2019 team line up

[possm]

One thing nobody has mentioned, VAUGHAN is basically an addition to the forward pack ,and a very large addition ,on the second half of last season.....his presence can't be underestimated......

Unless Mary has changed his mind regarding player rotation, bench management and resting players carrying minor injury of fatigue, we will end up in a similar way to that of the past few tears,

I'm hoping the likes of Kerr, Timm and Buchannan step up and play a role in the prop rotation. In my opinion it is was a big mistake keeping Latimore and Allgood in the top 30 for 2019.

 

[Old Timer]

I know the eels are a basket case, but it’s a bit harsh to say their preseason training isn’t in some way formalised..

Current photo?
Anyway hardly looks like he's doing the "hardest preseason yet"

 

[muzby]

Current photo?
Anyway hardly looks like he's doing the "hardest preseason yet"

From Parra’s first preseason training session on 1st November

 

[rednwhites]

Nice summary.
One thing though, what makes you think Aitken will be in reserves?

Well true, I don't know this for sure but he was dropped last year. Mary will choose his favs but you can't deny form. Lomax is a must, he gives me the most excitement for 2019 and Lafai was solid as always on his side.

 

[ALSGI]

If that's our roster done and dusted and with JDB likely not to play ...Thought I would have a crack .

1..Widdop
2..Pearson
3..Lomax
4..Lafai
5..Ravalawa
6..Norman
7...Hunt
8..Graham
9...McInnes
10..Vaughan
11..Leilua
12..Sims
13..frizell

14..Sims
15...Lawrie
16..Aitken
17..Robson

My reason for the wingers is speed Pereira is far to slow . I have picked big Luc because he is a natural footballer and ballplayer . All he needs is first grade fitness and that will happen the more he plays first grade . That left edge of Norman , Luc , Lafai with Widdop chiming in and feeding a genuine speedster in Pearson could be lethal . Our right side of Hunt , Sims , Lomax with Widdop chiming in could be just as effective and Ravalawa is a flyer also .
Norman is by far our best game manager ( the most yappy ) where Hunt and Widdop are very quiet . Norman tends ( at his best ) to play heads up football and makes good decisions most of the time . Hunt struggles with this and this would let him play his natural running game .
The other thing Norman offers is a class kicking game . Widdop at the back can choose when to inject himself both sides and not have to worry about kicking or directing the teams plays . Also less defence for his shoulder .
Robson is a must I believe it will give McInnes a break and add a lot more attacking spark around the play the ball .
Aitken for me is well suited as a impact bench player . He would handle Lock easy . And be a weapon in the middle with his power running , also his front on defence is good . He would also add cover for the outside backs . He would be more useful if used right than having Mann just sit as a reserve like we have done .
It gives us two front rowers a lock who can cover the centres , and a genuine hooker on the bench . Frizell could cover the edge if needed . we would have no reason not to use all four interchange players every game .
Just my opinion I am sure many will differ .

Good post, I like this except no Dufty.

Our number one x factor, number one attacker this year. Our best year in many years.

Surely Dufty has earned a spot for round 1, and gets an opportunity to show improvements in his defeciencies before he’s dumped?

He’s actually our most experienced NRL fullback, with some improvement in D he will be one of the best.

 

[Crush]

Well true, I don't know this for sure but he was dropped last year. Mary will choose his favs but you can't deny form. Lomax is a must, he gives me the most excitement for 2019 and Lafai was solid as always on his side.

I don't remember Aitken being dropped last year?

 

[ALSGI]

I don't remember Aitken being dropped last year?

After his injury the spin was being rested as a precaution wasn’t it?

 

[Crush]

After his injury the spin was being rested as a precaution wasn’t it?

Yeah thats a bit grey but no way he was dropped when fit.
Mary loves him. He'll be one of the first picked.

 

[possm]

Good post, I like this except no Dufty.

Our number one x factor, number one attacker this year. Our best year in many years.

Surely Dufty has earned a spot for round 1, and gets an opportunity to show improvements in his defeciencies before he’s dumped?

He’s actually our most experienced NRL fullback, with some improvement in D he will be one of the best.

Dufty gets to show his improvement during pre-season training and trial games. If he has overcome his short-falls he needs to be included however, is not he should earn his place from ISP.

 

[BLM01]

I don't remember Aitken being dropped last year?

Dropped due to injury. Never started a game on the bench or played 1 minute of ISP

 

[Dragonslayer]

Unless Mary has changed his mind regarding player rotation, bench management and resting players carrying minor injury of fatigue, we will end up in a similar way to that of the past few tears,

I'm hoping the likes of Kerr, Timm and Buchannan step up and play a role in the prop rotation. In my opinion it is was a big mistake keeping Latimore and Allgood in the top 30 for 2019.

Who is Buchannan?

 

[merahputih]

Who is Buchannan?

