Team - 2012 (Official Thread)

[Jonno]

Gee this rotations are so confusing. Imagine these players having to train in different positions every week? Even I would be confused.

I can't see Bennett playing Stig on the bench.

The only player in multiple positions is Gidley. And he has had success at hooker for NSW, as well as playing both 5/8 and Hooker on a few occassions in the same game this season and the sides been successful. Not to mention playing Hooker and FB at the same time back in 2008. He and Slater often take pressure off the hooker mid-way through the second half while playing fullback.

And IMO its either the bench or Reggies for Stig if Buderus signs.

Gidley has been playing a more dominant playmaking role then Stig while @ fullback over the last month. Stig is very one-dimensional, and IMO would be best utilised coming off the bench as his running game could give an X-factor when he is fresh, and the opposition forwards are tired.

Added after 10 minutes:

Or

No 3. (Gidley 80min, Hilder 60 -80min, Buderus 50min, Stig 30min)

and Either

Buderus off after 50min, Gids to hooker and Stig to Half

or

Buderus off after 30, Gids to Hooker and Stig to Half

Stig off after 60, Buderus to hooker and Gids back to Half.

Hilder, if not playing the 80, can be covered by the bench backrower.

Mind you I don't see the why people see the need to have Gid's play the full 80. No reason he cant play the first 70 and come off the last 10 or play 55 come off for 10 and then back for the last 15.

Seems silly playing Gidley in 3 different positions too.

Well really its not a 3rd position when he is ducking into dummy half every now and again, and acting like a 3rd player maker. Just a 3rd position in that he will be occupying the traditional lock position. But I dont expect him to defend all over the field, and make hitups every second set. So the skillset would be same as if he played half or hooker.

Also, I dont mind giving Gids a 10min breather mid-way through the second half. It can be managed, but if possible you'd want him out there 80min for his experience and leadership qualities, aswell as his goalkicking esp. if Wes doesnt make the cut. I think its absolutely essential to have both Gids and Buderus on the field for the final 10-15min though, as they will have the vision if points need to be scored. Although I'd have to see where Buderus is at defensively as if he cant keep up with other team throwing the ball around to try and snatch a win, then maybe having Hilder on the field is the better option. He was always pretty strong in this regard though. Itll all depend on the game situation though.

Geez I'm really loving this tactical discussion. It breathes life back into the management side of the game. Now everyone could Adopt John Langs style of coaching, bring on 4 fresh forwards after 20min, and again after 60min. But if I were a coach I'd rather have tricks up my sleeve and the ability to really catch the opposition off guard and try to exploit a weakness that might appear mid-game.

 

[jamesgould]

Wouldn't that be what Gidley would be used for though??? In a normal game Buderus would replace Stig with Gids going to half. But then if there is an injury to anyone in the backline Gidley can pretty much cover that. Although if its a wing then Boyd to wing Gids to FB. IMO Edwards would be used as a FRF/Lock

Why would you want Gidley moving all over the show playing stop-gap, when he's our most important player? Hooker and a running lock when Buderus is on is plenty for him to cover already.Switching players around non-stop has been one of our major problems this year, imo. Bennett won't mess around with our spine like that.Halves won't swap mid-game, I don't think.However I do honestly think he'll play Gidley in the halves, unfortunately.PS: Edwards won't play prop again, I don't think.

Added after 9 minutes:

Stig is very one-dimensional, and IMO would be best utilised coming off the bench as his running game could give an X-factor when he is fresh, and the opposition forwards are tired.

I'm surprised that you've jumped on the Stig is one-dimensional bandwagon, Jonno. When he first came into first grade playing more of a halfback role, his attacking kicks were about the best we'd seen from anyone all year. He was also putting players in gaps.His role has changed with Mullen returning ... Mullen said as much on NRL on Fox tonight - Stig is there to run it and give Mullen a quick play the ball to work with (which he usually does well). Mullen as we all know wants to lead the team in the halves - but just because Stig isn't doing those things anymore doesn't mean he isn't capable, if it's part of the gameplan.

 

[Jonno]

Why would you want Gidley moving all over the show playing stop-gap, when he's our most important player? Hooker and a running lock when Buderus is on is plenty for him to cover already.Switching players around non-stop has been one of our major problems this year, imo. Bennett won't mess around with our spine like that.Halves won't swap mid-game, I don't think.However I do honestly think he'll play Gidley in the halves, unfortunately.PS: Edwards won't play prop again, I don't think.

