Kennedy still hopeful for origin...

[Rooster_6]

Like I said, worked for Hayne.

Choosing between Merritt, Mcmanus and Ferguson, I think the choice is pretty clear.

Ferguson was always going to play Origin, it was just a matter of growing up.

Hayne's never really been a loose player though, you can argue he's been inconsistent but he's not loose.

[Rooster_6]

Totally agree mate,the 2 home games is our only saviour..
Not sure why players like Lewis,Bird,Watmough and a few other seem to keep getting picked,maybe a case of no one better to pick from.
Every year same names pop up!

Greg Bird? Seriously?

He's been arguably our best player over the past decade alongside Gallen.

[Waylander]

Not sure why players like Lewis,Bird,Watmough and a few other seem to keep getting picked,maybe a case of no one better to pick from.
Every year same names pop up!

So who would you pick ahead of them? They have all been in very good form this year, and I can't think of a player who stands out in the backrow ahead of them.

I agree Grant is unlucky. Gidley shouldn't be there, there's ample emergency cover for the backs with both Lewis and Bird in the squad. Grant should come in for Gidley, and play a 4 forward bench. I'd shift Bird to 11 & start Merrin at lock ahead of Hoffman as well.

[Rooster_6]

So who would you pick ahead of them? They have all been in very good form this year, and I can't think of a player who stands out in the backrow ahead of them.

I agree Grant is unlucky. Gidley shouldn't be there, there's ample emergency cover for the backs with both Lewis and Bird in the squad. Grant should come in for Gidley, and play a 4 forward bench. I'd shift Bird to 11 & start Merrin at lock ahead of Hoffman as well.

4 forward benches are wasted in the modern day game, so many forwards play 80 minutes that you don't need four forwards on the bench. People forget how effective Gidley was coming off the bench and playing dummy half, he cops an unfair wrap imo.

[Waylander]

4 forward benches are wasted in the modern day game, so many forwards play 80 minutes that you don't need four forwards on the bench. People forget how effective Gidley was coming off the bench and playing dummy half, he cops an unfair wrap imo.

Perhaps you've forgotten how good Farah was over 80 minutes last year? I don't see the value in Gidley with Lewis & Bird in the side. He is unlikely to (and IMO shouldn't) get many minutes at hooker with Farah there, and injuries to the backs can be covered by the other 2. You right about guys playing 80 minutes, and that to me simply allows you to utilise the remaining forward rotation more effectively. Props can be replaced before they fatigue, instead of waiting for them to show signs, and therefore potentially miss tackles etc, before they are replaced.

[Rooster_6]

Perhaps you've forgotten how good Farah was over 80 minutes last year? I don't see the value in Gidley with Lewis & Bird in the side. He is unlikely to (and IMO shouldn't) get many minutes at hooker with Farah there, and injuries to the backs can be covered by the other 2. You right about guys playing 80 minutes, and that to me simply allows you to utilise the remaining forward rotation more effectively. Props can be replaced before they fatigue, instead of waiting for them to show signs, and therefore potentially miss tackles etc, before they are replaced.

Farah's decision making in attack got worse and worse as the game went on last year, fatigue played a huge part in that. If we want to pick someone who's going to make a shit load of tackles then pick Fensom but imo we need to keep Farah as fresh as possible for attack. Gidley offers some pace out of dummy half and gives Farah a good break so he can be at his peak when we need him most.

Picking 4 props is more than enough, anymore than that is overkill.

[Waylander]

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Farah's decision making in attack got worse and worse as the game went on last year, fatigue played a huge part in that. If we want to pick someone who's going to make a shit load of tackles then pick Fensom but imo we need to keep Farah as fresh as possible for attack. Gidley offers some pace out of dummy half and gives Farah a good break so he can be at his peak when we need him most.

Picking 4 props is more than enough, anymore than that is overkill.

So you think Gidley is the 2nd best (NSW) hooker in the comp?

[Rooster_6]

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So you think Gidley is the 2nd best (NSW) hooker in the comp?

As far as a running dummy half goes, yes.

I can't think of anyone better. The next best options would be Rein & J Reynolds imo.

Can you think of someone better suited to the role?

[Guest]

So who would you pick ahead of them? They have all been in very good form this year, and I can't think of a player who stands out in the backrow ahead of them.

I agree Grant is unlucky. Gidley shouldn't be there, there's ample emergency cover for the backs with both Lewis and Bird in the squad. Grant should come in for Gidley, and play a 4 forward bench. I'd shift Bird to 11 & start Merrin at lock ahead of Hoffman as well.

As i said there is no one else to pick ahead of them,hence why it seems like every year the same guys are there..
In saying that im not knocking any of the guys in there,i just look forward to new blood as the years go on..

[Guest]

As far as a running dummy half goes, yes.

I can't think of anyone better. The next best options would be Rein & J Reynolds imo.

Can you think of someone better suited to the role?

I think J Reynolds is a better hooker than 5/8th,in saying that he is killing it at no.6 so it goes to show how potent he was when he was dummy half..
He would be my bench choice ahead of Kidley

[Rooster_6]

I think J Reynolds is a better hooker than 5/8th,in saying that he is killing it at no.6 so it goes to show how potent he was when he was dummy half..
He would be my bench choice ahead of Kidley

Yeh I agree he's a better dummy half than he is 5/8, I think he got exposed a bit when Graham & Kasiano were out becuase they do a lot of the ball playing which is where he struggles. But purely as a running half he's very good.

I wouldn't have any issues taking Reynolds into Origin on the bench, I just think we do need a utility on the bench and it needs to be a good ball runner.

[Guest]

Yeh I agree he's a better dummy half than he is 5/8, I think he got exposed a bit when Graham & Kasiano were out becuase they do a lot of the ball playing which is where he struggles. But purely as a running half he's very good.

I wouldn't have any issues taking Reynolds into Origin on the bench, I just think we do need a utility on the bench and it needs to be a good ball runner.

Yeh totally agree.
Gidley is definetly in though (barring injury) so hopefully we get a win in game 1.

[Guest]

NSW to win the series in a clean sweep!

[Waylander]

As far as a running dummy half goes, yes.

I can't think of anyone better. The next best options would be Rein & J Reynolds imo.

Can you think of someone better suited to the role?

I'm concerned about his defencive capability in the middle against the Qld pack. Yes, he's good running out of dummy-half, but that's only half his job while he's out there. I think his front-on defence particularly is not up to SOO standard.

If I'm honest, I'm just not a fan of Gidley. I think he's very over-hyped.

[chook 56]

NSW to win the series in a clean sweep!