The Greenhouse

Actually, I rather think it could work. Mitchell's a cocky, arrogant ****; he'll think he's home free, and then Oldy can pounce.

I don’t want Oldfield at Centre for anymore then jut filling in for a couple of games. I was not impressed with how he went filling in for Croker there last year.

NC to centre, and Oldfield and Simonsen can fight it out for the wing spot outside of Croker.


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Wasn't he busted that game?

If so bit stiff to just him on a sample where he wasn't even fit

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Yeah he was injured and got crucified by the fans for his performance. Having said that though, it makes sense to have a big body like Cotric at centre and Oldfield in his natural position on the wing.

Best wishes to Joey in his recovery.

How is this a thing? Cotric is a beast and will kill it at centre. Oldfield has proven to be a capable winger.

Dr Zaius wrote: ↑May 11, 2019, 1:10 pm How is this a thing? Cotric is a beast and will kill it at centre. Oldfield has proven to be a capable winger.

It's a thing because Ric Dr Zauis, because Rick. It all makes perfect sense to us, but we are not privy to his masterplan.

That's devastating news for Leilua, hope he has a good recovery and gets to play his 200th for us in 2020. I agree with the Cotric to right centre idea, we've lost a genuine game breaker and Cotric has the potential to replace that. I think he also has the ability to develop in to a solid defensive centre with his size and footballing instincts. Oldfield is a dependable first grade winger and Simmonson is developing in to a reliable backup so whilst this is a bit of a blow our season is still on track for mine.

Huge loss... season on life support.. id be putting that pommy **** out in the centres to cover it hes the only **** that looks like things happen around and that elliot **** our halves are still ****.

Q has been drinking again

Q is a legend.

Love you, Q

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'Time to look after the man child': Girlfriend of NRL star Joey Leilua posts picture of him recovering in intensive care after crucial surgery on his neck

NRL star Joey Leilua remains in intensive care after undergoing neck surgery.

'Thanks be to God and glory to the highest. Joey's surgery went well thanks to everyone for their kind messages and prayers. We are now in ICU and will be out in the ward this week. Stay safe everyone. Time to look after the man child,' she wrote.

Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... -neck.html

I know it's a bit early to speculate, but seeing as Cotric will possibly play the rest of the season in the centres, it might be hard to move him back to the wing if he excels there... particularly if he plays Origin there. It might just turn out to be his more natural position too.

What happens once Joey comes back if that's the case? Could Leilua possibly move to second row? I was once a fan of a Croker and Cotric switch but not sure if I'd want Croker on the wing anymore. A left edge of Whitehead, Croker and Simonsson, right edge of Leilua, Cotric and Rapana, with Papalii and Tapine at prop and Bateman at lock... it means Sutton would have to move to the interchange but that looks like a strong pack on paper, particularly when we've got Horsburgh, Young, Lui, Havili, etc. to fill out the remaining interchange spots. Add in Hodgo, Wighton, CNK and G Williams and that's looking like a very good team for 2020. Just some thoughts.

I dont want leilua having to make 25~ tackles a game. Hes just not that kind of fit

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:02 am I dont want leilua having to make 25~ tackles a game. Hes just not that kind of fit

That's true. Tbh I never would've suggested it in the past but his attitude towards his fitness and defence at the start of this season got me thinking it could be a possibility.

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:06 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:02 am I dont want leilua having to make 25~ tackles a game. Hes just not that kind of fit

That's true. Tbh I never would've suggested it in the past but his attitude towards his fitness and defence at the start of this season got me thinking it could be a possibility.

With all due respect to croker, i rate bj higher. I hope form this year makes it a real head ache for ricky

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:14 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:06 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:02 am I dont want leilua having to make 25~ tackles a game. Hes just not that kind of fit

That's true. Tbh I never would've suggested it in the past but his attitude towards his fitness and defence at the start of this season got me thinking it could be a possibility.

With all due respect to croker, i rate bj higher. I hope form this year makes it a real head ache for ricky

Hypothetically speaking, would you have Cotric at left centre, Leilua right, with Croker on the left wing?

I don't think we need another second rower, we are pretty well covered with Bateman, Whitehead, Tapine and Young

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 8:54 am I know it's a bit early to speculate, but seeing as Cotric will possibly play the rest of the season in the centres, it might be hard to move him back to the wing if he excels there... particularly if he plays Origin there. It might just turn out to be his more natural position too.

What happens once Joey comes back if that's the case? Could Leilua possibly move to second row? I was once a fan of a Croker and Cotric switch but not sure if I'd want Croker on the wing anymore. A left edge of Whitehead, Croker and Simonsson, right edge of Leilua, Cotric and Rapana, with Papalii and Tapine at prop and Bateman at lock... it means Sutton would have to move to the interchange but that looks like a strong pack on paper, particularly when we've got Horsburgh, Young, Lui, Havili, etc. to fill out the remaining interchange spots. Add in Hodgo, Wighton, CNK and G Williams and that's looking like a very good team for 2020. Just some thoughts.

