bnz wrote:
i dont see a quick fix unfortunately.
like synbad has said, the first thing i would do would be to get whitnall and saddington the hell outta there. Last night their lack of pace was glaringly obvious.
bring in Hartlett to play down back and also bring in flint. from what i have heard flint is a decent size and can also run and carry.
i would also look at getting houlihan out of the backline and swinging him forward, dropping either bentick, blackwell, kouta or lappo and playing houlihan up forward with fev, fish, waitey, eddie, and jk.
bring Benjamin in to cover houlihan's spot on the back flank and also bring joey in to the back line as well....this is how i picture it looking:
Anderson O'Hailpin Hartlett
Benjamin/Flint Thornton Scotland
that gives us a good mix of size and speed. In a pinch, Flint could be played down there as well so we can swing santy into the ruck or onto the ball with his brother taking the ruck. then the team would look like this:
Anderson Hartlett Flint
Benjamin Thornton Scotland
Simpson Murphy Gibbs
Houlihan Kennedy Waite
Fisher Fevola Betts
R: A. O'hAilpin S. O'hAilpin Stevens
Int: Hampson Austin Blackwell Carrazzo
thoughts?
They won't bring all these people in at the one time, we all know that.
The backline will look better when Santy is back there, which means Aisake in, Santy to FB and Saddo out. Ackland to No 2 ruckman. The Saddo and Ackland "solution".
Assuming hammy is OK, Joey Anderson must come in as he is ACCOUNTABLE. Really liked his Dogs game pre injury. Gave our side a different dynamic. He either goes back or is a run with player. Whatever, he can stop supply into our back half or be a competent defender if used permanently. Blackwell not quite there at the minute, so Joey in for him. This pushes either Russell or Houla to the bench - hopefully Houla!!
Keen as anyone to see Flint in, but he and Hartlett need to show a bit tomorrow for Ants to be in consideration. Need plenty more from Benji before he gets a gig, but the tools are there, no doubt.
As bad as they were last night, without injuries, I can't see more than 2 changes for next game. Hartlett or Flint for Lance is on the cards in the next few weeks. His knee is giving the MC the "out" clause they need.