Who plays #6 and who plays #7 - a season defining decision.

[The Chad]

Not familiar with the IQ of this club? We played 10 years before they realised we had no goal kicker. And over a decade without a halfback naming Brooks there every damn week. This club does not make smart, obvious decisions.

To be fair- I question the Bulldogs IQ as much. Galvin isn't that kind of player. They were on a good thing with Sexton.

The more I think about it....

I'd almost make it a priority move. Dude averages nearly 350m kicking per game. And you know what? His defence isn't a liability.

 

[Flippedy]

To be fair- I question the Bulldogs IQ as much. Galvin isn't that kind of player. They were on a good thing with Sexton.

The more I think about it....

I'd almost make it a priority move. Dude averages nearly 350m kicking per game. And you know what? His defence isn't a liability.

Great idea! Sexton would be a great pick up then Luai can go back to 6 where he is much better suited, imo. I don’t know what the Dogs are thinking wanting to replace him with the unproven Galvin of all people! Sexton is playing half in the best performing, top of the ladder team this season, he must doing something right. Yet still they want to get rid of him? Makes no sense. He has every right to be pissed off.

I know there’s a lot of hope here surrounding Latu taking up the mantle, but I’m not sure of his week to week fitness. We can’t afford to have a half that is injured every 5 minutes. Let him develop more and get stronger in the lower grades for the rest of the season and bring a proven NRL halfback over now before the season slips any further away.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

I see Latu as more of a 7 than a 6. Although his kicking game is kind of weak.

 

[BAGNF05]

Mason reminds me a bit of Strange at the Raiders, I’m really hoping he kicks on in that six jersey and Latu can no doubt play a utility role. Both still so young.

 

[poopy_diaper]

Yeah he has played mostly 6, but some 7.
I think out of the two, Latu has more potential to make the #7 his than Luai.
That's why its a big call - because we saw what happened to brooks when we played him at #7 instead of #6 where he should have been,

agree

 

[TYGA]

Simple answer Fainu 7, Luai 6. Mason will be 14 and we move on from TDS. Haywood is already close.

 

[mtd#2]

Simple answer Fainu 7, Luai 6. Mason will be 14 and we move on from TDS. Haywood is already close.

It sounds like we might lose API to the bears the end of next year...

So the combination could look like this:

1. Bula
6. Luai
7. Fainu
9. TDS

14. Mason/Haywood

TDS really needs alot of work on his defence and stamina between now 2027.

 

[Tiger_heart]

I really exposes our depth, doesn't it..?

 

[Tucker]

I’ve been suggesting for over a year now that Latu needs to transition to a 7.
We don’t have one, including Luai - whose best contribution to this squad is getting our attack smoking. Mason is a more than capable backup at 6 as will be Sullivan at 7. I actually have another suggestion for Heath anyway….left centre.

Want I want for 2027:

9. TDS
7. Fainu
6. Luai
1. Bula
With Mason @ 3 To’a @ 4 with Makasini biding his time and learning and Haywood @ 14.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I’ve been suggesting for over a year now that Latu needs to transition to a 7.
We don’t have one, including Luai - whose best contribution to this squad is getting our attack smoking. Mason is a more than capable backup at 6 as will be Sullivan at 7. I actually have another suggestion for Heath anyway….left centre.

Want I want for 2027:

9. TDS
7. Fainu
6. Luai
1. Bula
With Mason @ 3 To’a @ 4 with Makasini biding his time and learning and Haywood @ 14.

Long term, I don’t Mason in the centres. I think he needs a spot somewhere, and if Fainu is going to be in the halves, that shouldn’t mean we lose Mason.

 

[Tucker]

Long term, I don’t Mason in the centres. I think he needs a spot somewhere, and if Fainu is going to be in the halves, that shouldn’t mean we lose Mason.

He can be our Shaun Berrigan. Very capable halve who has speed, tenacity and a will to succeed as evidenced by his willingness to play fullback when he clearly was out of his comfort zone, he puts his body on the line in defence and that he is always backing up.

 

[clontarfkid]

He can be our Shaun Berrigan. Very capable halve who has speed, tenacity and a will to succeed as evidenced by his willingness to play fullback when he clearly was out of his comfort zone, he puts his body on the line in defence and that he is always backing up.

Can't catch a high ball,and can't tackle...
That leaves...?
He's still a kid with time on his side,but better get things together quickly
Shouldn't judge him on his fullback performance..but gotta learn to defend

 

[Tucker]

Can't catch a high ball,and can't tackle...
That leaves...?
He's still a kid with time on his side,but better get things together quickly

He showed the week previous he was more prepared to put his body on the line.
He does miss a lot of tackles currently but I’m talking about 2027.
There is time to work on his technique.

 

[upthetigers]

Benji played at #7 toward the back end of his career, even though he was a natural #6.

Luai is now going down the same path.

Who Benji picks at #6 and #7 will basically decide whether we are a chance of playing finals footy this season.

Will Benji persist with Luai at #7 because of his individual goals, or go with the team first approach and play him at #6?

*******************************************

Our last good #7 was Robert Lui. He was there when we made the semis in 2010 and 2011. It was no coincidence in 2012 we didn't make the semis after he had left. Lui and Latu look to be very similar players.

Creatively, the #7 is where everything starts.

