Opinion Creating a balanced squad

[Valley Viking]

Our squad and our teams picked each week are so unbalanced it’s not even funny. To think these ***** of coaches and managers are getting paid top dollar. Everyone on here would pick and recruit a better squad than these fuckers (except speedy24680). We need to play our players in their right positions to find out if they can cut it or not. Then it gives a clearer picture on who we need to recruit.

Our squad:

Fullback - Meaney, Hopoate, Averillo, Declan Casey

Left Wing - Tui Katoa, Frank Kuresa & Tyrone Harding - all talented guys but who are still green and probably won’t be ready for next year.

Left Centre - Other than Lafai who probably won’t be here, we have no specialist left centre in our whole squad

Right Centre - Hopoate, Tass, Cotric, Schoupp

Right Wing - Smith, DWZ, Crichton, Okunbor

Five-eight - Averillo

Halfback - Wakeham, Lewis, Bi-Ondi, Green

Hooker - JMK, S.Katoa

Middle forwards - Napa, To’omaga, Ogden, Sue, RFM, Thompson, Jackson, Roumanos

Edge forwards - Elliott, Britt, Doorey, C.Smith, Stimson

This is the side I’d go with for next year:

1. Hopoate
2.
3.
4. Cotric
5. Smith
6. Averillo
7. Wakeham
8. To’omaga
9.
10. Ogden
11. Doorey
12. Elliott
13. Jackson

14. JMK
15. Napa
16. Thompson
17. RFM

So my priority signings would be to fill in that side and to buy another 5/8 and halfback as cover or replacements if Averillo and Wakeham don’t work out. I think they will and i will probably get hammered on here for that, but I think they have been poorly managed and have played behind a pack that’s been dominated. I think the pack I have chosen if properly interchanged will match most packs.

 

[Matthew G]

Our squad and our teams picked each week are so unbalanced it’s not even funny. To think these c*** of coaches and managers are getting paid top dollar. Everyone on here would pick and recruit a better squad than these fuckers (except speedy24680). We need to play our players in their right positions to find out if they can cut it or not. Then it gives a clearer picture on who we need to recruit.

Our squad:

Fullback - Meaney, Hopoate, Averillo, Declan Casey

Left Wing - Tui Katoa, Frank Kuresa & Tyrone Harding - all talented guys but who are still green and probably won’t be ready for next year.

Left Centre - Other than Lafai who probably won’t be here, we have no specialist left centre in our whole squad

Right Centre - Hopoate, Tass, Cotric, Schoupp

Right Wing - Smith, DWZ, Crichton, Okunbor

Five-eight - Averillo

Halfback - Wakeham, Lewis, Bi-Ondi, Green

Hooker - JMK, S.Katoa

Middle forwards - Napa, To’omaga, Ogden, Sue, RFM, Thompson, Jackson, Roumanos

Edge forwards - Elliott, Britt, Doorey, C.Smith, Stimson

This is the side I’d go with for next year:

1. Hopoate
2.
3.
4. Cotric
5. Smith
6. Averillo
7. Wakeham
8. To’omaga
9.
10. Ogden
11. Doorey
12. Elliott
13. Jackson

14. JMK
15. Napa
16. Thompson
17. RFM

So my priority signings would be to fill in that side and to buy another 5/8 and halfback as cover or replacements if Averillo and Wakeham don’t work out. I think they will and i will probably get hammered on here for that, but I think they have been poorly managed and have played behind a pack that’s been dominated. I think the pack I have chosen if properly interchanged will match most packs.

We need a proper halfback aswell, Wakeham and Averillo are not the answer

 

[Matthew G]

We need a proper halfback aswell, Wakeham and Averillo are not the answer

If thats our team next year, give us the spoon again now

 

[Valley Viking]

If thats our team next year, give us the spoon again now

That’s the fucking problem, that is our team. Through years of bad recruiting and bad cap management. You cant replace whole side in a year though. So you fix your main issues then you go from there. I think you will probably only see 5 guys max. from this squad that will be here in a couple of seasons, the rest will be moved on.

 

[GDR]

I think there is a fair bit of hysteria about our squad tbh.. we lost a lot of games by small margins and to me that suggests we are a couple of quality players away from a much improved team.

Further to that the team selections, coaching, strength and conditioning, have all been diabolical this year.. if we can squeeze a further 10-15 % from the areas mentioned, then that already greatly improves the situation..

So yeah we are going terrible this year but I think we aren't that far away from being a lot more competitive and around mid table.. threatening to win a comp is another thing entirely...

 

[bradyk]

We've signed Green to play and be alongside one of our younger halves.

