I can't understand why you would champion a cause to risk all the years of work Mead has put into becoming one of the game's most respected wingmen.
He is a deadset killer on the wing and in his limited efforts from FB didn't show much more than hitting the line at pace ... admirable but not earth-shattering in that most crucial of positions.
Also, to even mention Zillman in the halves is enticing the rugby league gods to play their diabolical tricks and give you your wish.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Seriously he does nothing on the wing in this team, he doesnt get the ball, hell opposition teams don't kick to him.
I know lets keep the only Titans player to play FB against Aust, NZ etc... on the wing and bring on the admirable efforts of Rankin, Phil Graham...
He carved Q Cup at FB as a 19yr old and he has the ability to grow in that position in the top grade and I can guaratee that as a fact.
I know your feelings on this, as you know mine but quoting PNG's efforts as a reason for selection in the NRL is hardly reasonable, as much as I love PNG. Lot's of PNG players have done a lot more than that but that doesn't make them NRL ready. I'll even offer Marcus Bai as a recent example. He was a quality centre for the Vipers/Kumuls but never got near the centres in the NRL.
The other point is that if the team had a functioning coach then we wouldn't be discussing this at all because he would be scoring double the number of tries and both of you would be happy.
I am no fan of Zillman as you also know and I would rather not have him in the team at all if he wasn't at fullback. This is the problem with Cartwright and his recruitment/selection policy. He just doesn't seem to be able to cover positions with specialists and plays his favourites out of position. I really support Mead but he is a specialist, imho and we'll have to agree to disagree on this.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
There really isnt much we disagree on and to ask numero uno fan why would I champion this cause was a mistake on your part
It's how he performed in Q Cup and on the international level at FB that I base my decision. He has the ability to grow into a fine number 1. If we kept all the specialist wingers in that position for life we would have had no Billy Slater, Jarrod Hayne and the one player who I think Dave would be better than after one year at FB Darius Boyd (big call but Im gonna stick by it )
It's all a dream on my end and I will shut up.
no need to shut up at all, I'm most likely completely wrong and happy to be so ... Mead is a great player and is entitled to chase his dreams
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Hasn't been much to post lately, these are all I could gather.
Can Ben Ridge pls grow his hair out again haha
Thoughts with his family, wishing his mum a full and speedy recovery.
Been nothing at all lately sorry.
The No.7 battle as it stands.
Anyone but Rankin or Zillman for me also. I think we are doomed if we have either of those in the halves.
Psmitty
There is a difference between a premiership winning half and a mediocre half. I don't see Rankin as a premiership winning half from anything I have seen yet. He is still young so may improve but he is not talked about as one of the up and coming halves like Sieka or Miller. Zillman well he isn't a half full stop.
Psmitty