2016 Player of the year

[Valheru]

Thank god that season is over.

I can't be bothered going through all the 3 2 1 threads so may as well just give a 3 2 1 here with the whole of the season in mind.

3 SKD - Given the amount of games he played I think he deserves the nod this year. I have tried my best to forget the first 8 weeks but he was ne of the few who put in and stepped up when we needed him
2 Latrell - Played every game and was a shining light. I can't wait to see him in a more efficient attacking team.
2 Cordner - Missed a good chunk of the season but was dynamic in nearly every single game he played. The best 2nd rower in the game.

I think we will have a much better season next year but that is a discussion for another thread.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

Hard to argue with any of that, Val. SKD has been Mr Reliable this year and that includes his usual (all forgivable) brain explosions. Latrell was amazing at times and has given the fans loads of hope for next year. Hope Cords gets the well deserved captaincy role in 2017. We were better overtime he played.

Let's hope for better luck with injuries next year. BTW, did we ever play with a full strength roster this year? Can't remember a single game where we had everyone on the park.

 

[Captain Apollo]

BTW, did we ever play with a full strength roster this year?

I think it was Round 23 against the Cowboys.

 

[Valheru]

Let's hope for better luck with injuries next year. BTW, did we ever play with a full strength roster this year? Can't remember a single game where we had everyone on the park.

Maybe once or twice.

I think the telling stat is that Newcastle debuted 13 players this year and we debuted 12 so not much difference. Of those 12 debuted, only Latrell, Watson and possibly Matterson & Manu are in our best 17 for next year.

 

[OVP]

I'd probably give it to Cordner if it was up to me.

He missed quite a few games, but in the games he played he was pretty much our best player in just about every single one.

 

[Headless Chook]

In a miserable year (glad it's over) we had a few shining lights. Watson will be v good for us for a long long time. Lock him in to a decent contract if he hasn't been offered one already. Latrell too will appreciate a full season under his belt and will be better for it next year.

Happy to go with Skidsy and the Chook of the year. Cords would have walked it in if he wasn't out for two thirds of the year.

In Easts we Trust.

 

[Bgoodorgoodatit]

Yeah id have to agree with OVP. Cordner for me even with the missed games. was an absolute beast and pretty much far and away our best on ground every time he laced them up.. SKD would be a close second however after his good start to the year he had a few to many SKD moments for mine.

Watson looks to be a good find.. As Skilful as Horrie was he was just slow as shit... and you cant teach speed.

Apparently according to 360 we lost the second most games (5) in history when leading by 10 or more. combine that with the 8 games we lost by 4 and we were definitely not as bad as our ladder position suggested. We also had the most number of debutants in the NRL this year which should put us in a good spot starting next year.

 

[Valheru]

Well Jake got the Gibson medal. One can only think that it must be for morale booster purposes for him next year. He did give plenty of effort but not in the same league as the 3 mentioned names above.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Well Jake got the Gibson medal. One can only think that it must be for morale booster purposes for him next year. He did give plenty of effort but not in the same league as the 3 mentioned names above.

Well the award was voted on by the players and the coaching staff, so I doubt it was for morale purposes some how.

 

[Bgoodorgoodatit]

no doubt Jakes tried hard in what would have been a long hard season for him as captain

 

[OVP]

Yeah id have to agree with OVP. Cordner for me even with the missed games. was an absolute beast and pretty much far and away our best on ground every time he laced them up.. SKD would be a close second however after his good start to the year he had a few to many SKD moments for mine.

Watson looks to be a good find.. As Skilful as Horrie was he was just slow as shit... and you cant teach speed.

Apparently according to 360 we lost the second most games (5) in history when leading by 10 or more. combine that with the 8 games we lost by 4 and we were definitely not as bad as our ladder position suggested. We also had the most number of debutants in the NRL this year which should put us in a good spot starting next year.

Just on Watson, who i think turned my depression from such a crap year into quite a bit of hope for the future, with how he played in a multitude of positions, just where do you think his main position will be next year ? We didn't buy Keary to play NSW cup, so I can't really see him playing there unless injuries. We bought Nikorima to be a similar type player to Craig Wing, but i think Watson showed he's probably beaten him to the punch with how he played. So where would you guys play Watson next year ? Backup hooker for Jake/utility on the bench is looking most likely. It's a bit of a shame because I'd like the kid to be somewhere on the run-on team. Probably needs to bulk up a bit tho.

And Joseph Manu I'm a big fan of too. He showed a lot more in three or four games in first grade than both Toups (who did improve as the season went on, to his credit) and Copley.

