Who do you pick for the next game?

[Mark^Bastard]

There will be more than 17 deserving players available by the look of it.

Assuming Gallen and Taga are back as reported.

No matter what, I would not leave Capewell out. I would even go as far as saying he needs decent minutes.

1 - Barba
2 - Feki
3 - Bird
4 - Leutele
5 - Holmes
6 - Maloney
7 - Townsend
8 - Fifita
9 - Ennis
10 - Prior
11 -
12 -
13 - Gallen (c)
14 -
15 -
16 -
17 -

Of those 6 open spots the pool to choose from: Graham, Lewis, Bukuya, Capewell, Heighington, Sene-Lefayo, Tagataese, Beale.

I reckon you can reduce that down by immediately making a choice between JSL and Taga. I would go Taga because they are both mediocre but Taga can make a bust.

Then it is down to Taga vs Beale and comes down to strategy. 4 forwards vs 3 and a back.

Because a fourth forward would just take minutes away from Prior, Fifita and Capewell, I would pick Beale. Even if Chad isn't hooked you could have Bird play in the middle when Beale comes.

My final lineup:
1 - Barba
2 - Feki
3 - Bird
4 - Leutele
5 - Holmes
6 - Maloney
7 - Townsend
8 - Fifita
9 - Ennis
10 - Prior
11 - Lewis
12 - Graham
13 - Gallen (c)
14 - Bukuya
15 - Capewell
16 - Heighington
17 - Beale

I would be interested in others thoughts. Particularly if reasoning is given.

 

[BurgoShark]

Surely Lewis and Graham are locks for the 13 mate. It's just the bench that need discussion, and I'd say Heighno and Bukuya are also there ... so this discussion is about #16 and #17.

Personally I'd stick with Beale in #16. Bringing Bird in closer seems to be something that worked and Flanno will likely stick with.

... and then weigh up Capewell v JSL in the last spot. I'd definitely eave Taga out at this stage. He will not have played in 8 weeks by the time of the game. Based on the opposition (Brisbane or Cowboys) I'd say we are going to see a LOT of traffic coming down the right edge either way - playing Bukuya in the middle and giving Lewis a rest for Capewell might be a good way to go from a defensive PoV.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Capewell was way better than Heighington though.

I meant more about who starts and is on the bench too.

 

[Sir Chadley]

I wouldn't have a problem with MBs chosen side, Beale definitely needs to be there in case CT is poo again.

During the next two weeks CTs attitude needs to be spot on. Any sign of a lack of confidence or not being 100% right mentally then I would support a Bird Maloney halves pairing with Beale and Leutele your centres.

It will be an interesting two weeks.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Other thing is, of the 17 I selected the three most prop like forwards are all starting (Fifita, Prior, Gallen) which is interesting from a bench point of view and on paper could be a reason to have Taga there. But Capewell is big and should count towards the tally for big straight runnings forwards that can get quick play the balls.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

I wouldn't have a problem with MBs chosen side, Beale definitely needs to be there in case CT is poo again.

During the next two weeks CTs attitude needs to be spot on. Any sign of a lack of confidence or not being 100% right mentally then I would support a Bird Maloney halves pairing with Beale and Leutele your centres.

It will be an interesting two weeks.

Also avoids Lewis moving into the backs, which IMO is a disaster waiting to happen in a finals game.

 

[Josh]

Do we need Beale? I can't see Flanno hooking Chad two games in a row, but if he does, it probably wouldn't be until the 60th minute again. If it did happen, Lewis to the centres, Bird to 5/8 and Capewell back row?

Bird had his best game defensively in two months out wide, but I'd like to see him run the ball more through the middle, especially when opposition forwards are tiring.

 

[evertonshark]

Also avoids Lewis moving into the backs, which IMO is a disaster waiting to happen in a finals game.

Agree totally with that, i would also go with the squad you named as I'd prefer that bench as opposed to just having a prop there for the sake of it (JSL) that isn't really offering anything. And taga hasn't been much better.

Tough calls for the coach anyway.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Beale has to be there. Insurance for Chad not being 100%. If the correct bench is chosen Beale will fit in.

 

[BurgoShark]

Do we need Beale? I can't see Flanno hooking Chad two games in a row, but if he does, it probably wouldn't be until the 60th minute again. If it did happen, Lewis to the centres, Bird to 5/8 and Capewell back row?

Bird had his best game defensively in two months out wide, but I'd like to see him run the ball more through the middle, especially when opposition forwards are tiring.

