Well the 17th man seems to only get 15 minutes in the second half anyway at the moment so maybe he wants to give Lodge a full game in the NSW cup to keep him match fit and let Buchanan have a second half plod.
There's really not that much between them in terms of contribution on the field right now. I mean, you can definitely SEE that Lodge is going to end up being a big contributor but at present he's not that far ahead of Buchanan. He is ahead though yes, he gets an extra half metre on average per carry and stands in the tackle threatening to offload … but his strengths aren't in the plans haha.
In saying that I have no reason to believe it's not for some baffing Jason Taylor decision. So why am I even defending him?
My brain. :roll