We've won all our games this year when Gidley has shifted positon;

Round 6 V Sharks - Gidley from half to hooker to accomodate Roberts
Round 7 V Raiders - Gidley from half to hooker to accomodate Roberts
Round 12 V Eels - Gidley from Fullback to half to accomodate Mullen Injury.

And the scores were tied in the Cowboys game when Gids was forced from the field after moving to hooker.

Of coarse they were all against pretty average teams, but we were very much in the game against melbourne when Gids popped his shoulder.

And the only reason Gids has been moved around so much was because of injuries to Degois, Mullen, Henry, Roberts, Naiqama as well as himself. IMO Stone has managed it pretty well, and we'd be in dire straights if it werent for Gids' versatility.

Also, the only way Gids can play one position is if he plays in the halves, with Buderus/Hilder in the hooking rotation, with Stig playing NSW Cup. Which IMO is the most likely situation.

 

[Novocastrian90]

Well really its not a 3rd position when he is ducking into dummy half every now and again, and acting like a 3rd player maker. Just a 3rd position in that he will be occupying the traditional lock position. But I dont expect him to defend all over the field, and make hitups every second set. So the skillset would be same as if he played half or hooker.

Also, I dont mind giving Gids a 10min breather mid-way through the second half. It can be managed, but if possible you'd want him out there 80min for his experience and leadership qualities, aswell as his goalkicking esp. if Wes doesnt make the cut. I think its absolutely essential to have both Gids and Buderus on the field for the final 10-15min though, as they will have the vision if points need to be scored. Although I'd have to see where Buderus is at defensively as if he cant keep up with other team throwing the ball around to try and snatch a win, then maybe having Hilder on the field is the better option. He was always pretty strong in this regard though. Itll all depend on the game situation though.

Geez I'm really loving this tactical discussion. It breathes life back into the management side of the game. Now everyone could Adopt John Langs style of coaching, bring on 4 fresh forwards after 20min, and again after 60min. But if I were a coach I'd rather have tricks up my sleeve and the ability to really catch the opposition off guard and try to exploit a weakness that might appear mid-game.

The only problem i see with that, is you would then be in a situation where you would have Mullen, Gidley, Buderus, Stig and Boyd all on the field at the same time. Could create as many problems as oppotunities and it could potentially dilute what each brings to the table as it is a more doing less situation. Would Stig really be needed on the field as the same time as the other 4.

Personally i would like to see Stig performing more Play-making duties next year if he is going to play out of the halves. Seems like a wasted player and for him a wasted oppotunity if he isnt going to be able to play the type of role for the player he is. If he is used for his running game and step only, might as well play him as the roving lock for a short period, but his defence would then come into question. I'd probably perfer seeing a 6.Mullen 7 Gidley 9 Buderus. With Hilder off the bench playing some time at lock and some at hooker, and Sitg in NSW Cup in that case.

 

[Jonno]

I'm surprised that you've jumped on the Stig is one-dimensional bandwagon, Jonno. When he first came into first grade playing more of a halfback role, his attacking kicks were about the best we'd seen from anyone all year. He was also putting players in gaps.His role has changed with Mullen returning ... Mullen said as much on NRL on Fox tonight - Stig is there to run it and give Mullen a quick play the ball to work with (which he usually does well). Mullen as we all know wants to lead the team in the halves - but just because Stig isn't doing those things anymore doesn't mean he isn't capable, if it's part of the gameplan.

Check the Stig Thread, I'm not jumping on any bandwagon, im driving the thing

Dont have FOX, so was unware of the Mullen's comments. If thats the case, its a very poor decision from Stone, he is effectively turning him into a one-dimensional player, in the gameplan at least, and probably not the best way to develop a promising half. You can pick his runs from a mile away, made even easier by the fact he's doing it the majority of the time the team is in attacking field position. Stone should have a player like Gids or Aku on his inisde hip, and get him passing at the line on occasion. Needs to have a bit of variety, and a few options, because in the last few weeks the defense has been wrapping him up no problems because he telecasts he is running 10m from the defensive line.

 

[slotmachine]

Costigan won't be playing front row.

