Team Selection Chat

[BULLDOGGSFAN]

Hi Kennel family,



I’ve picked a side for you all to have a look at.



Players were chosen based off two things:

1️⃣ Their ability in yardage (considering we have a weak middle forward rotation) and…

2️⃣ Who I think the opposition doesn’t want to play against!


Backs:

1. Chricton (the voice we need at the back)
2. Skelton (Fox injured+ yardage winger and I reckon if you asked the opposition who they’d rather have running at them (Wilson or Skelton) they would want us to pick Wilson. He can put a hit on too!
3. Burton (we are simply not getting our moneys worth out of him playing 6 plus he’s a big body and will assist in yardage)
4. Xerri (Fast/good in yardage + strong in contact)
5. Kiraz (Yardage winger + can make over 150 metres a game)
6. Salmon (if we’re gonna have Sexy at 7 then we need a bigger body at 6. Salmon grew up playing halves and will dig into the line, play straight and create space for outside men)
7. Sexton (he’s simply the best 7 we have at the club. Let’s not overthink this)

8.
King (he’s the arguably the only real established prop we have at the club and we need more than 40 minutes out of him)
9.
Mahoney/Turpin (Reed can play 80 but that doesn’t mean he should)
10.
Farmer Silly ‍ (15/20 minutes to start or finish halves. He may have to make way for Patolo or Zane Tetavano if they find form)
11.
Kikau (HE NEEDS MORE BALL! I’m convinced he’ll see it with Salmon playing 6. Great in yardage if we actually give him the ball)
12.
Preston (I’m tempted to pick Kautoga based off trial form. He’s bigger and more aggressive, has an offload and whacks in defence. I like Preston but I don’t think his selection should be automatic)
13.
Curran/ Mann (Curran and Mann share time at lock. I’d like to start Curran and put Mann on at about the 30th minute. Mann would play the rest of the game at 13 and Curran moves to the middle to cover prop. Both Mann and Curran offer ball playing at lock but different styles and speeds)

So bench would be:
14.
Mann (lock)
15.
Turpin (happy to give this role to Hutcho as well as he can cover hooker and multiple positions)
16.
Hughes
17.
Kautoga

It is a small-ish bench but keep in mind Curran will move to the middle in the second half…

I’m convinced this is a roster that can challenge for the top 8 or at least finish 8-12 but only if we get these selections right!

Let me know what you think

 

[Mr Shhh]

I think the weak gutted dog is better suited at 6 than 13 or off the bench. I’d like to see Tracey in there somewhere.

 

[chemdog]

Tracey at fb and critta at center
hutch at 5/8 sexton at halfback

 

[wendog33]

Hi Kennel family,



I’ve picked a side for you all to have a look at.



Players were chosen based off two things:

1️⃣ Their ability in yardage (considering we have a weak middle forward rotation) and…

2️⃣ Who I think the opposition doesn’t want to play against!


Backs:

1. Chricton (the voice we need at the back)
2. Skelton (Fox injured+ yardage winger and I reckon if you asked the opposition who they’d rather have running at them (Wilson or Skelton) they would want us to pick Wilson. He can put a hit on too!
3. Burton (we are simply not getting our moneys worth out of him playing 6 plus he’s a big body and will assist in yardage)
4. Xerri (Fast/good in yardage + strong in contact)
5. Kiraz (Yardage winger + can make over 150 metres a game)
6. Salmon (if we’re gonna have Sexy at 7 then we need a bigger body at 6. Salmon grew up playing halves and will dig into the line, play straight and create space for outside men)
7. Sexton (he’s simply the best 7 we have at the club. Let’s not overthink this)

