Opinion Where does our forward pack rank?

Moedogg

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To'omanga
JMK
Thompson
RFM
Jackson
Elliot

(Subs)
Napa
Hetherington
Waddell

Compare our pack to the rest of the teams and we don't come close. The dogs are known for having great forward packs but this forward pack is very unbulldog like.... I just don't see them holding up against other teams.....I reckon we need another big mobile line bending prop like AFB, Paulo Tataloa, etc..

When does Asofa Solomona come off contract? Surely he'd want more game time...
 

bullanth

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Renouf,jmk,Canterbury cup,and on this years form jacko,And Napa,wouldn’t even make the bench at another club,so yes our pack still lacks another big body,to go with Thompson,heatherinton &rfm.
 

CrittaMagic69

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Our forwards conditioning has been poor in recent seasons and we've lack any sort of competent system in place on the field so there's potentially a lot of room for improvement in a lot of our players. Too hard to say where we're at now imo.
 

Spoonman84

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We are a wrecking ball prop, second phase play and a tackle breaking hard running second rower away from being a decent pack.

Ogden and Atoni are still unproven after a few seasons in first grade they really need to show something this year and nail down a spot in the 17 otherwise it’s time to cut bait.

We still seem to have a over abundance of work horses too and badly need some more impact. Jackson and Elliott are too similar of a player ideally you’d only have one in the pack but they are both going to be starters.

Napa is a lost cause now and the sooner he cleans out his locker the better. The front row is going to rely heavily on Thompson to carry them so hopefully Hetherington can go with him and Atoni and Ogden step to the plate.

Im looking forward to the effect Furner has on the pack. I’m hoping he gets more offloads and ball playing into the whole pack. That could really change things up.
 

bradyk

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I think we're a top hooker and prop away from having a good pack compared to other teams. If you were to throw B. Smith and Leniu into our pack we'd be nasty imo. Until we do something like that our pack is pretty average.
 

Dogs4eva13

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I actually don't think it is that bad, you are right probably average but could be well suited to a fast uptempo style of game as long as the right players get selected. For me Napa doesn't make the side and would like to see both Waddell and Doorey in the 17 although would probably have to choose one of them. RFM was great last year but has no passing game or offload and so needs to play in the middle.
 

Noeasyday

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We need some more dynamic ball runners on the edge and another big bodied middle forward.
Most teams have a forward who you anticipate could break the line with each carry, we don't have that.
 

ash160

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I think a fully fit Chris Smith is hugely underrated. If he’s healthy I’d give him a bench spot for sure. He straightens up our attack, runs good lines has a bit of pace.

I think we’ve got some depth this year...pretty good pack
 
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speedy2460

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The forwards are just that, a pack. There is probably no standout (except Thompson), and they will hunt as a pack.
It is so very important for Barrett to get his team selections right, and to use the bench constructively.
The team has a group who are not afraid of hard work, and I believe they will go well.
 

Scoooby

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Together and with TBAZ , these guys will be massive in 2021, intact our whole team will rank leaps and bounds ahead of recent times.!! Round 1 already please.
 

Mozzie

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I believe a lot of the issues we have had with our under par halves has been made worse by our under par forward performances.
So I do have some concerns that even if we improve our halves stocks not much will change unless our forwards start dominating games.
 

KiwiDog7

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I think RFM will have an even better season in 21’

Baz will actually get him to attack better ie read numbers and stop cutting back infield

He will also encourage him to ball play again and know when and when not to pop an offload

Second phase play is a must in today’s game and we as a team don’t do it enough
 

boggie23

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I dont mind our pack. Tolman is the biggest addition by subtraction.

Not here to shit on a great clubman, but the game has passed his skillset. 8m hitups are ineffective as are numerous hitups when 10 out (especially on the 4th).

His freed up spot will help in the development of Ogdne and Renouf, both hard running props with some lateral movement and speed (and line bending ability). Fair enough both of those boys do have defensive flaws they need to work on, but its easier to teach a person how to read defence and how which player to tackle and how to tackle them, instead of teaching them how to bend the line. Both of the boys have never had any coach to teach them and guide them apart from "lets bring the madness".

