I think pairing Sheriffe up with either Nero or Reardon as his centre would improve his game and shore up our defence on his side. Once to often Sheriffe when paired with Sykes found himself defending 2 on 1 as Sykes has a tendancy to drift in field and leave his winger exposed. Nero and Reardon are a bit more secure defensively and would provide Sheriffe a bit more protection.

think I d start with thiis lneup and see how it goes

1. halley
2. sheriffe
3. nero
4. sykes
5. reardon
6. kearney
7. orford
8. scrtuton
9. godwin
10. lynch
11. langley
12. hall
13. menzies

14. l'estrange
15. sculthorpe
16. kopczak
17. donlaldson

dont want to see sykes paired with sheriife again. If sheriffe cant switch sides then swap sykes for platt to strengthen that sides defense up. See godwin as a better starting option at this point thouigh that could change once Ive seen how l'estrange goes. think menzies would create a bit more than langers at loose and would like him to be rotated a fair bit with donaldson to give him max gametime hence his inclusion on bench.

He's better than a lot of other clubs' fourth props.


Btw, I hope Sykes has worked on his defence this off season, because we could use his attacking flair in the three quarters, but only if he is no longer a liability in defence.

thing to remember with kopczak is he's still relatively young for a prop and still learning and bulking up. props dont hit their peak until their late 20's as a rule. sam and luke burgess are the obvious exceptions to that



Id go as far as to say if sykes has improved defensively I'd leave him out and put platt in, who is a lot stronger defensively and is a decent attacking player although maybe not as strong in that department as sykes.

1 HALLEY
2 PLATT
3 MENZIES
4 NERO
5 REARDON
6 KEARNEY
7 ORFORD(C)
8 SCRUTON
9 L'ESTRANGE
10 LYNCH
11 WHITEHEAD
12 HALL
13 LANGLEY

SUBS
14 GODWIN
15 DONALDSON
16 SYKES
17 SCULTHORPE

I still have some concerns that our pack won't be 'nasty' enough. We've got a pack full of grafters and we also have some quality ball handlers. But do we have many in our pack who the opponents actually fear?

Whilst we now have a scrum half who can take control of the game, I just hope our forwards will be able to hold their own against the very best packs in SL.

Thats my concern too especially if say langley & menzies are out with injuries at the same time, we'll have to put a young pack out against some monster ones, im just thinking back to saints at home last season puletua & co ran over us.

IMO best way to resolve the Halley / Kearney position dilemma would be to play Halley at fullback in defense and Kearney on the wing but allow Kearney the free moving attack the fullback has to take advantage of his support play and postioning and move Halley to the wing during attack to take advantage of his speed.

The only problem with this is should we kick to the corner and they counter attack, Halley could be caught short.

Sculthorpe gets in the oppositions faces a bit and will provide good impact off the bench. Scruton can be nasty, and he puts some monster hits in defence. I don't think our pack will be a worry really.

Menzies to centre and Whitehead to start ?

Bit too early for Whitehead imo, plus L'Estrange is much better coming off the bench.

1. Michael Platt
2. Jason Crookes
3. Dave Halley
4. REARDON
5. KEARNEY
6. Paul Sykes
7 ORFORD
8 MENZIES (C) or SCULTHORPE
9 L'ESTRANGE
10 LYNCH
11 SCULTHORPE or MENZIES
12 HALL
13 Michael Worrincy

sub
14 LANGLEY
15 . Rikki Sheriffe
16 . Craig Kopczak

I am cinvinced its a pis5take and not just a thick person now. Menzies prop, Worrincy Loose and 3 subs ? Kearney wasted on the wing ? Reardon and Halley centres ?


Even though its a pis5take its still a ridiculous post

Kearney's best position is full back without doubt, that causes a problem then with where to play Sykes and Halley, will they play Kearney out of position?

The Bulls look to be weak at 6 imo without an out and out stand off

If the club arn't going to sign anyone else, i could see Menzies playing there this season for some games

I dont see it really as a p@ss take as it lacks humorous structure, rather its a somewhat naive compilation.

This thread has been interesting in postings about individuals, their capabilities and ideal positions but not so much about their interaction within a local unit and then team structure, and whether it is an attacking or defensive situation.
As a minor example Pryce plays SO in attack for Saints and as far out wide as they can put him in defence. Thus they maximise his attacking talents and minimise his weaknesses.
My main thought is that Kearney will play in the most effectual position within whatever line up Macca intends. For this we will have to wait and see.

I would definitely put Kearney at 6 to start the season. It's unfair to move Halley just yet. If Kearney doesn't work well there with Orford then try Sykes, with the squad shifting round a bit.

If you were Macca as a professional coach (and posibly considering your job to be on the line) you might not consider "unfair" to be a word that deserves any preferential consideration in your vocabulary.
"If Kearney doesnt work well there"

This guy could work far and above our incumbants in any back line position. Wait till you see him play... he is awesome.
Question really would be is what position to bring on our players and how near to Orford should you think his link should be

For me, these are probably the 2 most likely line-ups.


Halley
Reardon
Sykes
Nero
Sheriffe
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
Godwin
Scruton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

L'Estrange
Sculthorpe
Kopzcak
Whitehead/Donno/Worrincy


Kearney
Reardon
Platt
Nero
Halley
Sykes
Orford
Lynch
Godwin
Scruton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

Scully
Kopzcak
L'Estrange
Donno/Whitehead/Worrincy

Think you second line up has better balance.
Also it does not incude Sheriffe who imo is a weak tackler and ineffectual attacker.
I do think that L'estrange will be the starting hooker, with Godwins pace
being used as interchange as he was last year.There is much that could be said about Hall, Manzies and Lagley in thieir interchangeable positions. This can only be a good thing.
Similarily in the back line with Sykes, Platt, Reardom and Halley.
As I've mentioned elsewhere I expect Crookes to have a huge season.

All in all I have seriously more confidence than 2 months ago and without being unduly optimistic see us a hard side to beat if Orford and Kearney can organise our defensive line.
Fairly comfortable with the power of the forwards if Kopzac kicks on and Scruton continues his seasonal improvement.
No doubt Hall will bring everything that he's shown in Aus. You can ask no better than that! Talk about providing what it says on the tiin !!!
Upsteps from Donaldson and Whitehead with probably lesser use of Worrincey unless he van really make huge strides in his tactical play.
Lynch should continue to be the Godfather of all matters upfront and Langley needs to eventually find his niche role.

Mine is:

Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Sculthorpe
L 'Estrange
Lynch
Hall
Menzies
Langley

Subs: Scruton, Godwin, Worrincy, Donaldson.

I feel Scruton is suited to coming off the bench to utilise his power as an impact prop, along with Worrincy to impact with pace.

Does anyone know how often Hall played prop at Manly? I notice everyone is picking him at 2nd row.

I'd go

Halley
Reardon
Sykes
Nero
Sheriffe
Orford
Kearney
Lynch
L'Strange
Scrutton
Hall
Menzies
Langley

Godwin
Sculthorpe
Kopzack [sp
And 1 up and comer

True. But we've got 4 props. 5 if you include Crossley. So makes more sense to have Hall play 2nd row

Kearney
Halley
Crookes
Nero
Sheriffe
Sykes
Ox
Scruton
L'estrange
Lynch
Beaver
Hall
Langley

Sculthorpe
Godwin
Koppy / Worrincy
Reardon

Remember we will have the Burgessi too...

Not that often, he only filled in for injuries IIRC. Second row is his best place.