News ‘Super sub’: Cameron Ciraldo explains why Connor Tracey won the fullback spot and how he plans on unleashing Blake Taaffe

[kmr07]

Taaffe can only play fullback. I can't see him handling wing or centre.. Despite everyone calling for him in the halves, I don't think he could handle the defensive responsibility in FG. Playing there in juniors and playing there in the NRL are two very different things.

So if there is a backline injury, expect everyone else to reshuffle and Taaffe to go to fullback.

Exactly. People here under estimate the jump from playing under 19s to playing in the NRL. Taaffe is 25 years old, he’s no youngster so playing in the halves 6 years ago really has no relevance if he hasn’t played consistently or at least 30 games in the halves at NRL level by now

 

[The DoggFather]

I hope he gets subbed on for hutch, because that would be the end of Perham, I mean hutch.

Plus the familiarity might help Burton.

 

[KLil]

Taaffe can only play fullback. I can't see him handling wing or centre.. Despite everyone calling for him in the halves, I don't think he could handle the defensive responsibility in FG. Playing there in juniors and playing there in the NRL are two very different things.

So if there is a backline injury, expect everyone else to reshuffle and Taaffe to go to fullback.

He struggled defending in the front line even in juniors... Im a skeptic about playing him in the halves but in all honesty we gotta try it.

I hope at some time during the game CC Shifts Hutch to lock and plays Taafe in the halves, we'll just never ever know if we ever ever go.

I also reckon Hayward also slips out for a bigger body on the bench too.

 

[DFLWatto]

It's awesome to hear CC talk about how Tracey is the future at fullback for us because last week's performance was sensational.
Not a fan of taaffe on the bench with hayward and the little barnstormer Morrin, not enough size on the bench.
We will see if anything changes on saturday I guess

 

[Cujo]

Even if there was an injury in the halves, with Hayward there I'd expect him to play in the halves and not Taaffe.

Surely we cant carry both, it would have to be one or the other on the bench...

 

[Berries]

Happy that Tracey has finally nailed down the spot, let's just hope he gets to play there in attack too. Not keen on this super sub BS with Taaffe though, doesn't offer enough versatility to cover the backs. Either look to play him in the halves or not at all.

Took way too long for CC to figure out Tracey is the best fullback at the club

 

[DFLWatto]

Took way too long for CC to figure out Tracey is the best fullback at the club

Let's just be glad it was 6 weeks and not 18, hate to see a fella get injured, but taaffe getting injured may have been the awakening CC needed to get him in there asap

 

[Cujo]

Took way too long for CC to figure out Tracey is the best fullback at the club

Trust takes time to build & little to lose... Tracey missed the off season & needed time to prove his wares... it happens across all sports where someone finally loses their position that was in question after suffering an injury & giving an alternative the opportunity to shine.

 

[Bob dog]

Taffe to practice the Frawley dummy pass and waltz in to score

 

[D0GMATIC]

Cameron Ciraldo may have finally found his ideal back five, but a young star lurking on the bench could be his most dangerous weapon going forward.


Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has backed Blake Taaffe to come off the bench as Canterbury’s “super sub” against the Knights, with Connor Tracey set to remain in the No.1 jersey following a strong performance against the Storm.
The fullback jersey belonged to Taaffe in the opening five rounds, but he missed the trip to Melbourne after he was concussed in the win over the Roosters when he was on the receiving end of an ugly high tackle by Dom Young that resulted in him being sent off.
Taaffe returns this weekend off the bench for the game against Newcastle, with his coach expecting big things from the versatile recruit who can fill a number of positions if someone gets injured or can come on in the middle and prey on exhausted forwards.


“It’s a nice insurance policy to have Blake on the bench as a backup if we do lose one of our outside backs, which has happened a number of times this year,” Ciraldo said.

“In the modern game with HIAs, it’s probably important that you have someone like that.

“I still think he can create something in the last part of the game. He can get on and play that super sub sort of role anywhere, and he’s open to that.

“If you’re a tired defensive line, you wouldn’t want to see Blake Taaffe coming off the bench fresh on the field.”

Canterbury’s back five has chopped and changed this season, but Ciraldo may have found his best combination with Tracey safe under the high ball, Josh Addo-Carr’s speed a nightmare for opponents, Jacob Kiraz making metres for fun, and his centres able to create something out of nothing.

But it was Tracey’s performance in Melbourne that caught Ciraldo’s eye, with the former Shark handling everything the Storm’s representative halves kicked his way.


“Every time the ball went up, he just looked comfortable under the high ball,” he said.

“He brings the ball back with plenty of purpose and gets our sets started.

