Big Stef Martin

[shaker]

How many still have Stef in there team after yesterday ?

[Ringo]

Just remember Stef is also coming back from clean up surgery and only had 46% TOG. He will be eased in through the JLT.  He only returned to the full group in mid January.
Did not see all the game due to being in transit but from stats it looked like Archie and Stef shared the rucking role as their TOG adds up to 100% so perhaps someone can confirm for me.

[RaisyDaisy]

61 from 46% ain't too shabby

[shaker]

Just remember Stef is also coming back from clean up surgery and only had 46% TOG. He will be eased in through the JLT.  He only returned to the full group in mid January.
Did not see all the game due to being in transit but from stats it looked like Archie and Stef shared the rucking role as their TOG adds up to 100% so perhaps someone can confirm for me.

Thinking more about Archie his performance seems quite impressive

[Ringo]

Archie certainly putting the pressure on. He has stated he wants to really lift his performance this year and wants to put the pressure on.
At the moment do not have him though but will seriously consider if he gets more TOG over the next 2 JLT games and he continues his improvement. From the bit I have seen he is moving a lot more freely than last year.

[shaker]

Don't think you can rule him out for R1 if he keeps putting out stats like that

[MC]

Yeah he's still in mine. Teams in the pre-season invariably play around with their squads and give opportunities to young blokes that would otherwise be sitting on the sidelines. Many teams rest their guns, which is why we see inflated numbers from fringe players. As stated, 64 from 46% game time is promising, and I'd imagine he'll play predominantly in the ruck for the next couple of games as he regains match fitness, rather than sitting forward so much. Time will tell!

[Ringo]

Brisbane: "We've got a bit to work with there" Chris Fagan on Stefan Martin & Archie Smith ruck work against Gold Coast

Take what you may from this comment from Fagans press conference

[Jimmykidd]

ill see what the remaining JLT games throw up, but i'm definitely worried now. goldy can come straight in for stef 

[enzedder]

Stef is a clear 3rd ruck pick for mine.
Archie throws a spanner in the works for those thinking of going his way. Sharing the bye with Gawn is a nuisance albeit for just one week. Think he'll be amazingly good this year but have more confidence in Goldy and Gawn.

[BomberSam]

Just about drawn a line through him after JLT1. If Archie plays, it's an automatic no from me.

[crowls]

Just about drawn a line through him after JLT1. If Archie plays, it's an automatic no from me.

absolutely.   Fagan is unknown factor on how Stef and Archie will be used.   Do not think JLT will give us a lot to go on either.    Going to have to wait for Rd1 teams.


Anybody else concerned with Pruess affecting Goldi scoring.    Wont take much to knock 15 points of his average and it turns into a waster of money.    Grundy appears to be the most reliable option at the moment.

[eaglesman]

Just about drawn a line through him after JLT1. If Archie plays, it's an automatic no from me.

[Pokerface]

Yeah it's not Stef's score that worried me, it was Archie's performance. I was red hot on him a couple of days ago, now i'm concerned.

[Ringo]

As I said earlier just keep in mind Stef is being eased back in following surgery to correct knee issues from last season. What is encouraging to me he is moving more fluently so could be back to gaining those points around the ground.
Agree Archies form is good but was really no better than stefs when you compare the stats based on TOG.
Happy for all you to rule a line through him so he becomes unique.