What to do with Grubby?

[Newtown]

this is a big call but i think IVAN, made his 1st BAD CALL yesterday, Josh should never been anywhere near the 1st grade team, after 10 min he was stuffed, the game for us changed with him coming on, he should have played ISP for 2-3 weeks to get up to speed

I agree. If it is good enough for Tui (whom we spent $400K for)to play ISP until he is fit enough for 1st grade then it is good enough and more than sensible for Reynolds to play ISP until he is fit enough for 1st grade. Cleary will make the right call.

 

[TCL]

Don't know if anyone notice but he attempted a couple leg trips

I know I saw 1 of them and thought gee that’s his bad habit rearing. But in all honesty I think he needs a couple of games in ISP to get match fitness. As Eliajah is due back and would warrant at least a bench spot.

Didn't see any attempted leg trips myself. Would he be that stupid?

I think we all know the answer to that question. :smiley:

Let's just hope that he has changed. I'm sure if we sore it so would have the coaching team and someone will get into his ear about.

 

[Nelson]

He has to just keep playing that role off the bench and see where we're at in a few weeks.

To be brutally honest and no disrespect to him but right now we don't really need him, that's a sign of how good we're going right there.
We bought the heart and soul of another NRL club he was our major recruit and he can't make the team.
That's just the reality of how we're going at the moment.

I would of gone with a Tim Grant on the bench as appose to Grub there.

What's 20 minutes of Tim Grant going to get you?

 

[851]

What concerned me about benji yesterday was I believe he actually took away from Luke's game. Luke was on fire early then Benji started getting it too much and we looked legless as a result. He had 4 very poor last tackle options. His only good last tackle options were his bombs, which were great. Poor pass over the sideline was a shocker.

Great 2 tries, great defence, great bombs….all very good. But let's not pretend the poor wasn't really poor. His 2 grubbers straight into Manly players turning the ball over, passing to Lawrence on a short blind to kick, throwing the ball the Esarn on a short blind to kick, these are last tackle options that should have went to Brooks. That's the problem with Benji, if he does a couple of good things, he then takes the ball too much. Give it to Brooks 70% of the time please on the last.

I'm not trying to bag Benji, I'm very happy he's here and very happy with what he has done. But there are signs there that worry me. I think Brooks taking even more control and Reynolds sitting back getting the ball when Luke wants him to get it would be a better balance. Just my opinion.

I agree with that, and thought exactly the same watching the game, Brooks has stood up the last 2 weeks, but Benji was in the road in the 2nd half.
I was hoping Benji might come off for Reynolds to go on, Reynolds needs a crack at playing 6, we bought him here to play 6, expecting him to be good at 9 is a bit much.

 

[coivtny]

I can't believe anyone would be putting pressure on IC to play Reynolds or that he would allow himself to be pressured. I think Ivan played him to get him acclimatised back to the NRL after months off the field. I think there will be times in the rest of the competition where we'll be glad we signed him but probably not in the next 3 or 4 weeks.

 

[TrueTiger]

I honestly think that both Benji and Josh are there to educate Brooks this year….Reynolds had a setback due to his injury....Benji who now has a baby in his life,in my opinion will hang up the boots next year and still be at the club in a non playing role..in comes JR to continue backing up and educating Brooks..dont kid yourselves JR will be a different player once he is at the 5/8 position and fully fit...he did a fine job yesterday in an unfamiliar role and after a setback,he will come good and Ivan knows it...

 

[foreveratiger]

He has to just keep playing that role off the bench and see where we're at in a few weeks.

To be brutally honest and no disrespect to him but right now we don't really need him, that's a sign of how good we're going right there.
We bought the heart and soul of another NRL club he was our major recruit and he can't make the team.
That's just the reality of how we're going at the moment.

I would of gone with a Tim Grant on the bench as appose to Grub there.

What's 20 minutes of Tim Grant going to get you?

I just prefer the extra forward coming of the bench , when fully fit i know Liddle can play the full 80 minutes and if he needs a spell E.T would be my fill in hooker, Can't see it happening though as Benji's form will keep Reynolds playing off the bench in a utility role at present due to him being our Marquee signing .

 

[innsaneink]

I can't believe anyone would be putting pressure on IC to play Reynolds or that he would allow himself to be pressured. I think Ivan played him to get him acclimatised back to the NRL after months off the field. I think there will be times in the rest of the competition where we'll be glad we signed him but probably not in the next 3 or 4 weeks.

