The Back Row : Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:53 pm  

Advantage or Problem?

Advantage as we have depth in this position.
Disadvantage as Nobby doesnt drop any of them?

Last year, the top tackler in the competition was Harrison Hansen yet he was started on the bench on Sunday. One of the best impact players Gareth Hock started the game. Doesnt make sense.

Hansen and Tomkins to start.
Hock of the bench.

Bailey needs to improve.

Re: The Back Row : Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:55 pm  

Ashton Warrior wrote:

Advantage or Problem?

Advantage as we have depth in this position.
Disadvantage as Nobby doesnt drop any of them?

Last year, the top tackler in the competition was Harrison Hansen yet he was started on the bench on Sunday. One of the best impact players Gareth Hock started the game. Doesnt make sense.

Hansen and Tomkins to start.
Hock of the bench.

Bailey needs to improve.

the only problem with the back row is noble. we probably have the strongest group of players in this area in SL

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:02 pm  

Totally agree I’m a firm believer in Noble but he is handling the back row completely wrong as you highlighted Hock is at his best when he’s running hard at tiring defences, usually giving him the opportunity to offload to support player as he isn't fully stopped. At that start of a match the defence will or should be working at their best and Hock will be less effective. Simple really just play him of the bench coming on for Hansen.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:06 pm  

To me it seems like Noble doesnt learn from the season before and has started from scratch again.
The beginning of last year he was using Feka and Hock as starting players and then, as the season went on, started using them as impact players and reaping the benefits from their better performances.
But this season he has just forgotten all that and it appears he's going to have to learn that lesson all over again and waste time rather than building upon what he already knows

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:06 pm  

Hansen, Bailey and O'Loughlin to start with Hock and Tomkins on the bench.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:08 pm  

Bridger wrote:

Hansen, Bailey and O'Loughlin to start with Hock and Tomkins on the bench.

Correct!

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:09 pm  

Bridger wrote:

Hansen, Bailey and O'Loughlin to start with Hock and Tomkins on the bench.

That's how it should be.

Feka on the bench also with O'Carroll or Prescott to start, and Coley in the reserves or on loan until he finds some form.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:10 pm  

If I had to pick who I think would be the best back row combination it would be:-

11 - Hansen
12 - O'Loughlin
13 - Tomkins

Hock taking a spot on the bench and maybe Bailey joining him there, that or Mossop/Farrell

That starting 3 gives us 2 top defenders, one one each side of the pitch in O'Loughlin and Hansen and Tomkins comes in as the attacking threat of the 3 picking out opportunities from Loose Forward

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:13 pm  

W!64N_ENTHUSI45T wrote:

If I had to pick who I think would be the best back row combination it would be:-

11 - Hansen
12 - O'Loughlin
13 - Tomkins

Hock taking a spot on the bench and maybe Bailey joining him there, that or Mossop/Farrell

That starting 3 gives us 2 top defenders, one one each side of the pitch in O'Loughlin and Hansen and Tomkins comes in as the attacking threat of the 3 picking out opportunities from Loose Forward

There's no way Mossop or Farrell get anywhere near barring injuries IMO. I'd run Coley at second row and use both Prescott and O'Barrel before that.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:14 pm  

W!64N_ENTHUSI45T wrote:

If I had to pick who I think would be the best back row combination it would be:-

11 - Hansen
12 - O'Loughlin
13 - Tomkins

Hock taking a spot on the bench and maybe Bailey joining him there, that or Mossop/Farrell

That starting 3 gives us 2 top defenders, one one each side of the pitch in O'Loughlin and Hansen and Tomkins comes in as the attacking threat of the 3 picking out opportunities from Loose Forward

For me Joel T was one of the stars of our squad to the back end of the season. So I agree think he should play 13 full time and move Lockers to the 2nd row.