The #7 is the chief and needs to strategically control the team around the park, telling the team where they need to play the ball for him in 4 tackles time. When they see an opportunity they also need speed to dart off the mark, because #7 can be quite dormant. This is a strength of Latu and he's already scored few tries this way. We haven't seen it in open play/further down the field yet though, but it's obviously there and is a strength. Luai is not good from a standing start and just hops around like a kangaroo waiting for something to open up... Where as a good #7 doesnt need to do that and simply strikes when the gap is there..

A good #7 activates the #9... they start to compliment each other and become more dangerous around the ruck... E.G prince and Farah .... Lui and Farah .

A good #7, #9 and #1 playing creatively around the middle activates the #6 who then activates the outside men.. the #6 is an "in motion" ball player.... Like Benji and luai... They are/were both at their best when running with the ball in their hands.

When the spine is right, starting with the #7, it means the #11 and #12 are activated in an attacking sense, then Samuela and KPP start looking exciting with their ball running and ability to offload in open play.. Then the #3 & #4 get alot more ball from the #6, because the team is playing into space - it's the tigers style of old and we saw this in the last 20 vs the cows when Luai basically played a #6 role.

*****
For me the decision is easy, it's:
6.Luai
7.Latu

But what does Benji do?
Luai is a leader, but he can be a Darren Lockyer #6 leader . He doesn't need a #7 on his back to do it .

I'm bloody optimistic. None of this happens without good go forward, but that's for another time..

So who would you play the #6 and #7 role, and why?

Fantastic post only disagree about our forward pack with Pole back one of the best packs in the comp

 

[clontarfkid]

He showed the week previous he was more prepared to put his body on the line.
He does miss a lot of tackles currently but I’m talking about 2027.
There is time to work on his technique.

11 missed tackles in one game is more than technique..

 

[Tucker]

11 missed tackles in one game is more than technique..

Yeah it is. That whole edge wasn’t working together

 

[crazycat]

Great idea! Sexton would be a great pick up then Luai can go back to 6 where he is much better suited, imo. I don’t know what the Dogs are thinking wanting to replace him with the unproven Galvin of all people! Sexton is playing half in the best performing, top of the ladder team this season, he must doing something right. Yet still they want to get rid of him? Makes no sense. He has every right to be pissed off.

I know there’s a lot of hope here surrounding Latu taking up the mantle, but I’m not sure of his week to week fitness. We can’t afford to have a half that is injured every 5 minutes. Let him develop more and get stronger in the lower grades for the rest of the season and bring a proven NRL halfback over now before the season slips any further away.

Then what do we tell Latu/Sullivan?

Get lost is going to make huge trouble for the Fainu family and we can't be down anyone in our front row.

Also we see Sexton playing with a great pack and a great team. Look I rate him better then Galvin, but there is such an easier job to guide around a team with a strong pack vs ours. DCE is brillant because he can still be an awesome half in a loosing team.

Adam Reynolds (probably not happening), Sexton (possible, but no)... Hugues/DCE (no way).
Definately the player agents can smell blood in the water and they are making the most of the new team situation.

 

[The Chad]

Luai & Fainu are obviously options 1 & 2 at this stage.

Mason (love the Shaun Berrigan comparison) is a good guy to have in reserve. Add in Doueihi as an option. I'd still want 1 more in the mix.

It could be as easy as Sullivan comes back & he's that guy. But, if he moves on, I think you have to look at Toby Sexton. It's not like teams are falling over themselves to add him.

He adds a quality option in case Luai/Fainu doesn't work, very low risk, seems a good character player, good kicker. Even if it's just a 1 year deal- he's the insurance policy at what I would imagine is no higher a salary than Sullivan is at.

Failing that- Lachlan Ilias is going to get punted by the Dragons.

The beauty of this is- Mason & Doueihi offer versatility. It's not as though you are filling the KOE squad with reserve halves. You have centres, fullbacks, & wingers covered while STILL covering the halves depth.

 

[Tom Shines]

Luai & Fainu are obviously options 1 & 2 at this stage.

Mason (love the Shaun Berrigan comparison) is a good guy to have in reserve. Add in Doueihi as an option. I'd still want 1 more in the mix.

It could be as easy as Sullivan comes back & he's that guy. But, if he moves on, I think you have to look at Toby Sexton. It's not like teams are falling over themselves to add him.

He adds a quality option in case Luai/Fainu doesn't work, very low risk, seems a good character player, good kicker. Even if it's just a 1 year deal- he's the insurance policy at what I would imagine is no higher a salary than Sullivan is at.

Failing that- Lachlan Ilias is going to get punted by the Dragons.

The beauty of this is- Mason & Doueihi offer versatility. It's not as though you are filling the KOE squad with reserve halves. You have centres, fullbacks, & wingers covered while STILL covering the halves depth.

How much of the $500-$550k are you going to eat to entice another club to take Bud? And then they gunna pay for Sexton on top of that? To play behind Luai, Latu and possible Mase ?

Just let Bud be the No 4 if it’s going to cost more than say $200k to move him on

 

[The Chad]

How much of the $500-$550k are you going to eat to entice another club to take Bud? And then they gunna pay for Sexton on top of that? To play behind Luai, Latu and possible Mase ?

Just let Bud be the No 4 if it’s going to cost more than say $200k to move him on

I don't disagree. If that is the case, you play Bud in KOE & act as if he is a viable option to fill in.

Which he is.

I'd add Tyrone May as well as he is similar to Doueihi & Mason- offers position flexibility. KOE could be Luke Lualili'i at FB, Mason @ 5/8, Bud @ #7, Tyrone May @ #13 & Hope/Da Silva @ #9....that's pretty decent.