Billy Magoulias is a forward snowflake
Official Blayke Brailey
- Thread starter Proud Shark
- Start date
Billy Magoulias is a forward snowflake
sharks2010
Dribbler
reed was struggling to pump out the 80 so recently Arthur came up with the brilliant plan to play gutho there in attack while reed had a spell, obvisously realised how stupid it was and stopped it last round
Mark^Bastard
Great White
Over the last several seasons I'd say the best value we've had out of our 4th bench spot has been when it's a utility. The 4th bench spot being a forward doesn't tend to work for us with our big minute starting forwards and lower interchanges.
So I tend to agree however I think the best role for that spot is someone that is an impact dummy half with high utility value. Someone that can come on to tackle in the ruck, or relieve the dummy half, or cover an injury in various positions. It doesn't always means the starting hooker has to leave the field.
I have no issue with a four forward bench, depends really on the make up of the team & squad.
Storm are carrying a hooker/utility to play in the forwards and also (for a lot of the season) a fullback! That just goes to show there is no hard set right or wrong.
Ideally I'd like to have someone with some utility value ie forward who can cover backs (like Capes) or forward who can cover 9 or 6 without being a complete disaster.
Given Wade and Nikora are likely to play 80 most weeks we could play a bench of two props and a lock with either a utility as above or an impact player.
We could play four pure forwards and just cross our fingers nothing goes wrong but with injury/HIA that seems like an unnecessary risk - Mags/impact hooker/other utility are probably going the be similar quality to our 4th backup forward who won't generally get many minutes anyway.
Mark^Bastard
Great White
I guess what I'm saying is that the actual value of the 4th forward is a lot more marginal than most people think. Let's say our team is 100% healthy so we go out with our best 1-17, and then all are healthy for the game so no utility is needed. In this perfect scenario, we have 4 props (Fifita, Prior, Woods, BHU) so would all share two 80 minute slots and if anything be able to give more minutes rather than less. Then you've got two edge forwards (Nikora and Graham) that would play 80 minutes. That leaves two bench spots that can only interchange with your lock. The lock is already going to be a 60 minute+ position in most teams.
So we either need to have less minutes given to our 4 props, or our edge forwards get a breather at some point.
Or we can just look at history and see that when we have the 4th forward they usually do like 10 minutes, make 20m and 5 tackles and it's all a bit token.
So we either need to have less minutes given to our 4 props, or our edge forwards get a breather at some point.
Or we can just look at history and see that when we have the 4th forward they usually do like 10 minutes, make 20m and 5 tackles and it's all a bit token.
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
70 isn't 80 though.
I'd love for Blayke to be able to pump out 80 every week, think it's too much to ask at this stage though.
What is your solution if he's out for the first 10 weeks of next year?
Mark^Bastard
Great White
It's possible Brailey can play 80 and it's possible he can't. One thing for sure is that it's a massive risk to go into the season assuming a rookie can do that, and do it effectively.
snowman
Total gronk
Assess the roster in March 2020 and not September 2019
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
Hence my first post. It's a forum and we discuss things, including plenty of hypotheticals.
100% agree for exactly the reasons you outline.
At the moment it looks like we'd probably be expecting a more 50/30 split for Williams at lock as he hasn't really proven his fitness this year but we will see.
Based on current squad we might run BHU, Fifita, Ruldolf & Mags and we'd probably be pretty comfortable. A lot of the time one or both of Rudolf and Mags won't get big minutes though.
Mags comes on and Nikora to centre if injury in backs, Graham to 6 if injury in halves, or Mags can cover hooker directly.
Ignoring NRL legend Reed Mahoney - Blaykes brother took 2.5 seasons playing NRL to start getting consistent 80s @ age 23, seems reasonable to have a back up plan for if the younger bro, whose played a touch over half an NRL season, won't be a sure thing to run out a full season of 80s at 21/22. If he powers through 80 every week no worries and doesn't ever miss a game through injury then that's awesome.
Sparkles
Jaws
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Chad was jumping into hooker for JayBray to give him a spell in a few games this season I believe... did last week, though that may have been in extra time? Maybe that's a plan...
(not trolling, promise!)
I believe in the 80 minute hooker (also the title of my autobiography), but not having a backup hooker with first grade experience in case of injury or suspension (or representative duties...?!) isn't sustainable. Lichaa, Luke or..?
(not trolling, promise!)
I believe in the 80 minute hooker (also the title of my autobiography), but not having a backup hooker with first grade experience in case of injury or suspension (or representative duties...?!) isn't sustainable. Lichaa, Luke or..?
Tiger Shark
Jaws
playing tomorrow at 12ish. Televised
Cheers buddy
BurgoShark
Super Moderator
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He’s played 3 games in NSW Cup.
HaroldBishop
Megalodon
Very interested to see how he goes next year, he's no where near the hype yet.
Desperately need a decent backup.
Desperately need a decent backup.
Jeff Robson
Hammerhead
He showed nothing yesterday to get excited about for 2020
snowman
Total gronk
We really need to secure Isaak Luke
Tiger Shark
Jaws
He was pretty good the week before but he made 48 tackles, most of anyone. So I think he was just fugged. Did play 90 mins of football.
Did run for 65m which is more than Jayden does in 6 games.
He's going to be better than his brother with a full season under his belt, whether that will be enough we'll see. Winning these finals games and getting that big game experience will be good for him.