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Preview of Sharks 2019, as we know an off season for the ages, we have named 28 players in our squad so this has to be increased to 30 by June 30th, so will be a chance for a couple of the younger guys to push through, and we also seem to release someone in the main squad before June 30th.
Backs
Aaron Gray – 1 game last year, not quickest player, would be backup option only, and can see the younger guys leapfrogging him.
Bronson Xerri – The next big thing wrap is on him, would play him next to Dugan so can interchange between wing/centre, and gain knowledge
Isaac Lumelume – One of the youngsters, can finish a try, cant see him in firsts till at least mid season
Josh Dugan – Play next to Xerri, help him gain experience, don’t want to see him at fullback anymore, need a ball playing fullback
Josh Morris – Big role for Josh, could be Feki’s centre partner or be helping a young winger come through, his experience will help our outside backs espically in defence
Matt Moylan – Back a fullback his best position, unless gets injured a big season ahead
Sione Katoa – Hopefully has improved for 2019, injury plagued 2018, and didn’t seem to have the speed we were all told, if plays outside Morris could be different.
Sosaia Feki – Will be the only player to return in outside backs from prelim final, can finish a try but struggles under high ball, I actually see him off to England mid season, so many young outside backs ready to play
William Kennedy – Played great for Jets at fullback, is ball player, can spot a gap, would start him on wing outside Morris to get him FG experience and if Moylan injured let him have the first crack then at fullback
Halves
Chad Townsend – Another year another partner for Chad, does he hold his position, could also Chad be back up hooker, plenty of FG experience
Kyle Flanagan – Pressure a plenty, with his dad gone, could push Townsend out of halves, I don’t believe he is ready to play back up at hooker
Shaun Johnson – Is the major signing, game changer, can spark the whole team, first time playing behind a forward pack that knows what they need to do.
Forwards
Aaron Woods – Played great off bench, showed how much better a player he is when not the main man, hope continues improvement
Andrew Fifita – Key year, no Flanno this year, how does his play, last year when was captain was at best, hopefully injury free
Ava Seumanufagai – Did little last year, last game was night standing wrong end of field, would have to be back up at best, and big chance to be the forward off loaded by 30th June
Billy Magoulias – Hs had wraps for couple of years, played of bench for Jets last year, I cant see in firsts till mid season
Braden Uele – one first grade game last year, when at jets looked ok, no standout, is young hopefully we see him turn it around
Briton Nikora – Looked great at jets ran great lines as well, could find a gap, the question is can he step up in class
Cruz Topai-Avea – Looked great in Flegg, had size on others, now he will be tested, I believe he is the smokey, that at some stage will get his chance.
Jack Williams – going great guns till injury last season, and is ready again, is the next future SOO player at Sharks
Jayson Bukuya – bench specialist, and will need to be at best, as backrow is having changing of guard
Kurt Capewell – As ted kennedy you are no JFK, Capewell is no Luke Lewis, he has talent but where best to play, and is he starter or bench player, but needs longer sprigs
Matt Prior – Need another big year by the veteran, does his job and needs to continue same vein
Paul Gallen – last season it is minutes again reduced probably 40 -45, see how he plays under Morris
Scott Sorensen – Back up player, is good for 2-3 games ina row but that’s it, younger guys should surpass him
Wade Graham – out till mid season, waiting game till he returns
Hookers
Jayden Brailey – starting hooker, be interesting to see if he can add running and kicking game
Blayke Brailey – looked great in Jets, seems to have bag full of talent again to be tested
Coach
John Morris – His first start, he knows the players, and has worked with all the lower grades, could well give younger players more opportunity, with limited salary cap, he will need his abaility to pick those ready to come up and join the first grade squad
Starting team round 1
1. M.Moylan
2. W.Kennedy
3. J.Morris
4. B.Xerri
5. J.Dugan
6. C.Townsend
7. S.Johnson
8. A.Fifita
9. J.Brailey
10. M.Prior
11. B.Nikora
12. J.Williams
13. P.Gallen
14. A.Woods
15. J.Bukuya
16. B.Brailey
17. K.Capewell
Backs
Aaron Gray – 1 game last year, not quickest player, would be backup option only, and can see the younger guys leapfrogging him.
