No reason Bird couldn't run over the top of those two. As a matter of fact, one could argue Bird is more likely to do that. What he lacks in size compared to Burns he makes up in his ability to step past ******** in order to be one on one with *******.
Personally it's hard for me to see where all the salary cap money is going for us not to be in the conversation for any good, young forwards coming off contract no matter what one thinks of Bird, Su'A, Sims, Burns, Ford, Woods, McGuire or whomever.
Team | Players over 30 | Players | Forwards over 30 | Definite 1st grade over 30 |
| St George Illawarra Dragons | 7 | (Ben Hunt, Aaron Woods, Andrew McCullough, Jack De Belin, George Burgess*, Tariq Sims, Josh McGuire) | 6 (Woods, McCullough, De Belin, G Burgess*, Sims, McGuire) | 7 (Hunt, Woods, McCullough, De Belin, G Burgess*, Sims, McGuire) |
It's alarming!!!!
Mr Griffin needs to show he has a long-term plan because this doesn't make for good reading.
It should be fine. But definitely need some action on young forwards this year. Need to keep an eye on the NSW Cup. There are a few young forwards people have been talking up for a while. O'fuo is 23! If he doesn't make it this year, he's not going to make it.
That's true about union but not sure why. The 3 front rowers as opposed to 2 and a hooker in league tend to be too slow for league. Break-aways tend to be too skinny. They'd get folded and put on their back in every tackle if not gang tackled and driven 10m backward. But not sure why second rowers and locks couldn't make it.
Lawrie is a pretty decent defender, isn't he? Seems to run around a lot, chasing down ball runners more than most props and I never noticed him miss many.
Actually Lawrie tackling stats are not bad he averaged 31 p.g Bird will have to do more tackling if he's in the pack. Im worried about our props Molo ave 21 tackles Woods ave 26 tackles , Burgess not renowned for his tackling so starting prop should be Lawrie based on defensive stats
In principle I agree. Middle forwards generally aren't in their prime as early as other players but I think it's more like mid twenties, rather than 30 or above.
They are really giving it to us regarding Woods and Burgess. Personally, I don't see the issue at all.
Well Woods defensive stats are pretty poor and Burgess coming off a big medical procedure both big risks. However coach believes that they will shore up our pack and he is in the best position to know
Sure. There is a risk as there is for pretty much every recruit in every team. They are both only signed for 2 years, not on big money and I beleive both have clauses in their contracts which state if they aren't good enough to play X games in the NRL, their contracts can be terminated after only year. If they were both on big money and signed for 3 years, I could understand the media giving it to the club and coach Griffin. As is. I think it's uncalled for. But as you said, maybe it's a good thing. It might light a fire under both.
Burgess is more of a risk that Woods. Woods, I don't think is "a risk" at all. We know what we are going to get from him. Long minutes unless he is hooked for poor defence or general laziness. He won't break many tackles but will keep chewing up the metres, have good post contact metres and not less than a few offloads.
That's a fair comment but even if he (Burgess) bombs out, apparently he is on minimal money so the risk really isn't that great.
Bird, Suli, Woods, Burgess, Sullivan, Amone, Sloan all been getting lots of attention in the media.