Whether we make the 8 at the end of the year could well depend on %. We need to win every game we possibly can by the biggest margin we possibly can.
This season is not just about 4 points every game.
i wouldn’t leave green out, who knows he might have a thriller against his old side. i would leave langers, smack and howlett out for parish, hooker and the big bad begley
I wouldn’t drop Langford or McKernan -
a- their returns were on the back of more than promise. They put in hard yards to get a toe-in and should be rewarded. it’s also for the message to the other players - especially fringe/young ones.
b- both seem to be confidence players. Would have been alot of nerves before returning last week (it’s not that they ame back from a 3-week injuries, rather form/role related). might see more to like this week,
c- both haven’t been given a fair run in defined positions. like in any job - you have to give the employee a defined mission and also allow ample tools and time to perform it.
in order not to stay in theory or only “what not”, I suggest:
to allow for bringing in Hooker (if fit) - rather drop Stewart that McKernan.
a, it will allow Joe more freedom than alongside Stewart.
b. still haven’t seen what McNernan can do as a 3rd tall whcih he wasn’t last week. he could cause huge headaches besides Joe and Hooker.
c. for once - let’s see McKernan play when the circumstances are in his favor - not as an undermanned ruckman against a gorilla, not as a 2nd forward in slippery conditions away vs Sydney, etc. We may be surprised.
to allow for bringing in Parish - it’s either Howlett or Green
a. if Howlett - it’s a straight swap.
b. if Green - it means Tippa/ Raz/ McG have their roles tweaked acc. to the decision).
I’d drop McNernan for Hooker in a heartbeat. Not sure Hooker will be ready though. We’ll have to wait and see.
And I wouldn’t be dropping Stewart for McNernan either. Reckon there is a way better player developing in him than McNernan has ever been able to become. And he’s had many years, at two clubs, to produce it. Time to move on. And I have no idea why anyone would want to pull apart a forward line that not only works, but is the best we have had for years. Many years.