2017 NRL.com Fantasy thread part 61

Moose wrote:
Broncos should still make the 8 surely? I think playing Hunt at hooker is just better for the team. I think Hunt has better vision from dummy half also. 

Then again I'm not an NRL coach so what do I know 

Hunt is a turnstile. I think playing him in the middle over KNiko is stupid because he simply can't tackle. Keep Hunt at half and have the better defender who actually plays some hooker in the more natural position. Seems simple to me

Welshy wrote:

Hunt is a turnstile. I think playing him in the middle over KNiko is stupid because he simply can't tackle. Keep Hunt at half and have the better defender who actually plays some hooker in the more natural position. Seems simple to me

Yeah you are right, Niko has definitely improved on his defence this year, he is now a much better defender then Hunt. The only concern with Niko are his shoulders. You can't deny Niko's record this year when playing at halfback though. 6 from 6 wins or something isn't it?

Moose wrote:
Yeah you are right, Niko has definitely improved on his defence this year, he is now a much better defender then Hunt. The only concern with Niko are his shoulders. You can't deny Niko's record this year when playing at halfback though. 6 from 6 wins or something isn't it?

That was playing with Macca though mate, who makes 45+ tackles a game and still steers the donkeys around the park, Hunt won't handle it, Niko won't with the same effectiveness playing 80 but will be better than Hunt IMO, Waddle will surely play some more now

Welshy wrote:

That was playing with Macca though mate, who makes 45+ tackles a game and still steers the donkeys around the park, Hunt won't handle it, Niko won't with the same effectiveness playing 80 but will be better than Hunt IMO, Waddle will surely play some more now

Yeah nobody in the Broncos team can replace Mccullough, I think he is more important to their side then Darius Boyd. Plus he just gets through a mountain of work week in, week out. I don't think Hunt will play 80 either, not sure whether that means Benji plays 20 mins or more or someone like Mcguire spends some time there. Regardless I'll be watching on with interest. The Broncos are up against the Titans this week. Always a fiery clash between neighbouring clubs.

Hunts defense was alright when he played bench hooker for the first half of his career. Hes no macca but he wont be that bad. Defending at half and defending in the middle are two different types of defense.. think he'll be ok

my tv broke wrote:Hunts defense was alright when he played bench hooker for the first half of his career. Hes no macca but he wont be that bad. Defending at half and defending in the middle are two different types of defense.. think he'll be ok

He'll also have McGuire and co taking some of the sting out.

He'll be similar to Mortimer

Fuck I'm glad you're optimistic MTB cos I certainly am not! The only thing that I am hoping is that this is a bit of smoke a mirrors from Bennett and there will be some positional changes just prior to or during the game.

In the first half of his career Hunt defended ok at hooker as he'd played there a bit, was training there regularly as he was a utility and was only JUST passable. His regression since then will be on display for the world to see this weekend. I gutted for my Broncs but this may well be curtains for this seasons hopes. Just glad we did pretty well in the early stages of the season so we are in a half decent position before the next 5 rounds dick us in the arse.

Mearcats wrote:Fuck I'm glad you're optimistic MTB cos I certainly am not! The only thing that I am hoping is that this is a bit of smoke a mirrors from Bennett and there will be some positional changes just prior to or during the game.

In the first half of his career Hunt defended ok at hooker as he'd played there a bit, was training there regularly as he was a utility and was only JUST passable. His regression since then will be on display for the world to see this weekend. I gutted for my Broncs but this may well be curtains for this seasons hopes. Just glad we did pretty well in the early stages of the season so we are in a half decent position before the next 5 rounds dick us in the arse.

Agree with this mate, the difference as you say is he has been a pure half for a long time, at least Kniko has played the hooking role recently, I don't get mixing it up and chucking Hunt there when he hasn't played the position in a Looong time!

Welshy wrote:

Agree with this mate, the difference as you say is he has been a pure half for a long time, at least Kniko has played the hooking role recently, I don't get mixing it up and chucking Hunt there when he hasn't played the position in a Looong time!

