Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:14 pm  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPn4Gi ... e=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPn4Gi ... e=youtu.be

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:30 am  

He actually thought this nerve damage had ended his career and might be on bench tonight

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:29 am  

Watching that I was struck that his teammates all spoke about his talk and his high expectations of his fellow players. I wonder if we've missed him more than we realise, as that is an element in which we seem to have been sorely lacking lately.

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:36 am  

Dux wrote:

Watching that I was struck that his teammates all spoke about his talk and high expectations of his fellow players. I wonder if we've missed him more than we realise, as that is an element in which we seem to have been sorely lacking lately.

I've never doubted his commitment or effort, he's just not good enough as a prop. We've asked him to do a job I feel he's not physically up to.

When the game is really physical, he just can't stand up, he'd not big enough for prop either. He's very much like LMS in he can't make meters but Boof puts the effort in.

Boof has been a average signing and nothing more. I've got a feeling the next few weeks are make or break with him as this nerve Injury was a bad one. I think we doing what we did with Perry after his pec injury, in just letting him have a go and see how it goes.

I hope for his sake, he ends his playing days on his terms.

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:56 am  

St pete wrote:

I've never doubted his commitment or effort, he's just not good enough as a prop. We've asked him to do a job I feel he's not physically up to.

When the game is really physical, he just can't stand up, he'd not big enough for prop either. He's very much like LMS in he can't make meters but Boof puts the effort in.

Boof has been a average signing and nothing more. I've got a feeling the next few weeks are make or break with him as this nerve Injury was a bad one. I think we doing what we did with Perry after his pec injury, in just letting him have a go and see how it goes.

I hope for his sake, he ends his playing days on his terms.

I agree with all of that. It's just been obvious lately that we're badly short of emotional leaders in the team ... even if Boof is pretty average, if he could provide some leadership for us for the rest of the season I could see that making a bit of a difference.

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:23 am  

Dux wrote:

I agree with all of that. It's just been obvious lately that we're badly short of emotional leaders in the team ... even if Boof is pretty average, if he could provide some leadership for us for the rest of the season I could see that making a bit of a difference.

I'm told he could make the bench tonight at the cost of jones, so we will see how he goes

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:49 am  

St pete wrote:

I'm told he could make the bench tonight at the cost of jones, so we will see how he goes

Not sure why Brown keeps dropping Jones from the 17 tbh.

This season, he has been our best centre when he has played there (Cas away springs to mind as a good example of how good he is) and whilst he doesnt necessarily have the handling skills of a Lyon or a Gidley, he is very safe defensively which Turner and Percival seem to lack most of the time.

The embarrassment of Graeme Horne running 60 metres through our "scrum half" and centre last weekend alone, let alone the rest of the "performance", Jones would be the first name on the list for centres tonight let alone dropping him altogether. Dont see how he can be dropped after only getting about 12 mins game time on Sunday, yet far worse performers will no doubt keep their place

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:55 am  

In my eyes Jones has stagnated a bit this season and with that has not commanded a position this season. Percival and Thompson have progressed, I,m not sure if Boof is going to be with us next season, lets hope he can make a difference to our fragile defence the remainder of the season.

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:25 am  

Judder Man wrote:

In my eyes Jones has stagnated a bit this season and with that has not commanded a position this season. Percival and Thompson have progressed, I,m not sure if Boof is going to be with us next season, lets hope he can make a difference to our fragile defence the remainder of the season.

Percival has looked handy with the ball but has been very shaky in defence. I'd be inclined to put Jones in for him for the time being.

Re: Documentary on Anthony Laffranchi : Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:44 am  

Interesting his weight was quoted at 102 kg. That's more second row weight these days (except at Saints were our lightweight backrowers are all in the mid 90kg bracket)

The players commented on his defence and its an area I have always thought he excelled at. When he plays the Saints defence looks a lot stronger. He doesn't offer a great deal in terms of hard yardage going forward, but he does stiffen up the backbone of the side.

Nice to see the players practicing the wrestling technique as well in training.

Wellos face looked a right mess with that facial cut.

On the subject of team selection. I think there is an element of giving the youngsters like Percival game time to work on things like defence. Its all about getting them ready for the business end of the season.

The regular rounds are just really an extended pre season for the top teams now.
Its more a case of experimenting with defensive and offensive structures, giving kids run outs. Making players play outside of their comfort zones in unfamiliar roles. That to me is why I think we are seeing odd results, not just at Saints but at other sides as well.