Flanno said after the game that the original plan was to bring Beale on at about the 52 minute mark and move Bird to lock. I reckon he'll go with that plan again.

 

[sharks2010]

Without a doubt that is the 1-16 only question is beale or taga. I want taga for his size but beale is handy to have

 

[BurgoShark]

Capewell was way better than Heighington though.

I meant more about who starts and is on the bench too.

Other thing is, of the 17 I selected the three most prop like forwards are all starting (Fifita, Prior, Gallen) which is interesting from a bench point of view and on paper could be a reason to have Taga there. But Capewell is big and should count towards the tally for big straight runnings forwards that can get quick play the balls.

Rather than "props" lets call them "middle forwards". Last night we had five of these (Fifita, Prior, Heighno, JSL, Bukuya) plus the original plan to move Bird into the middle late. I think that swapping Gallen for JSL in the squad makes for a similar look. I'd consider Capewell an edge player rather than a middle player - so the choice comes down to Taga/JSL versus Capewell, depending on whether you want an extra middle forward or an extra edge player - keeping in mind that you have a guy on the bench who can play either competently (Bukuya). Again - I wouldn't play Taga. He's not known for his conditioning at the best of times, let alone coming straight into a prelim after 2 months off.

Personally, I think starting Bukuya and bringing Gallen off the bench would be a good way to spread out our middle forwards, but no way that happens.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

I agree about middle vs edge, but there also is different ways to classify forwards with regards to running style, size etc. We have lacked a lot of forwards that can trouble the defence through power which leads to quick play the balls and back peddling defence. This is the opportunity where the skilled forwards and backs get to execute. We really lacked that the last two months. Capewell definitely does that.

 

[sharks2010]

Capewell looks so awkward when he runs but his late footwork makes him good metres

 

[Mark^Bastard]

Flanno said after the game that the original plan was to bring Beale on at about the 52 minute mark and move Bird to lock. I reckon he'll go with that plan again.

So good to have options.

I would back the fatigured 5 to 10 minutes of Fifita, Prior and a few others over a fresh Taga, so that fourth bench spot is almost a freebie for mine. Even if Beale plays zero minutes at least our form forwards got the minutes they deserve.

This next game is our GF. We have never won a GF but even more alarming is only making three and the most recent one in a split comp. We absolutely have to make the GF then hope the fact it is a GF is enough for everyone to lift.

 

[BurgoShark]

I agree about middle vs edge, but there also is different ways to classify forwards with regards to running style, size etc. We have lacked a lot of forwards that can trouble the defence through power which leads to quick play the balls and back peddling defence. This is the opportunity where the skilled forwards and backs get to execute. We really lacked that the last two months. Capewell definitely does that.

There is one NRL coach who always says he likes to have a mix of different body shapes and styles in his pack. I can't remember who. Is it Paul Green? He says he likes the idea that the defense has to adjust their tackling style for different players, rather than just tackling a big bopper 35 times.

I guess the gist of my argument is that Beale stays in the 17 for sure, and I'd like to see Capewell stay, but I can see a reason why JSL might get the nod over him.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

I remember when Gallen was in career best form and the Kumuls were also creating a stir. Someone was saying that short muscly forwards were hard to get on the ground and made good metres after contact. It is definitely a thing. I think there is a rock paper scissors aspect to League that often goes overlooked.

 

[Gumby]

Capewell can play centre so no need for beale imo

14. Capewell
15. Bukuya
16. Heighno
17. Taga/JSL

 

[Proud Shark]

Capewell can play centre so no need for beale imo

14. Capewell
15. Bukuya
16. Heighno
17. Taga/JSL

No need for JSL, hasnt earnt his spot and prior, gal and fifita have shown what they can do if given 60+ minutes.

If tagas fit id be tempted to have him there but if not beale 100% for back up.

 

[BurgoShark]

No need for JSL, hasnt earnt his spot and prior, gal and fifita have shown what they can do if given 60+ minutes.

If tagas fit id be tempted to have him there but if not beale 100% for back up.

Sucks that we can't send guys down to play reggies finals. If Newtown win today we might have been able to give Taga some minutes next week to get his match fitness up.

JSL's been OK, but just "OK". Capewell has to be in front of him in the pecking order.

JSL's minutes per game:

Raiders: 15
Storm: 22 ... with 2 forwards injured.
Rooters: 13
Rabbitohs: 14
Dragons: 21

Clearly JSL doesn't have the trust of the coach. Those extra minutes in the middle should be shared between Heighno and Bukuya.