Team - 2012 (Official Thread)

Should Danny Buderus start?

  • Yes

    Votes: 30 88.2%
  • No

    Votes: 4 11.8%

  • Total voters
    34
How is it unrealistic? I'm saying if Tahu finds some of the form he's known for I'd rate it higher than the form Wes is in now. It's a big if but I think both Tahu and Bennett deserve the benefit of doubt that'll he'll return strong for us and as I said, if he doesn't then I'd be more than happy for Wes to stay at centre.

That's why I think if T finds form he's a better centre than Wes. If Wes stays in this form he'd make a better winger than McManus but thats just my opinion.

I'm glad you said it's a very big IF because that's all I was pointing out.

However I think he'll come good for us next year. Not saying he'll come anywhere near close to career best form but Tahu can still play some good footy and have a very good year without hitting career best form. At his best he was one of the best outside backs in the game. Representative material hands down.

Going into next season though I can't see how Wes doesn't get the nod over him.
 
All I'm saying is it's a very big IF.

However I think he'll come good for us next year. Not saying he'll come anywhere near close to career best form but Tahu can still play some good footy and have a very good year without hitting career best form. At his best he was one of the best outside backs in the game. Representative material hands down.

Going into next season though I can't see how Wes doesn't get the nod over him.

Yeah fair enough, I agree Tahu is going to have to have an amazing off season to get a start over Wes. One thing's for sure, there's going to be alot of pressure on everyone to keep their spots, especially the backs which is good!
 
Tahu will play well next year. He was very good for Parramatta in the early rounds leading up to Origin in 2010. Definately not career best but he was good. Wayne Bennett is now coaching him, the best coach ever. His mind is free of all the scandal of the 2010 post-Origin stuff so he would be ready to play some good footy. If not, Wayne isn't scared to drop a player. Tahu will be GOOD again! I'm certain.
 
My 25 man squad

1.Boyd
2.Uate
3. Sau
4. Naiqama
5.McManus
6. Gidley
7.Mullen
8. Kade Snowden
9. Buderus
10.Taia
11.Houston
12.Costigan
13.Edwards
Bench
14.Hilder
15.Fa'oso
16.Kafusi
17.Tiemuavi
Reserves
18.Roberts
19.Stigg
20.Tahu
21.Tolar
22.Southern
23.Mika
24.Matutia
25.K.Naiqama
 
I've just been thinking about our dummy half situation for next year, it is looking pretty weak at the moment. If Benny has plans for Gids to play in the halves and the offer to bring Bedsy home falls through, where does that leave us?

Degois is gone to Cronulla, Hilder is a lock and I can't really see Wayne playing one of the rookies in the halves, dosen't seem like his go. I don't know about everyone else, but I reckon if we can't get Buderus, John Morris could be a solid buy? Dosen't look like he is needed in the Shire next season, his experienced and don't think he would command too much IMO.

Just thoughts at this stage, seems like a player that could really thrive under Bennett's game plan.

If we can't get Buderus:

1. Boyd
6. Mullen
7. Gidley (C)
9. Hilder
14. Morris

1. Boyd
6. Mullen
7. Gidley (C)
9. Morris
14. Hilder
 
I think alot will depend on how Stig/Roberts finish the year, if they can keep up a great consistency, I can't see Bennett leaving them out of the team. But if they start to crack, he'll just move Gidley into the halves
 
I'm fully expecting to see Gidley in the halves next year.

I'd like to see him at hooker with Mullen and Stig/Roberts in the halves (preferably Stig atm) but I'm having a hard time seeing that happen.

I believe Gidley and Mullen will be our halves and Hilder or a signing yet to come (which I think is quite likely) will be our hooker.
 
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Morris is solid if unspectacular but it's a moot point anyway as he's already re-signed with the Sharks.

I agree though, I'd chase someone else if a hooker signing is on the cards which I'm thinking it maybe.
 
Not entirely convinced Gids will be in halves. As much signs of seeing him at Hooker. At present no definitive alternatves for hooker and 2 for the halves. Stig should be given every oppotunity for the rest of the season to prove he should be in the 25 and in the halves with Mullen.


Obviously if Tahu's at his best he'll be in the team, but I think saying Tahu at his best in comparison to Wes at his best is a little unrealistic seeing as though Tahu hasn't been at his best for several years now and Wes is at his best right now.

He's also coming off of a season ending injury and will only have played 7 games this year. Majority of those games he was off the bench too.

Wes will also be coming off an off-contract year.
 
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Not entirely convinced Gids will be in halves. As much signs of seeing him at Hooker. At present no definitive alternatves for hooker and 2 for the halves. Stig should be given every oppotunity for the rest of the season to prove he should be in the 25 and in the halves with Mullen.

I just don't see it as Bennett's MO to play a young inexperienced player in the halves.

I'd be very surprised if Gidley was our number 9 next year. Not that I don't want it to happen I just see Bennett going with two experienced players in Mullen and Gidley in the halves and going with a Dean Young type player in Matt Hilder at hooker who's been there all season for us.

I also think signing a hooker is very much on the cards. I can't see us going into next season with no true hooker in the squad. I mean we only have Hilder who's never been a fulltime hooker before and Gidley who's played 99% of his football at fullback and in the halves.

Wes will also be coming off an off-contract year.