8.
King (he’s the arguably the only real established prop we have at the club and we need more than 40 minutes out of him)
9.
Mahoney/Turpin (Reed can play 80 but that doesn’t mean he should)
10.
Farmer Silly ‍ (15/20 minutes to start or finish halves. He may have to make way for Patolo or Zane Tetavano if they find form)
11.
Kikau (HE NEEDS MORE BALL! I’m convinced he’ll see it with Salmon playing 6. Great in yardage if we actually give him the ball)
12.
Preston (I’m tempted to pick Kautoga based off trial form. He’s bigger and more aggressive, has an offload and whacks in defence. I like Preston but I don’t think his selection should be automatic)
13.
Curran/ Mann (Curran and Mann share time at lock. I’d like to start Curran and put Mann on at about the 30th minute. Mann would play the rest of the game at 13 and Curran moves to the middle to cover prop. Both Mann and Curran offer ball playing at lock but different styles and speeds)

So bench would be:
14.
Mann (lock)
15.
Turpin (happy to give this role to Hutcho as well as he can cover hooker and multiple positions)
16.
Hughes
17.
Kautoga

It is a small-ish bench but keep in mind Curran will move to the middle in the second half…

I’m convinced this is a roster that can challenge for the top 8 or at least finish 8-12 but only if we get these selections right!

Let me know what you think

Please submit to Cam Ciraldo's office by 3.00pm today

Nice team. Thoughful ideas.

 

[bradyk]

Critta fullback
Kiraz wing
Tracey and Xerri centres
Curran lock

 

[Moedogg]

Honestly I'd like to see our strike players get more ball, even if that means playing Burton at Halfback or Critta at FB. The more they get their hands on the ball, the more likely our chances of winning. Similar to when Parra moved Hayne to FB.

 

[Dogsville]

Great post. Yes time to move Burton as it is not working out with him in the halves.

 

[GA45]

The problem with moving Burton to center is we have some quality outside backs so unless Critta is moved to FB and Tracey to 5/8 I don’t see how you would fit them in.
Sex and Hutch halves pairing would be abysmal

 

[Turvey Chip and Chase]

TBH, I don’t mind d your team at all.
Even though Burton is killing me at 5/8, I’d probably go…

Tracey
Kiraz
Crighton
Xerri
Skelton (although Wilson will be picked, and that’s ok too if being fair)
Burton
Sexton

forwards pick themselves

14 Mann
15 Salmon
16 Hughes
17 Kautoga

 

[Turvey Chip and Chase]

That said, watching Salmon in the trials, I do think he could be a handy 5/8

 

[wendog33]

The problem with moving Burton to center is we have some quality outside backs so unless Critta is moved to FB and Tracey to 5/8 I don’t see how you would fit them in.
Sex and Hutch halves pairing would be abysmal

The suggestion of Salmon to 5/8 could work. Good defensively and surely he'd be thinkin getting the ball to Kiks is essential. It's worth a go if Burton continues to cruise.

 

[BULLDOGGSFAN]

Please submit to Cam Ciraldo's office by 3.00pm today

Nice team. Thoughful ideas.

Haha! I'll need his contact details

 

[TwinTurbo]

Haha! I'll need his contact details

Don't worry, you have posted it on here and all of the Bulldogs' coaching staff read each and every post.


Always a Bulldog

 

[GA45]

The suggestion of Salmon to 5/8 could work. Good defensively and surely he'd be thinkin getting the ball to Kiks is essential. It's worth a go if Burton continues to cruise.

I’ve got no problem moving Burton if he continues to fail. It would mean though we have depth of outside backs. And they are the least of our issues if they solve their handling problems.
Our halves would be bog average and Burton has been the only one who has showed he can win us a game if he switches on. Unfortunately he doesn’t switch on often. Salmon might work but how do you fit the rest in when healthy?

 

[D.O.W.]

Hi Kennel family,



I’ve picked a side for you all to have a look at.



Players were chosen based off two things:

1️⃣ Their ability in yardage (considering we have a weak middle forward rotation) and…

2️⃣ Who I think the opposition doesn’t want to play against!


