Round 4, 2012 NRL: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys @ Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday March 24, 8:30pm

[Deleted member 3365]

| SHARKS ROUND 4 |

1. Nathan GARDNER
2. Stewart MILLS
3. Ben POMEROY
4. Colin BEST
5. John WILLIAMS
6. Todd CARNEY
7. Jeff ROBSON
8. Bryce GIBBS
9. Isaac DE GOIS
10. Ben ROSS
11. Jeremy SMITH
12. Jayson BUKUYA
13. Paul GALLEN (c)
Bench:
14. Andrew FIFITA
15. Wade GRAHAM
16. John MORRIS
17. Anthony TUPOU
18. Mark TAUFUA
19. Sam TAGATAESE

 

[since1967]

If gallen plays in the back row, he has to play tight, smith to play the wider roll. Gal was interviewed on MMM in sydney this morning and said himself when he is put on the fringe, he stills finds himself creeping in the middle and as a result the team loses its shape. Graham was amazing at lock the other night i thought as well, why change something that clearly worked!!! A positive though is that Gibbs will be fresh, a hand injury wouldn't have stopped him running since he has been out....

 

[ABshark]

Smith hasn't played on the edge for about 5 years. No way should he move.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Cowboys

1. Matthew Bowen
2. Ashley Graham
3. Brent Tate
4. Kane Linnett
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Johnathan Thurston (c)
7. Ray Thompson
8. Matthew Scott (c)
9. Aaron Payne
10. James Tamou
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Glenn Hall
13. Dallas Johnson
14. James Segeyaro
15. Joel Riethmuller
16. Ashton Sims
17. Jason Taumalolo
18. Ricky Thorby

 

[BurgoShark]

If gallen plays in the back row, he has to play tight, smith to play the wider roll. Gal was interviewed on MMM in sydney this morning and said himself when he is put on the fringe, he stills finds himself creeping in the middle and as a result the team loses its shape. Graham was amazing at lock the other night i thought as well, why change something that clearly worked!!! A positive though is that Gibbs will be fresh, a hand injury wouldn't have stopped him running since he has been out....

I think Flanno will go with the same configuration as last night regardless of what # everyone is wearing. I guess if they run on 1-13 Gal could start on the edge and move in to the middle later on in the game when Graham comes on. Tagatese might be the odd man out this week.

 

[SDK]

I think they have just lodged that team list as they're still undecided after MNF. I don't believe Gibbs is playing. Anyone got any news on Pommers?

I'd assume that they will start with the same 13 that started last night.

 

[since1967]

Smith hasn't played on the edge for about 5 years. No way should he move.

Have you seen the balls he has thrown to bakuya the last 2 weeks? 1 bakuya got through and was pulled up for the double movement v knights and the other was last night on the same play and he made a half break. Whilst he may not have played there for a while, it doesn't mean its not whats best for the make up of the team now. He has a far better idea on distributing the ball then gal and we all seen what gal did when he was given a simple game plan to work with.

 

[Wilson]

If Gallen doesn't move to prop and Graham start I'll jump on the hate Flanagan bandwagon.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

If Gibbs is fit bench him and get rid of Tupou IMO.

Gibbs is a better defender than Tupou and Tagataese is a better attacker.

 

[ABshark]

Have you seen the balls he has thrown to bakuya the last 2 weeks? 1 bakuya got through and was pulled up for the double movement v knights and the other was last night on the same play and he made a half break. Whilst he may not have played there for a while, it doesn't mean its not whats best for the make up of the team now. He has a far better idea on distributing the ball then gal and we all seen what gal did when he was given a simple game plan to work with.

Depends what you're talking about. Basically, I want Smith to keep playing where he's playing- which is the tight backrower. Defending in the ruck, running though the ruck at our end and floating towards the fringes and taking guys with him in their 20. Gal should stay at prop but if someone has to move I would rather it be him making the move back out to the left side where he's started games all last year and the first two this year. Smith doesn't defend anywhere near as well against backs- e.g. Junior Sau's try against us last year in Newcastle. Not only would you weaken that, his major strength, but you also lock his ballplay away on one side of the field.

Anyway, there's every chance any disagreement we have has more to do with our interpretations of the respective roles of each position than it does with the players. And I reckon Gibbs won't play anyway- as MB said, it looks a lot like a copy and paste job which is what they usually do after Monday games.

