2023 Team

[Yosh]

Looked like he had terrible hands... Hopefully just a one off.

 

[mozza91]

So 11 days til Round 1. Not sure about Hetherington or Saifiti (got hurt but looked ok). So I I’m assuming we’ll go with:

1-Miller
2-Marzhew
3-Gagai
4-Best
5-Young
6-Ponga
7-Hastings
8-Saifiti
9-Brailey
10-Saifiti
11-Frizell
12-Fitzgibbon
13-Elliot

14-Mann
15-Thompson
16-Hetherington (if not right then maybe Keeley?)
17-Johns (don’t rate him but showed more than Jones did in the trials)

Good starting 13 but questionable bench. Can’t see there be any real surprises.

 

[Jono078]

Toohey's indicated Mann will be starting #13 until Elliott gets some fitness back.

I think your 1-12 is spot on.

I think Crossland and Thompson are the only locks for the bench. I also thought Johns showed more than others in the trial, so he may jag a spot.

 

[Yosh]

Crossland looks locked in for bench hooker. Hopefully he can make a real good go of it. Has a kicking game and does give it his all. Hopefully holds his own for 20 minutes every game to give Brailey a good rest.

 

[slotmachine]

Brailey will play 80 so thankfully no need for crossland. If he gets hurt Mann can fill in.

 

[Spot On]

Crossland looks locked in for bench hooker. Hopefully he can make a real good go of it. Has a kicking game and does give it his all. Hopefully holds his own for 20 minutes every game to give Brailey a good rest.

Why does he looked locked in for bench Yosh?

 

[Yosh]

Why does he looked locked in for bench Yosh?

He played there both trial games? Did anyone else have a crack at hooker?

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Mann played hooker in both trials too

 

[Yosh]

Mann played hooker in both trials too

Well... I can't say I'm looking forward to either Mann or Crossland being our back up hooker for a whole season. If I had to choose I might even go with Crossland because at least he knows how to kick and pass...

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Mapapalangi out for 12 weeks, needs shoulder surgery. Full reco from the looks

Explains why he had a very ordinary trial period. Similar to Staggs last season after Origin

 

[Yosh]

Mapapalangi out for 12 weeks, needs shoulder surgery. Full reco from the looks

Explains why he had a very ordinary trial period. Similar to Staggs last season after Origin

Damn.... Is it his first real injury? Hopefully he doesn't stack up injuries like Best did...

 

[Old dog]

Mapapalangi out for 12 weeks, needs shoulder surgery. Full reco from the looks

Explains why he had a very ordinary trial period. Similar to Staggs last season after Origin

So explain, carried injury through trials hence poor form
Or got injury in trial, don’t recall him getting attention

 

[mozza91]

Tuala getting picked makes more sense after hearing that news. Should still be swapping him and Hunt though.

 

[Old dog]

Haven’t seen anything from Mapa to rate him above Tuala who at full strength is a Cup player, rate Hunt and Lucas before him, Mapa has potential but I keep recalling his performance in Flegg final last season, ordinary.

 

[perverse]

Haven’t seen anything from Mapa to rate him above Tuala who at full strength is a Cup player, rate Hunt and Lucas before him, Mapa has potential but I keep recalling his performance in Flegg final last season, ordinary.

I've seen far less than you have of him by the sounds of things... but still have to agree based off that. Haven't seen anything for me to say "oh wow this kid has a future".

The truth is if you're not dominating at junior and NSW cup levels, you're not likely to be much of a first grader are you. Hell, half the kids that have the big wraps and do dominate still don't come through well. NRL is a tough gig, you have to be exceptional.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

So explain, carried injury through trials hence poor form
Or got injury in trial, don’t recall him getting attention

My guess, and its only a guess, is that he injured it last year and carried it into the preseason. It mightnt have been bad enough to need immediate surgery but it was enough to effect his confidence in contact.

Similar to what happened to Cleary and Staggs in recent seasons

From what i saw of him last year he was a pretty decent defender. His defence was a real issue in the trials

Haven’t seen anything from Mapa to rate him above Tuala who at full strength is a Cup player, rate Hunt and Lucas before him, Mapa has potential but I keep recalling his performance in Flegg final last season, ordinary.

If thats true (I didnt watch the Flegg final) then its more evidence he hurt it in 1st grade last year

 

[PhilGould]

Article in the Herald says it was already hurt going into the trials

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Dear footy gods, not asking too much but can our best 17 stay injury free and our spine click straight away and go on to be the best in the NRL?

Cheers..

 

[Knight Tales]

Of late the kids like Mapa all play like they should be thankful they are there. Would be great if the pathways development involved them being mentally prepared to make their spot a keeper. Not just as filler waiting for injuries to occur for them to get an oppprtunity.
That is how you keep a roster strong and turnover the overpaid players by replacing them with a younger and (at the time) cheaper option. If they require a pay bump then you are ready. Recruit the experience required around them.

 

[Old dog]

Dear footy gods, not asking too much but can our best 17 stay injury free and our spine click straight away and go on to be the best in the NRL?

Cheers..

If you get your wish the footy gods will be exhausted, big job