Started with no strapping but as soon as he went off physio straight onto knee

I would be tempted to bring Lovegrove into the 17 this week and put Netherton into the second row to add a bit of much needed starch to our defence.

I wouldnt play netherton at all he just doesnt have any go forward, we need Macca against the french forwards

Whats Makali done wrong this time?

but if we are letting Makka go (to FC it seems) do you think we should be playing Nevs/Esders or anyone else you want to name instead; to get them ready to play week in and week out? or do you just play your strongest team not matter what?


Someone in the Stand near me on Sunday said we should play Fozzard & Vella at the same time as they are our best forwards, but then would that leave 2 weaker players on the field at the same time for the opposition to attack?

Hmmmmmmm im confusing myself now with questions i cant answer

I know very confusing but i think we have got to play our best side which would inc macca regarless if hes going or not, we r still paying his wages, wigan had fielden and pally whats his name on the bench and made big impact when they came on, we brought on netherton

think starting vella and wheeldon and using fozzard and hopefully now he's fit lovegrove off the bench dont agree with picking macca he showed nothing in the reserves yesterday

personally i think neherton is like constipation

tries hard and does nowt. if i had my way he'd never wear a red and white shirt again. harsh or not i just think there are far beter in our ranks at prop and second row

First name on the team sheet if you asked most Rovers players would be Netherton, he's so highly respected by each and every one of his team that they wouldnt want to play without him. Words to those effect were what Rhys Lovegrove told me (this is for those that need proof of everything).

If what I am told is true, Makka and Millsy had shocking games for the reserves. Does a shocking game for the reserves playing against kids allow you to then play for the first team the week after?

Not Dobson then? Or Galea or Vella or Newton or Briscoe?

Netherton has been excellent for the club, but going forward, if we are to be real contenders, then we need players that can offer a bit more. This is not a slight on Jason but testament to how far the club has come.

Has anyone considered that maybe he gets his place in the team for his defensive game? IMO he is one of the best defenders in the forwards that we have.

TBF though Nick its not the players who pick the side.

As for playing in the reserves, any form by seasoned pro's should be taken with a pinch of salt. The standard is dire and its form for the first team that matters. Morgan will pick a team he thinks can beat Catalans and if he decides to pick Macca, Mills or Lovegrove its because he knows what they can do at senior level, not because of how they played in a pretty poor reserve grade comp.

No not Dobson, Galea, Vella or Newton he said JASON NETHERTON and as has just been said due to his defence and the fact the players can trust him. Rarely does Nev have a bad game, rarely does he make big mistakes. Ok gives a couple of penalties away here and there but not usually ones that lead to tries.

Maybe Vella and Dobson will be the first names on the team sheet but doesnt it tell you something when Netherton is ALWAYS in the team when not injured? Ahead of people who most other teams would put in front of him? He will never let us down and will always put his hand up to play anywhere at any time, maybe he doesnt give us the greatest go forward but thats not his game and who do you replace him with? If you put Makka in his place you lose the defence and safety, you put Mills in his place you moan about his all round game, there is no coincidence Jason has been with us for so long under so many coaches that know the game better than most of us on this message forum and they keep playing him week in week out.

If I was to be harsh I might say that a player that never tries anything rarely makes mistakes.

I don't disagree that he has been a loyal servant to the club and a very consistent player. However I would put Macca in the front row before Jason any day of the week. Bringing Macca off the bench last Sunday could have won us the game, bringing Jason on won't change the result of a game.

All teams need the steadying influence and hard graft of players like Jason, but a prop forward has to be able to break a tackle or get an offload in and Jason don't do that. It is an obvious area we can look to improve the squad. Maybe he has the time and ability to improve in certain areas and if he can fine, I don't have any particular axe to grind here.

p.s I hope he makes me eat my words and scores ten tries between now and the end of the season

I tend to agree, apart from the last penalty he commited! He piggybacked Wigan up the field, who then went on to score with a needless interference on the 4th tackle. Stupid play really.

I think players like Netherton are your bread and butter type players and every team has them. I compare him to Mike Bennett of St Helens when he played. He's worth keeping for next year is Netherton

Macca wont play this weekend either.

Any reason?

?

Maybe its just me but I personally don't think Fozzard is one of our best props, big name maybe but hasn't cut the mustard all season. He rarely seems to break the line, nothing in way of off loads (ok I know thats never been his game) and offers little in way of quick play the ball, he looks the part but just isn't doing it for me. I'd go as far as saying Wheeldon offers far more than fozzard. I'd personally think giving Liam Watts a run would be a better option.

Seriously think the emperor isn't wearing any clothes....

Been garbage in the reserves might be what hes getting at i dont know

Not a good enough reason as Mr Gekko pointed out earlier.

I think Foz has done a fine job for us and due to the injury to Vella, Foz for me has possibly been our best prop. Wheeldon has done a decent job for us and has earned his place in the first 17 but he certainly hasn't out performed Foz IMO.

Maybe it is a good enough reason to other people though...

i personally think Gord is right that the reserve grade is dire, but if someone plays garbage when they should be showing they are better then that grade of rugby, then surely they shouldnt be promoted into the 1st team because of that? they should be seen by all that they are too good and should be in the 1st team.

Tend to agree with that, but to me Fozzard is getting overplayed and will burnout pretty soon if he doesn't get a rest. What are Mills and Esders doing rotting in the reserves.. more so Esders.. Give him a chance!

A Wheeldon Vella starting partnership with a Fozzard Lovegrove interchange is probably what we need at this time of the season. Makka and Mills are two very good players to have as back up and with Netherton coming off the bench to cover a few different positions it wouldnt be such a bad idea.

Saying that once Colby comes back Cockayne and I'm guessing Fitzhenry will be the ones coming off the bench...hmmmmm