New squad numbers announced

[Southern Softy]

Based on the GF when Budgie went off, maybe Zak on the wing - Field in the centre and Hastings back where he should be.
I'd be more concerned about replacing Lockers permanently to have a consistent game plan now that he won't be in the wings waiting to return, which seemed to influence the thinking last season. Smithies needs to show he can mature - Partington would be a waste at 13 - I'm assuming that Bateman's shirt number has no connection with his playing position . We seemed to be tinkering with trying Farrell in the second half last season but we have no Greeenwood to come on in his place. Lucky we've got a coach who thinks deeply about these things - I'm sure he'll come up with a solution. Perhaps George Burgess could be the answer, although it would have to be a strange question for him to be the answer.
I assume that Harry Smith will go out on loan or get fed up and move to Huddersfield or somewhere like that.

How often have you seen Field play centre or how often has he played centre ?

Partington wasted at 13? He’s played some of his best rugby there in the last few months. It’s now a hybrid between prop and second row.

George Burgess has only ever played prop, he will be nothing to do with what happens with “replacing” Lockers.

Well, the George Burgess comment wasn't serious - sorry I didn't put the word "joke" after it.

Partington is unlikely to play 80 minutes at No 13 although Smithies could (and has). It's possible that Field may yet begin his Wigan stint in the centres to get the pace of the English game before he moves into whichever position suits him best. If not, and he goes straight into the halves, then we have too many players and someone won't be playing out of Hardaker, Field, Hastings, Leulai or French. That's assuming Gildart, Marshall and Bibby are all fit and playing in their positions and 4 into 3 won't go, as the preference seems to be for four forwards on the bench. If we think that Marshall won't be fit for the start of the season, then some one has to play on that left wing and if Hardaker is in the right centre position, then we still have 4 expensive players who need to play to cover 2 half-backs and a full-back. Something's got to give.
And that also means Harry Smith doesn't have much incentive to stay around.

[medlocke]

We have already worked out how to play without Lockers this season and we've done it well, Lockers has not been missed at all this season and won't be next season, Sorry to all his fans but it's just a fact, The game has moved on and is no place for 38 year old dinosaurs

[josie andrews]

Based on the GF when Budgie went off, maybe Zak on the wing - Field in the centre and Hastings back where he should be.
I'd be more concerned about replacing Lockers permanently to have a consistent game plan now that he won't be in the wings waiting to return, which seemed to influence the thinking last season. Smithies needs to show he can mature - Partington would be a waste at 13 - I'm assuming that Bateman's shirt number has no connection with his playing position . We seemed to be tinkering with trying Farrell in the second half last season but we have no Greeenwood to come on in his place. Lucky we've got a coach who thinks deeply about these things - I'm sure he'll come up with a solution. Perhaps George Burgess could be the answer, although it would have to be a strange question for him to be the answer.
I assume that Harry Smith will go out on loan or get fed up and move to Huddersfield or somewhere like that.

How often have you seen Field play centre or how often has he played centre ?

Partington wasted at 13? He’s played some of his best rugby there in the last few months. It’s now a hybrid between prop and second row.

George Burgess has only ever played prop, he will be nothing to do with what happens with “replacing” Lockers.

This! & its a good job I waited for the squad numbers!

Partington 14 it is then, even tho everyone I asked who did they think I would have on it they all said Bateman

Just goes to show, although I’ve only ever had O’Loughlin 13 on my shirts, I had to bite the bullet & change it now he has, sadly for me anyway, he has retired from playing.

[nathan_rugby]

Based on the GF when Budgie went off, maybe Zak on the wing - Field in the centre and Hastings back where he should be.
I'd be more concerned about replacing Lockers permanently to have a consistent game plan now that he won't be in the wings waiting to return, which seemed to influence the thinking last season. Smithies needs to show he can mature - Partington would be a waste at 13 - I'm assuming that Bateman's shirt number has no connection with his playing position . We seemed to be tinkering with trying Farrell in the second half last season but we have no Greeenwood to come on in his place. Lucky we've got a coach who thinks deeply about these things - I'm sure he'll come up with a solution. Perhaps George Burgess could be the answer, although it would have to be a strange question for him to be the answer.
I assume that Harry Smith will go out on loan or get fed up and move to Huddersfield or somewhere like that.

How often have you seen Field play centre or how often has he played centre ?

Partington wasted at 13? He’s played some of his best rugby there in the last few months. It’s now a hybrid between prop and second row.

George Burgess has only ever played prop, he will be nothing to do with what happens with “replacing” Lockers.

