2007-Success of Failure???

[Sydney_Raider]

I have been reading the comments re Centrebet odds and recruitment for next year and whilst I think we are a chance of having a better year than 2006 in 2007 (by better, I am hoping for top 6 and still being alive in 2nd week), I was trying to think of 3 players who will be crucial to us having a good year. I have nominated the following 3;

1. Michael Weyman - A few have been critical of the big fella's performance given his game time this year. I must say I was expecting bigger things, particulary following the Dragons game at home. Given a full off season I am hoping he will be a stand out in 2007. Both he and Tilse (can't believe he has been bagged in some areas) could set the platform for a good year.

2. Todd Carney - Whether he plays 5/8 or half (forget any talk of centre) it is vital that he takes control and plays his natural game. Think he will.

3. Craig Frawley - Might surprise, but I am seriously worried about our outside backs (not to mention hooker??). Would like to see him be given first chance at centre where if he stays fit and plays to the best of his ability should be a more than able replacement for Mogg.

I have left out the Premier League guys i.e. Goodwin, Zillman etc as it will be a bonus if they step up straight away. Interested in the thoughts of others, particularly Bay and TR who I am sure will differ in their opinion.

 

[Tokyo_Raider]

Can't speak for Bay (not being a completely blithering lunatic), but I think we will do OK in 2006 unless we start getting injuries in the backline, in which case we'll get carved. Unlike your faithful correspondent, we're just too damn thin out wide.

If I had to nominate the three guys who will make or break us in 2007 it would be:

1. Carney - Every team revolves around their halves, and, whether in 6 or 7, Carney is going to have to move heaven and Earth next season if we're to make the grade. I am not at all worried about his running game, but he has to learn to move his forwards around the field. If he's got the goods, it'll come with confidence, but it had better come soon.

2. Graham - He's shown glimpses of being something special, but never quite gone that extra yard. Whether he'd get a start in most other teams or not, Graham will be desperately needed at the Raiders for his experience and speed. Would love to see him make more of a combination with the halves in the same way that Stuart spent a season feeding Mullins.

3. Weyman - We're pretty well off in the forwards, but these are the guys who make it happen for the outside men and no one matters more than the guys in 8 and 10. We have a guy in Thompson who will play a strong, consistent game week in week out, but in Weyman we need explosive power to add that something extra. I'm a big fan of Weyman and expect to see him at his best in 07.

Others who could have made my top 3 - Zillman, who could be everything or nothing, Miller, who could be the surprise packet after a spell on the sidelines and Howell, believe it or not. He's had his knockers, but could just come good in the season ahead.

2007 is going to be an fascinating season. We're going to get absolutely hammered in some games, but I think we will cause some upsets, too. Our biggest issues next season will be:

1. A serious lack of quality outside backs
2. Lacking about 500 games of NRL experience (yeah yeah, I know it doesn't matter....but it does!)
3. That critical last tackle option

Should be a hell of a ride.

Now screw you lot, I'm going out to a little place in Shinjuku for a quiet pint.

 

[Raider_69]

neutral, we will do better then the average punter will pick us for, however we will not play as well as our squad is capible of, the combinations will take some time to settle, 2008 we begin our charge

 

[edabomb]

Frawley first crack at a centre spot?? I'm not really into rewarding players who don't put in personally, and lack talent to start with. Whatever turns you on.

 

[thickos]

I'm excited about 2007, because it could go either way - I don't think we'll do a standard mid-table show like we normally put on (or have in the past few years, a lot of 7th-8th finishes).

The big problem is the backs for me, I worry about Chalk as a out-and-out backline player with his handling and defensive read. I worry about Frawley's desire and whether he wants to be out there busting his gut that badly. The others like Howell and Purtell are developing but there is no leader amongst them IMO. Graham has a big job to do.

The forwards look to be our strength, and I really feel it's unjust bagging Weyman after his 2006 efforts. This was basically the kid's first full season of FG - or at least the first he got to the end of while still playing. He's young and plenty of good football is ahead of him... plus our expectations of him are through the roof. Same with Tilse - the guy had a year out of the game FFS. Watch him explode in 07.

I think we'll be a lot more attacking, Henry will make the guys chance their arm and who knows... it may come off. We will take the odd bad loss though, and I sincerely hope it's not at the start of the year otherwise it could rock the kids' confidence.

Nevertheless, i'm excited!

 

[Mal Meninga]

I wasn't too disappointed with Weyman. He had some bright moments in his return against the Dogs and Dragons where he carved up two of the biggest heavyweight packs in the game, but let's face it he's no where near 100% and at the very least, Mick will go into 07 with confidence that his body can hold up.

Tilse needs to use that big frame of his. Smaller players cut him down easily, while the big men smash him.

 

[brenno]

I'm excited about some of the young players we have. We are developing a really solid core of players. I think Michael Dobson will play well at 7 next year. Im not expecting a top 8 finish but some mixed results and some narrow but competitive losses along the way. We just lack experience particularly in the key positions of fullback, centre, halves and hooker. Im predicting a slow start to the season and with a strong finish.

what im hoping for in 07;

-Carney to further establish himself as boom young playmaker and take a leadership role.
- weyman to stay healthy and get match fit, he will improve once that happens.
- Tilse to become more aggressive, has rep footy potential
- Dobson to carry his impressive form he showed in the UK to the NRL. Im hoping he can cut the mustard..
- Lahrs to build on an impressive 06 season and comeback strong from injury.
- Costigan to regain focus and become the hardhitting backrower we have missed since Wiki left..
- Bronx Goodwin and William Zillman to establish themselves as legitmate 1st graders..both pushing eachother for the fullback spot
- Josh Miller to avoid anymore concussions
- Lincoln Withers to become consistent as a hooker and stay away from the halfback position.
- Tongue to lead from the front and have another inspirational season.
- Graham to stay healthy and receive more ball
- Purtell and howell to improve defensively & to continue to be enthusiastic

No doubt that losing Schif, Mogg, Woolford, Smith & Croker will hurt this team. You'd be silly or foolishly optimistic to think that it wont affect us. Take away that amount of experience from key positions in any side & they will struggle. Above all i just want the Raiders to have a good run with injuries and to continue to display the grit and fight that saw us win alot of close games in 06. This will be the youngest team we have fielded in many seasons so im just hoping that they can withstand the intensity of the NRL.

 

[Chachi]

Yeah, I pretty much agree with everything you've said brenno. While we are very inexperienced in the halves I'd like to see Henry go with a combo and stick with it. I think the worst thing that could happen is to see what went on at the Roosters with chopping and changing key position players all season.

The form of the fringe first graders will be the key for us. Good seasons from the likes of Frawley, Chalk and Tilse could see us scrape into the 8.