Quote: The Chair Maker "With regard to Turner at 6.
I look at this a number of ways.
It may be Nathan Brown throwing a curve ball and trying to get opposition coaches off balance as to what our team structure will likely be.
Then again it could be about making various players know that their position on the pitch isn't guaranteed, I'm not merely thinking of Lance in that regard. I'm including Turner, who despite winning the clubs player of the year last year, may find himself displaced by some of our young guns at centre if he doesn't keep his standards up.
I am also conscious that coaches have to think not just for now, but also even a couple of years down the line with regard to the structure of the squad. Therefore its essential to have "irons in the fire" through developing players talents, so that they may be able to fill a position when a vacancy occurs. In two years time both Lance Hohoias contract and Luke Walsh contract are up. We could lose both players. In such a situation we would need someone with experience at the club to step into one of the positions, otherwise we will be deep in trouble having to find two halfbacks. It therefore makes sense to spend some time developing Turner, so that he can play standoff if the need arises. Ideally of course we will bring through a junior, or a miracle will happen and Gary Wheeler will be over his injury problems.
I also think that by developing Turner as an optional standoff it should develop his game awareness. This will improve his footballing ability and as a side result make him a better centre.
Personally I think once the season starts we may go with Lance at standoff, but then after 30 mins take Roby off and move Lance to hooker with Wheeler coming on at standoff. Lance could then go off the field at the 50 minute mark and be replaced by Roby for the last 30 mins. I appreciate this looks somewhat disruptive for Saints,however it makes it harder for clubs to target Roby and Lance to tire them out. England did something similar with Roby in the world cup.'"
Lomax, Jones, Percival, Walsh, Soliola, Wilkin, Hohaia, Masoe, Clough, Flanaghan, Beaumont, Dawson and Charnock are all out of contract at the end of 2015. Walsh has an option of a 3rd year. If we lose ALL those players, then yes we certainly will be lacking some experience ...and players!