“Blake was doing a good job at the start of the year, but Connor deserves to be in that position this week and moving forward.

“The good thing is that it’s nice for a coach to have headaches like that and selection dilemmas.”

Tracey may have been named on the wing last week, but he knew in advance where he’d be playing at AAMI Park, with fullback nothing new to a man who started plenty of games there last year, including in the finals.

“I played there all last year, so I’m pretty comfortable there,” he said.

“I like wing as well, and I like playing wherever the team needs me.

“It’s no secret that I have a running game, so I’m one of those workrate fullbacks and I’m just working on the other parts of my game as well.

“I like getting involved and helping the team, play off quick play the balls and pop up everywhere.”

You're slipping DJ, I had to read this elsewhere. Get fair dinkum mate.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Exactly. People here under estimate the jump from playing under 19s to playing in the NRL. Taaffe is 25 years old, he’s no youngster so playing in the halves 6 years ago really has no relevance if he hasn’t played consistently or at least 30 games in the halves at NRL level by now

According to your measure (at least 30 games), having only played 25 NRL games at fullback, Taaffe is not qualified to play fullback either.

For the record Taaffe has played 17 NSW Cup Games in the halves which is exactly the same number as he played at fullback. Of his 37 NRL games, a 3rd, 12 games have been off the bench filling in at multiple positions.

According to your measure (at least 30 games), with 17 games at fullback Tracey is not qualified to play fullback either.

FWIW the Taaffe Burton SOO games were Under 20's, in July 2019 so not yet 5 years ago. Only a couple of months more then Xerri hadn't played any RL at all.



Always a Bulldog

 

[D0GMATIC]

Ohh how silly was Gus signing utilities ?. . . . . . Write an article about that, Next time you sobre up rothfield, you fuckwit !!

 

[gbrussell]

I don’t mind a versatile back on the bench. I have been suggesting since the start of the season that an outside back as the 18th man could be a good,option.

My preference for the bench has always been 2 props, a back rower and a utility back, but with HIA’s becoming very prevalent, where The 18th man can cover is just as important.

 

[dawso047]

Tracey played one solid game for the Dogs at fullback, Taffe looked decent in a couple of games helping to set up a couple of tries. We will see how the year unfolds for both players, remembering youngster Papili'i will probably also be given a go at fullback in the NRL within the next 12 months, injuries are sure to strike. The club does not have any fullbacks to challenge the likes of Ponga, Walsh, Edwards, Drinkwater etc in the near future. This is added to the fact that the club does not have any half backs to challenge Cleary, Evans, Johnson, Hughes etc in the next two years. On the positive side is Hughes continues to look like an NRL forward and that youngsters Hayes and Todd have so far been excellent playing in the forwards at NSW Cup level. I think Todd will debut in the next 12 months along with Papali'i. Tracey is a solid NRL fullback at this stage, Taffe is as well but for the time being he is behind Tracey.

 

[gbrussell]

Exactly. People here under estimate the jump from playing under 19s to playing in the NRL. Taaffe is 25 years old, he’s no youngster so playing in the halves 6 years ago really has no relevance if he hasn’t played consistently or at least 30 games in the halves at NRL level by now

When Gus as coach moved Jason Alchin to fullback in the 88 Premiership side, he did an outstanding job. It was very noticeable however that 2 years later when he moved back to 7, that he was not as effective as he had previously been. He looked to me like he had lost his halfback skills. Taaffe could be in a similar boat.

 

[D0GMATIC]

I don’t mind a versatile back on the bench. I have been suggesting since the start of the season that an outside back as the 18th man could be a good,option.

My preference for the bench has always been 2 props, a back rower and a utility back, but with HIA’s becoming very prevalent, where The 18th man can cover is just as important.

With the versatility we have now, we could afford to have 3 forwards on the bench and Salmon to cover back replacements

 

[gbrussell]

With the versatility we have now, we could afford to have 3 forwards on the bench and Salmon to cover back replacements

i could go with that bench. And then an outside back on the bench as 18th man. Perhaps Skelton.

 

[jof]

Ciraldos dream bench:

14. Taaffe
15. Mann
16. Salmon
17. Haywood

 

[Bluebody]

My prediction is CC is easing Taffe into the no. 7 - you heard it hear first folks lol

 

[bulldogsmyte]

If the game situation is well in our favour I can see Blake coming into the game mid second half as the 7. It will give CC (and everyone else) a chance to see how he goes defensively with the advantage of going up against tired forwards and with a healthy lead.

Yes. The penny has finally dropped with CC. Blake to replace Hutch at 7 when CC realises there is next to no creativity there and the other side has been softened up.