Our team is an odd one because if they do manage to play to their potential, they could sneak a spot in the eight. But on paper, mainly because of our forwards, I currently only see the Dolphins and Warriors as being worse off than us. I think we are in a similar pedigree on paper to the Titans, Tigers and Manly. Newcastle I have as being a little bit better than us, I don't think they'll make the eight but I think they'll surprise a few this year (hinging on Lachie Miller signing there). So purely based off this, our highest finish would be 12th which I actually can see happening, lowest probably 15th if things go as bad as they can.
Some key areas that will decide how our season fares:
- Can the assistants get the best out of what we have in attack and defence?
Personally I think for our team to play to its attacking potential, we perhaps need another off season before it really gets going. Changing of attacking plans structures can take time to click. Same goes for defence, and I do also think there are just some out and out poor defenders in our team that may struggle to adapt to any changes in the way we defend. I do however, think that for this season the assistants can still have a positive impact and improve both areas, so lets hope for just that, improvement and progress.
- Can Sloan put a bad year last year behind him and step up to the plate in Ramsey's absence?
I'll back him in for now. He's quite obviously bulked up, but I think he is still another off season in the gym away from us really seeing the results from his strength and frame work. The fans are backing him, so Sloany has got to back himself. He can't be afraid of the high ball and making tackles. If he can improve this, and get more and more vocal at the back as the season goes on, it will be a great year for Sloan's development.
- We need to get lucky with injury and suspension
Our depth is horrible. We don't even have two first grade quality second rowers in the squad and the front row is still two decent props short of being anything resembling quality. When Lawrie is coming off the bench or fighting for a place in first grade, our front row is probably tracking okay. We are an injury/suspension or two away from absolute disaster this season, and we haven't had much luck in previous years, so fingers crossed.
- How will Sullivan fare in what will likely be his first full year in grade?
I think he'll do well, especially attacking wise. Defence probably needs a bit of work as his small frame sees him lose contact often. Amone's defence improved week on week last season, so hoping for more of the same for Sullivan.
- Jacob Liddle
Think he'll do better than most expect. Really quick out of dummy half despite having lost some speed from knee injuries. Upgrade on McCullough 100% and came for cheap. I just hope fans don't get the knives out for him if he makes an error or misses a tackle, there's already conjecture around his signing and the lad needs support, not hate, coming from his own fans early on. Not expecting the world, but expecting better than what we've had previously.
- And finally, is Moses Mbye really the guy for the 14 jumper?
I like Mbye, I think he'll do a solid job wherever you put him. The thing is, I think of all the positions he can cover, hooker might just be his worst one. He'll be likely coming off the bench to replace Liddle at some point in games. But I don't think he offers much at hooker. He'll do his job, but he loses contact in the middle, is a bit slow with his service and is pretty one dimensional in the way he plays from there. I think 6 and the centres are his best spots. The only reason Mbye would be the 14 is because he can cover so many positions, but he's supposed to be covering hooker most of the time. I quite like the idea of having two out and out hookers in the team, and I think Jack Bird if needed can fill the Mbye versatility role in the middle of games should injury strike. The thing is, when Mbye isn't providing all that much from hooker, will Hook change his 14 or stick with Mbye because he's a "classic 14". I think he'll pick and stick, but it has to be seriously considered to change it at some point if he's not working at hooker imo.
With that, my best 17 would be:
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan
7 Ben Hunt (c)
8. Jack de Belin
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. BMM (25-30 mins starting as we just don't have quality in this position)
12. Jaydn Su'a
13. Jack Bird
14. Mbye/Finau/Muhleisson
15. Francis Molo (hoping he can challenge Lawrie for his starting spot)
16. Zane Musgrove
17. Tyrell Fuimaono
With this list staying relatively injury and suspension free, I've probably got us finishing absolute highest 7th, lowest 15th and my prediction is 12th. Too many question marks to be a top eight side for mine. Apologies for the lengthy post, but that's what I make of our hopes this year.
Some key areas that will decide how our season fares:
- Can the assistants get the best out of what we have in attack and defence?
Personally I think for our team to play to its attacking potential, we perhaps need another off season before it really gets going. Changing of attacking plans structures can take time to click. Same goes for defence, and I do also think there are just some out and out poor defenders in our team that may struggle to adapt to any changes in the way we defend. I do however, think that for this season the assistants can still have a positive impact and improve both areas, so lets hope for just that, improvement and progress.
- Can Sloan put a bad year last year behind him and step up to the plate in Ramsey's absence?
I'll back him in for now. He's quite obviously bulked up, but I think he is still another off season in the gym away from us really seeing the results from his strength and frame work. The fans are backing him, so Sloany has got to back himself. He can't be afraid of the high ball and making tackles. If he can improve this, and get more and more vocal at the back as the season goes on, it will be a great year for Sloan's development.
- We need to get lucky with injury and suspension
Our depth is horrible. We don't even have two first grade quality second rowers in the squad and the front row is still two decent props short of being anything resembling quality. When Lawrie is coming off the bench or fighting for a place in first grade, our front row is probably tracking okay. We are an injury/suspension or two away from absolute disaster this season, and we haven't had much luck in previous years, so fingers crossed.
- How will Sullivan fare in what will likely be his first full year in grade?
I think he'll do well, especially attacking wise. Defence probably needs a bit of work as his small frame sees him lose contact often. Amone's defence improved week on week last season, so hoping for more of the same for Sullivan.
- Jacob Liddle
Think he'll do better than most expect. Really quick out of dummy half despite having lost some speed from knee injuries. Upgrade on McCullough 100% and came for cheap. I just hope fans don't get the knives out for him if he makes an error or misses a tackle, there's already conjecture around his signing and the lad needs support, not hate, coming from his own fans early on. Not expecting the world, but expecting better than what we've had previously.
- And finally, is Moses Mbye really the guy for the 14 jumper?
I like Mbye, I think he'll do a solid job wherever you put him. The thing is, I think of all the positions he can cover, hooker might just be his worst one. He'll be likely coming off the bench to replace Liddle at some point in games. But I don't think he offers much at hooker. He'll do his job, but he loses contact in the middle, is a bit slow with his service and is pretty one dimensional in the way he plays from there. I think 6 and the centres are his best spots. The only reason Mbye would be the 14 is because he can cover so many positions, but he's supposed to be covering hooker most of the time. I quite like the idea of having two out and out hookers in the team, and I think Jack Bird if needed can fill the Mbye versatility role in the middle of games should injury strike. The thing is, when Mbye isn't providing all that much from hooker, will Hook change his 14 or stick with Mbye because he's a "classic 14". I think he'll pick and stick, but it has to be seriously considered to change it at some point if he's not working at hooker imo.
With that, my best 17 would be:
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jayden Sullivan
7 Ben Hunt (c)
8. Jack de Belin
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Blake Lawrie
11. BMM (25-30 mins starting as we just don't have quality in this position)
12. Jaydn Su'a
13. Jack Bird
14. Mbye/Finau/Muhleisson
15. Francis Molo (hoping he can challenge Lawrie for his starting spot)
16. Zane Musgrove
17. Tyrell Fuimaono
With this list staying relatively injury and suspension free, I've probably got us finishing absolute highest 7th, lowest 15th and my prediction is 12th. Too many question marks to be a top eight side for mine. Apologies for the lengthy post, but that's what I make of our hopes this year.
