Dunbar

If I was Hall I would stay out there. The Roosters are a strong chance to go back to back and he has done well when he has played. An injury has meant he has lost his place to Brett Morris but who knows what could happen in the next six weeks. He could easily be running out in the NRL Grand Final, as I say, I would stay there if I was him.

I'm OK with the way the NRL has the ball steal law now... a one on one ball steal even if there was previously more than one defender in the tackle adds a bit of variety to the sport and is in itself a skill (both individual and team skill as they clearly practice players dropping off the tackle if a defender is in a position to attempt a steal). It's a high risk defensive play as a penalty or a new set could be conceded but I am all for a bit of innovation and variety in the game. I see that Trent Robinson was against it https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/11/robinson-stripping-rule-placing-unnecessary-pressure-on-referees/ but I was surprised to read that Ricky Stuart is also against it seeing as though the Raiders have all but perfected the tactic.

I agree that the Roosters and Storm are the teams to beat and should make up the Grand Final but the Raiders pushed the Roosters all the way this morning and so it's not a done deal by any means. In the top 4, I think the Rabbitohs are the one's under pressure... coming off the back of two losses and their final three games of the season are a massive grudge match against the Broncos, a trip across the Tasman to the Warriors and then the local derby against the Roosters. I can see them dropping out of the four if the Eels or Manly can maintain a bit of form.

I remember him being interviewed a while ago (several years) on Sky after a game and he had got a knock on his knee and he said something like "and it was my bad knee as well". As he had not been injured for a while I can only assume the knee that injured a couple of times early in his career continued to cause him problems. Only speculation but maybe it is just a recurring thing he manages.

I saw the second half of the Dragons Titans game. I would describe Watkins performance as quiet rather than ineffective. The Titans threatened a comeback midway through the half and all their attack was on their left edge away from Watkins. This season is lost to the Titans and Watkins, we will see what Watkins can do next year with a full pre season and a new coach.

I think Canberra are contenders as are Souths and probably Manly. But I think all three fall a little short on quality come the really big games and I can't look past Melbourne and the Roosters for the Grand Final if they don't play each other in a qualifying semi.

Agreed, I hope he goes well. Back in his proper position and after some rest and conditioning work and with little pressure on him.

Gareth Widdop has been named at 6 for St George this weekend. The Dragons are desperate for a winning run to try and make the finals. I just hope Widdop is ready as I felt that he was rushed back last year in the finals and suffered a recurrence of his injury.

I would love to see Graham passing more. This part of his game has fallen away a lot in the last couple of years... not the talent, he just seems to be a workhorse prop these days which is a real shame as he is a very creative passer of the ball.

I see that James Graham has been named to start at 13 for the Dragons in his comeback game from injury. Not that 8, 10 and 13 are very different these days in the majority of teams.

Thanks. Well, that's sorted that conversation out then!

According to Wikipedia its these two and Central Queensland Capras but I don't know how accurate this is.

Is he playing Queensland Cup?

Pleased for Farnworth that he has kept his centre spot and he has had a nice run in the Broncos team. He will probably miss our when all their personnel are back but this experience will serve him well as he progresses.

I have high hopes for Morgan Smithies to fill the void left by O'Loughlin when he calls it a day. He is tough and skilful... could be the UK equivalent of the likes of Radley and Murray.

I agree. Maybe the current thinking of carrying a smaller more dynamic forward in the middle (Murray, Victor Radley) will bring back the more skillful 13.

But seriously... I didn't include 9 in the list because while they are a key play maker and tactical element they are not pivots as we come to associate the word in Rugby League.

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Just an evolution of the game I guess. The pivots and creative players used to be 6, 7 & 13 and now they are 1, 6 & 7. I guess modern day coaches will look at fire power and 'go forward' in the pack as priority and then any skills as an added bonus.

Fair enough but they are all 'middles' these days so makes little difference.

Whitehead has started at 6 for Canberra in his time in the NRL so it could be 1. Widdop 2. Farnworth 3. Bateman 4. Watkins 5. Hall 6. Whitehead 7. Williams 8. Graham 9. Hodgson 10. George Burgess 11. Sam Burgess 12. Ryan Sutton 13. Tom Burgess Sutton is not an edge forward but that team is close to being as per club/international positions.

Agreed. But I hope he gets a chance to show what he can do later this year as it will set him up nicely for a pre-season and a big 2020.

Interestingly on the GC website AJ Brimson was asked about Watkins and he said that he couldn't wait to see Watkins play when he is '100% fit'. I think that the Titans will be looking to assess his condition before playing him. Probably the best move as I think a few weeks for Watkins to refresh and get ready would be good for him.

I think I have worked it out. Hall has played on both wings.

They an interesting team the Roosters. While Mitchell and Manu are both capable of miracle passes neither are classic wingers centres and the centres themselves are the real strike weapons. As a result Robinson tends to go with big wingers who can carry the ball for 200 metres a game and support the forwards in go forward so that they have the energy for their suffocating defence. It works well.