Yeah, so will Tahu, except he only lasted 7 games.
 
I just don't see it as Bennett's MO to play a young inexperienced player in the halves.

I'd be very surprised if Gidley was our number 9 next year. Not that I don't want it to happen I just see Bennett going with two experienced players in Mullen and Gidley in the halves and going with a Dean Young type player in Matt Hilder at hooker who's been there all season for us.

I also think signing a hooker is very much on the cards. I can't see us going into next season with no true hooker in the squad. I mean we only have Hilder who's never been a fulltime hooker before and Gidley who's played 99% of his football at fullback and in the halves. .


What percentage of his career had Lockyer played at Fb before moving to 5/8?

What percentage of his career had Boyd played at wing before moving to FB?

What perecentage of his career had Hornby played at Fb before moving to HB?

Soward was 23 when he started at the Dragons, Stig will be 22 next year under Bennett, not much difference

Plus this.

I know it is hard being naive and short-sighted. But please, try.

But alas your one of the people that autmoatically think our team will be a carbon copy of the Dragons of late. Because there is no way Bennett will try a new formula with a new team or change things up.
 
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How many games had Soward played when he was picked by Bennett in the halves? I believe it was a little over 20.

What percentage of his career had Lockyer played at Fb before moving to 5/8?

What percentage of his career had Boyd played at wing before moving to FB?

What perecentage of his career had Hornby played at Fb before moving to HB?

I know it is hard being naive and short-sighted. But please, try.

But alas your one of the people that autmoatically think our team will be a carbon copy of the Dragons of late. Because there is no way Bennett will try a new formula with a new team or change things up.

Pull your head in mate.

I think Gidley will be in the halves next year and I've said why. You think Gidley will be our hooker next year and you've said why.

I'm not buying Gidley will be at hooker next year just because "surely Bennett won't use the same formula as he did with the Dragons" and "well Bennett's played other players out of position before too so why not?"

I want him at hooker but I have a hard time seeing it happen.

We have different opinions mate. No need to get upset about it.

Added after 14 minutes:

Soward was 23 when he started at the Dragons, Stig will be 22 next year under Bennett, not much difference

That's like saying because Idris and Likiliki are both 21 there's not much difference there.

The difference is experience. Obviously not as big a gap in experience as there is between Idris and Likiliki but you get the point.

I don't know exactly how many games Soward had under his belt before Bennett arrived but I'm thinking he had a season in FG. Stig atm has only played in two FG games. He may continue to rack them up as the season goes on depending what happens when Mullen returns, but as it stands now he only has two games of FG experience.
 
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Pull your head in mate.

I think Gidley will be in the halves next year and I've said why. You think Gidley will be our hooker next year and you've said why.

I'm not buying Gidley will be at hooker next year just because "surely Bennett won't use the same formula as he did with the Dragons" and "well Bennett's played other players out of position before too so why not?"

I want him at hooker but I have a hard time seeing it happen.

We have different opinions mate. No need to get upset about it.

Your the one that stated you couldnt see Bennett picking an inexperienced halve, and stating you couldnt see someone who has played all there career in a particulary position playing in a new position. I simply provided you with evidence to the contrary in the interest of discussion. No one is getting upset over anything.
 
Your the one that stated you couldnt see Bennett picking an inexperienced halve, and stating you couldnt see someone who has played all there career in a particulary position playing in a new position. I simply provided you with evidence to the contrary in the interest of discussion. No one is getting upset over anything.

I think Bennett will go with Mullen and Gidley in the halves because of their experience. That doesn't seem too far fetched to me. Actually it seems very likely. Just my opinion though obviously.

Also I never once said I couldn't see someone playing a new position just because they've played their entire career at another position. I said I can't see Bennett shifting Gidley to hooker when we only really have one 'known' half in Mullen and at hooker we already have Hilder who's very solid and dependable.

I'm also of the opinion that Bennett will sign a hooker. Obviously not a big name player but someone who's capable. I just can't see us going into next season with Hilder and Gidley our only options at hooker.
 
Team for players who are contracted
1 Boyd
2 Uate
3 Sau
4 Wes
5 mcmanus
6 Mullen
7 Gids
8 Snowden
9 Hilder
10 Costigan
11 Houston
12 Taia
13 Edwards
14 Tuimavave
15 Tahu
16 ??
17 Roberts/Stigg
Hopefully Cuthbo comes and he can take the 16. Or if buderus comes Hilder to the bench
 
Team for players who are contracted
1 Boyd
2 Uate
3 Sau
4 Wes
5 mcmanus
6 Mullen
7 Gids
8 Snowden
9 Hilder
10 Costigan
11 Houston
12 Taia
13 Edwards
14 Tuimavave
15 Tahu
16 ??
17 Roberts/Stigg
Hopefully Cuthbo comes and he can take the 16. Or if buderus comes Hilder to the bench

One prop on the bench?
Two backs on the bench?

1 Boyd
2 Uate
3 Sau
4 Wes
5 McManus
6 Mullen
7 Gidley
8 Snowden
9 Hilder
10 Fa'aoso/Tuimavave
11 Costigan
12 Taia
13 Houston

14 Fa'aoso/Tuimavave
15 Edwards
16 Kafusi
17 Roberts/Stigg

Gidley goes to hooker and Roberts/Stigg to halves when Hilder needs a breather.
 
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