Official Daniel Atkinson

[bort]

The 'experiment'... it's an interesting way to look at it. Like Fitz randomly throws guys into roles to see what would happen.
Might see Sione take the jersey when he comes back... That'd be an interesting new experiment now that this one has failed!

Yeah I don’t get why someone not liking it (I don’t like it either really) makes it an experiment or an obsession.

It’s just a selection choice for our least used player people have a preference to use differently.
I don’t think using Atko is outright wrong (it’s not like it’s Dick Whalebone we are putting there) but I do think we could use those minutes a bit better.

 

[apezza]

No im saying I feel bad for him.

Now I feel bad for you for feeling bad for Atko!

 

[Sparkles]

Yeah I don’t get why someone not liking it (I don’t like it either really) makes it an experiment or an obsession.

It’s just a selection choice for our least used player people have a preference to use differently.
I don’t think using Atko is outright wrong (it’s not like it’s Dick Whalebone we are putting there) but I do think we could use those minutes a bit better.

Yep, I'm the same. We were barely using one of our subs most weeks, for better or worse, so for me it's just one way you could go.
The second Tricky or Nicho get HIA'd it becomes a pretty valuable experiment.

 

[bort]

Yep, I'm the same. We were barely using one of our subs most weeks, for better or worse, so for me it's just one way you could go.
The second Tricky or Nicho get HIA'd it becomes a pretty valuable experiment.

In saying that I am more than happy for them to not be and we can keep complaining Atko covers halves best but is never needed!

 

[stormshark]

In saying that I am more than happy for them to not be and we can keep complaining Atko covers halves best but is never needed!

and whilst winning

 

[CrazyMatt]

Now I feel bad for you for feeling bad for Atko!

Now I feel bad for you for feeling bad for me for feeling bad for Atko!

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

I can't wait for his 10-minute cameo.

 

[Gards]

Mixing Coca Cola with Milo is an experiment but then you know what happens so it's only an experiment the first time you try it

Atko isn't an experiment, it's been established over 6 games what we get from the bench with him and Fitz is happy to keep getting that

Someone in the media needs to question / challenge Fitz on this

Atko hasn't been terrible but look at all the options on the extended bench that could add potential value this season and beyond

If Nicho were gunna get injured it probably would have happened by now

 

[apezza]

Mixing Coca Cola with Milo is an experiment but then you know what happens so it's only an experiment the first time you try it

Atko isn't an experiment, it's been established over 6 games what we get from the bench with him and Fitz is happy to keep getting that

Someone in the media needs to question / challenge Fitz on this

Atko hasn't been terrible but look at all the options on the extended bench that could add potential value this season and beyond

If Nicho were gunna get injured it probably would have happened by now

I think we know what Fitz would say if challenged.

With AFB in the side we only really use 3 subs in the rotation. So the 4th is really a traditional 'reserve' to be used only in an emergency. Hence the token 10 mins. That being the case, you might as well have the best jack-of-all-trades possible.

Something along those lines anyway.

 

[Gards]

I think we know what Fitz would say if challenged.

With AFB in the side we only really use 3 subs in the rotation. So the 4th is really a traditional 'reserve' to be used only in an emergency. Hence the token 10 mins. That being the case, you might as well have the best jack-of-all-trades possible.

Something along those lines anyway.

The rationale of having that bench spot No.14 is fine, it's the selection of Atko to fill that role that is questionable as is his bench rotation in general

Atko seems to be subbing for McInness a bit so why not have a lock/hooker type utility instead or someone better at covering an injured outside back

 

[Vichyssoise]

I can't wait for his 10-minute cameo.

You're a man of taste.

 

[Sparkles]

I think we should all go to Fitz as a senior supporter leadership group and tell him we don't want to support Atko anymore.

 

[apezza]

I think we should all go to Fitz as a senior supporter leadership group and tell him we don't want to support Atko anymore.

You hit him up in the wrestling ring and we will be right behind you!

 

[Sparkles]

You hit him up in the wrestling ring and we will be right behind you!

While I'm being twisted into a pretzel you guys can explain our position (then get me out of that one!)

 

[apezza]

I suppose the question re Atko comes down to this:

Does the benefit of playing another forward for only 12 minutes out way the risk of not having coverage in the halves / fullback if someone goes down (with minimal disruption)?

For Fitz, the answer is no.

My real issue is that I don't feel that Atko should be used at the expense of Sifa's minutes. We don't need 3 lock rotations.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Just seems that Atko gets mins cos Fitz feels he has to give him some if he is halves cover on the bench (not cos it’s good game management)
Just my opinion

 

[SF]

 

[Gumby]

This is one thing our coach really has no ****ing idea on & that's picking his best bench/rotations.
Blind Freddy can see this whole thing with Atko is just ridiculous. If he was playing 25+ minutes a game & actually making a difference then sure, leave it alone. But the fact he isn't is just stupid continuously picking him.

I said in the game day thread against Manly that we were finally building momentum up through the middle with our bigger boys, game was really getting away from Manly. Then Fitz decides to take 1 of them off and replaces him with a utility half. Whilst Cam was also out there. Manly then started making metres again & fought their way back into the game.

Its not ****ing rocket science using your bench correctly. Seems this guy creates his game plan before the game & just doesn't know to change it throughout the match.

 

[Sir Chadley]

This is one thing our coach really has no ****ing idea on & that's picking his best bench/rotations.
Blind Freddy can see this whole thing with Atko is just ridiculous. If he was playing 25+ minutes a game & actually making a difference then sure, leave it alone. But the fact he isn't is just stupid continuously picking him.

I said in the game day thread against Manly that we were finally building momentum up through the middle with our bigger boys, game was really getting away from Manly. Then Fitz decides to take 1 of them off and replaces him with a utility half. Whilst Cam was also out there. Manly then started making metres again & fought their way back into the game.

Its not ****ing rocket science using your bench correctly. Seems this guy creates his game plan before the game & just doesn't know to change it throughout the match.

Have a look at my question in Fitz's thread mate and let me know how you would do things differently. I'd also love to hear if you have any thoughts about other coaches who do their bench rotation almost perfectly. As I say in my question, this is not a Fitz bash or defending him, I'm genuinely interested in how forum members would pick and rotate our bench.

 

[Sharkfox]

doesn't know to change it throughout the match.

Seems to stick to the plan no matter what, unless there's an injury. Eg a player is gassed, still keeps them on to play out their minutes or when a player is not gassed and is working into a game or showing impact he is taken off according to their allocated minutes.
One interchange he can make in the moment is throwing in Atko when he sees oppostion forwards tired or struggling. Inject a speed man in the middle any time he sees this happening and give him that role to kill it for 10 minutes, or until he's gassed