he's very smart in when and where he applies his his defensive effort. Very Cam Smith in that respect.

Api doesn't look totally fit. I think he'd lift for SOO but I'm not confident he'd make it through the series.

Blayke is more a direct replacement for Cook in my eyes. He could also be half backup, though I suppose any hooker should do a serviceable job if needed.

If Nicho's in you'd think that gives Blayke the inside running, and with there being little difference between any of the other options I'm leaning towards Blayke getting the nod.

As far as hookers go Robson is a decent size, nearly 10% on Blayke at same height.
Harry a touch shorter so a little stockier but I agree I think he must weigh more than that.
I think if we are expecting impact from a hooker off the bench that isn't really Blayke as he is used to grinding the game out and doesn't have the size to switch to a more run focus. Sure I think he could do the job, just not sure he's the best man for it.

Api could lose the spot on fitness, he is a bit banged up atm, has time though.

I'd be concerned about Api's defense in the first 20 min... could throw a Mitch Kenny type on for the first 20 min and then bring Api on when the game opens up a bit.

Yeah I'd start Robson or Kenny - any of these combos work for me
Robson - Api
Kenny - Api
Kenny - Robson
Kenny - Blayke
Robson - Blayke

I don't like any combo of Blayke/Api personally.
Egan, look he's good enough but his glass body just worries me.

 

[Proud Shark]

I don’t think one hooker can go the distance in origin though it’s to fast paced, Api looked spent in game 1.

They decided they needed a 2 hooker rotation for game 2 for that reason I believe, but decided to play Cook in centres instead of someone like Yeo or Murray, so the entire 2 hooker game plan went out the window.

Game 3 Cook played 55 min and Robson played 33 mins and we won. Definitely not saying that was the sole reason we one but the 2 hooker rotation might be something Blues have to stick with to keep up with the speed of the game in origin

You might be right, and I can see how it works with someone like Cook as his strength is his running game. Less minutes allows him to run more. I don't see that so much in an Api/Brailey/Robson combination.

I just think we benefit so much more from someone like Wighton at 14, who could cover almost every position in a pinch.

I also get your point winning game 3, but you could argue we lost game 1/2 by moving Nicho/Cook to the centres without having a true utility.

 

[Sparkles]

You might be right, and I can see how it works with someone like Cook as his strength is his running game. Less minutes allows him to run more. I don't see that so much in an Api/Brailey/Robson combination.

I just think we benefit so much more from someone like Wighton at 14, who could cover almost every position in a pinch.

If been thinking along the same lines. Maybe NSW don't go with two hookers. It works for QLD because of the players they have, but perhaps our strongest squad has an 80 minute hooker because Blayke, and we power up the bench. Works for the Sharks.