Your team V Titans

1 Ponga
2 Marzhew
3 Best
4 Gags
5 Schiller
6 Sharpe
7 Cogs
8 JSaf
9 Crossland
10 Crokes
11 Lucas
12 McEwen/ESL (whoever is right edge in cup)
13 Friz

14 Brailey
15 Hethro
16 Elliott
17 Jones

18th Cant

I think its worth debuting one of the lads, its early in the year, there's not much pressure getting around. We have Jones, Elliott and Crokes to fill the gap if it doesn't work. I don't think we need more lineup interruptions by moving friz plus he is still getting use to his middle role so let that keep brewing.
 
McEwen had 5 games of reserve grade last year as a 19 year old and averaged about 40 run metres and 15 tackles.
He started in reserve grade last week and ran over 150 metres and made 31 tackles.

One good game of reserve grade and 20 years old isn't the resume that says "ready to match up against David Fifita". Friz or Elliott need to match up against Fifita.
 
I know Crokes had a bit of a down game against Dolphins but knowing Obi he'd back him in before dropping him. As Harv said its the last game before a bye so everyone needs to go nuts then have a week off.

So forwards wise I'm leaning towards

8. Jsaf
9. Crossy
10. Elliot
11. Lucas
12. Jones
13. Frizell

14. Brails
15. Hethro
16. Croker
17. Cant

Get Jsaf to do his 25mins then Hethro do 15mins each side of half.
Same with Elliot and Crokes. I back Crokes in as he showed last year and in trial form he can get a job done. We need him till we get KPP and Leo back anyway.

Jones played edge end of last year and was really good so I have no doubt he can do it for this game. KPP being back after the Bye. He's quite fit, so putting in the minutes in this game can be done. I think it's more important to give Frizz a rest and Crossy so they both come back on fresh and use their line speed and competitiveness to bring the game home.
Cant's leg speed and foot work will be great late in half and has a good quick play the ball which we've seen Sharpe and KP take advantage of in opening games.

Goal will be draining Tits of the ball and wearing out their forwards so we can beat them through the middle with Crossy, Brail, Sharpe and KP
 
8. JSaf
9. Crossland
10. Jones (he’ll be in the side and given he doesn’t really offer impact from the bench I’d start him)
11. Friz
12. Lucas
13. Elliott

14. Brailey
15. Hetherington
16. Croker
17. Cant

I know it’s natural for people to want to throw one of our gun juniors out there to see how they go, but tbh I think it’s too early. Given we have a bye after the Titans game I’d prefer to try and plug the gaps with blokes with more experience rather than throwing the young guys in before they’re ready. Let them get some runs in their legs and some momentum in cup and then start easing them in later in the year when it’s best for them, not forced due to injuries.
 
Jones and Cant will definitely be the 2 to come in for KPP and Leo, then everyone can play Tetris to plug them in.

What's more interesting is if jsaf isn't right, Toohey says it will touch and go.
 
Well that sucks and also changes the mentality for filling his spot. We need someone that can do it for 4-6+ weeks (guestimate based on a clean break)
 
McEwen had 5 games of reserve grade last year as a 19 year old and averaged about 40 run metres and 15 tackles.
He started in reserve grade last week and ran over 150 metres and made 31 tackles.

One good game of reserve grade and 20 years old isn't the resume that says "ready to match up against David Fifita". Friz or Elliott need to match up against Fifita.
I’m not scared of Fifita at all he is an extremely lazy player that doesn’t want to do the hard yards, B.Jones kept him so quiet last year you’d barely know he was playing.

Yeah I wouldn’t use McKewn or ESL just yet. If J-SAF is touch and go I’d be tempted to rest him with the bye coming up and giving a audition to the props in Cup to get a bench spot.
 
I know Crokes had a bit of a down game against Dolphins but knowing Obi he'd back him in before dropping him. As Harv said its the last game before a bye so everyone needs to go nuts then have a week off.

So forwards wise I'm leaning towards

8. Jsaf
9. Crossy
10. Elliot
11. Lucas
12. Jones
13. Frizell

14. Brails
15. Hethro
16. Croker
17. Cant

Get Jsaf to do his 25mins then Hethro do 15mins each side of half.
Same with Elliot and Crokes. I back Crokes in as he showed last year and in trial form he can get a job done. We need him till we get KPP and Leo back anyway.

Jones played edge end of last year and was really good so I have no doubt he can do it for this game. KPP being back after the Bye. He's quite fit, so putting in the minutes in this game can be done. I think it's more important to give Frizz a rest and Crossy so they both come back on fresh and use their line speed and competitiveness to bring the game home.
Cant's leg speed and foot work will be great late in half and has a good quick play the ball which we've seen Sharpe and KP take advantage of in opening games.

Goal will be draining Tits of the ball and wearing out their forwards so we can beat them through the middle with Crossy, Brail, Sharpe and KP
 
I’m not scared of Fifita at all he is an extremely lazy player that doesn’t want to do the hard yards, B.Jones kept him so quiet last year you’d barely know he was playing.

Yeah I wouldn’t use McKewn or ESL just yet. If J-SAF is touch and go I’d be tempted to rest him with the bye coming up and giving an audition to the props in Cup to get a bench spot.
Let’s hope Jsaf is right. AOB is usually on the side of not risking players. But if does not play that’s 3 of our starting forwards not playing.
 
Let’s hope Jsaf is right. AOB is usually on the side of not risking players. But if does not play that’s 3 of our starting forwards not playing.
Yeah I hope he is fine we need him plus he is playing really good, I really don’t want to go against anyone with 3 starting forwards out.

But as I said I’d rest him to be on the safe side rather miss him for a week than risk more. I’d get the most impressive prop in Cup and tell them to get ready for a debut
 
1 Ponga
2 Marzhew
3 Best
4 Gags
5 Schiller
6 Sharpe
7 Cogs
8 JSaf
9 Crossland
10 Crokes
11 Lucas
12 McEwen/ESL (whoever is right edge in cup)
13 Friz

14 Brailey
15 Hethro
16 Elliott
17 Jones

18th Cant

I think its worth debuting one of the lads, its early in the year, there's not much pressure getting around. We have Jones, Elliott and Crokes to fill the gap if it doesn't work. I don't think we need more lineup interruptions by moving friz plus he is still getting use to his middle role so let that keep brewing.
Both McEwen and ESL played well today both won’t let anyone down when given a shot
 
McEwen had 5 games of reserve grade last year as a 19 year old and averaged about 40 run metres and 15 tackles.
He started in reserve grade last week and ran over 150 metres and made 31 tackles.

One good game of reserve grade and 20 years old isn't the resume that says "ready to match up against David Fifita". Friz or Elliott need to match up against Fifita.
Yeah I wouldn’t start him but Cant or jones seem next up but both do best more as middles so unless they go back against Playing frizz in middle which I think they will need his experience their at moment whilst Thompson out
Then McEwen is seemingly a good option to play on the edge of ben if it’s 15 or so towards end of game
He could be electric at that time
 
Kai Pierce Paul news.
Along with his suspension he has broken his finger from the game. A complete break from X-Ray image. Could see him missing additional time will keep posted.

It might be the perfect time to re-sign him for cheap if he’s in our long term plans.
 
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