Opinion Why Canterbury believes its utility player strategy can help get the club back on track

[B-Train]

Who cares, neither are anywhere close to being must haves in the 17.

I think Mann will be with how shit our bench options are and the experience/versatility he provides to cover 4-5 positions. I expect Mann to be playing 30-40 minutes in the middle unless he's filling in somewhere else due to an injury..

 

[CrittaMagic69]

I think Mann will be with how shit our bench options are and the experience/versatility he provides to cover 4-5 positions. I expect Mann to be playing 30-40 minutes in the middle unless he's filling in somewhere else due to an injury..

That's very upsetting news tbh, especially when you consider that Salmon will probably walk-in into the team. Two fake forwards in the bench and no really props,.can't wait.

 

[B-Train]

That's very upsetting news tbh, especially when you consider that Salmon will probably walk-in into the team. Two fake forwards in the bench and no really props,.can't wait.

It's not ideal.. But with the lack of pack options we have I'd rather have players that can hopefully play bigger and add some spark across the park than 14 minutes of Patolo not using his size like he should. It should be interesting to see how these guys look and what roles they have.

Either way at times against bigger more experienced packs we're going to get steamrolled at times. The only hope is guys like Mann can scramble and defend better than the bigger guys like Patolo etc could in defence while still making solid metres on runs in a small ball lock role off the bench like a poor man's Cotter/Havili etc. Mann has at least played this role before and done it well for Newcastle.

 

[Bob dog]

Determined mindsets have been thrown around in recent year's but without you are fukt , in a corrupt society you gotta have it for the 80 and its gotta be unbreakable

 

[D.O.W.]

It's not ideal.. But with the lack of pack options we have I'd rather have players that can hopefully play bigger and add some spark across the park than 14 minutes of Patolo not using his size like he should. It should be interesting to see how these guys look and what roles they have.

Either way at times against bigger more experienced packs we're going to get steamrolled at times. The only hope is guys like Mann can scramble and defend better than the bigger guys like Patolo etc could in defence while still making solid metres on runs in a small ball lock role off the bench like a poor man's Cotter/Havili etc. Mann has at least played this role before and done it well for Newcastle.

I know Patolo has had injuries but I agree with you, I don’t think he optimises his size, for mine, it’s his last chance to really showcase he’s a NRL level middle, he needs to develop some serious aggression into his game and run with purpose. Connor Tracey at 183cm and 87kg runs harder.

 

[1967]

I know Patolo has had injuries but I agree with you, I don’t think he optimises his size, for mine, it’s his last chance to really showcase he’s a NRL level middle, he needs to develop some serious aggression into his game and run with purpose. Connor Tracey at 183cm and 87kg runs harder.

Patolo needs to sit down and watch videos of how Leniu plays .. that’s how I think we should use him, off the bench in short bursts, hard damaging aggressive runs with intent, good metres against tired opposition late in the half’s ..

 

[dawso047]

Don't like this utility strategy... Pehram, Hutchinson and Salmon have all struggled to play regular NRL. Taffe is a top 30 player not sure he is a top 17 , Tracey is 28. I only consider Kurt Mann to be walk up to the top 17. Throw in Mariner and Sutton who on recent form are anchors on a stalled ship. No setablished 1 or 7 and a 6 who may or may not make it as a NRL 6 and the Club still has a massive recruitment and roster management problem.

 

[Berries]

Don't like this utility strategy... Pehram, Hutchinson and Salmon have all struggled to play regular NRL. Taffe is a top 30 player not sure he is a top 17 , Tracey is 28. I only consider Kurt Mann to be walk up to the top 17. Throw in Mariner and Sutton who on recent form are anchors on a stalled ship. No setablished 1 or 7 and a 6 who may or may not make it as a NRL 6 and the Club still has a massive recruitment and roster management problem.

Be positive

 

[gbrussell]

Agree. The game has changed with the concussion rule so you need players that can cover more than one position. Last year at times we had Waddell and Topine covering at centre and we all know how that worked out

The other thing with the concussion rule, is we will probably need a utility as 18th man. We have options, but it can’t be the same guy week after week as his match fitness will suffer.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Don't like this utility strategy... Pehram, Hutchinson and Salmon have all struggled to play regular NRL. Taffe is a top 30 player not sure he is a top 17 , Tracey is 28. I only consider Kurt Mann to be walk up to the top 17. Throw in Mariner and Sutton who on recent form are anchors on a stalled ship. No setablished 1 or 7 and a 6 who may or may not make it as a NRL 6 and the Club still has a massive recruitment and roster management problem.

I think we all need to keep in mind that last season we used 36 players, which is a record, and as a result we had to beg the NRL to let us use players outside the Top 30 on several occasions. That’s now a max of 38 players this season all of whom we can use from Round 1.

With HIA’s only getting more heavily enforced the number of players required in a season is not going to reduce. Plus with the speed of the game more clubs are resting players players during the season, particularly those with representative duties. As well younger less experienced players, of which we have many, are not mentally and/or physically ready to play at a high/NRL level week in week out.

Only thinking about the 17/18 players that are likely to be selected this week is completely out of date, we need to be prepared to use all 38 (max) during the season. With the Salary Cap, even an increased one, it’s impossible to have a back up specialist for every position, let alone a back up for the back up, which we needed several times last season. Plus those specialist back ups need to be NRL ready, an even more difficult task. This is far superior to having a NSW Cup (or lower) level player stepping in who has next to zero NRL experience even if they are a “specialist” in that position. We saw proof of that many times last season.

