Can we address the elephant in the room

[King Gus]

Why is CC wasting the bench ?
The use of his bench rotation has me baffled, and knowing we are light on forwards he picks a winger and a 5/8 on the bench.
What is alarming is that we play with 16 players most games, what’s he thinking?

 

[2ndphase]

Why is CC wasting the bench ?
The use of his bench rotation has me baffled, and knowing we are light on forwards he picks a winger and a 5/8 on the bench.
What is alarming is that we play with 16 players most games, what’s he thinking?

He's obviously doing it for a reason why i dont know!

 

[Dogs4eva13]

Simple he doesn't trust them in first grade when the game is on the line and due to injuries he doesn't think there is anyone better. In reserve grade. The reserve grade squad is building pushing for spots so he might get more confidence in them in the future. Davey a proven first grader is coming back so he may get some minutes in the 1st particularly if they can turn him into a prop. Waddell and Brown were actually going well and getting 40 or so mins each so Brown is a big loss. Wouldn't be surprised if Morrin comes in for Oko last minute as he has been playing in the middle. However CC hasn't been playing those games so most likely this is the squad.

 

[diddly]

There is a lack of first grade quality middle forwards in the squad - despite the "connection/ culture" the coaches do not trust the bench to do the job required - which makes the recruitment decisions even more questionable

 

[Dyldog]

Okunbor has played plenty of back row in reserves plus can fill in at centre or winger to cover for concussion/injury. Reynolds to play halfback when they pull Kyle from the field early in the second half

 

[JayBee]

He’s pushing to get Kikau et als minutes up.

Kikau is an 80 minute player, but at present - it’s probably 20 minutes of quality.

Also - don’t forget, there are at least 2 players on the bench who would not make the FG team. And there is a reason for that.

 

[BulldogsNation]

There is zero reason to deplete your side of forwards against bigger packs nor to only use 16 players when the team is clearly gassed.

No issue with JR on bench, but needs 3 forwards with him. Injury crisis isn't an excuse when we have Morrin, Davey available in reserves

 

[King Gus]

He's obviously doing it for a reason why i dont know!

Team looks gone by the 60th minute.

 

[Bad Billy]

We have a middle forward injury crisis at the moment. Cirro is doing the best he can, but he doesn’t trust the bench with the game on the line.
…and can we stop with the “winger on the bench” shit?? That winger is 6’8”/115kg and has been preparing to play in the forwards all pre season. He’s a forward now.
luke Lewis did the same thing and was smaller, and arguably a better forward than a winger.

 

[Dogs Of War]

On the plus side, our young guys are getting extended minutes in the middle, and they look to be developing. So when guys like TPJ come back and get the starting role, they will be more than handy to continue the forward roll on from the bench.

And Okonbour is much better in the middle where it's much harder to make bad defensive reads.

 

[craigo]

We have a middle forward injury crisis at the moment. Cirro is doing the best he can, but he doesn’t trust the bench with the game on the line.
…and can we stop with the “winger on the bench” shit?? That winger is 6’8”/115kg and has been preparing to play in the forwards all pre season. He’s a forward now.
luke Lewis did the same thing and was smaller, and arguably a better forward than a winger.

The further okunbor is away from the wing and high kicks the better. He has got to be one do the worst wingers ever to play bulldogs

 

[Total Fool]

We have a middle forward injury crisis at the moment. Cirro is doing the best he can, but he doesn’t trust the bench with the game on the line.
…and can we stop with the “winger on the bench” shit?? That winger is 6’8”/115kg and has been preparing to play in the forwards all pre season. He’s a forward now.
luke Lewis did the same thing and was smaller, and arguably a better forward than a winger.

Huh…. You can’t compare Luke Lewis with Okenbur mate. Lewis actually made a difference on the field

Better comparison would be a Giraffe with severe anxiety issues to Okenbur

 

[enoughsaid]

What has happened to Big prop
Bill the Greek ?

 

[Bulldogs09]

This could be when he hooks flopagun at some stage

 

[Dogs4eva13]

What has happened to Big prop
Bill the Greek ?

Not in the top 30 I don't think. Also had a bit of a head knock in the cup game. Wouldn't be named as a reserve though if it was a concussion. My guess is he is being rested and may look to get an exemption to bring him in for Bunnies game.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Looking at it from the outside it looks strange. but Ciraldo and the rest of the coaching staff are inside and they see far more than we ever will.


Always a Bulldog

 

[B-Train]

To be fair, our depth isn't exactly amazing at the moment. It's not like we're flush with great options, especially in the forwards. Our Reserves have some good young guns but we'd be rushing them by playing them now and most of our best youngsters are backs/halves anyway.. We need forwards..

 

[silva]

Okunbor did a job for us in the middle as has Brown when he comes on. I think Ciraldo has done a great job managing the injuries . We have had 4 props out the last few weeks

 

[The DoggFather]

There is so much CC can do about the injuries and the duds he has to work with.

 

[Eesma]

People struggle to see the silver lining sometimes. Whilst Okunbor is acting as a fill-in forward in first grade, that's one more spot open to continue a real winger's development in NSW Cup. :P