The same could apply to a player who'd had a few weeks rest and wasn't up to match speed upon his return...

Ultimately it's a question of who is in the best position to determine a player's fitness: the fans, or the coach and the conditioners. The fans might have a marginal claim to that role if our team never won anything. In the circumstances where the team is very successful, the fan who knows better is, at best, deluded.

*Edited for crazy stuff/insults.

The team which has followed McDermott's methodology has won the last two Grand Finals. The teams that follow the one you're proposing haven't. You're in conflict with reality. When that reality alters, get back to me. In the meantime I can only assume your arguments must be based on an irrational prejudice towards McDermott.

They don't follow that "methodology" at all, look back at the last two seasons. Does this "methodology" also include the innovative idea of not using substitutes?

You have been show to be an hypocrite, so I will leave that one at that.

Just a final piece, just so we all know where you stand. If this great "methodology" results in no silverware this season, will you then come back and admit that you are indeed a tard?

It's the balance of probabilities that Danny McGuire's injury, for example, wasn't caused by lack of fitness. Which of the injuries are you attributing to wear and tear?

The ultimate mission of a coach and a player is to win stuff. There is no question that McDermott has created an environment where his team competes at the highest level and wins trophies. If they don't win things then criticism of coaching practices might assume more validity.

When you can present a coherent argument demonstrating some acquaintance with reality, and without resorting to insults, I'll think about it.

After the bitter taste of recent success, some people around here will be delighted when this great team finally fails, just like they were barely able to contain their delight when a senior player gets an injury and is forced to make way for a younger player. Bizarre.

This is exactly the point where I don't know if you were around pre 2011, or whether you are related to McDermott.

This "environment" was created before McDermott arrived, and yet those previous coaches did things differently.

McDermott confirmed in the YEP that Kylie wont be available tonight. So Sinfield and Kylie to drop out of the 19 which already had 3 wingers (BJB, Hall and Minns), with Moon and Keinhorst to centres is there any need in having a winger on the bench?? BJB has stated that he is smashing his PBs in training so it sounds like he will be fit enough for a full 80. Another academy lad to be called up maybe, otherwise having Minns on the bench would be a complete waste unless Keinhorst does a shift in the back row.

Minns can also play back rower. Remember he isn't actually a winger.

That said, I agree with the point you are making.

I know it's not match fitness, but you have to remember that BJB has been in full training for a couple of Months now. It's only playing that he hasn't been cleared for. I don't think there'll be any problems whatsoever, apart from some rustiness.

I reckon they may move Moon to stand off and give Sutcliffe a spell at LF if needed.

Looks a bit light for a back rower in SL. If nobody else is drafted in I reckon Minns on the bench to come on to take centre whilst Jimmy does a stint in the back row. I reckon a surprise or two in store tonight, wouldn't surprise me if Ablett made an early return, he cant be that far off now.

Still got about 3 weeks left IIRC