Lessons Learnt

[Johnny Brass]

The NRL has a simple solution to the problem by moving to a 5 man bench. With the stricter policing of HIA if you don't carry an outside back on the bench and lose a winger or centre it can shut down one edge of your attack once you start shuffling forwards into the backline.
Two props off the bench is a must along with a 2nd dummy half and you really want to give your lock a spell as well.
The players association go on about player welfare and this is one point they should be really pushing for.

[HunchoRooster]

Bellamy must suck given how badly they got pounded in 2018

As for you above comment Corey Allan has already come off the bench twice this year due to injury. Give it a rest you’ve got no clue, you’re calling people who are elite in their field bang average while you can’t even properly explain bench usage.

If Bellamy didn't have 3 premierships (5 if you count the stripped ones), 5 minor premierships to his name and keeping his team in the Top 4 for the best part of 20 years and all he had was a single grand final appearance where his team got hammered then maybe that comparison would make sense. What a lazy comment/argument to make lol.

Allan has come off the bench once this year (vs Parra) and didn't get on at all against Melbourne or the Dolphins despite being in the 17, which leads into my point that it's a wasted spot on the bench.

Good to know I'm the one that hasn't got a clue though...

[Kelby]

Teams will target Sammy in defence every time.
Hutch overcompensated to help him out, so hence gaps appeared.

[SamKerrSimp]

If Bellamy didn't have 3 premierships (5 if you count the stripped ones), 5 minor premierships to his name and keeping his team in the Top 4 for the best part of 20 years and all he had was a single grand final appearance where his team got hammered then maybe that comparison would make sense. What a lazy comment/argument to make lol.

Allan has come off the bench once this year (vs Parra) and didn't get on at all against Melbourne or the Dolphins despite being in the 17, which leads into my point that it's a wasted spot on the bench.

Good to know I'm the one that hasn't got a clue though...

You don’t have a clue, glad we both understand that now

[Water boy]

Teams will target Sammy in defence every time.
Hutch overcompensated to help him out, so hence gaps appeared.

Sammy's defence is as good as any other half in the comp excluding Cleary

[HunchoRooster]

You don’t have a clue, glad we both understand that now

Just keep ignoring when you are completely wrong and whenever you differ in opinion to someone, they must be dumb and clueless because you are so smart and never wrong. Personally I grew out of that mindset around age 7 or 8 but good to see its working for you and you are still rolling with it. You go with what works for you SKS.

[King Salvo]

So you are telling me that playing Hutchison or Allan in the 17 is vital to the team's success because of a possible unforeseen injury? Given the vast majority of HIA's are usually forwards, it would be more beneficial carrying an extra forward.

In the event its a back, we have 3 high quality fullback options in the starting side. I am certain one of either Sitili, Angus or Nat Butcher could fill in at centre at a pinch should the unfortunate event of a HIA occur to a key player at the back. Obviously this applies to when 2 of those 3 players I mentioned are fit.

Many on here rate Sitili just above the Hutchinator when he has played centre and there are others on here that still have recurring nightmares about Guerra and Matterson playing centre and even Aubusson if your option is to play either E Butcher and or Angus there if injuries occur and even short term.

It's not easy coming up with a bench to try to cover a range of possible scenarios that may unfold during a game - Tedesco and Keary have had a few HIA's though.

I can't see Brandon Smith ever being an 80 minute player - 50 to 60 minutes would be tops for maximum impact and output so a second dummy half on the bench would be a requirement and not necessarily a specialist one either.

That's why the Hutchinator becomes a valuable commodity when on the bench as he covers a range of of forward and back positions whereas a specialist second dummy half covers only the one position

[HunchoRooster]

Many on here rate Sitili just above the Hutchinator when he has played centre and there are others on here that still have recurring nightmares about Guerra and Matterson playing centre and even Aubusson if your option is to play either E Butcher and or Angus there if injuries occur and even short term.

It's not easy coming up with a bench to try to cover a range of possible scenarios that may unfold during a game - Tedesco and Keary have had a few HIA's though.

I can't see Brandon Smith ever being an 80 minute player - 50 to 60 minutes would be tops for maximum impact and output so a second dummy half on the bench would be a requirement and not necessarily a specialist one either.

That's why the Hutchinator becomes a valuable commodity when on the bench as he covers a range of of forward and back positions whereas a specialist second dummy half covers only the one position

It's a nightmare situation anyway if any of our backrowers end up playing centre regardless of their performance because that would mean one of our star players has been injured bad enough to not be playing.

I agree with you that Hutch (whilst not up to first grade standard in my opinion), would be a better option in the 17 to have on the bench over an outside back like Allan or anyone for that matter who cannot cover any position apart from centre or wing. Which is why I see Hutch keeping his spot in the 17 in lieu of Turpin once we have a full squad. I don't like it but that's my prediction.

[Eggspert]

Sammy's defence is as good as any other half in the comp excluding Cleary

Agree.

Don't know where this can't tackle stuff comes from at time's.

[HunchoRooster]

Agree.

Don't know where this can't tackle stuff comes from at time's.

Yup, 100% agree with both of you.

His defensive technique and reading is outstanding. He is just too small at the moment and can't hang on at times. That can't be helped until he gets bigger. Doesn't make him a bad defender though.

I personally think Dylan Brown is the best defensive half in the comp. That bloke is an outstanding one-on-one defender.

[King Salvo]

Agree.

Don't know where this can't tackle stuff comes from at time's.

mmm from the Stats - Tackle efficiency - not that he can't tackle but he of course will always be targeted in D the same as Keary is

I would have both Keary and Walker defending outside the centres on both sides


Toops - Keary - Suaalii - Crichton (when he's back) - N Butcher - Manu - Walker - Paulo

[Waylander]

mmm from the Stats - Tackle efficiency - not that he can't tackle but he of course will always be targeted in D the same as Keary is

I would have both Keary and Walker defending outside the centres on both sides


Toops - Keary - Suaalii - Crichton (when he's back) - N Butcher - Manu - Walker - Paulo

What are you talking about? Walker's tackle efficiency this season is better than Cleary's.

Season to date:

• Walker = 92.2%
• Cleary = 91.2%
• Kez = 88.7%
• Munster = 81.6%

[King Salvo]

What are you talking about? Walker's tackle efficiency this season is better than Cleary's.

Season to date:

• Walker = 92.2%
• Cleary = 91.2%
• Kez = 88.7%
• Munster = 81.6%

2023 is a small sample so early days - 107 tackles made - 9 missed - Tackle efficiency 92%

2022 - 393 tackles made - 82 missed - Tackle efficiency 82% - 15th in missed tackles

2021 - 302 tackles made - 72 missed - Tackle efficiency 80% - 10th in missed tackles

[Waylander]

It's current form that counts. He is a VERY young half, gradually getting stronger and improving his technique and reads as each season passes ... and he's only going to get better.

His previous seasons stats, especially 2021, are largely irrelevant.

[Rooster1908]

Agree.

Don't know where this can't tackle stuff comes from at time's.

agree he has more ticker than some of the forwards and most of the backs . Gutsy little bugger