Well, the George Burgess comment wasn't serious - sorry I didn't put the word "joke" after it.

Partington is unlikely to play 80 minutes at No 13 although Smithies could (and has). It's possible that Field may yet begin his Wigan stint in the centres to get the pace of the English game before he moves into whichever position suits him best. If not, and he goes straight into the halves, then we have too many players and someone won't be playing out of Hardaker, Field, Hastings, Leulai or French. That's assuming Gildart, Marshall and Bibby are all fit and playing in their positions and 4 into 3 won't go, as the preference seems to be for four forwards on the bench. If we think that Marshall won't be fit for the start of the season, then some one has to play on that left wing and if Hardaker is in the right centre position, then we still have 4 expensive players who need to play to cover 2 half-backs and a full-back. Something's got to give.
And that also means Harry Smith doesn't have much incentive to stay around.

How often has Field played centre in the NRL?

[Levrier]

We have already worked out how to play without Lockers this season and we've done it well, Lockers has not been missed at all this season and won't be next season, Sorry to all his fans but it's just a fact, The game has moved on and is no place for 38 year old dinosaurs

The graveyards are full of people who were indispensable.

[CheshireWarrior]

I think its justified to say we certainly dont require SOL for 2021. Partington has proven to be be a real workhorse in 2020 (at either prop or loose). Does he play loose in 2021? I suppose this depends on what your outlook of loose forward is in the modern game. Partington (so far), doesn't strike me as a ball playing lock (like Farrell or SOL) but looks like an additional prop who still provides so much with his work rate.

Does Bateman play 13? Is he more effective at 11 or 12. As far as I can recall Bateman didn't play 13 for the Raiders. Isa, Farrell and Bateman isn't too shabby though.

Dont fancy the idea of Zak on the wing or Field at centre.

[Charriots Offiah]

I think its justified to say we certainly dont require SOL for 2021. Partington has proven to be be a real workhorse in 2020 (at either prop or loose). Does he play loose in 2021? I suppose this depends on what your outlook of loose forward is in the modern game. Partington (so far), doesn't strike me as a ball playing lock (like Farrell or SOL) but looks like an additional prop who still provides so much with his work rate.

Does Bateman play 13? Is he more effective at 11 or 12. As far as I can recall Bateman didn't play 13 for the Raiders. Isa, Farrell and Bateman isn't too shabby though.

Dont fancy the idea of Zak on the wing or Field at centre.

Batty did play in the middle for Canberra during matches. The only time Zac, Field, Burgess, Singleton etc. should play on the wing is if we get injuries during the game otherwise we should have cover in our squad.

[Nezza Faz]

How often have you seen Field play centre or how often has he played centre ?

Partington wasted at 13? He’s played some of his best rugby there in the last few months. It’s now a hybrid between prop and second row.

George Burgess has only ever played prop, he will be nothing to do with what happens with “replacing” Lockers.

Well, the George Burgess comment wasn't serious - sorry I didn't put the word "joke" after it.

Partington is unlikely to play 80 minutes at No 13 although Smithies could (and has). It's possible that Field may yet begin his Wigan stint in the centres to get the pace of the English game before he moves into whichever position suits him best. If not, and he goes straight into the halves, then we have too many players and someone won't be playing out of Hardaker, Field, Hastings, Leulai or French. That's assuming Gildart, Marshall and Bibby are all fit and playing in their positions and 4 into 3 won't go, as the preference seems to be for four forwards on the bench. If we think that Marshall won't be fit for the start of the season, then some one has to play on that left wing and if Hardaker is in the right centre position, then we still have 4 expensive players who need to play to cover 2 half-backs and a full-back. Something's got to give.
And that also means Harry Smith doesn't have much incentive to stay around.

How often has Field played centre in the NRL?

Agreed, to my knowledge the only positions he's played in the NRL are at HB or occasionally at FB. Just because he's fast doesn't mean you can chuck him onto the wing or centre, you need a certain amount of experience to play these positions - look at Bibby !

[nathan_rugby]

Exactly! At least someone gets it.

Centre is a very specialist position, not one you can just Chuck someone in. Your sliding defence and one on one defending has to be on point. Attacking wise you have to understand different lines/angles to run and how to draw in defenders and pass to your winger.

[josie andrews]

Exactly! At least someone gets it.

Centre is a very specialist position, not one you can just Chuck someone in. Your sliding defence and one on one defending has to be on point. Attacking wise you have to understand different lines/angles to run and how to draw in defenders and pass to your winger.

I’ve always said that centre is one of the hardest positions to play.