Cotric's natural position is right centre, in my opinion. Going to be very interesting to see what happens if he plays well there consistently when Leilua comes back.

I think from what we have seen this year with our depth players it is going to have a bigger bearing on the status of Rapana. I wouldn't have said this to start the year, or even 2-3 weeks ago, but I doubt the club is going to break the bank to keep him now. And I am a huge Rapana fan. He has been our best player the last 3 seasons I reckon. If he gets a big offer from a rival NRL or ESL club it may be in the best interests of all parties for him to take it.

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:24 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:14 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:06 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:02 am I dont want leilua having to make 25~ tackles a game. Hes just not that kind of fit

That's true. Tbh I never would've suggested it in the past but his attitude towards his fitness and defence at the start of this season got me thinking it could be a possibility.

With all due respect to croker, i rate bj higher. I hope form this year makes it a real head ache for ricky

Hypothetically speaking, would you have Cotric at left centre, Leilua right, with Croker on the left wing?

Yes. Im at least happy to give it a try if thats what form dictates. The team needs to be happy to change for the better whenever an improvement is available

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:27 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:24 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:14 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:06 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:02 am I dont want leilua having to make 25~ tackles a game. Hes just not that kind of fit

That's true. Tbh I never would've suggested it in the past but his attitude towards his fitness and defence at the start of this season got me thinking it could be a possibility.

With all due respect to croker, i rate bj higher. I hope form this year makes it a real head ache for ricky

Hypothetically speaking, would you have Cotric at left centre, Leilua right, with Croker on the left wing?

Yes. Im at least happy to give it a try if thats what form dictates. The team needs to be happy to change for the better whenever an improvement is available

My main issue with this is that right centre from all reports is Cotric's suited position. It will be interesting.

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:30 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:27 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:24 am

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:14 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:06 am
That's true. Tbh I never would've suggested it in the past but his attitude towards his fitness and defence at the start of this season got me thinking it could be a possibility.

With all due respect to croker, i rate bj higher. I hope form this year makes it a real head ache for ricky

Hypothetically speaking, would you have Cotric at left centre, Leilua right, with Croker on the left wing?

Yes. Im at least happy to give it a try if thats what form dictates. The team needs to be happy to change for the better whenever an improvement is available

My main issue with this is that right centre from all reports is Cotric's suited position. It will be interesting.

Which is why i also have no issues with moving bj to the left. Running off wighton on his stronger side

Wiki Special wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 9:26 am

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 8:54 am I know it's a bit early to speculate, but seeing as Cotric will possibly play the rest of the season in the centres, it might be hard to move him back to the wing if he excels there... particularly if he plays Origin there. It might just turn out to be his more natural position too.

What happens once Joey comes back if that's the case? Could Leilua possibly move to second row? I was once a fan of a Croker and Cotric switch but not sure if I'd want Croker on the wing anymore. A left edge of Whitehead, Croker and Simonsson, right edge of Leilua, Cotric and Rapana, with Papalii and Tapine at prop and Bateman at lock... it means Sutton would have to move to the interchange but that looks like a strong pack on paper, particularly when we've got Horsburgh, Young, Lui, Havili, etc. to fill out the remaining interchange spots. Add in Hodgo, Wighton, CNK and G Williams and that's looking like a very good team for 2020. Just some thoughts.

Cotric's natural position is right centre, in my opinion. Going to be very interesting to see what happens if he plays well there consistently when Leilua comes back.

I think from what we have seen this year with our depth players it is going to have a bigger bearing on the status of Rapana. I wouldn't have said this to start the year, or even 2-3 weeks ago, but I doubt the club is going to break the bank to keep him now. And I am a huge Rapana fan. He has been our best player the last 3 seasons I reckon. If he gets a big offer from a rival NRL or ESL club it may be in the best interests of all parties for him to take it.

I'm with you there

With the injuries we've had so far, how can anyone be talking about releasing a NZ international?

Croker tends to get an injury towards the end of the season. So, we need someone who can come in at centre. Cotric switches to the left and Joey comes in on the right. That said, we have no idea whether Joey will be able to recapture this year's form when he does return. Even if he does, what's to say that Rapana doesn't get another serious injury? (He's a tough hombre, but he needs to start looking after himself). Well then, I can imagine worse things than Cotric at centre with Joey outside him.

Simonsson is still to prove that he's a star winger. I have my doubts, but it's a long season in which to prove people wrong. Fortunately, we have Oldfield in whom the other players have confidence. That's a big thing when you consider how often tries are let in because someone lacks faith in a player alongside him. Oldfield's a proven performer who has the pace to score a 70m try.

Anyway, congrats on the successful surgery, Joey, and I hope we see you back in time for pre-season training. You'll have to excuse me for hoping that's some time in early 2020 because the boys got through to the GF and have been given an extended vacation.