:brick:

Of course Ivan wants to play him, he recruited him after all. Its always been in his plans.
The pressure would come if he played him in reggies

 

[851]

I honestly think that both Benji and Josh are there to educate Brooks this year….Reynolds had a setback due to his injury....Benji who now has a baby in his life,in my opinion will hang up the boots next year and still be at the club in a non playing role..in comes JR to continue backing up and educating Brooks..dont kid yourselves JR will be a different player once he is at the 5/8 position and fully fit...he did a fine job yesterday in an unfamiliar role and after a setback,he will come good and Ivan knows it...

I hope that is how it plays out, we really don't need Benji on the field again next year, but an off field role would be good, and yes Reynolds needs to play 6, and he needs some match fitness, but I am hoping he will shine.

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

I can't believe anyone would be putting pressure on IC to play Reynolds or that he would allow himself to be pressured. I think Ivan played him to get him acclimatised back to the NRL after months off the field. I think there will be times in the rest of the competition where we'll be glad we signed him but probably not in the next 3 or 4 weeks.

:brick:

Of course Ivan wants to play him, he recruited him after all. Its always been in his plans.
The pressure would come if he played him in reggies

He recruited Tui too, but has obviously decided that he isn’t good enough to be on the field.
I don’t think he worries about pressure from the club,
Who in the club would be stupid enough to try and influence his decisions,
It would only be someone who couldn’t remember the shambles we were before he came here
I’m happy to leave him on the bench, or even better, in the Stands

 

[coivtny]

I can't believe anyone would be putting pressure on IC to play Reynolds or that he would allow himself to be pressured. I think Ivan played him to get him acclimatised back to the NRL after months off the field. I think there will be times in the rest of the competition where we'll be glad we signed him but probably not in the next 3 or 4 weeks.

:brick:

Of course Ivan wants to play him, he recruited him after all. Its always been in his plans.
The pressure would come if he played him in reggies

Sorry you feel like you're hitting a brick wall. You need to adjust your pain tolerance up a notch or two. Don't want to exacerbate your pain but, if you're theory is correct, why is Tui in ISP? Wouldn't the same pressure be applied?

 

[Luke]

Reynolds needs more match fitness that is for sure. Thankfully we were winning comfortably when he came on because he could have ended up being our weak link.

Would prefer him to gain match fitness and more experience in the hooker role in ISP though. We haven't needed him for the first 6 rounds so if needs an extra couple of games in ISP then it's no big deal. Unfortunately it won't happen though…

 

[Skip]

Don't know if anyone notice but he attempted a couple leg trips

I know I saw 1 of them and thought gee that’s his bad habit rearing. But in all honesty I think he needs a couple of games in ISP to get match fitness. As Eliajah is due back and would warrant at least a bench spot.

Didn't see any attempted leg trips myself. Would he be that stupid?

Yep I saw 3, was keeping a close eye on him the whole game. I love how passionate this guy is and the energy he brings but IMO he needs a couple games in ISP.

 

[Tigerdave]

This year is going to be a problem for Cleary to fit him in, it's a good problem at least. I guess next year may even be a problem if Benji keeps going the way he's going

 

[Telltails]

Still think its about man management and respect. Reynolds clearly is the marquee signing so you treat him like one, especially when he has done all the right things thus far other than get injured. He deserves the opportunity to contribute from the bench in hope that he can cement a position. His performances will determine that.
Respect and performance level go hand in hand when it is shared between players and coach. If you invest that much in a player you have to demonstrate that you trust him, and your judgement.

 

[Nelson]

Still think its about man management and respect. Reynolds clearly is the marquee signing so you treat him like one, especially when he has done all the right things thus far other than get injured. He deserves the opportunity to contribute from the bench in hope that he can cement a position. His performances will determine that.
Respect and performance level go hand in hand when it is shared between players and coach. If you invest that much in a player you have to demonstrate that you trust him, and your judgement.

Agreed.

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

5/8 for Benji. Benji has done a great job, but his last 3 games have been poor. Yesterday he at least mixed in some really good stuff with his bad, but there is still too much bad play from him. Reynolds at 6 for me.

I agree mate once Reynolds fitness come along however we know Benji is rocks and diamonds however there seems to be fewer rocks.
The thing with putting a half on the bench is that it is harder for them to inject themselves into the game. Personally i see it as a waste to have a half on the bench.

 

[Tacky]

To borrow a basketball stat, Reynolds was -12 against Manly. Liddle was +38.