I think we can try some interesting rotations.

1. Lock - Salmon -> Mann
2. Hooker Reed off - Curran on at lock, Mann to Hooker.
3.Second row - Kicks off, Curran to the edge - Salmon on.
4. Hooker Mann off- Reed on
5. Kicks on, Curran to prop

I am not sure if this is too many changes but it gives the hard working middle players a rest.

HIA is another opportunity- Salmon can cover HIA for a half, Mann can cover Reed.

Due to HIA we probably want a back on the bench.

The trail side is close to that with Morrin on the bench, and he is yet another mobile high workrate middle.

If we go that way Mann or Salmon probably fill in for an outside back HIA.

No need for a back in the bench… Manncrush can definitely cover centre… I’ll say it again… one of the most underrated players in the game by all but his coaches…

Agree with all  but another but… I can’t see a place for Hayward and BBO without injuries this year… and we’ve had more than our fair share in recent memory’s…

the other issue for Lou  was he knew his 6 was a marked man cos there was absolutely nothing doing on the other side of the park… 

I can see Hayward mostly playing hooker/ half in reserve grade, 

BBO might be used as an attacking shock weapon off the bench.

It will be interesting to see how well our attack works this game, hopefully we are a threat on both edges and later in the game up the middle.

I'm not sure he is underrated.
It's just that he has never really held one position.
Once he became a utility and journeyman, people couldn't associate him with dny one position and therefore didn't give him credit when he played there.

One key thing I noticed in that first trial (which I hope continues) is that Taaffe was thereabouts when our forwards took hitups. He didn't get provided with an offload, but if he keeps doing it (support) someone will get their arms free and set him on his way. 

This is a key reason why I like Taaffe at FB. He supports well. I just hope he doesn't get wasted with that support play to the point he gives up on it.

We become very one dimensional and easy pickings when our forwards cart the ball up, one out with no players in motion or in support.

Fitness, speed, positioning, communication, ability to read the game are important attributes fora fullback, Taaffe has them.

In the past Perham, DWZ and Hoppa were lacking positioning and speed in particular, .

Averillo was lacking communication, but had speed.

Crichton captain. Didnt see that coming but… an inspired choice.

The most professional player in the club, bit of a no-brainer really.

Not the worst choice. He can't be any worse than Burton in that role.

I would have made Hutch the captain for the next year or two and the selected a long term after the players settled into the team and proven they are here for the long run.

I just feel that someone in the middle of the field can discuss things with the ref without falling out of position. I also feel Hutch is well liked and speaks well. He would have been my choice but Chrichton certainly can do a good a job. 

Hutch isn’t even guaranteed a spot in the 17 the next two years…and very very unlikely to be here beyond that…

As for ‘falling out of position’, hopefully it’s a case of once bitten twice shy for the refs with us…

Funny how you single out Burto when it was abundantly clear who was the ‘main’ captain on game days…

The article confused the hell out of me in the first instance… was thinking he was taking RFMs role until it got to the bot about about Lou and Burto…

No complaints here… as you say utter professional… also no baggage… and will let the other two focus on their footy…

Yep Critter is one guy who will be here for a few years....

Hutch, Salmon and Mann closer to the end of their careers.

Lou was an option, but last season the captaincy didn't seem to work for him and Burto, both struggled with their form.

And the 2 captains + club captain didn't seem to translate into good results. At the time it seemed like a good idea.

Overall captaincy did make that much difference either way last season.

A good leader does what Critter described, lifts the team when they need a lift. A spray behind the goal line is often counter-productive IMO. A better message is "let's get that back", good kick chase, good energy, let's force an error and then score.

Players who missed tackles don't need a reminder. 

And even better rally the side, or slow down the game before the opposition score. That might be a verbal message, a good tackle or simply knocking the ball down and diving on it.

What I really like about Critter is his instincts and reading of the game.

Mortimer and Lamb had that they knew when to concede a penalty,  when to talk to the ref, when the side needed a lift, when the opposition were vulnerable.

Tonight will tell us a lot. 

Surprisingly nervous before this trial. 

What I am expecting is that CC will test out the forwards rotation for at least the first 60 mins. Sexton might get a chance earlier and Chrichton might shift to fullback after 40-50 giving Clark a run.

Most of the reserves will get no more than 20 mins, some perhaps less.

The side for round 1 is fairly well set, Sexton having a big game or Critter doing great at fullback might change that if they get a run in those positions. 

I am looking forward to it, I just want to see us be competitive which mostly means not leaking a lot of points in the first half.  Sharks are a side we have struggled with recently, I am happy to have a genuine test.

If the reserves do get a run for the last 20, I don't really care what happens but I expect them to do well and press their claims.

My prediction-
Half-time - Dogs 6 Sharks 14.
60 mjns - Dogs 18 Sharks 24
Full time - Dogs 28 Sharks 30.

I would be happy with that, more happy if we do better.

And reasonably confident about the Slimeys round 1.

A bad loss would not be terminal but it is a hit to our confidence that I want to avoid.

I think a win in the first half or overall could really give the boys some confidence. But the players don’t care much about the result. 

That’s the spirit!!!..

Unless Critter has trained at fullback there is absolutely no reason to give him a run there tonight…

I don't know if he has. 

Not 100% certain to happen and we will find out soon enough.

I would love us to dominate for the full 80, just trying to have realistic expectations.

I do think that if we dominate that is how it will happen, our line speed and mobility will frustrate the Sharks in attack.

We will have high completions the Critter, Foxy, Xerri and Wilson will make our chances count.

I will be pumped if I see that.

No Nicho… disappointing…

Hutch owes us 8 points…

8 and a chance…

Both sides willing up front… pleased with line speed.. gang tackling… and general discipline in D…. It so much with ball in hand…

Burtos kicking solid…
Maxy offload back!!!…
Critter will be great…
TTAAFFEE nice and safe in D… not far off in A…
Shoes looks the goods at prop… nice offload first hit up…
Interesting Cherry swapping sides when Captain Critter came off…
Curran plays tough… runs great lines.. and has hands…
Love Presto…
Manncrush doing Manncruss…

Relieved to see us take not advantage of the sin bin…

Skelton has a chance to play himself onto the wing…

Hutch an off start… not a 7 for mine…  He looks a grid player for me… maybe that’s what we need… but  Sexy should still have a chance despite CCs pre game chat…

Never challenge when a winger wants it…

Dogs definately need to tidy up their ball control. Xerri still looks good, Fox looks like he is winding up for a good season, impressed with Curran, Preston and Hughes, Kiks is going ok too. Sharks are getting away with a lot of loitering in the tackle and a little more than 'flat' passes, though we need to be better. Hope we pick it up in the second half. All in all an entertaining half of footy.

Bloody hell… oh well.. I suppose get the dropsies out of the way this week… 

At least we defended both mistakes on our line…

And again… shame we didn’t get to test ourselves against Nicho…