No one is suggesting releasing a NZ rep player, the question is do you renew his contract, as it is about to expire.

And in my mind, Croker is no longer suited to the wing - for me the game has evolved to a point where the focal point of a wingers game these days is rucking it out of your own end and creating momentum to start the set. Watch Toots early in the set in our own end - he is available and willing, but he doesn't make meters. He would be a great finisher, and solid under the high ball, but there is a big key piece of the role missing from his game given his size.

Coastalraider wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:19 pm No one is suggesting releasing a NZ rep player, the question is do you renew his contract, as it is about to expire.

And in my mind, Croker is no longer suited to the wing - for me the game has evolved to a point where the focal point of a wingers game these days is rucking it out of your own end and creating momentum to start the set. Watch Toots early in the set in our own end - he is available and willing, but he doesn't make meters. He would be a great finisher, and solid under the high ball, but there is a big key piece of the role missing from his game given his size.

Well, what are you doing if you don't re-sign a player? We're just playing with semantics here.

Coastalraider wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:19 pm No one is suggesting releasing a NZ rep player, the question is do you renew his contract, as it is about to expire.

And in my mind, Croker is no longer suited to the wing - for me the game has evolved to a point where the focal point of a wingers game these days is rucking it out of your own end and creating momentum to start the set. Watch Toots early in the set in our own end - he is available and willing, but he doesn't make meters. He would be a great finisher, and solid under the high ball, but there is a big key piece of the role missing from his game given his size.

Yeah I'm with you there, it's also why I'm no longer a fan of the Croker to wing route

Coastalraider wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:19 pm No one is suggesting releasing a NZ rep player, the question is do you renew his contract, as it is about to expire.

And in my mind, Croker is no longer suited to the wing - for me the game has evolved to a point where the focal point of a wingers game these days is rucking it out of your own end and creating momentum to start the set. Watch Toots early in the set in our own end - he is available and willing, but he doesn't make meters. He would be a great finisher, and solid under the high ball, but there is a big key piece of the role missing from his game given his size.

Ive heard this argument a bit, and while i agree his dummy half runs out of trouble arent his strong point, wingers often take the catch and therefore not the difficult hitup or scoot which is lect to the fullback or the centre (which croker gets smacked a bit on).
Its definitely worth contemplating when we are full strength

One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:39 pm One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

No sorry. Maybe in the twilight of his career he can luke lewis, but hes still got too much to offer as a back

simo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:56 pm

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:39 pm One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

No sorry. Maybe in the twilight of his career he can luke lewis, but hes still got too much to offer as a back

Tbh I think we'll soon find out that right centre is his best position.

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:39 pm One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

Move a bloke who's being talked about as a possible state of origin winger into the backrow, when we already have an all-test back row, because one of your mates says he'd like to see him there?

Yeah that's gonna be a no from me, dawg.

Timbo wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 1:00 pm

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:39 pm One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

Move a bloke who's being talked about as a possible state of origin winger into the backrow, when we already have an all-test back row, because one of your mates says he'd like to see him there?

Yeah that's gonna be a no from me, dawg.

That's cool but we're discussing options on the hypothetical that Cotric kills it at right centre, what is your best team when Joey comes back?

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:39 pm One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

Somewhere 5-7 years in the future I could see him doing a Luke Lewis or Jason Croker- he's got the body type. But not for many a long year yet- our back row is currently all star internationals + Sutton. Struggling to see room or reason to fit him in there.

If Cotric doesn't nail right centre so hard we can't shift him then I suggest we shrug and return him to being a very good winger.

BadnMean wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 1:05 pm

Raiders_Pat wrote: ↑May 21, 2019, 12:39 pm One of my mates said he'd like to see Cotric in the second row eventually, could it be an option for him to move in one and Leilua go back to his normal right centre position?

Somewhere 5-7 years in the future I could see him doing a Luke Lewis or Jason Croker- he's got the body type. But not for many a long year yet- our back row is currently all star internationals + Sutton. Struggling to see room or reason to fit him in there.

If Cotric doesn't nail right centre so hard we can't shift him then I suggest we shrug and return him to being a very good winger.

Yeah I'd definitely move him back to the wing if he doesn't put a stamp on the position but what would be your best team if he does?

Hmm tricky. If he's a better right centre than Leilua then he has to be sensational, the best in the comp. In which case how can we move him to 2nd row- he's just become the best centre in the game?

So Joey has to go onto the bench as an impact player? He'd move on the next year and find another club.

I don't know. We are flush with backrowers.

I guess you could move Bateman to lock, Sutton to front row rotation but you're doing an awful lot then just to accomodate Leilua as a 2nd rower.

Too hard!

But yeah if Cotric is that good, Joey has to go the bench. I like Bateman on the edge and Sutton at lock right now.