Interesting fact

[oldmancraigy]

My list:

Wade McKinnon
Luke Burt
Ben Smith
Eric Grothe
Chad Robinson
Nathan Hindmarsh
Nathan Cayless
Michael Vella
Justin Tsoulos
PJ Marsh
Ashley Graham
Feleti Mateo
Jack Afamasaga
Tim Smith
Josh Cordoba? or Brett Anderson

That's 15 - and not all that unlikely that they will all feature in first grade at some stage!

 

[Utey]

Geez I would love to speculate but theres so much Talent.

 

[Pazza]

Would Jim Curtis feature in that 15?

 

[Utey]

Hope so he really earnt it.

 

[Stagger eel]

Would Jim Curtis feature in that 15?

that's a very good question.

he's one bloke who gave 110% every game and scored a try that rivaled Steve Jackson's 1989 grand final try in a semi against Manly a few weeks back.

My guess is he won't be offered a contract, as poor old Jimmy is in his late 20's and the club will probably be banking on Corboda, Brendon Oake and the Taia boys to make the transition to Prems.

 

[Jake the snake]

I can confirm for sure that Tim Smith is in it.

 

[Utey]

Woah wheres your source. I have to remain calm and remember that only 17 play.

 

[The Colonel]

Woah wheres your source. I have to remain calm and remember that only 17 play.

Its OK UTE. Jake is pretty safe on that call regarding Smith. He has been well and truly earmarked for next year.....

 

[Utey]

Wow this is pretty exciting. Maybe his finally gettin a crack. I would like to see last years lists.

 

[Stagger eel]

I also wouldn't rule Mateo out of the equation ;-)

 

[Pazza]

If Smith and Mateo figure highly in the trails my best bet is that they are in the side.

 

[bartman]

For UtE, last year's (2004) top 25 list (sent out with season tickets):
Chris Armit, Luke Burt, Aaron Cannings, Nathan Cayless, Adam Dykes, Ashley Graham, Eric Grothe, Nathan Hindmarsh, Lee Hopkins, Wise Kativerata, Jamie Lyon, Wade McKinnon, John Morris, Chris Muckert, Shane Muspratt, Corey Pearson, Adam Peek, Matthew Petersen, Craig Stapleton, Chris Thorman,
David Vaealiki, Michael Vella, Daniel Wagon, Dean Widders, Michael Witt.

It's assumed that this top 25 list is collated for NRL salary cap purposes, and sometimes the press listed Justin Tsoulos in place of Adam Peek.

In addition the following players were listed in the 2004 NSWRL (PL and Flegg) squad as having NRL contracts:
Matthew Gruzska, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Mal Kaufusi, Junior Langi, Fui Fui Moi Moi,
Luke O’Dwyer, Jeremiah Pai, Ronald Prince, Justin Tsoulos (or Adam Peek), James Webster, John Williams.

That makes a total of 36 players. Gruszka, Hinchcliffe, Pai, and Williams never played firsts, but Jack Afa, Brett Anderson, Feleti Mateo and Ben Smith (all without initial NRL contracts) did.

 

[Utey]

Thanx ;-)

 

[True EEL]

well at least Smith has been earmarked.....and not blacklisted ;-)

 

[JessEel]

not only that! the kids wouldn't be on a great deal which is the basic reason why the club went out and bought quality this time.

this quote is valid until smithy goes out and buys useless, old and injured rejects from souths

i like to think that the juniors will be important next year, and i also like to think our new sponser will be alcoholic

 

[Suitman]

Woah wheres your source. I have to remain calm and remember that only 17 play.

Its OK UTE. Jake is pretty safe on that call regarding Smith. He has been well and truly earmarked for next year.....

So was Michael Witt in 2003 when he was signed for 4 years.

Suity

 

[Utey]

:? Thats Tru Suity. But I think that Smith has done the right thing in regards to Witt. He just didnt have the game to lead and organise the pack properly. Bit of a shame.