 

[since1967]

Depends what you're talking about. Basically, I want Smith to keep playing where he's playing- which is the tight backrower. Defending in the ruck, running though the ruck at our end and floating towards the fringes and taking guys with him in their 20. Gal should stay at prop but if someone has to move I would rather it be him making the move back out to the left side where he's started games all last year and the first two this year. Smith doesn't defend anywhere near as well against backs- e.g. Junior Sau's try against us last year in Newcastle. Not only would you weaken that, his major strength, but you also lock his ballplay away on one side of the field.

Anyway, there's every chance any disagreement we have has more to do with our interpretations of the respective roles of each position than it does with the players. And I reckon Gibbs won't play anyway- as MB said, it looks a lot like a copy and paste job which is what they usually do after Monday games.

I have been calling for Gal to move to prop for a while now, and make the move permanent, i guess thats where i am coming from. He gets in the way out wide and is far better ripping and tearing (as he put it this morning in the interview) in the middle.

Good to have these selection head aches though!! I hope the pom pulls up ok and plays, although, his hands arent great when they are 100% so don't know how he will go with an injury to one!!!

 

[teflon77]

If Gallen doesn't move to prop and Graham start I'll jump on the hate Flanagan bandwagon.

Don't tease me Wilson. IMO Morris is excess baggage. I'd much rather play DeGois for 80 and stack the bench with backrowers/props.

 

[BurgoShark]

I think they have just lodged that team list as they're still undecided after MNF. I don't believe Gibbs is playing. Anyone got any news on Pommers?

I'd assume that they will start with the same 13 that started last night.

Yeah - I'd guess Gibbs & Pom are in doubt. No harm in naming the same 19.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Regarding Gallen going to prop full time, pick one of these options? Would be interesting to see which option people actually mean as it's kind of a vague suggestion.

1 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of prop every week and starts with the 8 or 10 jersey.
2 - Gallen plays less than 80 minutes of prop every week, and gets benched like a typical prop does. He starts the game at prop and sits out the middle of the game.
3 - As above but he starts on the bench and plays the middle of the game.
4 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts in the second row and moves to prop during the middle of the game to facilitate someone like Taga.
5 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts at prop then moves to the second row during the middle of the game.
6 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of back row.

If you want, change 'prop' to 'tight forward in attack and defense' and 'second row' to 'edge forward in attack and defense'.

My personal view of all of these suggestions:

1 - I don't think this is realistic over an extended period, however it could be the intended game plan with Gallen possibly going off if tired or if we're winning by heaps.
2 - This is a fair enough suggestion but also seems like a waste, particularly with him being captain and what he's earning.
3 - Gallen starting from the bench? Don't see that happening!
4 - This is my preferred option as Gibbs and Ross are genuine starters but our bench needs help from Gallen in the middle I reckon.
5 - Not the end of the world but I prefer (4) as I think he's best suited to cover the middle of the game tight and his body will handle it better in the long run.
6 - This isn't as bad as people think. He'll help our props in attack by taking hit ups. We do 4 hit ups in some sets using just our props and Gallen. Think of it as having two props on field + a guy that can play like a prop. It can be very handy to have this.

Overall I think Gallen needs to be on the field for 80 minutes and I don't think 80 minutes of prop for every round of the year for the next few years is feasible, therefore we need to mix it up and have him only playing prop some of the time or none of the time.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

The issue with our top 17 there, is 1 bench prop, and 2 bench back rowers......

If the idea is to move Gallen to prop in the relief period for a starting forward. He's gunna get worn out even more IMO. He will start off running alot, then do the hard yards in the middle, then go back to running.

IMO, either play him like any other prop with a period on the sideline, or leave him at lock for the full 80.

If they wanna use him at prop wats wrong with a pack and bench like this

Gibbs
Degois
Gallen
Smith
Bakuya
Graham

Fifita
Tupou
Ross
Morris

Still got 2 props on the bench, a 2nd rower, which still leaves Gallen there to be able to move into the back row if injury occurs. Using Graham at lock means IF carney or robson got hurt, Gallen moves to lock, Graham gets into the halves, and one of our bench props steps up

 

[BurgoShark]

Regarding Gallen going to prop full time, pick one of these options? Would be interesting to see which option people actually mean as it's kind of a vague suggestion.