 

[Bgoodorgoodatit]

Watson definitely reminds me of Craig Wing and could provide some real spark off the bench. I guess it will depend on how Keary goes but I could definitely see him filling the utility role if Keary locks down 5/8

 

[Headless Chook]

Judging by this years run of ordinary luck, both Watson and Keary could be the starting halves with Latrell finding himself at prop at some stage thru 2017.

Seriously though I'd expect the 5/8 role to be shared/swapped between Watson and Keary until things work themselves out. Was Keary signed before Watson came to life at the back end of the season? If so, maybe a bit premature but it's always a bonus to have depth in the spine.

 

[OVP]

with Latrell finding himself at prop at some stage thru 2017.

You know something ? He'd probably make it there too. I think it was Oates who crashed big time into his side as Mitchell was running down the sideline last Thursday. Anyone else would have been sent flying into touch, possibly hurtling into the sideboard. The kid didn't budge an inch and knocked Oates backwards. He's amazingly strong, i like him

 

[Captain Apollo]

A few journos asked Watson earlier in the year what position he preferred to play. He answered he would play wherever the coach asked him to. AS such I don't think it would worry him where he was, as long as he is in the 17. I mean it was only around 12 months ago he was moved to five eight in Toyota Cup, and (iirc) having been signed as a fullback who'd played a fair bit in the centres.

I dare say he will start next year from the bench. After that, it will comedown to performance on the field.

 

[Valheru]

Barring injuries, Watson will definitely be a utility for round 1 next year. There is nothing wrong with that either, Craig Wing made a career of it and Watson's speed will be great at the back end of each half.

Watson is still young and will get opportunities to start next ear in the case of injury or origin call ups.

To me, the more interesting selection headache is our 1-5. As it stands we have 7 players to fill 5 positions with the 7 players being Latrell, Fergo, Copley, SKD, Tupou, Manu and Gordon.

I think it comes down to what they want to do with Latrell, personally, for the first part of the season I would like to see Gordon defend at FB and attack on the wing and vice versa with Latrell ala Mini/RTS 2014. So I would go with:

Gordon
Latrell
Fergo
SKD
Tupou/Manu

If they want Gordon as pure backup I would go

Latrell
Manu
Fergo
SKD
Tupou

Either way, Copley misses out.

 

[Bgoodorgoodatit]

Barring injuries, Watson will definitely be a utility for round 1 next year. There is nothing wrong with that either, Craig Wing made a career of it and Watson's speed will be great at the back end of each half.

Watson is still young and will get opportunities to start next ear in the case of injury or origin call ups.

To me, the more interesting selection headache is our 1-5. As it stands we have 7 players to fill 5 positions with the 7 players being Latrell, Fergo, Copley, SKD, Tupou, Manu and Gordon.

I think it comes down to what they want to do with Latrell, personally, for the first part of the season I would like to see Gordon defend at FB and attack on the wing and vice versa with Latrell ala Mini/RTS 2014. So I would go with:

Gordon
Latrell
Fergo
SKD
Tupou/Manu

If they want Gordon as pure backup I would go

Latrell
Manu
Fergo
SKD
Tupou

Either way, Copley misses out.

That first option looks very strong with a bit of depth there for injuries as well.

I like the idea of switching the two ala mini and RTS, Gordon is no slouch and can kick goals as well.

Forgot about Copley... .he may be the unlucky one although I do prefer SKD on the wing as opposed to centres. whatever we do we need to improve our defensive reads with whoever ends up in the 3 and 4 as that really cost us this year (I'm looking at you Blake)

here's one, whats are your thoughts on

1/2. Gordon & Mitchell
3. Copley
4. Fergo.
5. SKD

 

[rabbitohs95]

I genuinely think if both Souths and Easts stayed healthy and drama free throughout the year, both would have made the 8, in the bottom half but still thereabouts.

As for Keary/Watson, if I were coach i'd probably start Watson at 6 and put Keary off the bench. IMO he works best as a spark and won us a few games this year coming from the sidelines. As a fulltime half he can be very predictable and his skill set is very similar to Pearces. Also his kicking game is pretty poor so expect more lacklustre midfield bombs.

 

[Valheru]

here's one, whats are your thoughts on

1/2. Gordon & Mitchell
3. Copley
4. Fergo.
5. SKD

It looks good but I personally believe SKD's best position is centre, the problem is that both him and Fergo prefer right centre. So whether we train one of them at left centre for this offseason or bite the bullet and put Copley (or Manu??) at left centre and SKD on the wing with Tupou on the outer is a major question mark.

 

[Bgoodorgoodatit]

yeah I see your point... not the worst problem to have I guess!! ha-ha