What players are walk up starts come Round 1 ??

[Spartan117]

PS - Isn't it great to be talking about competition for spots with the new Generation coming through.

2013 whilst painful will have expedited their development.

 

[Fraze23]

I read a stat the other day that Dene was averaging only 18 minutes per game this year.

He will certainly be getting more time at WT.

Everyone is complaining about the size of our forward pack and in particular our back row , yet we continue with having lightweights getting dominated :brick:

IMO a lot will depend on the starting combination, the rotation of our pack and timing of interchanges. If Potter is clever about his rotation there is no reason that smaller faster players like Halatau can't be effective.
For example if we were to start with;

11\. Fulton
12\. Sironen
13\. Halatau

We'd be far too light make any impact. But if you balance out size and experience, between Blair, BMM, Patterson, Fulton, SIronen, Sue and Halatau, there's no reason why we can't be competitive with the bigger sides. It just comes down to making the right decisions on who starts, who replaces who and when in the game.

 

[pHyR3]

I read a stat the other day that Dene was averaging only 18 minutes per game this year.

He will certainly be getting more time at WT.

Everyone is complaining about the size of our forward pack and in particular our back row , yet we continue with having lightweights getting dominated :brick:

let's compare last years pack to this year.

2013

8\. Buchanan
10\. Woods or Galloway depending on injuries
11\. Fulton
12\. Pettybourne
13\. Sue
14\. Blair
15\. Ava/Anasta
16\. Sironen
17\. BMM

2014

8\. Woods
10\. Galloway
11\. Fulton
12\. Sironen
13\. Sue
14\. **Taupau**
15\. **Paterson**
16\. Dene
17\. BMM

How can you possibly say that is a tiny pack like last year? it's not a monster pack, but it is a mile better than 2013 especially considering the improvement Sue, BMM and Siro will go through and have gone through.

 

[cqtiger]

My way of thinking is that when the team comes second last with a terrible for and against there is NO walk-up starts for anybody.

But there is a squad of 25 to pick from with most of those players being the same as last year.

So (1) those players have to play far better or (2) the new boys get an early shot

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[Guest]

Walk up starters for round 1:

Tedesco
Brooks
Farah
Woods
Galloway (if fit)
Blair
Lawrence
Nofoaluma
Buchanan
Sirro
BMM
Fulton

 

[pHyR3]

Buchanan willow? wouldn't be so sure, he's a good chance but i think paterson, blair and BMM will get the nod over him.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Walk up starters for round 1:

Tedesco
Brooks
Farah
Woods
Galloway (if fit)
Blair
Lawrence
Nofoaluma
Buchanan
Sirro
BMM
Fulton

Reckon eleven of your dozen will be there, and Potter will be out to put his stamp on the side this year. Thus his first back and forward recruits in Richards and Taupau would also most likely be pencilled in.

Depending on where and how he plays Blair, either Sue or Buchanan will be in the line-up. Simona takes up the other centre spot if fit, and with Anasta being Sheen's choice, I tend to think the coach will give Austin a decent shot to partner Brooks.

 

[pHyR3]

one thing to keep in mind.

although many people here and elsewhere thing potter is a softie and will keep picking on name over form. You have to remember he was SEVERELY constricted by both options and the 2nd tier salary cap last year. This season (hopefully) wont be like that and he will be able to move things around far more freely. So I wouldn't expect blair and anasta to be picked round after round if they perform poorly again.

 

[tiga4eva]

I love this thread (Thx Happy) especially through these December doldrums…

Lawrence is a walk up as is Blair. One doesn't leave his highest $$$ staff on the bench for game one as it sets a negative tone for the entire year. These guys will be given 1st crack at playing themselves back into form.

Sirro and Tupau are in my mix as in the top squad for round especially the latter who was touted as a recruitment coo.

Good point. Through my work I know several members of the Bulldogs staff. I questioned why Hasler kept picking TRex when his form was woeful. The guy who's on the Coaching staff said its bad business to have your highest paid player on the bench or NSW Cup. You just have to do your best to get them back to their best ASAP. Seems similar to our issues with Lawrence and Blair

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[851]

I just hope Patterson is in the 17,I think he will go well next season,and we need to hang on to him.