Re: First choice 17 : Sat Oct 23, 2021 12:55 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

Don’t think either should play 13. Both are here as props so that’s where they should play. We have smith at 13, also bentley could play there as well I think.

Most agree we are a prop light, the way to combat that is to play props we have as props and rotate them as the game goes on.

I would start Smith at 13 play Bentley in the second row.
We need a bit of luck regarding injuries at prop.

Re: First choice 17 : Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:55 pm  

Agar like most coaches now sees 13 as an additional prop. I wish that wasn't the case but we can't unilaterally disarm in that respect.

Re: First choice 17 : Sat Oct 23, 2021 6:38 pm  

I miss watching Dave Heron play, he was a proper loose forward.

Re: First choice 17 : Sat Oct 23, 2021 6:59 pm  

With the evolution of the full back and hooker positions, there's no need for another pivot/creative player at 13.

Re: First choice 17 : Mon Oct 25, 2021 2:16 pm  

Jack Burton wrote:

With the evolution of the full back and hooker positions, there's no need for another pivot/creative player at 13.

I'm not sure I fully agree with that. If your Hooker can provide quick accurate ball on either side of the ruck, then you need three of 1, 6, 7, 13 to be ball players and the other to be a roaming runner. that way you can easily play both sides of the field with multiple threats. If you effectively play 3 props then you lose a ball player or a runner and you become predictable and easy to defend. A modern day Loose Forward should be able to plug the defensive line gaps and play ball too. This requires you to have 4 out and out props in your 17 man squad each week and that's actually where I think Leeds will fall down this coming season.

Re: First choice 17 : Mon Oct 25, 2021 2:41 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

I'm not sure I fully agree with that. If your Hooker can provide quick accurate ball on either side of the ruck, then you need three of 1, 6, 7, 13 to be ball players and the other to be a roaming runner. that way you can easily play both sides of the field with multiple threats. If you effectively play 3 props then you lose a ball player or a runner and you become predictable and easy to defend. A modern day Loose Forward should be able to plug the defensive line gaps and play ball too. This requires you to have 4 out and out props in your 17 man squad each week and that's actually where I think Leeds will fall down this coming season.

I think Cam Smith is your modern day loose. Both big and skilful. He, like a few others, just needs to get the bit between his teeth and go out and prove it.

Re: First choice 17 : Mon Oct 25, 2021 4:35 pm  

Cam isn’t small is he? Filling out quite nicely. I wouldn’t say he has a high-strike D but he puts himself about and usually gets his job done. I still think there is a role for a ball-playing big guy down the middle. That offload in heavy traffic can be just as devastating as the silky six playing the margins.

You could argue that all forwards should be able to pass in the modern game but it’s statistics really: there are far fewer blokes who are fit, mobile and 18 stone than are “normal” dimensions but skilful.

Re: First choice 17 : Mon Oct 25, 2021 6:36 pm  

I don't think 13 necessarily is another prop I think with the speed of the ruck now and new six again rules teams have a 13 who is mobile with good hands look at the top teams in NRL Penrith have Isaah Yeo, Souths have Cam Murray, Manly Have J.Trobojvic. even in SL saints use Knowles there I think Cam Smith fits the perfect mold of a modern day 13 he just needs too nail it down now.

Re: First choice 17 : Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:15 pm  

Pardon my intrusion on your board but, i think if you guys can have much better luck on the injury side, i think you will be the one club who can challenge for honours again, and I honestly believe that i'ts you guys who can trouble Saints.

[Frosties.]

Re: First choice 17 : Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:48 pm  

Having Smith or Bentley at LF also solves the issue of our missing prop forward as we use Tetevano there, with Holroyd too and then Muizz Mustapha is useful.

If Leeds were willing to part with 60k, they’d have Ebon Scurr for 2022 too