Not only that mate, Niko's service is better as well. As a half you have a forward pack that give you time to make those decisions based on where to move the ball too etc, at hooker you don't get that time. What happens when a team with great line speed apply the blow torch to the kid?

What worries me most is if we have an ok game this week against an under performing Titans side so we continue to run with the same team again the following week against a Sharks side that takes most full strength sides on week in week out... The only thing worse than having no hope is having hope and being dropped from a greater height!

I'm with Welshy and Mearcats on this one. Unfortunately, Broncos will be totally exposed with Hunt at hooker. McGuire is awful and he will be exposed as the fraud that he is also. Macca's absecnce will show right away. The logical choice is Niko as his defence is good. Not sure what the thinking behind all this is, but Hunt at hooker is not a match that is going to send Broncos deep into the finals.

wolfking wrote:I'm with Welshy and Mearcats on this one.  Unfortunately, Broncos will be totally exposed with Hunt at hooker.  McGuire is awful and he will be exposed as the fraud that he is also.  Macca's absecnce will show right away.  The logical choice is Niko as his defence is good.  Not sure what the thinking behind all this is, but Hunt at hooker is not a match that is going to send Broncos deep into the finals.

No matter which way you cut it, we're in trouble. Its a shame. I know other teams have injuries too but we just cant replace macca

my tv broke wrote:

No matter which way you cut it, we're in trouble. Its a shame. I know other teams have injuries too but we just cant replace macca

It's not just replacing the quality of Macca either it require a forward rotation shuffle because his replacement won't be playing 80 like Macca did easily

Welshy wrote:

Hunt is a turnstile. I think playing him in the middle over KNiko is stupid because he simply can't tackle. Keep Hunt at half and have the better defender who actually plays some hooker in the more natural position. Seems simple to me

I think his front on defence in the middle will be ok Welshy. He's a bit more robust than Niko and most of Hunts misses seem to be fended off or beaten one on one when he gets isolated. He is prone to a bad read too. In the middle he will have plenty of close help and the big boppers will generally run straight at him. Not too much to think about for him except close to the line. All he has to really do is slow their progress until the cavalry arrives - that will create offload chances though.

Anyway, guess we will find out soon enough but I don't think he will be diabolical by any means. Niko is probably better at starting half than starting hooker to me.

I think our biggest problem with Macca missing isn't who plays where, it means we have another weak point in the defensive line with Milford, Hunt and Niko all turnstiles really, and when Benji comes on we could have 4 targets for the opposition.

Edit: TLDR - we are fooked regardless of who plays hooker. We will be cannon fodder in the finals.

LAM goes on his late season charge yet again, last 5 round average of 62 and not a single attacking stat in sight!!

This is why a lot of us started with him last year.

Could I possibly run 2 Dragons forwards, their lock and their hooker? Less than 1 perfect ownership, good lord!!

Slater to potentially miss this round as well if not 100% fit.

Liverpool_Bulldog wrote:Slater to potentially miss this round as well if not 100% fit.

Surely he's right to go.

Bulldog?

wolfking wrote:

Surely he's right to go.

 Bulldog?

Melbourne football director Frank Possini has told ESPN.com.au

Newest article on the NRL reddit

"We're going to be absolutely ultra conservative. If there's no risk or concern whatsoever, he'll play, but if there is any slight doubt we'll hold him off for another week.
"We won't be rushing Billy back. He won't play unless he's 100 percent and that will come down to the medical staff, and the player as well. If both the medical staff and the player have no issues, he'll play."

Liverpool_Bulldog wrote:
Melbourne football director Frank Possini has told ESPN.com.au

Newest article on the NRL reddit

Cheers. Fingers crossed. He'll be named but hopefully we'll know by lockout.

It wouldn't bother me to much 

Something changed in the team to give LAM increased minutes ?