Its game day .... trial v sharks

[The Predictor]

Not sold on KK, still early days and back from injury, personally I think he will be a marginal first grader

 

[JokerEel]

Our trial teams look at little different from last year..
All gone
Lussick
Lomax
Greig
Cartwright
Kier
Hands
Lynn
Miller-Stephen (still a backup to CUP)
Joe Offa
Parker
Loizou (still a backup to CUP)

 

[JokerEel]

Not sold on KK, still early days and back from injury, personally I think he will be a marginal first grader

I thought his defence was outstanding today..

Kelma on the other hand... Still misses tackles makes ineffective tackles.

 

[JokerEel]

Or another middle, if Williams starts there. Possibly Hopgood?

I think Williams will start at second row Kelma the odd man out..

 

[Sensei Cobra]

I think Williams will start at second row Kelma the odd man out..

Not sure if that’s how they’ll line up but I really like Williams on the edge

 

[The Predictor]

I thought Twiddle was excellent, I hope we hold onto him

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Not sure about that especially over the past 12 months

Kelly had 54 tackle breaks in 21 games last year compared to Russell's 28 in 20 games. Granted they are a year older and Russell is moving into his peak while Kelly is on the decline, but it's still chalk and cheese. Kelly is much more explosive. And obviously more experienced, as I said. Russell is probably a better defender, but I think Kelly's defence will improve in a better defensive side than the Titans. Unless he was the cause of their woes.

 

[Legal Eel]

just some thoughts on our youngsters in tonight's game - based purely on the eye test, as much as that is ridiculed by some on here:

Tuivaiti - serious future. Seems to have learned to use his size and developed a higher work rate in the off season.
Pryke - athletic, decent footballer, bad hands - i think at best a future benchie.
Twidle - decent footballer, may have a size issue
Samrani - seems to have improved but that brain explosion was baffling and almost unforgivable.
Alameddine - not bad, may one day be worth a few first grade games as a back up
R Penisini - I like him. Physical and enthusiastic.
Nanva - may be at best a back up one day
Teancum - Bingo! This kid is a beast! Seems fitter and ready to rumble at some point this year
Ryda - only a couple of minutes but I love his body shape - future beast!
Funa Iuta - physically impressive - a real possibility
Talataina - there is something special in there - come another 12 months and he may be ready to contribute
Fletcher - still needs a bit of physical development - but there is something there....may need two years
Latu - another one who could see some first grade but not sure.

Also, how tremendous was it to see what appeared to be a consistent defensive structure across a whole group of players from different ages and teams? 28 players and all on the same page in defence. It was a pleasant change from past years where defence was a lottery.

We have a serious coach who has assembled a fit and structured outfit - Im excited.

 

[the phantom menace]

He’s a much better attacking player than Smith.

Which is why TDS will be a bench impact player, rather than the guy you start with (and ultimately stick with) who has the better defence.

Kelly is more explosive and more experienced

And not as reliable in defence, which is why Kelly won't start at centre over Russell (imo). Again, ok to consider Kelly in the 19-man gameday squad, to bring on mid-game if we need to catch up points. (And then he becomes first choice if there's an injury, or next season when Russell departs.)

 

[eels_fan]

Iongi
JAC
Penisini
Russell
Simonssen
Pezet
Moses
Hopgood
Smith
Paulo
Williams
Kautoga
JDB

TDS
Walker
Doorey
Tuivaiti
Joash
Tuilagi

from what I saw today, and assuming those not playing are fit come round 1.

Guymer
Samrani
Moretti
Kell

will all get time on that extended bench rotation

Brown also a smokey

 

[hineyrulz]

You’re the one who wants to see high school kids in the NRL squad.

You have become an absolute parody of yourself, and a disingenuous merkin to boot.

We have targeted a lot more younger talent since your Bald fraud hero was finally rissoled. Sure Ryles has targeted some older players who have all been first graders.

unlike sir baldaot who stock piled old farts who were well past it or also rans like they were infinity stones.

Keep on glugging.

 

[hineyrulz]

Kelly is more explosive and more experienced

So was my morning AGB, doesn’t mean it would be starting in round 1.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

Or another middle, if Williams starts there. Possibly Hopgood?

I think it's unlikely Hopgood misses out. Especially as it means another middle of Sammy, Guymer, Doorey, Moretti would be included. None of those are getting picked over Hopgood.

 

[Soto]

Iongi
JAC
Penisini
Russell
Simonssen
Pezet
Moses
Hopgood
Smith
Paulo
Williams
Kautoga
JDB

TDS
Walker
Doorey
Tuivaiti
Joash
Tuilagi

from what I saw today, and assuming those not playing are fit come round 1.

Guymer
Samrani
Moretti
Kell

will all get time on that extended bench rotation

Brown also a smokey

I reckon pretty close except Kelly left centre and Russell right wing.

 

[emjaycee]

Iongi
JAC
Penisini
Russell
Simonssen
Pezet
Moses
Hopgood
Smith
Paulo
Williams
Kautoga
JDB

TDS
Walker
Doorey
Tuivaiti
Joash
Tuilagi

from what I saw today, and assuming those not playing are fit come round 1.

Guymer
Samrani
Moretti
Kell

will all get time on that extended bench rotation

Brown also a smokey

With 3 forwards already on the bench and Joash to cover spine, I reckon the 2nd reserve (6th benchie) will be an outside back, so I'm going Samrani.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

You have become an absolute parody of yourself, and a disingenuous merkin to boot.

We have targeted a lot more younger talent since your Bald fraud hero was finally rissoled. Sure Ryles has targeted some older players who have all been first graders.

unlike sir baldaot who stock piled old farts who were well past it or also rans like they were infinity stones.

Keep on glugging.

I already Pousplained this for you, more than once. But since you keep forgetting or you obviously love the sound of my voice, here it is again:

We have a lot of youngsters now for the same reason we had a lot of youngsters about six years ago under Arthur's; because a good crop came through the pathways.

 

[hindy111]

Agree his defence isn't great though he did start to get his running game going near the end of the game.

Against nsw cup defense. His passes arent crisp and fast bullets like Riley who looks apart

 

[T-Boon]

I think Hopgood would be the ideal player for my proposed DD (designated defender) position. He is a machine defensively - there would be few better.

 

[hindy111]

Nsw cup side will be interesting.

 

[Snoochies]

I think I saw a post where we flogged Cronulla right across the board in all grades on the weekend?