South Sydney dropped their second straight to start the season and with an important grudge match next up, one expert believes Jason Demetriou must consider a halves shake-up.
The Cowboys escaped with a one point win thanks to a herculean performance from their new leader, prompting Matty Johns to make a massive call.
The Dragons could be set to make some changes after Shane Flanagan admitted he was “disappointed” with his team’s ugly turnaround.
Meanwhile, the Benji era started with a heavy loss in the nation’s capital which could lead a new recruit straight to the chopping block.
TIME FOR SOUTHS TO CONSIDER WIGHTON IN HALVES SHAKE-UP
Matty Johns believes Souths may need to consider playing Jack Wighton in the halves to unlock their power game through the middle of the field.
Souths were guilty of trying to go around the Broncos in their 28-18 loss in Round 2 and it was only when they went through Brisbane where they looked like a dangerous team.
“Souths are 0-2, but they have got the Roosters next week,” Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns.
“They have got Jack Wighton back next week and that can’t come quick enough.”
Bryan Fletcher questioned Johns on the criticism of Ilias after another poor game against the broncos.
“There has been a lot of criticism of the halfback Lachlan Ilias,” Fletcher said.
“They have got the young Dean Hawkins waiting for an opportunity.”
Johns believes the criticism of Ilias is unfair, but believes there may be a better way for Souths to play with Wighton as a playmaker alongside Walker.
“It is unfair on Ilias,” Johns said.
“It depends what they want. The system of play is slightly wrong.
“They are looking to always play around opposition. If they want to make a change and they want to adjust the answer if they want to start playing through teams might be Cody Walker to No.7 and Jack Wighton to No.6.
“That will give them more of a run threat. But it is unfair on Ilias because it is not the kid’s fault.”
However, Nathan Hindmarsh and Gorden Tallis defended Ilias and called on Souths’ other playmakers to step up.
“You have got Cody at first receiver who is a dominant player and Latrell another dominant player,” Hindmarsh said.
“So it is quite difficult for him to get the ball when he wants it.”
“They are blaming the wrong people,” Tallis added.
“You have got Damien Cook that played State of Origin, you have got Cody Walker who is one of the best attackers and you have got Latrell.
“And then you put all the hopes on a rookie halfback to be bossing those guys around.”
Fletcher believes Souths have struggled with their kicking game since Adam Reynolds left the club.
“They got beaten in the kicking game tonight and I think that is half the battle,” Fletcher said.
Johns also believes Souths are using Cameron Murray too much as a front-rower and believes the pressure is growing on Jason Demetriou already.
“There is too much pressure on Cameron Murray to get go forward,” Johns said.
“They demand a lot from him.
“Going into this season Jason Demetriou knew there was a lot of pressure on him, but it is starting to build for a big club like Souths.”
COBBO SET FOR BIG BRONCOS HEIGHTS
Selwyn Cobbo is taking no time to settle into his new role as a centre with the young Broncos star coming up with a couple of big moments in the opening weeks of the competition.
Cobbo has shifted to left centre this season to replace the departed Herbie Farnworth and while he’s still got some work to do defensively, he’s proven he’s going to be a major strike weapon for the Broncos this season.
So much so, Matty Johns has made a big call about the 21-year-old’s future.
“What he’s doing at left centre, I think by the end of his career — with the trajectory of his career — he could end up one of the Broncos’ greatest centres,” he said on The Late Show.
It came after Cobbo tore up the Rabbitohs’ defence in the Broncos’ win on Thursday night. He finished that game with a try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, eight tackle busts, two offloads and 164 running metres. He also made 16 tackles with just one miss.
Broncos legend Gorden Tallis was equally impressed with Cobbo’s performance and singled out his “unbelievable” tap on pass to set up Jesse Arthars for a try.
“To have that patience and time… Going into the centres, I thought how’s he going to do defensively but in attack he’s been a nightmare,” he said.
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