Newnes, opportunity through misfortune

[SainterK]

Can step up and take a spot in the backline now....

Doesn't matter how, or why, it's not his fault....but take the opportunity with both hands Jack.

[Quixote]

Gram may have also gifted Raph or Clint a contract extension.

[bigcarl]

IMO Raph would be a good like-for-like replacement for Grams.

Similar yardage type of player who can get it and kick long.

Which isn't to say I don't like the look of Newnes, but Raph is bigger and stronger at this stage.

[dragit]

We've actually now unbelievably lost around 5 half back flankers…

Gram, Goddard, Cripps, Peake, Clarke*

So I think Ray will be getting more game time, hopefully we rotate a few young guys through there too - Newnes, Dunell, Siposs, Milera & also Winmar gets a chance if he wants to take it.

[gringo]

We are going to struggle for depth next year. Losing Gram is going to make life a little harder and even though I rate Newnes he is a couple of years off being as good as Gram. Raph might be needed. Ray probably isn't quite the rebounding runner we need either.

[bigcarl]

Ray probably isn't quite the rebounding runner we need either.

Agree, he's more of a tall midfielder.

[saintbrat]

Gram may have also gifted Raph or Clint a contract extension.

CJ is already contracted for 2013
and Scott has said he sees a spot for him in 2013.

[lloyd21]

Ralph Clarke No No No .... Time for young are you Kidding about lack of half back flankers aren't you. Simpkin Dempster Gwilt Gilbert Sipposs Dunnell. &. Newnes

[gringo]

Ralph Clarke No No No .... Time for young are you Kidding about lack of half back flankers aren't you. Simpkin Dempster Gwilt Gilbert Sipposs Dunnell. &. Newnes

Who can take his role? Gilbert is most similar but not enough, Siposs more of a BJ replacement and Dunnell and Newnes need to play a heap more footy to get up to that level. Dunell doesn't look like a run and carry player. Milera might be moved in there or Dennis -Lane might need to move back.

[WinnersOnly]

Gram may have also gifted Raph or Clint a contract extension.

CJ is already contracted for 2013
and Scott has said he sees a spot for him in 2013.

I wonder how CJ would go off the half backline? Yeah he is not a great kick but that could be covered with his ability to shut down opponents. He only seems to really spray them when he tries to kick long at pace - perhaps off half back he can play within his means?

[bigcarl]

I wonder how CJ would go off the half backline?

I like CJ, but he's not really a like-for-like for Gram. I remember Watters saying in an interview he thought there was a role for Raph as a yardage player. This may be his lifeline.

[Bernard Shakey]

Can step up and take a spot in the backline now....

Doesn't matter how, or why, it's not his fault....but take the opportunity with both hands Jack.

He already has stepped up. This changes nothing, Jack was always going to be in the top 22 next year.

[andrewg]

Dare I say a late Salopek selection?

[dragit]

Dare I say a late Salopek selection?

We can live in fear.

[SainterK]

Can step up and take a spot in the backline now....

Doesn't matter how, or why, it's not his fault....but take the opportunity with both hands Jack.

He already has stepped up. This changes nothing, Jack was always going to be in the top 22 next year.

Glad to hear it.

Was just trying to make a point that a spot opens for the taking.

[bobmurray]

Dare I say a late Salopek selection?

We can live in fear.

The list is almost clogged as it is....we might not have room for this spud

[vacuous space]

Gram's spot was under pressure anyway, especially if we land a FB and move Gwilt off key defence. Dempster, Fisher, Geary, Gwilt, Simpkin, fullback - that's six. Even if we wind up using Fisher/Gwilt/Simpkin as keys, Siposs may move back on a permanent basis, given how many forwards we have.

Newnes, I think, will wind up in the middle. He struggled a bit there in the Giants game, but I think that's his long term destiny. Classy onballer.