If Napa starts on the bench (big call to make and I doubt the club has the balls to do it), it would actually suit his game better. Getting to come on, play his 15-20 mins then go off again. Napa does lack the motor and impact of other forwards and he seems gassed after the first 5 mins of games. Best way to use him is bring him on when most of the intensity in the early stages of the game are over and he can do his job from the 20th to 40th min, get a breather at half time, then put another 10 mins after the half before going off.

With the likes of Renouf, Ogden, Hetherington, Thompson you have have more mobile props. Throw in RFM who can also play the roll of a hard running middle forward, and they will do a better job in the quicker game then the likes of Napa.

Hopefully Napa is let go at the end of the season it will only help the club on its championship quest.

Stimson, Wadell, Jackson, Elliot, Dooley, RFM will all battle out for the back row. There are a lot of names there but none that would be considered game changers (jackson seems a shell of his former self, and funnily enough elliot looks like the best of that bunch, all be it not having seen any of stimson yet).

Napa, Thomson, Ogden, Hetherington, Renouf, to play in the middle. And fitting them all in will be the hard part (8 forward sports in our 17 with 12 players vying for them) tough calls will need to be made. But I think we certainly have enough to compete with most teams. Especially with the versatility of our pack (and the speed of it).
 
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bradyk

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I dont mind our pack. Tolman is the biggest addition by subtraction.

Not here to shit on a great clubman, but the game has passed his skillset. 8m hitups are ineffective as are numerous hitups when 10 out (especially on the 4th).

His freed up spot will help in the development of Ogdne and Renouf, both hard running props with some lateral movement and speed (and line bending ability). Fair enough both of those boys do have defensive flaws they need to work on, but its easier to teach a person how to read defence and how which player to tackle and how to tackle them, instead of teaching them how to bend the line. Both of the boys have never had any coach to teach them and guide them apart from "lets bring the madness".

If Napa starts on the bench (big call to make and I doubt the club has the balls to do it), it would actually suit his game better. Getting to come on, play his 15-20 mins then go off again. Napa does lack the motor and impact of other forwards and he seems gassed after the first 5 mins of games. Best way to use him is bring him on when most of the intensity in the early stages of the game are over and he can do his job from the 20th to 40th min, get a breather at half time, then put another 10 mins after the half before going off.

With the likes of Renouf, Ogden, Hetherington, Thompson you have have more mobile props. Throw in RFM who can also play the roll of a hard running middle forward, and they will do a better job in the quicker game then the likes of Napa.

Hopefully Napa is let go at the end of the season it will only help the club on its championship quest.

Stimson, Wadell, Jackson, Elliot, Stimson, Dooley will all battle out for the back row. There are a lot of names there but none that would be considered game changers (jackson seems a shell of his former self, and funnily enough elliot looks like the best of that bunch, all be it not having seen any of stimson yet).

Napa, Thomson, Ogden, Hetherington, Renouf, RFM to play in the middle. And fitting them all in will be the hard part (8 forward sports in our 17 with 12 players vying for them) tough calls will need to be made. But I think we certainly have enough to compete with most teams. Especially with the versatility of our pack (and the speed of it).
If we're putting out our best 17 Napa shouldn't be in the team imo (at least after Thompson's suspension). I agree it's a hard call to make due to what he's being paid tho.
 

Kelpie03

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I have more faith in our forward pack than most, provided they are coached better than they have been over the past few years, actually since Hasler took over. RL has become a game where players are required to become specialists in certain positions, for this reason it is of the outmost importance that they be picked in their best positions.
My preferred starting forward pack would be.
8; Ogden.
9; JMK
10; Napa or Hetherington, (with one on the bench).
11; Rfm
12; Thompson, when available
13; Jackson.
Bench: To.omaga, Elliot Waddell.
I believe that RFM and Thompson would be, at least the equal of any edge back row in the comp, also both can play big minutes.
I believe Napa will fire up in 2021, (his contract year), I am more worried about how JJ and Elliot, will go in 2021 than I am about Napa.
 
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