Bronson Xerri – The next big thing wrap is on him, would play him next to Dugan so can interchange between wing/centre, and gain knowledge
Isaac Lumelume – One of the youngsters, can finish a try, cant see him in firsts till at least mid season
Josh Dugan – Play next to Xerri, help him gain experience, don’t want to see him at fullback anymore, need a ball playing fullback
Josh Morris – Big role for Josh, could be Feki’s centre partner or be helping a young winger come through, his experience will help our outside backs espically in defence
Matt Moylan – Back a fullback his best position, unless gets injured a big season ahead
Sione Katoa – Hopefully has improved for 2019, injury plagued 2018, and didn’t seem to have the speed we were all told, if plays outside Morris could be different.
Sosaia Feki – Will be the only player to return in outside backs from prelim final, can finish a try but struggles under high ball, I actually see him off to England mid season, so many young outside backs ready to play
William Kennedy – Played great for Jets at fullback, is ball player, can spot a gap, would start him on wing outside Morris to get him FG experience and if Moylan injured let him have the first crack then at fullback
Halves
Chad Townsend – Another year another partner for Chad, does he hold his position, could also Chad be back up hooker, plenty of FG experience
Kyle Flanagan – Pressure a plenty, with his dad gone, could push Townsend out of halves, I don’t believe he is ready to play back up at hooker
Shaun Johnson – Is the major signing, game changer, can spark the whole team, first time playing behind a forward pack that knows what they need to do.
Forwards
Aaron Woods – Played great off bench, showed how much better a player he is when not the main man, hope continues improvement
Andrew Fifita – Key year, no Flanno this year, how does his play, last year when was captain was at best, hopefully injury free
Ava Seumanufagai – Did little last year, last game was night standing wrong end of field, would have to be back up at best, and big chance to be the forward off loaded by 30th June
Billy Magoulias – Hs had wraps for couple of years, played of bench for Jets last year, I cant see in firsts till mid season
Braden Uele – one first grade game last year, when at jets looked ok, no standout, is young hopefully we see him turn it around
Briton Nikora – Looked great at jets ran great lines as well, could find a gap, the question is can he step up in class
Cruz Topai-Avea – Looked great in Flegg, had size on others, now he will be tested, I believe he is the smokey, that at some stage will get his chance.
Jack Williams – going great guns till injury last season, and is ready again, is the next future SOO player at Sharks
Jayson Bukuya – bench specialist, and will need to be at best, as backrow is having changing of guard
Kurt Capewell – As ted kennedy you are no JFK, Capewell is no Luke Lewis, he has talent but where best to play, and is he starter or bench player, but needs longer sprigs
Matt Prior – Need another big year by the veteran, does his job and needs to continue same vein
Paul Gallen – last season it is minutes again reduced probably 40 -45, see how he plays under Morris
Scott Sorensen – Back up player, is good for 2-3 games ina row but that’s it, younger guys should surpass him
Wade Graham – out till mid season, waiting game till he returns
Hookers
Jayden Brailey – starting hooker, be interesting to see if he can add running and kicking game
Blayke Brailey – looked great in Jets, seems to have bag full of talent again to be tested
Coach
John Morris – His first start, he knows the players, and has worked with all the lower grades, could well give younger players more opportunity, with limited salary cap, he will need his abaility to pick those ready to come up and join the first grade squad
Starting team round 1
1. M.Moylan
2. W.Kennedy
3. J.Morris
4. B.Xerri
5. J.Dugan
6. C.Townsend
7. S.Johnson
8. A.Fifita
9. J.Brailey
10. M.Prior
11. B.Nikora
12. J.Williams
13. P.Gallen
14. A.Woods
15. J.Bukuya
16. B.Brailey
17. K.Capewell