Re: Squad for Hull : Thu May 02, 2024 10:33 am
I’m not sure we can pick Ratchford after the struggle that he had containing Lafai at the weekend. Yes, Lafai is a handful for anyone, but he was reduced to a turnstile. Didn’t offer much in the way of attack either. 18th man for me (for versatility and experience value)Wrench is still the preferred choice, so I think it’s a foot race between Tai and Lindrop. The other going out to the left wing to plug the Ashton gap.
Thewlis is fortunate that we aren’t blessed in wing stock, his defence has been hit and miss for a while often finding himself in no man’s land between the centre and winger. That said, it must be really difficult having had three centres in the first 10 games, and disruption with both halfback and second row on that side. I think keeping Thewlis, Williams and Nicholson together has its merit, so if Dufty has a rest, put the kid at fullback. If we lose, it won’t be the fault of a kid. We have more than enough in the pack and halves to mitigate for a naive youngster and is a great show the squad as a whole that we are not panicking and reverting to Ratchford at 1 because he’s steady.
It’s a good debate about the pro’s and con’s of the bye rounds in the NRL. Clubs have a blank space on the calendar where they can push the stars to their limit knowing there’s a break in the horizon. Against our position where that rest actually opens the door to show youth players what first grade looks like, give them almost an action plan of where they need to work when they go back to lower grades or loans, and monitor their progress. For once, I think we’re in a good place on this and can make an informed choice on contract renewals having seen Holroyd, Wood, Whitehead, Lindrop, Taylor-Wray etc. in and around the match day experience rather than gambling.
Lots to be positive about. Complete 180 from where we have been.
