: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:53 am  

darwoo11 wrote:

Ablett is far better in the 2nd row than at centre and McGuire certainly isnt a centre IMO

How do you know he isn't a centre.

He defends there in the defensive line. He can put a man through a gap. He has good feet. He has pace.

I am not saying with confidence he would make it there. But I would neither say with confidence that he wouldn't, without seeing him there first.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:21 am  

Backs should be..

Smith
Hall
Mcguire
Watkins
Donald
Webb
Burrow

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:18 am  

Its a good idea as McGuire did play a bit at centre for us in his early days, but he would just get pushed to side far too often.

I agree that its useless having Ablett at centre, he is only there as a blockade for opposition attacks, and even then with a bit of footwork he is easily evaded.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:19 am  

Ablett has proven that in the second row he can cause the most damage to a team. He looks most comfortable there, and IMO it is his strongest position. But he fills at loose and mainly at right centre. Does he moan about it? No. Does he get on with things and tries his best? Yes. I know Ellis is in a different league to him, but jusr remember last season when he was moaning about having to play loose a lot. We haven't heard any of this from Ablett. He has struggled at centre, but it is not his specailised position and seems to give his all.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:40 am  

thebloodbath wrote:

Ablett has proven that in the second row he can cause the most damage to a team. He looks most comfortable there, and IMO it is his strongest position. But he fills at loose and mainly at right centre. Does he moan about it? No. Does he get on with things and tries his best? Yes. I know Ellis is in a different league to him, but jusr remember last season when he was moaning about having to play loose a lot. We haven't heard any of this from Ablett. He has struggled at centre, but it is not his specailised position and seems to give his all.

Spot on. Ablett's attitude is just what you need at difficult times. He's played a huge amount of games out of position, he just gets on with it and puts a shift in for the team. I still think he's better as a forward, where I think contrary to the above he is a threat to the line going forward, and an enthusiastic defender (he needs a bit more composure at times, but that will come). I don't know if McGuire at centre is such a crazy idea, but he is a dangerous player, and inevitably you'd see him with ball in hand a lot less at centre. I'm still keen to see Lee Smith have a bit of game time there. Good feet, good reader of the game, bit of pace, can break a tackle and pick a pass, deceptively powerful. I think he could actually go very well there

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:49 am  

El Diablo wrote:

Spot on. Ablett's attitude is just what you need at difficult times. He's played a huge amount of games out of position, he just gets on with it and puts a shift in for the team. I still think he's better as a forward, where I think contrary to the above he is a threat to the line going forward, and an enthusiastic defender (he needs a bit more composure at times, but that will come). I don't know if McGuire at centre is such a crazy idea, but he is a dangerous player, and inevitably you'd see him with ball in hand a lot less at centre. I'm still keen to see Lee Smith have a bit of game time there. Good feet, good reader of the game, bit of pace, can break a tackle and pick a pass, deceptively powerful. I think he could actually go very well there

Ablett does have a lot to learn, he's a rookie. He is an attacking threat and also knows the way to the try line. He will improve, as his development is ongoing. I feel we'd see the best of him with a regular run at second row. As for Smith, he's quality. And I see no reason why he can't do a job there, but that remains to be seen. As soon as Smith is fit, I presume he'll be put straight back at 3. Hopefully Donald will be back, and finding some form. I know injuries tell, but we need to get a settled right flank. Smith with Donald seems the logically partnership. Now they will need time to blend and tune in with each others game. But I hope we can see some resolution to this flank sooner, rather than later.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:05 am  

[quote="RhinoNeil"]Its a good idea as McGuire did play a bit at centre for us in his early days,

When was that ?

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:20 am  

Les75Jean wrote:

RhinoNeil wrote:

Its a good idea as McGuire did play a bit at centre for us in his early days,

When was that ?

Only talking the odd spell during games to cover injuries back in 03/04 and in the academy. Nothing regular, but its still a position that he has once been assigned to.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:33 am  

Instead of using Ablett in the centres, why not try Ali?

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:36 am  

django wrote:

Instead of using Ablett in the centres, why not try Ali?

Because once again, you are just passing the problem from one position to another. Ali is our only match winning outlet in the backrow (although that appears a big statement this season on current form). So why put him in the centres instead.

I must say however, I do think we might have a little bit better balance, if we used Ali on the right instead of the left, whilst we have such poor options on the right.