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Finals Thread

Special K

Coach
Messages
19,520
I think the plan is tapping into what we already have.
As @Special K says below, we have all three grades either in the GF or a prelim.
Surely there's some in the lower grades that can be brought through.



I'd be interested to know what you think the gaps are.

For me, it's still an absolute game breaker or strike weapon out wide.
I don't know how Dykes will come back after basically 2 years out, but I'm hoping he can provide the spark from the back which we don't get from Will.
I love Will, he's been good for years now. But I think it's time to start moving on from there.

Throw Stonestreet onto the wing and that's a couple of handy additions to the backline.
And it's Katoa to go for me. I have a love/hate relationship with him. I love some of the things he pulls off, but man he's got a f*&k up in him - passing after held, stripping the ball after a tackle is complete, spilling an absolute sitter etc.

Other than that, I'd like to see Sifa play at lock. We've seen what he can do but we need more of it.
And lastly, get Tuku up to fitness to play longer minutes than he currently is.

All of that, with AFB on top, is arguably a completely different side to what we have.

Is it enough to go to the next level?
Dunno, but I'm itching to find out.
It is hard to work out the gap. Most teams have a few rep players and shit. We have a lot of 7-8/10. Our bench is one of the best in the league and I reckon our 18-20th would be up there too for 2024.

Every time we drop a game it is because we got bashed and didn't go forward. I think AFB closes that gap. Other than that it would be another spark in the spine was my thinking. Tricky and the game he put out there could be that spark. Brailey has improved and shown he belongs. Nicho is going to be better for all of these finals games. Kennedy had a great game on the weekend but if we need to swap someone out it is unfairly him. Ison could be the guy. Or do we move on say a Sifa and Hazo along with Will to find an elite option on the open market to bring in JC and Tuks?

Also I love Sione. I am a proud resident on Katoa island. Long live the tongan fisherman.
 

eddiesmith

Juniors
Messages
2,463
So was watching the Storm v Roosters, Storm player plays the ball and drops it on the foot of the defender and the merkins decide not to challenge the lost ball call…Would have been very interesting if it was upheld or overturned given the call in week 1…

Big call for judiciary tomorrow, Nelson should not be playing the grand final, but they haven’t suspended anyone this finals series…
 
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Quigs

Immortal
Messages
34,816
Big Nelson arrhh yeah and the G.F. that is the question.

Remember Billy Slater and the shoulder charge in the prelim final that wasn't a shoulder charge when his shoulder deliberately came into contact with the head of an attacker whilst in the process of attempting to score a try in the corner .

In the court of public opinion we have no further evidence of offer only the video replay of the incident and the point of contact.

Oh yeah, and Collins should of been penalised for incorrect playing of the ball.
 

Frenzy.

Post Whore
Messages
51,277
Big Nelson arrhh yeah and the G.F. that is the question.

Remember Billy Slater and the shoulder charge in the prelim final that wasn't a shoulder charge when his shoulder deliberately came into contact with the head of an attacker whilst in the process of attempting to score a try in the corner .

In the court of public opinion we have no further evidence of offer only the video replay of the incident and the point of contact.

Oh yeah, and Collins should of been penalised for incorrect playing of the ball.
Billy didn't get a Grade 3 careless charge. Nelson is goneski. 4 weeks. 3 if challenges. Needs a downgrade to Grade 1.

No chance.
 

Frenzy.

Post Whore
Messages
51,277
It is hard to work out the gap. Most teams have a few rep players and shit. We have a lot of 7-8/10. Our bench is one of the best in the league and I reckon our 18-20th would be up there too for 2024.

Every time we drop a game it is because we got bashed and didn't go forward. I think AFB closes that gap. Other than that it would be another spark in the spine was my thinking. Tricky and the game he put out there could be that spark. Brailey has improved and shown he belongs. Nicho is going to be better for all of these finals games. Kennedy had a great game on the weekend but if we need to swap someone out it is unfairly him. Ison could be the guy. Or do we move on say a Sifa and Hazo along with Will to find an elite option on the open market to bring in JC and Tuks?