This is the reason why we have gone for NRL ready (many proven) players that can (and have) play/played in at least 2/3 positions in multiple NRL games. They can step in at any time, with a few days notice, and they have the proven and tested NRL experience to do a decent job. This is solid and current NRL strategy.


Always a Bulldog

 

[gbrussell]

I think we all need to keep in mind that last season we used 36 players, which is a record, and as a result we had to beg the NRL to let us use players outside the Top 30 on several occasions. That’s now a max of 38 players this season all of whom we can use from Round 1.

With HIA’s only getting more heavily enforced the number of players required in a season is not going to reduce. Plus with the speed of the game more clubs are resting players players during the season, particularly those with representative duties. As well younger less experienced players, of which we have many, are not mentally and/or physically ready to play at a high/NRL level week in week out.

Only thinking about the 17/18 players that are likely to be selected this week is completely out of date, we need to be prepared to use all 38 (max) during the season. With the Salary Cap, even an increased one, it’s impossible to have a back up specialist for every position, let alone a back up for the back up, which we needed several times last season. Plus those specialist back ups need to be NRL ready, an even more difficult task. This is far superior to having a NSW Cup (or lower) level player stepping in who has next to zero NRL experience even if they are a “specialist” in that position. We saw proof of that many times last season.

This is the reason why we have gone for NRL ready (many proven) players that can (and have) play/played in at least 2/3 positions in multiple NRL games. They can step in at any time, with a few days notice, and they have the proven and tested NRL experience to do a decent job. This is solid and current NRL strategy.


Always a Bulldog

Sensible, as usual, TT.

 

[Dogs4eva13]

I think we all need to keep in mind that last season we used 36 players, which is a record, and as a result we had to beg the NRL to let us use players outside the Top 30 on several occasions. That’s now a max of 38 players this season all of whom we can use from Round 1.

With HIA’s only getting more heavily enforced the number of players required in a season is not going to reduce. Plus with the speed of the game more clubs are resting players players during the season, particularly those with representative duties. As well younger less experienced players, of which we have many, are not mentally and/or physically ready to play at a high/NRL level week in week out.

Only thinking about the 17/18 players that are likely to be selected this week is completely out of date, we need to be prepared to use all 38 (max) during the season. With the Salary Cap, even an increased one, it’s impossible to have a back up specialist for every position, let alone a back up for the back up, which we needed several times last season. Plus those specialist back ups need to be NRL ready, an even more difficult task. This is far superior to having a NSW Cup (or lower) level player stepping in who has next to zero NRL experience even if they are a “specialist” in that position. We saw proof of that many times last season.

This is the reason why we have gone for NRL ready (many proven) players that can (and have) play/played in at least 2/3 positions in multiple NRL games. They can step in at any time, with a few days notice, and they have the proven and tested NRL experience to do a decent job. This is solid and current NRL strategy.


Always a Bulldog

I think Gus did well signing who he did considering what was available. We have plenty of depth now and looking at other squads I would argue we have one of the strongest 18-30 going around. These signings won't win you a comp, but will get you of the bottom and hopefully we wont get smashed. Squad is in a place now where just signing or finding 1 or 2 elite props gets us right up there with the best teams.

 

[SexBomb]

Been thinking a little more about our recruitment of all these utilities. With the lack of Middles available, could we have made the conscious decision to stock up on tradable utilities? If any team suffer injuries and have poor depth in positions 1,3,4,6,7,9,13 and 14, then Gus has a plethora of utilities at his disposal to target some middles in beneficial trades. Just a theory, interested to see if it plays out like this, because I don’t expect all these utilities to see out their contracts.

I suspect that it is likely one of multiple reasons for the recruitment.

 

[SexBomb]

Many of us remember when we were dubed the entrtainers, latter the dogs of war, we have to go one way or the other, what way will C.C. go
One thing that we can be certain of is that the roster Gus has assembled will be the make or break of C C in 2024..

Why not both?

 

[SexBomb]

A this stage, with his strike rate, does anyone actually believe anything he posts?

Are we sure it is a "he"?

 

[2144superman]

I think Gus did well signing who he did considering what was available. We have plenty of depth now and looking at other squads I would argue we have one of the strongest 18-30 going around. These signings won't win you a comp, but will get you of the bottom and hopefully we wont get smashed. Squad is in a place now where just signing or finding 1 or 2 elite props gets us right up there with the best teams.

LOL what?
Just From the top of my head of whom was available that Gus couldn’t land

Payne Haas
Adin-Fonua Blake
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Moaki Fotuaika
David Fifita Jnr
Spencer Leniu

 

[H-dog]

LOL what?
Just From the top of my head of whom was available that Gus couldn’t land

Payne Haas
Adin-Fonua Blake
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Moaki Fotuaika
David Fifita Jnr
Spencer Leniu

I thought only Spencer went to market the rest were resigned before by there clubs before others could “officially” offer

 

[steeliz]

Are we sure it is a "he"?

I guess with all his different accounts he should be considered a 'THEY'

 

[DinkumDog]

So the utility strategy has finally been explained :

Yes, it’s real: https://shop.bulldogs.com.au/products/monopoly-bulldogs-edition