1 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of prop every week and starts with the 8 or 10 jersey.
2 - Gallen plays less than 80 minutes of prop every week, and gets benched like a typical prop does. He starts the game at prop and sits out the middle of the game.
3 - As above but he starts on the bench and plays the middle of the game.
4 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts in the second row and moves to prop during the middle of the game to facilitate someone like Taga.
5 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts at prop then moves to the second row during the middle of the game.
6 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of back row.

If you want, change 'prop' to 'tight forward in attack and defense' and 'second row' to 'edge forward in attack and defense'.

My personal view of all of these suggestions:

1 - I don't think this is realistic over an extended period, however it could be the intended game plan with Gallen possibly going off if tired or if we're winning by heaps.
2 - This is a fair enough suggestion but also seems like a waste, particularly with him being captain and what he's earning.
3 - Gallen starting from the bench? Don't see that happening!
4 - This is my preferred option as Gibbs and Ross are genuine starters but our bench needs help from Gallen in the middle I reckon.
5 - Not the end of the world but I prefer (4) as I think he's best suited to cover the middle of the game tight and his body will handle it better in the long run.
6 - This isn't as bad as people think. He'll help our props in attack by taking hit ups. We do 4 hit ups in some sets using just our props and Gallen. Think of it as having two props on field + a guy that can play like a prop. It can be very handy to have this.

Overall I think Gallen needs to be on the field for 80 minutes and I don't think 80 minutes of prop for every round of the year for the next few years is feasible, therefore we need to mix it up and have him only playing prop some of the time or none of the time.

#4 all the way MB. Gal plays the first 20 on the edge, then 20 moves to prop. I'd probably give him a 10 minute breather after half time before returning to the middle of the park.

 

[Wilson]

Regarding Gallen going to prop full time, pick one of these options? Would be interesting to see which option people actually mean as it's kind of a vague suggestion.

1 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of prop every week and starts with the 8 or 10 jersey.
2 - Gallen plays less than 80 minutes of prop every week, and gets benched like a typical prop does. He starts the game at prop and sits out the middle of the game.
3 - As above but he starts on the bench and plays the middle of the game.
4 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts in the second row and moves to prop during the middle of the game to facilitate someone like Taga.
5 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts at prop then moves to the second row during the middle of the game.
6 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of back row.

If you want, change 'prop' to 'tight forward in attack and defense' and 'second row' to 'edge forward in attack and defense'.

My personal view of all of these suggestions:

1 - I don't think this is realistic over an extended period, however it could be the intended game plan with Gallen possibly going off if tired or if we're winning by heaps.
2 - This is a fair enough suggestion but also seems like a waste, particularly with him being captain and what he's earning.
3 - Gallen starting from the bench? Don't see that happening!
4 - This is my preferred option as Gibbs and Ross are genuine starters but our bench needs help from Gallen in the middle I reckon.
5 - Not the end of the world but I prefer (4) as I think he's best suited to cover the middle of the game tight and his body will handle it better in the long run.
6 - This isn't as bad as people think. He'll help our props in attack by taking hit ups. We do 4 hit ups in some sets using just our props and Gallen. Think of it as having two props on field + a guy that can play like a prop. It can be very handy to have this.

Overall I think Gallen needs to be on the field for 80 minutes and I don't think 80 minutes of prop for every round of the year for the next few years is feasible, therefore we need to mix it up and have him only playing prop some of the time or none of the time.

Most definitely option one.

Gallen playing the 80 at prop means so much for our subs and how effective they are and how the team can maintain the energy up the middle. It's a luxury that no other club has.

Gallen's game when he was playing tight at lock for 80 minutes is in no way any different to what he needs to do is prop. We can absolutely expect him to play 80 minutes at prop every week. Let's not forget he made 30 hit ups last night. We don't need him to do that every week.

Most definitely though the advantage would be in our subs and maintaining our aggressive attitude up the middle.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Gee I dunno. Compare Gallen and Ross last night.

Ben Ross
42 minutes
18 touches for 143 metres
23 tackles

Paul Gallen
80 minutes
34 touches for 249 metres
34 tackles

Gallen played twice the minutes but didn't do twice the work.

You'd surely want him to do minimum 200 metres and 30+ tackles if he was playing prop for 80 minutes.

You can't play a prop for 80 and tell him he can drop his work rate when he wants.

 

[sharks2010]

Those are good stats by Ross. Doing his job nicely

 

[Jigsaw]

5 - Gallen plays 80 minutes of a mixture of prop and second row. He starts at prop then moves to the second row during the middle of the game.

Smartest thing we could do! has to be option 5!