2015 Team

[The Showstopper]

Stone has the respect of the players and he seems to be more on their level than Bennett. Their loyalty to Rick is a huge positive for us cos other off contract players from rival clubs will see that and be curious as to why. Only Bellamy, Bennett and Hasler can claim that sort of player loyalty. It is that sort of environment all players covet. In time I do believe we will be able to sign big name players but we have to show them why we are a viable option. results. That is the only way it is going to happen. Money will always be a big part of that but sometimes the coach can be the trump card.

 

[Noname36]

I've read a couple of times that Stone thinks centre is Sione's best spot. I'm wondering if a backline of like this might be in our best interests:

1. Gagai
2. McManus
3. Sione
4. BJ
5. Uate (if he picks his act up - if not Chanel/Mamo)

That way at least if Sione and Gagai are both given the option of playing in their preferred positions it might give us more of a chance of retaining them.

 

[Zoidberg]

But again, what happens to Gids? He's gonna be in the starting 13 whether we like it or not. I Said 12 months ago to put him at lock and I still think that's a viable option. A Fitler/Anasta type of lock, has ball playing ability, can run lines, speed to draw in centres, fitness to play 80 and do a lot of defence.

 

[Noname36]

IMO Gids is the side's biggest problem. His captaincy seems to be making it a rule that he's selected in the starting side but that's an issue because he's not the best half, fullback, hooker or lock in the club...in fact he's a liability in some of those positions. He was safe at fullback for us at the back end of this year but if we're a hope of doing anything we really need someone with a more dynamic skill set there. Fullback is just too important in the modern game.

Stone really needs to bite the bullet and give Scott the captaincy and move Gids to the bench. I do think he could offer us something from there with his enthusiasm. I'd like to see him come on as either a lock or a roving forward though like you said. No hooker. If Clydesdale needs a rest Gids can play a little while as a running half and move Roberts to hooker. He can be used in the starting side as injury cover if we absolutely need it while Levi is groomed for the bench spot.

I have no doubt in my mind Stone will choose Gidley at fullback come round one...but IMO it's not the best thing for the side.

 

[Spot On]

But again, what happens to Gids? He's gonna be in the starting 13 whether we like it or not. I Said 12 months ago to put him at lock and I still think that's a viable option. A Fitler/Anasta type of lock, has ball playing ability, can run lines, speed to draw in centres, fitness to play 80 and do a lot of defence.

If the contract situation with the brothers is resolved positively for Newcastle then I just don't see where he plays. As you said, if Gagai plays fullback then the only position left for him is lock. What happens to Smith?

If the contract situation is not resolved positively then Sione should not be called upon until the annual injury crisis hits and Stone probably plays Gids at 1.

 

[Whats Doing]

If Gids wasn't the captain, the best position from a team perspective would be no. 14. as his versatility across the backs and forwards is best suited from this position.

 

[The Showstopper]

Gids can skipper club from 14 with Beau being the on field general from the starting whistle. Stone really needs to remove the lone captaincy from Gids and make It a co-captaincy. That is a sign of him being boss. Forget friendships. Anyone who feels they are entitled at a club should be sent packing. The one thing Gids in 14 provides is a tactical edge cos he can literally play anywhere in the backline. Never know where he will pop up.

 

[Whats Doing]

Plus he does bring enthusiasm which after 20 minutes does make an impact. Also if there are any injuries he can play in most positions which means we do not need to move players out of position.

 

[Tom155]

1. Kurt Gidley
2. Aku Uate/James McManus
3. Dane Gagai
4. Joseph Leilua
5. Sione Mata'utia
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Kade Snowden
9. Adam Clydsdale
10. David Fa'alogo
11. Beau Scott
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jeremy Smith

14. Robbie Rochow
15. Korbin Sims
16. Jack Stockwell
17. Joe Tapine

 

[Apey]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8931826

Brisbane Broncos get their man, officially sign Darius Boyd
...
Barely 24 hours later Broncos CEO Paul White confirmed they had finally organised a settlement with Newcastle.
...

 

[Joker's Wild]

Would be interesting to know what said "settlement" entailed. Was it us paying the Broncos or the Broncos paying us?

 

[Apey]

I'm sure we're all worried it's the former while hoping it's the latter :lol:

 

[Joker's Wild]

I doubt we'll ever find out

 

[Yosh]

Good to see that debacle is cleaned up at last. Good riddance.

I'm going to assume that we're not going to get any more players in for next season... Also the NRL voted us having the worst hooker in the game... Harsh or too true?

 

[Frederick]

Good to see that debacle is cleaned up at last. Good riddance.

I'm going to assume that we're not going to get any more players in for next season... Also the NRL voted us having the worst hooker in the game... Harsh or too true?

The NRL didn't vote that, the daily telegraph/fox sports did.

The very same daily telegraph that voted Stephen Kearney the second best coach in the game BEFORE he coached a game

 

[whistler]

Would be interesting to know what said "settlement" entailed. Was it us paying the Broncos or the Broncos paying us?

Barry Toohey reported in yesterday's paper that we are paying Darius more than $100,000 out of our cap for next season but nowhere near the $250,000 he originally wanted.

 

[Zoidberg]

I'm gonna be pretty pissed if Boyd has a stellar year with the Broncos after the garbage he gave us.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

We paid him 100K? Are you kidding! He should be paying us 1.2 mil for the 2 out of 3 shithouse seasons he played for us.....

 

[Spot On]

I'd happily pay Boyd to leave. Major disappointment now over. Happy days.

 

[Whats Doing]

Happy that both Boyd and Bennett have left.

Both massive expensive failures