Player Management

[Western Sharkie]

With today's performance (especially the performances of our 5 newbies) should we start to look to rest Players?

I don't think Jack or Jimmy need resting, but our Origin forwards (especially Gal and Fifi) and anyone with any little niggling injuries may need a game here or there before the finals.

With some of the lower sides coming up (although no game is an "easy" game) is it worth resting players here and there over the next few weeks before building back to full strength a few weeks out of the finals?

 

[Proud Shark]

You hit the nail on the head with the niggling injuries part. It is impossible to know from the outside what the best course of action is. However we are in a place with both our ladder position and roster depth that we don't need to risk anyone if they arent completely fit.

The club seems to be running like a well oiled machine and i have no doubts that they will be all over managing any injuries or fatigue. Whether that means a week off or just reduced minutes we will have to wait and see.

 

[DANGA HATCH]

Mate, I'm with you on this. I was very impressed with Capewell, Sene Lafao and Nu Brown today and with a tough Origin game coming on Wednesday, I would rest Gal and Wade. It depends on how much game time Fifita gets and if Bird and James Maloney pull up sore I'd rest them and keep them fresh. It will benefit us having in form replacements if they are required at any stage over the coming weeks. Today's game was an eye opener for me. I have been looking forward to seeing what the back up brought to the squad and I thought today's game was the most polished I have seen this year.

 

[evertonshark]

After the performances of our replacements I'm not against resting the odd player here and there. First up would be gal next week.

 

[Paul C]

After the performances of our replacements I'm not against resting the odd player here and there. First up would be gal next week.

and the next 10 weeks so he is fresh for next year.

 

[CrazyMatt]

I'm not a fan of resting players, because let's face it, it's not like we are holding a commanding lead at the top of the table as Melbourne are nipping at our heels and are clinically destroying other teams. This is still the NRL, anyone can beat anyone. Instead of resting players, I'd prefer to probably manage their training load during the week, give Jimmy a day off or a light day here and there, plus hooking players early when we've got control of the game, if we're well up against the Knights, say 55-60 minutes in against the Knights, hook Jimmy, play Birdy at 5/8th and bring Leutele off the bench into the centres, as opposed to resting players from the games.

 

[Western Sharkie]

It also gives some of our "fringe" players a bit more NRL game time leading into the finals.
I'm hoping it's not needed, but it's better to have, than to not have someone that could walk straight in in need.

 

[sharks2010]

The good thing about today is that flanno got to see that all of the players who stepped in can handle it and won't let the team down.

I'm most please in the way capewell and jsl played. Out of all of our regular players it's our forwards who've been the most inconsistent. Like mentioned in another thread taga could easily be replaced by jsl

Hopefully flanno uses this during the week to give guys like tags a kick up the bum.

Even if a week or two down the track flanno drops tags for jsl it shows the team he's not scared to drop players if they aren't playing up to scratch. It's a good way to keep the team motivated when they know that even when they are winning they can still be dropped.

It has seemed to work with the backs. Ricky has been in career best firm since he was dropped back to the bench.

 

[sharks2010]

I'm not a fan of resting players, because let's face it, it's not like we are holding a commanding lead at the top of the table as Melbourne are nipping at our heels and are clinically destroying other teams. This is still the NRL, anyone can beat anyone. Instead of resting players, I'd prefer to probably manage their training load during the week, give Jimmy a day off or a light day here and there, plus hooking players early when we've got control of the game, if we're well up against the Knights, say 55-60 minutes in against the Knights, hook Jimmy, play Birdy at 5/8th and bring Leutele off the bench into the centres, as opposed to resting players from the games.

on this and I've mentioned it before. But a few of the senior guys have said in the media how great andrew gray is at managing their work loads and getting their bodies right

 

[CrazyMatt]

on this and I've mentioned it before. But a few of the senior guys have said in the media how great andrew gray is at managing their work loads and getting their bodies right

Absolutely, also our injury list speaks for itself, the guy has done a superb job.

 

[Riverside MF]

I wouldn't be picking Gal Wade or Fifita for next week.

But in saying that, we play Monday.
You'd think it's enough recovery time from Wednesday's origin.

 

[Paul C]

I think Feki will be out next week. That looked a nasty cut and once the local wears off it will hurt like hell. We have Mitch as an outside back option but who else can we blood? in case we lose another outside back through injury?

 

[Western Sharkie]

I think Feki will be out next week. That looked a nasty cut and once the local wears off it will hurt like hell. We have Mitch as an outside back option but who else can we blood? in case we lose another outside back through injury?

Outside back options:
Leutele
Brown M
Drew
Gagan

Maybe give Drew some game time and rest Leutele if Feki isn't available.

 

[evertonshark]

I'm not a fan of resting players, because let's face it, it's not like we are holding a commanding lead at the top of the table as Melbourne are nipping at our heels and are clinically destroying other teams. This is still the NRL, anyone can beat anyone. Instead of resting players, I'd prefer to probably manage their training load during the week, give Jimmy a day off or a light day here and there, plus hooking players early when we've got control of the game, if we're well up against the Knights, say 55-60 minutes in against the Knights, hook Jimmy, play Birdy at 5/8th and bring Leutele off the bench into the centres, as opposed to resting players from the games.

I'd prefer combinations getting fine tuned if we're up by plenty in a game, we've still got it in us for backline movements to go horribly wrong ie bevan frenchs runaway try so running them in a game situation irons out any clunkiness. I honestly don't think jimmy is the sort of player that needs a rest - it'd be more the older forwards like gal and lewis that need their minutes managed coming into the finals so they don't burn out.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I'm not a fan of resting players, because let's face it, it's not like we are holding a commanding lead at the top of the table as Melbourne are nipping at our heels and are clinically destroying other teams.

Finishing second is the same as finishing first really so I'm not bothered about being minor premiets, it means nothing. I wouldn't be against resting players if needed but I'd drae a line and say it has ti be done before round 25.

 

[goodbyepenrithhellosharks]

while lewy is not one of our origin players this year he showed last night what an integral part of our push for the finals he is...but in saying that the facts are he is not getting any younger and he is not an 80 minute player any more
His bad missed tackle and silly penalties were helped by fatigue and we should go out of our way in some of the lesser upcoming games to minimise his game time .Its not like we have not got plenty of players to cover for him and if we are to go well in the finals we need a fresh luke lewis out there

 

[snowman]

i dont think the players need to miss games but limiting minutes is the key

captain america is doing a job for us, heino and boogs as well

i think for every game here on in gallen and fifita need to start

but gallen comes of around the 30-35 minute mark and depending on how the game is going is when he comes back

fifita could keep the same role but if we are up he can play less

flanno has shown he can control the subs effectively so i would leave it with his judgement, but if the guys are fit, they play

 

[slide rule]

I think it just depends on how the players feel. If they don't want a rest they probably don't need one.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

i dont think the players need to miss games but limiting minutes is the key

captain america is doing a job for us, heino and boogs as well

i think for every game here on in gallen and fifita need to start

but gallen comes of around the 30-35 minute mark and depending on how the game is going is when he comes back

fifita could keep the same role but if we are up he can play less

flanno has shown he can control the subs effectively so i would leave it with his judgement, but if the guys are fit, they play

Agree. However after yesterday i have faith that if players do need a rest, anyone know comes into the side is ready to go. So if in the back end fifita or gal need a weeks rest i dont think there should be any concern either.

Something special is happening this year thats for sure

 

[snowman]

gallen yes, he can be replaced

but not fifita and probably not maloney