I think it's Jack Buchanan, signed from Toronto Wolfpack. A bit of a journeyman- played with Tigers a few years ago and I think was in lower grades with us at one stage. Aged 26, a front rower. Depth signing at best.

 

[RufusRex]

First things first .. JDB is creating a better structure for us if Mary makes the obvious correct decision.

Frizell to 13 ... I mean in attach he plays there anyway and is more than capable of the defensive workload. This will allow us to actually play a right edge forward who will play as a right edge.

1. Widdop (playing as a 2nd receiver both sides of the ruck)
2. Pereira but shifted to the right edge - if he doesnt make a fist of it then curious to see Ravalawa in the trials
3. Lomax (right)
4. Lafai
5. Pearson
6. Norman (playing as a left edge halfback)
7. Hunt (playing as a right edge halfback)

8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Graham
11. Tariq (l)
12. Host (r)
13. Frizell

14. Lawrie
15. Korbin
16. Leilua
17. Robson

The only alternative to this that uses Aitken is as a bench player and only there to cover 3/4/11/12 in the event of an injury. In that case Tariq shifts to right where he showed last year in 10 minutes an understanding of how to run off Hunt to score and Leilua to the left


Dufty is massively surplus to requirement .. all the bluster of his attacking prowess is hidden in the reality that most of his brilliance was against teams finishing bottom 8. Against top 8 he was very scratchy and easy to exploit.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

I think we really need to start building our teams based on the assumption that JDB won't be there in 2019. Whether he survives conviction or not, I doubt the club will keep him on.

Frizell to lock is the obvious choice for now. Or, buy Trent Barrett as an assistant and he'll bring Jake and Tom with him.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I think it's Jack Buchanan, signed from Toronto Wolfpack. A bit of a journeyman- played with Tigers a few years ago and I think was in lower grades with us at one stage. Aged 26, a front rower. Depth signing at best.

My point was that Buchanan is signed to the part-time crew for ISP same as Runciman, they cannot be considered for the NRL squad.

 

[Dragonslayer]

First things first .. JDB is creating a better structure for us if Mary makes the obvious correct decision.

Frizell to 13 ... I mean in attach he plays there anyway and is more than capable of the defensive workload. This will allow us to actually play a right edge forward who will play as a right edge.

1. Widdop (playing as a 2nd receiver both sides of the ruck)
2. Pereira but shifted to the right edge - if he doesnt make a fist of it then curious to see Ravalawa in the trials
3. Lomax (right)
4. Lafai
5. Pearson
6. Norman (playing as a left edge halfback)
7. Hunt (playing as a right edge halfback)

8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Graham
11. Tariq (l)
12. Host (r)
13. Frizell

14. Lawrie
15. Korbin
16. Leilua
17. Robson

The only alternative to this that uses Aitken is as a bench player and only there to cover 3/4/11/12 in the event of an injury. In that case Tariq shifts to right where he showed last year in 10 minutes an understanding of how to run off Hunt to score and Leilua to the left


Dufty is massively surplus to requirement .. all the bluster of his attacking prowess is hidden in the reality that most of his brilliance was against teams finishing bottom 8. Against top 8 he was very scratchy and easy to exploit.

The only issue to consider here is Widdop at fullback.
He is yet to do any contact training and went do so until they return in January. First trial in February he won't be ready by then.
He is also 30 years old speed won't be the same as he was even last year.
The big question of fullback will remain until after the trials I think.
The rest of the team you listed is spot-on.

 

[Old Timer]

From Parra’s first preseason training session on 1st November

No wonder they get the spoon hardly anyone turns up and they don’t appear to do very much.

 

[merahputih]

My point was that Buchanan is signed to the part-time crew for ISP same as Runciman, they cannot be considered for the NRL squad.

Point taken. I didn't realize that.

 

[BLM01]

The only issue to consider here is Widdop at fullback.
He is yet to do any contact training and went do so until they return in January. First trial in February he won't be ready by then.
He is also 30 years old speed won't be the same as he was even last year.
The big question of fullback will remain until after the trials I think.
The rest of the team you listed is spot-on.

I think your selling Widdop injury and him a bit short. Our 1st trial is not till 2nd March, that is plenty of time for contact work when they resume early January. I think and I hope he will play that trial
And really because he turns 30 next year there is going to be a big noticeable speed difference between 29 & 30.
But I do agree 30 is a ripe old age to get miles in the legs to handle the rigours of fullback fulltime for a season due to the amount of ground they cover a game. Widdop to fullback is just media paper talk guessing. I think it is a wrong move. Norman has got to provide that back roving commission role and start the season No 14.

 

[RufusRex]

After Widdop and Hunt he is the biggest signing the JV has made ...

Anyone thinking he should start from the bench and play Mann’s 14 minutes is as brain dead as our coach ..

Widdop or he plays fullback the other 58