Team Selection Chat

[BULLDOGGSFAN]

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.

Yep I'd agree with all that and I like the idea of bringing in Joash Papalii. Again though, because he's a smaller fullback we're gonna need Kiraz and Skeltons yardage and metres on kick returns. You couldn't pick him alongside Wilson because they're both just gonna get smashed and driven backwards.
For example- If they kick it to our corners and it's Skelton first hit up (tackle zero), Kiraz dummy half run (tackle one), then Critter (2 )then we're gonna have some momentum getting out of trouble. Similar to how Penrith use Brian To'o start the sets on kick returns...

 

[wendog33]

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.

Like many have said, there's only one change for injured Fox probs and that will be his 18th man from last week Tracey.

 

[KLil]

Like many have said, there's only one change for injured Fox probs and that will be his 18th man from last week Tracey.

Its a start... Tracey will get some game time in the backline before shifting him to FB.

If Taafe has an insufficient one at the back again good chance Tracey gets a run there when JAC is ready to come back.

 

[GA45]

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.

Wilson Isn’t in my backline. Obviously CC has a better opinion of him then me

 

[BULLDOGGSFAN]

Wilson Isn’t in my backline. Obviously CC has a better opinion of him then me

Yeah he’d be fine if he was playing on the back of a top tier forward pack (like South Sydney) but we just don’t have that luxury

 

[wendog33]

Yeah he’d be fine if he was playing on the back of a top tier forward pack (like South Sydney) but we just don’t have that luxury

Be the new Johnston if at Souths. Even Tass looks good over there....tho they have taught him to be more aggressive and confident.

 

[diddly]

I think Mahoney is under most pressure - not saying it should happen yet but Mann starting at 9 might help with defence in the middle.

Salmon is basically playing a traditional 5/8 role in attack, except not kicking

 

[Old Man JB]

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

I like it, that would be my team, but he won't drop Taafe based on 1 ordinary game nor should he. Hopefully the kid improves but if he doesn't we at least have options.
Not sure about Hutch or Sexton.

 

[dekepefc]

Like many have said, there's only one change for injured Fox probs and that will be his 18th man from last week Tracey.

I don't doubt that at all. I do however think it's a massive mistake by CC.

 

[bradyk]

I like it, that would be my team, but he won't drop Taafe based on 1 ordinary game nor should he. Hopefully the kid improves but if he doesn't we at least have options.
Not sure about Hutch or Sexton.

He shouldn't of picked Taaffe at fullback to begin with so why can't he drop him now.

 

[Old Man JB]

He shouldn't of picked Taaffe at fullback to begin with so why can't he drop him now.

Because he obviously thinks he should have picked him and dropping a player you supposedly trust after 1 average game will set a precedence where you won't have the same team playing two weeks in a row. There has to be a degree of stability.

 

[bradyk]

Because he obviously thinks he should have picked him and dropping a player you supposedly trust after 1 average game will set a precedence where you won't have the same team playing two weeks in a row. There has to be a degree of stability.

He's made a mistake and the longer he persists the worse it's going to be for him. This is Perham 2.0. We've wasted our pre season, now we're wasting NRL rounds.

 

[BULLDOGGSFAN]

Because he obviously thinks he should have picked him and dropping a player you supposedly trust after 1 average game will set a precedence where you won't have the same team playing two weeks in a row. There has to be a degree of stability.

Taaffe dropped 2 bombs in the trial against the Sharks and had a knock on. Then he had another dropped bomb against the Eels so it's not really just one bad game and the Sharks will definitely be targeting him this week. His confidence looks shot and he could do with a bit of time in NSW cup to get his mojo back.

 

[dekepefc]

Because he obviously thinks he should have picked him and dropping a player you supposedly trust after 1 average game will set a precedence where you won't have the same team playing two weeks in a row. There has to be a degree of stability.

Taafe has had two bad games in a row now.. and in his first game (1st half or 1st trial), he wasn't bad bad, but he certainly wasn't good... so you could call it 3 games.. been enough of a sample size to suggest he isn't the answer right now.. would he have even been picked if Tracey was fit during pre-season?

 

[Turvey Chip and Chase]

He shouldn't of picked Taaffe at fullback to begin with so why can't he drop him now.

Although he shouldn’t have been there round 1, I do agree, dropping him now sends a very bad message to everyone. Unfortunately now he gets 3 games at least….

I’d rather Tracey back there

 

[iDoggiesFan]

Anyone expecting unforced changes this week is clueless.

 

[wendog33]

Although he shouldn’t have been there round 1, I do agree, dropping him now sends a very bad message to everyone. Unfortunately now he gets 3 games at least….

I’d rather Tracey back there

Know what you're saying but could an even worse terrible message to the players be: the coach won't pick the best players for the position when they are available and mediocrity is rewarded bc you get 3 chances if you play bad.

 

[Dogs4EVA-1]

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

Kautoga needs a chance.. also any team that does NOT have Hutch in is a team I like.. he STINKS.. I would also seriously consider throwing in Joash Papa at FB, he is ready.. and if not soon then another club will pluck him away

 

[Dogs4EVA-1]

Like many have said, there's only one change for injured Fox probs and that will be his 18th man from last week Tracey.

doesn't seem to learn from last year Ciro... after a poor performance you make changes!! simple... keep making them until something works because what hes currently doing isn't working!!

 

[piggy]

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

Turpin?? Your kidding..would rather Hayward