Backs:

1. Chricton (the voice we need at the back)
2. Skelton (Fox injured+ yardage winger and I reckon if you asked the opposition who they’d rather have running at them (Wilson or Skelton) they would want us to pick Wilson. He can put a hit on too!
3. Burton (we are simply not getting our moneys worth out of him playing 6 plus he’s a big body and will assist in yardage)
4. Xerri (Fast/good in yardage + strong in contact)
5. Kiraz (Yardage winger + can make over 150 metres a game)
6. Salmon (if we’re gonna have Sexy at 7 then we need a bigger body at 6. Salmon grew up playing halves and will dig into the line, play straight and create space for outside men)
7. Sexton (he’s simply the best 7 we have at the club. Let’s not overthink this)

8.
King (he’s the arguably the only real established prop we have at the club and we need more than 40 minutes out of him)
9.
Mahoney/Turpin (Reed can play 80 but that doesn’t mean he should)
10.
Farmer Silly ‍ (15/20 minutes to start or finish halves. He may have to make way for Patolo or Zane Tetavano if they find form)
11.
Kikau (HE NEEDS MORE BALL! I’m convinced he’ll see it with Salmon playing 6. Great in yardage if we actually give him the ball)
12.
Preston (I’m tempted to pick Kautoga based off trial form. He’s bigger and more aggressive, has an offload and whacks in defence. I like Preston but I don’t think his selection should be automatic)
13.
Curran/ Mann (Curran and Mann share time at lock. I’d like to start Curran and put Mann on at about the 30th minute. Mann would play the rest of the game at 13 and Curran moves to the middle to cover prop. Both Mann and Curran offer ball playing at lock but different styles and speeds)

So bench would be:
14.
Mann (lock)
15.
Turpin (happy to give this role to Hutcho as well as he can cover hooker and multiple positions)
16.
Hughes
17.
Kautoga

It is a small-ish bench but keep in mind Curran will move to the middle in the second half…

I’m convinced this is a roster that can challenge for the top 8 or at least finish 8-12 but only if we get these selections right!

Let me know what you think

I like your thinking and logic, good team though have some differing views.

Agree dropping Taaffe, his shocker in the Sharks trial compounded by his errors in the Parra game has his confidence rock bottom, he’ll need to regain that in Cup before getting another look in.

Skelton to me is a no brainer, particularly with our lack of size in the middles, he is a very effective tackle 1 option and will go for 140+ meters easily every game.

Kiraz is a winger fullstop.

Wilson’s pace is great, but has feet for hands, needs to do more reps in cup.

Xerri should be in the centres, he’s not looked out of place since coming to the club. He’s a specialist in that position.

As tempting as it is to move Crichton into 1, he’s the worlds best defensive centre and arguably the best centre period. You don’t move the best player in his position elsewhere. But, open to the idea if we’re desperate or poor for choice. Let’s see how Tracey goes in that role and who knows, if that fails, maybe it’s time we blooded Papalii.

Burton @ 6 is starting to do my head in…. He kills the ball, Kiks and Crichton don’t see any good ball outside him… he lacks vision and good choices, even his spiral bomb has gone missing. Absolutely went missing last week…. He’s almost cooked on chances at 6 so centre or even fullback could be better options.

Sexton must come into the team at 7, he provides an extra dimension in attack, has good speed, good vision and a terrific passing game.

Hutch could join Sexy if Burto plays centre, but given Burton’s move is unlikely, Hutch is either a 14 or playing Cup.

Reed should get 50-70mins and let Mann or Turpin come in with some energy. The only thing Mahoney is guilty of is trying too hard. Ciro needs to simplify his role similarly to how the Eels used him (just dart passes from dummy half and from time to time, have a scoot to keep the markers honest.

Middles, we need to start with Hughes, he gives us that size and he often finds his front, Poasa can come in for 2x 20min power stints. Kautoga’s aggression would give our pack a boost, should make the bench.

Mann or Salmon (one of the two and not both) is the utility option of choice, Mann looks the sharpest of all utilities early on.

Last but not least, sheer aggression and pack mentality, was there in spades vs Storm in trial#1 and vanished slowly since. Our pack has to hunt in numbers and ramp up that defensive intensity at the start of sets like Storm and Penrith do. We were super effective in that first trial doing just that but it’s all vaporised.

Skelton, Katoga, Tracey and Xerri need to find a home in our 17. Once match fit, Patolo should come off the bench.

