Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:46 pm  

St pete wrote:

That won't happen tho.

I no that but be intersting to see what royce
does with lance lomax and gaskell

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:51 pm  

1984saints wrote:

I no that but be intersting to see what royce
does with lance lomax and gaskell

It sure will be a interesting call. I just hope injuries don't stop Royce having to make a choice.

Wello
Makinson
Shenton
Wheeler
Foster
Gaskell
Lomax

I'd start the year with them backs and put lance on the bench.

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:04 pm  

St pete wrote:

It sure will be a interesting call. I just hope injuries don't stop Royce having to make a choice.

Wello
Makinson
Shenton
Wheeler
Foster
Gaskell
Lomax

I'd start the year with them backs and put lance on the bench.

I'd do the same, but I'd start the season with Meli instead of Wheeler. For psychological reasons I'd rather not start with the injuries from game one (plus, I think Meli went well last year, just ask Foster).

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:13 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

It's a tricky one but I'd go with a rotation.

I'd agree and that was my thinking around Makinson. I have no problem with him being in the first team, however he is still a young lad and the rigours of week in/week out SL can take it's toll. Last year was his first season in the first team, we can't expect him to continue that every week without some down time. It's not that I don't think he's good enough at the moment

We also can't make the same mistake that Wigan did and expect a team full of youngsters to compete at a high level each week, we'll burn them out and destroy their confidence.

Meli has one more year, Gardner two, they give big game experience for the next few years whilst the likes of Foster and Makinson (and hopefully Wheeler) build their experience and finish growing.

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:20 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

I'd agree and that was my thinking around Makinson. I have no problem with him being in the first team, however he is still a young lad and the rigours of week in/week out SL can take it's toll.

Well, it didn't appear to take its toll on Makinson. In fact, he just got better and better and not only that but made that extra effort and displayed that extra skill for his try, which broke our duck in the GF. Not all players are the same. His kick returns got stronger as the season progressed. His confidence grew and his skill grew. He just grew. He shouldn't be held back IMO.

Meli has one more year, Gardner two, they give big game experience for the next few years whilst the likes of Foster and Makinson (and hopefully Wheeler) build their experience and finish growing.

I have to say that is total rubbish. Meli gives big game experience? You're having a larf, surely! We went to pieces when he was on the wing in the GF, as we always do, because Meli is utter rubbish in big games. I wouldn't want any of our young players learning anything from him. In fact, he should have been watching Makinson. Makinson showed him up as a winger, and Makinson hadn't played on the wing prior to playing for the first team.

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:45 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

I'd agree and that was my thinking around Makinson. I have no problem with him being in the first team, however he is still a young lad and the rigours of week in/week out SL can take it's toll. Last year was his first season in the first team, we can't expect him to continue that every week without some down time. It's not that I don't think he's good enough at the moment

We also can't make the same mistake that Wigan did and expect a team full of youngsters to compete at a high level each week, we'll burn them out and destroy their confidence.

Meli has one more year, Gardner two, they give big game experience for the next few years whilst the likes of Foster and Makinson (and hopefully Wheeler) build their experience and finish growing.

good post

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:07 pm  

I think you'll find Howler will be used at hooker at Saints. That appeared to be his best position when he was playing for New Zealand Warriors.
He will probably start from the bench with Roby moving to loose forward, or he could start at half back and move him to hooker as Wigan do with Tommy L.

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:15 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I think you'll find Howler will be used at hooker at Saints. That appeared to be his best position when he was playing for New Zealand Warriors.
He will probably start from the bench with Roby moving to loose forward, or he could start at half back and move him to hooker as Wigan do with Tommy L.

that would allow us to play Gaskell, and give the forwards more rest time

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:16 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

that would allow us to play Gaskell, and give the forwards more rest time

But surely Gaskell is a young lad and shouldn't be playing first team rugby a lot?

Re: For Saddened! : Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:25 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

But surely Gaskell is a young lad and shouldn't be playing first team rugby a lot?

exactly, so we can rotate him with wheeler so neither plays too much!