NRL Round 6 - Knights V Tigers - McDonald Jones Stadium - 4:05pm Sunday 13th April

I love Crossland. But jeez it’d be tough wanting to nail the 9 role (with MArthur as soon to be competition) then having to go into the halves every now and again.
 
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I hope so too but am not too confident. He isn't the best ball player and doesn't often take the best option when presented with more than one option taking the ball to the line.

Hopefully he keeps it very simple and just passes out the back more often than he goes short and kicks long and deep.

Yeah, and last year when he was in the halves it was playing the "Sharpe" role on the left hand side, Cogger or Gamble was the actual halfback despite the numbers on their back. Big difference this week having to do most of the kicking and first receiver work etc.
 
Happy with all those selections.
Kyle hasn't played right wing for a while, but he has played it.
I see Hunt has been moved to wing in reserves and Annan to centre.

Paul Bryan at 18 is a good reward for his 39 strong tackles in reserves.

Good to see Mitch Black getting a game in reserves.

Good to see Toby Winter at fullback in Flegg after his very good Ball season, but no Gow is disappointing, although De Courcey and Latu were on fire last week, so hard to drop one of them.
 
Yeah, and last year when he was in the halves it was playing the "Sharpe" role on the left hand side, Cogger or Gamble was the actual halfback despite the numbers on their back. Big difference this week having to do most of the kicking and first receiver work etc.
That is the worry
 
1. Kalyn Ponga (C)
2. Kyle McCarthy
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Phoenix Crossland
8. Brodie Jones
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tom Cant
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Tyson Frizell

14. Matt Arthur
15. Jermaine McEwen
16. Tyrone Thompson
17. Mat Croker

18. Paul Bryan
19. Jackson Hastings
20. Riley Jones
21. Francis Manuleleua
22.

Adam Elliott out as well for some reason.
Better team than vs Dogs
 
Personally think Gamble's best position is 14, Coggers best position is Reserve Grade and Hastings (short of the Knights are making a finals run and he's setting the world alight in the reggies) is the Toronto Wolf Pack...

Therefore, if he goes well on Sunday I'd probably be happy to see Crossland play 7 for the remainder of the season.
 
Had my selection in team v Tigers thread, variations are, firstly I assumed Elliot was playing and had Frizell bench front row, had Cant at centre Gagai on wing due to Dogs effort. Picked Crossland at 7, Brailey 9 and Arthur 14. Putting McCarthy on wing is good, deserved, meaning Cant is back to pack meaning McEwen is bench. Overall if I had known about Elliott who I think is underrated then my changes and actual selection would have been closer.
Big moments for this game, give Jones time, let Tyrone play 15 minutes either side of half for impact but somehow give him 5 mins on field with Leo. In hindsight McEwen of bench is probably good after a tough game V Dogs.
Biggest worry, Crossland, lot to ask but not so bad comparing with Cogger, and he does have a bigger boot, do feel for Sharpe learning and changing partners isn’t easy.
Despite injuries it is a good side for what we have, 1-5, 8-13 along with bench 14-17 look ok to good, 6 & 7 work in process but both are 100% goers so effort won’t be lacking.
This is critical game for staying in touch with top half or dropping to bottom half, home game against a hopeful top 8 side.
Injuries are hurting but we are showing effort, bounce of the ball will decide.
Sorry is a long winded short comment on selection👍🫣
 
Anyone know what’s happened to the Hoad brothers? Both missing from all grades the last few weeks after good start to the year
 
In no world is Crossland a better 7 than Gamblor. The only thing he's better at is tackling, and you don't pick defensive specialist halfbacks.
I disagree. Gamble is a journeyman half, whereas I can see him being a very good utility a bit like Dylan Walker or Kurt Mann. Can come on a do a job in multiple positions and potentially change a game but if you need him to consistently run the team you're in trouble.

Pheonix hasn't reached his ceiling at 7.

PS. I like Gamble a lot, he's a competitor. He'd be in my squad if fit but mostly at 14.
 
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