Also I love Sione. I am a proud resident on Katoa island. Long live the tongan fisherman.
He will but who steps up if he blows a valve. Back to square one. A bit fatalistic I admit but, it could happen.
 

sladden road

Juniors
Messages
2,241
For mine, it’s fullback and the salary cap.

I love all Will Kennedys but I love all Dave Riccios mores.
Dave says “No win with a will”.
I know I am a fuggn nut bag but train TFI there and let will go until Ison comes though in27/28.
The rest of the team will evolve.
Remember how Oak Daddy was in 18/19. Evolving.
The thing that I know for sure is that we have the coach.
Also need to remember that with expansion the talent market is fugged.
It’s why it’s from within.
 

Frenzy.

Post Whore
Messages
51,277
I have a feeling that come November 1 Will will be given the chance to test his worth. Sad, as I think Will is good but he's not been 7/10 Will from last year and 2022. He's now 6/10 Will.

Violet to 1. Riccio, sladden's other crush, says it's Violet to 1 or 6 moving forward.

Violet also should take a haircut. I wonder what the NRL value him as? Could be a problem if the Sharks were to ask him to take a pay cut.
 

Frenzy.

Post Whore
Messages
51,277
For mine, it’s fullback and the salary cap.

I love all Will Kennedys but I love all Dave Riccios mores.
Dave says “No win with a will”.
I know I am a fuggn nut bag but train TFI there and let will go until Ison comes though in27/28.
The rest of the team will evolve.
Remember how Oak Daddy was in 18/19. Evolving.
The thing that I know for sure is that we have the coach.
Also need to remember that with expansion the talent market is fugged.
It’s why it’s from within.
Scrotum
 

sladden road

Juniors
Messages
2,241
I have a feeling that come November 1 Will will be given the chance to test his worth. Sad, as I think Will is good but he's not been 7/10 Will from last year and 2022. He's now 6/10 Will.
Violet to 1. Riccio, sladden's other crush, says it's Violet to 1 or 6 moving forward.

Violet also should take a haircut. I wonder what the NRL value him as? Could be a problem if the Sharks were to ask him to take a pay cut.
Do you think he would take a cut. That would not look good for the NRL. That would be more cuck than Chad in 2016.
Although, he is not a 1.2 million a year player.

Alas, poor Nico, I new him well.

Knew.
Haha.
 

Frenzy.

Post Whore
Messages
51,277
I have a feeling that come November 1 Will will be given the chance to test his worth. Sad, as I think Will is good but he's not been 7/10 Will from last year and 2022. He's now 6/10 Will.

Do you think he would take a cut. That would not look good for the NRL. That would be more cuck than Chad in 2016.
Although, he is not a 1.2 million a year player.

Alas, poor Nico, I new him well.

Knew.
Haha.
It's a potential dilemma, isn't it? I think he would, if he thinks he is not giving VF$. But he's probably not saleable at 1+million. So if he doesn't want to go, and won't take a haircut, then there's no where to go.

Personally, I'm not convinced his boiled egg is 100% so with a year to make a decision, if everyone is patient, it may be worth a wait and watch approach for next year. Take the risk that no one turns the head of TNI and the TFI to make them bail.

I still don't think he's a halfback's quoit though.
 

sladden road

Juniors
Messages
2,241
P
It's a potential dilemma, isn't it? I think he would, if he thinks he is not giving VF$. But he's probably not saleable at 1+million. So if he doesn't want to go, and won't take a haircut, then there's no where to go.

Personally, I'm not convinced his boiled egg is 100% so with a year to make a decision, if everyone is patient, it may be worth a wait and watch approach for next year. Take the risk that no one turns the head of TNI and the TFI to make them bail.

I still don't think he's a halfback's quoit though.
Agreed.
 
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