 

[wendog33]

I’ve got no problem moving Burton if he continues to fail. It would mean though we have depth of outside backs. And they are the least of our issues if they solve their handling problems.
Our halves would be bog average and Burton has been the only one who has showed he can win us a game if he switches on. Unfortunately he doesn’t switch on often. Salmon might work but how do you fit the rest in when healthy?

Face that when it happens

 

[Howie B]

No way is he gunna make any big changes after one game in which we hardly any ball.

I think Crichton will end up at fullback but not sure he has the miles in the legs yet. Short pre season and only 20 minutes of a trial game.

Pretty safe to assume he will have a longer pre season heading into next year

 

[wendog33]

I like your thinking and logic, good team though have some differing views.

Agree dropping Taaffe, his shocker in the Sharks trial compounded by his errors in the Parra game has his confidence rock bottom, he’ll need to regain that in Cup before getting another look in.

Skelton to me is a no brainer, particularly with our lack of size in the middles, he is a very effective tackle 1 option and will go for 140+ meters easily every game.

Kiraz is a winger fullstop.

Wilson’s pace is great, but has feet for hands, needs to do more reps in cup.

Xerri should be in the centres, he’s not looked out of place since coming to the club. He’s a specialist in that position.

As tempting as it is to move Crichton into 1, he’s the worlds best defensive centre and arguably the best centre period. You don’t move the best player in his position elsewhere. But, open to the idea if we’re desperate or poor for choice. Let’s see how Tracey goes in that role and who knows, if that fails, maybe it’s time we blooded Papalii.

Burton @ 6 is starting to do my head in…. He kills the ball, Kiks and Crichton don’t see any good ball outside him… he lacks vision and good choices, even his spiral bomb has gone missing. Absolutely went missing last week…. He’s almost cooked on chances at 6 so centre or even fullback could be better options.

Sexton must come into the team at 7, he provides an extra dimension in attack, has good speed, good vision and a terrific passing game.

Hutch could join Sexy if Burto plays centre, but given Burton’s move is unlikely, Hutch is either a 14 or playing Cup.

Reed should get 50-70mins and let Mann or Turpin come in with some energy. The only thing Mahoney is guilty of is trying too hard. Ciro needs to simplify his role similarly to how the Eels used him (just dart passes from dummy half and from time to time, have a scoot to keep the markers honest.

Middles, we need to start with Hughes, he gives us that size and he often finds his front, Poasa can come in for 2x 20min power stints. Kautoga’s aggression would give our pack a boost, should make the bench.

Mann or Salmon (one of the two and not both) is the utility option of choice, Mann looks the sharpest of all utilities early on.

Last but not least, sheer aggression and pack mentality was there in spades vs Storm in trial#1 and vanished slowly since. Our pack has to hunt in numbers and ramp up that defensive intensity at the start of sets like Storm and Penrith do. We were super effective in that first trial doing just that but it’s all vaporised.

Skelton, Katoga, Tracey and Xerri need to find a home in our 17. Once match fit, Patolo should come off the bench.

Sheer aggression...apparently it can't be taught and you either have it or you don't. Not part of the Props academy to teach it lol

 

[BULLDOGGSFAN]

I’ve got no problem moving Burton if he continues to fail. It would mean though we have depth of outside backs. And they are the least of our issues if they solve their handling problems.
Our halves would be bog average and Burton has been the only one who has showed he can win us a game if he switches on. Unfortunately he doesn’t switch on often. Salmon might work but how do you fit the rest in when healthy?

Basically if we want to win we need to pick halves that will bring our strike players into the game. Chricton and Kikau had about 8 runs between them last round.
Secondly if we know our middles are average then you have to pick yardage style outside backs that will get the ball past the 30 metre line on kick returns.
Players like Wilson who are fast and can finish are great if you don't need help in yardage but it's about getting the balance of the team right.

 

[dekepefc]

Will be interesting to see how long CC takes to make changes.. if the same team runs out this week then he shows just how stubborn he is. Could seal his own fate if he is as stubborn as he was last year.