 

[Kempsey Dog]

Aaron Schoupp for left centre if required next year.

 

[foREVerA7X]

In terms of team balance, and it pains me to say this, the team is more balanced (especially defensively), with Lewis in the team. Same goes with Hopoate at FB. I also wouldn't be playing Smith as his attitude and involvement is duck shit and at times, Montoya and Holland showed more intent with a better attitude.

However with the limited players we have and potentially getting, we need to make do with what we have. As you pointed out, centres is one of many issues for us. IMO, this means we need to move Hopoate there and give Meany a full off season at FB and the first X amount of games going into 2021.

As a team, we showed more go forward and sting in attack and defense with Katoa, Ogden and Tooamga starting. Jackson NEEDS to accept a Mitch Aubeson role and play from the bench and only start if required through injury or suspension

1: Meany
2: DWZ
3 Hopoate
4: Cotric
5: Okunbor
6: Lewis
7: Green
8: Ogden
9: Katoa
10: Tooamga
11: Doorey
12: RFM
13: Elliot
14: JMK
15: Napa
16: Jackson
17: Sue (if he still here, otherwise ?)

 

[NovaScotiaDog]

In terms of team balance, and it pains me to say this, the team is more balanced (especially defensively), with Lewis in the team. Same goes with Hopoate at FB. I also wouldn't be playing Smith as his attitude and involvement is duck shit and at times, Montoya and Holland showed more intent with a better attitude.

However with the limited players we have and potentially getting, we need to make do with what we have. As you pointed out, centres is one of many issues for us. IMO, this means we need to move Hopoate there and give Meany a full off season at FB and the first X amount of games going into 2021.

As a team, we showed more go forward and sting in attack and defense with Katoa, Ogden and Tooamga starting. Jackson NEEDS to accept a Mitch Aubeson role and play from the bench and only start if required through injury or suspension

1: Meany
2: DWZ
3 Hopoate
4: Cotric
5: Okunbor
6: Lewis
7: Green
8: Ogden
9: Katoa
10: Tooamga
11: Doorey
12: RFM
13: Elliot
14: JMK
15: Napa
16: Jackson
17: Sue (if he still here, otherwise ?)

I agree with you with one exception. I would somehow interchange Lewis with wakeham to give them both a chance after the preseason. I believe both players will perform better under Barrett. Maybe Waltham for JMK. But I also believe there will be other signings

 

[James zac]

Pretty obvious we need Benji as a short term fix

 

[youoboys]

Bulldogs fan here: what balances a good meal..... salt and pepper

 

[Bob dog]

I doubt we are even being coached, SG and the team have the attitude the season is over and so what.
Lachlans chip reflected our fitness.
The NRL is still on, players are getting their pays and the fans deserve a hundred percent effort regardless.
Avoiding the spoon is something tom play for, a man has gotta have a bit of pride.

 

[mikey]

Aaron Schoupp for left centre if required next year.

He was the gun centre we signed from the dragons???

 

[Family Guy]

He was the gun centre we signed from the dragons???

Yep. He made all the rep sides and looks the goods. Looks like a powerful center - similar to Cotric, Staggs, etc
NFI why he isnt on a development contract otherwise he should have been given a shot this year

 

[youoboys]

Aaron Schoupp for left centre if required next year.

Bulldogs fan here: Barrett better play him next year or Aaron’s agent will schoupp him around to other clubs

 

[GA45]

We've signed Green to play and be alongside one of our younger halves.

So what do we do for the other half of the season while he’s out with an ACL injury?

 

[mikey]

Yep. He made all the rep sides and looks the goods. Looks like a powerful center - similar to Cotric, Staggs, etc
NFI why he isnt on a development contract otherwise he should have been given a shot this year

Having no Canterbury cup fucked everything this year.hopefully Barrett can sort out the future stars and gives them a go

 

[chisdog]

I think there is a fair bit of hysteria about our squad tbh.. we lost a lot of games by small margins and to me that suggests we are a couple of quality players away from a much improved team.

Further to that the team selections, coaching, strength and conditioning, have all been diabolical this year.. if we can squeeze a further 10-15 % from the areas mentioned, then that already greatly improves the situation..

So yeah we are going terrible this year but I think we aren't that far away from being a lot more competitive and around mid table.. threatening to win a comp is another thing entirely...

I think the heart is there, but the ability & skills are lacking. They have been pretty competitive really when you consider this is a reserve grade quality side. To win 2 games & compete is an overachievement & they don't deserve the spoon - Brisbane do. They have FAR more talent than we do but they lack the desire. It's hard to watch at times though.