 

[Aidos]

1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Junior Sau
4. Wes Naiqama/Timana Tahu
5. Akuila Uate
6. Ryan Stig
7. Jarrod Mullen
8. Kade Snowden
9. Kurt Gidley
10. Antonio Kaufusi
11. Neville Costigan
12. Zeb Taia
13. Chris Houston

14. Danny Buderus
15. Joel Edwards
16. Richie Fa'aoso
17. Evarn Tuimavave

I really wanted to fit Hilder into the team, but I couldn't with Houston playing the work horse role in the middle of the field, and I also went with Edwards instead for the bench spot. Even though I would prefer Buderus starting at hooker, we probably need Gids playing as many minutes as possible (being the captain) so I started him at hooker. I was considering starting both Buderus/Gidley and playing Gidley at lock, but I'm not sure if he could handle the intensity, especially being an unfamiliar position to him (well not as familiar as hooker), so I thought he could move to lock later in the match for when Buderus comes on and when the tempo of the match has slowed down a bit.

 

[jamesgould]

Stig is just playing as a five eighth?!

So Jonno, we've got a great record this year with Gidley in the halves? When he's actually been at his best position, and where he'd spent all offf season training, at fullback - we've got a great record. This is what I mean by switching round the spine constantly.

I just don't know what you expect Stig to do?! Make a break and score every time he touches the ball? Half the time (or over half) he is setting up the next play.

 

[Sammyyy]

Why would you want Gidley moving all over the show playing stop-gap, when he's our most important player? Hooker and a running lock when Buderus is on is plenty for him to cover already.Switching players around non-stop has been one of our major problems this year, imo. Bennett won't mess around with our spine like that.Halves won't swap mid-game, I don't think.However I do honestly think he'll play Gidley in the halves, unfortunately.PS: Edwards won't play prop again, I don't think

+1

 

[Beaumont]

Most keep naming Kafusi. I still think he'll be doing the Hairy Bikers Food Tour of Britain.

 

[josh2010]

I just Feel that Tahu would be a waste of a bench spot.

 

[knights22]

Without reading all those posts, I'm going to say that if Buderus signs, Stig won't be playing.

I'll go for

With Buderus:

1. Boyd
6. Mullen
7. Gidley
9. Hilder
14. Buderus

Without Buderus:

1. Boyd
6. Stig
7. Mullen (Which is unfortunate because I really want 6. Mullen 7. Stig
9. Gidley
13/14. Hilder

 

[Novocastrian90]

For those people that are suggesting Gidley play a hooker/lock or half/hooker/lock role every game, do you think he'll be able to handle the high 40-50 tackle work rate while playing the dummy half role and the roving playmaking role for the full 80 minutes every game?

Hilder has been our best defender, one of our most consistent this year and every year and frankly one of our best. Deserves to be there far more then Edwards or Costigan or Taia or Cuthbertson. Dropping him from the 17 is just laughable.

Most keep naming Kafusi. I still think he'll be doing the Hairy Bikers Food Tour of Britain.

Kaufusi has said he would see out his contract. Until he actually announces he's signed elsewhere, odds on he is staying

 

[R_A]

Was the Harlequins (or whatever club) rumour accurate? That looked close to being a done deal but Ive heard nothing since. If he is on 250k like Ive heard, Im not surprised he's not wanted.

 

[Novocastrian90]

No, Kaufusi came out the following day or the day after and said there was nothing to the Harequins rumour.

 

[R_A]

Oh right. Very weird when a club comes out and says something like that and there arent many more sauces on it.

 

[Novocastrian90]

Yeah, I don't think Harlequins ever comfirmed it though. I know it was in a reported in a News Corp owned British paper. Well..that really says it all doesn't it

 

[Grandpa Joe]

Evarn in for Antonio and you've got it right.

 

[R_A]

Yeah, I don't think Harlequins ever comfirmed it though. I know it was in a reported in a News Corp owned British paper. Well..that really says it all doesn't it

It wouldnt have been one of those "Player X spotted having coffee with Person Y and officials from club Z, so surely they will sign with them!!!!111" scenarios either. Just almost literally came out of thin air LOL.

 

[jamesgould]

I think with am off season behind him training for that position, Gidley can handle hooker and lock. It's not something I'm super-hardout about, just seems like the best option for the team. His best position by miles is still fullback.

And it's SOURCE, not SAUCE, R_A! Unless you're talking fish and chips.