Lovett Wants to stay a Tiger

[Milky]

Our back row stocks have surprised many this year….maybe we don't REALLY need to splurge big bucks for a 2nd rower for 2016?..I say keep Lovett...

I agree, Back row definitely isn't somewhere we need to be signing players. I say sign a quality prop and centre. Our bench is near rubbish, Ava, Dene and Buch provide us with no go forward.

 

[Yossarian]

Ava is okay. Remember Lodge is injured. Getting quality props who are happy to start from the bench is hard and is going to get harder next year. Keep in mind if the game goes to 6 interchanges everyone needs to have a real think about things. Woods either goes the distance or if both props sub off and then back on that's 4 interchanges. How long do you want your starters off for? Presumably not long, maybe 10 minutes or so either side of the break so you're possibly talking about guys who might be lucky to get 20 minutes. Possibly that opens up some opportunities to older guys who can accept not being starters and could go for a couple of 10 minute spurts.

When you get to the backrow it gets even trickier. If Woods gets a break there's only 2 interchanges left and presumably you want to keep one up your sleeve until at least under 10 to go. If Woods stays on KG or whoever still burns 2 so take a back rower off and back on burns another 2 and you're back to 2 left. Realistically if you want to have a replacement up your sleeve for injuries you're effectively running a 3 man bench. The alternative is KG comes off after 20, Lodge player 20, Ava plays 15 and KG comes back on. Anyway sorry I'm rambling but my point is the days of a 4 man bench where everyone gets decent game time is coming to an end so some of your squad forwards are getting little or no game time or playing reggies.

 

[Yossarian]

Our back row stocks have surprised many this year….maybe we don't REALLY need to splurge big bucks for a 2nd rower for 2016?..I say keep Lovett...

Well Curtis SIronen has answered a few critics and Lovett has exceeded expectations.

 

[Milky]

Ava is okay. Remember Lodge is injured. Getting quality props who are happy to start from the bench is hard and is going to get harder next year. Keep in mind if the game goes to 6 interchanges everyone needs to have a real think about things. Woods either goes the distance or if both props sub off and then back on that's 4 interchanges. How long do you want your starters off for? Presumably not long, maybe 10 minutes or so either side of the break so you're possibly talking about guys who might be lucky to get 20 minutes. Possibly that opens up some opportunities to older guys who can accept not being starters and could go for a couple of 10 minute spurts.

When you get to the backrow it gets even trickier. If Woods gets a break there's only 2 interchanges left and presumably you want to keep one up your sleeve until at least under 10 to go. If Woods stays on KG or whoever still burns 2 so take a back rower off and back on burns another 2 and you're back to 2 left. Realistically if you want to have a replacement up your sleeve for injuries you're effectively running a 3 man bench. The alternative is KG comes off after 20, Lodge player 20, Ava plays 15 and KG comes back on. Anyway sorry I'm rambling but my point is the days of a 4 man bench where everyone gets decent game time is coming to an end so some of your squad forwards are getting little or no game time or playing reggies.

I think 6 man interchange will spell the end of Keithy unfortunately, unless he can work on his fitness dramatically.

 

[TurnStyle]

ive been really impressed with lovett since the first game in the centres. now he is close to cementing his spot in the back row and going very well. i too think people place too much emphasis on young guys bulking up, and if the interchange rules to change, then he is even more valuable as he has shown he can also play in the centres if needed.

good on ya kyle.