Line-up for 2011

[boxhead]

I think the fact that in Loko's first year of Toyota Cup - this year - he dominates and is the most destructive player in the NYC at times even when he is younger than everyone else and only in his first year, immediately says something about how destructive he will be one day.

I think he needs to work on his consistency and effort, I think if he keeps performing well or plays consistently brilliant in the NYC next year he may be ready for a full season in a few years time. At the moment I think he definitely could be a force for us even as early as next year in attack, however I fear he would be exploited in defence and asking a kid who was playing Under 18's only half a year ago to step up into first grade already might be a bit taxing on him, just my opinion though.

You never know, Kearney may want to try the guy out in the trials ahead of Reddy. We may even see Sio creep into the first-grade squad next year, we don't really know what Kearney will do at all. He may take the mentality of the Storm in selecting a big roster of young players with a few old heads to guide them and build that team for the future. Hell, we could see a team like this next year;

1. Hayne
2. Sio
3. Loko
4. Tahu
5. Grothe
6. Mortimer
7. Humble
8. Mannah
9. Mcguire
10. Poore
11. Hindmarsh
12. Smith
13. Horo
14. Mitchell
15. Moi Moi
16. Shackleton
17. Webb

Mind you that is an almost suicidal attempt by Kearney to end his own coaching career, but hell you never know what he might do, especially if he thinks it will pay of.

 

[CrazyEel]

Boxie, just keep in mind Inglis, Folau, Fittler, K Hunt and many others started their 1st grade careers at 17/18 and did exceptionally well. Likewise there are many 25-30 yr old pretenders running around who should never have been selected in 1st grade in the first place so it's not just about age or experience, talent and skill also plays a big part. If your good enough your old enough.

 

[boxhead]

Boxie, just keep in mind Inglis, Folau, Fittler, K Hunt and many others started their 1st grade careers at 17/18 and did exceptionally well. Likewise there are many 25-30 yr old pretenders running around who should never have been selected in 1st grade in the first place so it's not just about age or experience, talent and skill also plays a big part. If your good enough your old enough.

I forgot about that, I don't know, I guess we will see, eh?
If Kearney thinks Loko is ready then I can't wait to see him play first-grade

You could also throw Daniel Tupou into that side, after all he is Israel Folau 2.0

 

[mrpwnd]

Where is he proven, in the Under 8's. I was of the impression he is a fullback, who is being converted into a five eight.

Assuming we don't sign a specialist halfback, then he's the only player(bar Hayne) with a natural ability as a playmaker.
I agree with box on this, plus if it doesn't work we can throw the likes of Barba or Murray and see how they go.
It's a pity we have so much depth in the 6 and none in the 7.

 

[mrpwnd]

1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Luke Burt
3. Joel Reddy
4. Timana Tahu
5. Eric Grothe Junior

I think the back-line is self explanatory, but with Ken Sio, Jacob Loko, Jordan Atkins, et al searching for spots.

6. Daniel Mortimer
7. Tom Humble

8. Tim Mannah
9. Casey Mcguire
10. Fui Fui Moi Moi
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Ben Smith
13. Justin Horo

14. Anthony Mitchell
15. Justin Poore
16. Shane Shackleton
17. Carl Webb

I think the first three are readily justified, but I think Carl Webb is our best option for fourth prop; I think if he genuinely wants to prove himself, then playing him off the bench as an impact player would be devastating if he plays to his potential.

Thanks again for your thoughts

I'm probably going out on a stretch here, but i'd like to see the likes of Sio, Loko and Atkins really contest Tahu's spot assuming he performs poorly in the trials.
I also think it'd be better to have Poore start, Poore to me seems to be a more effective starting prop than FFMM, although it's a hard compromise given both offer so much impact in the first 10-20 minutes that they're on.
Also, instead of Carl Webb, maybe have Te Maari or Lasalo try and land a gig in first grade.
I think Lasalo really has some potential and whilst i've only seen 5 seconds of Te Maari in first grade, i'd like to see abit more of him to gauge his ability.
Also, i'm still not sure of the specifics behind Reddy's injury status. Is he going to miss a majority of our season? Ideally i'd like him on our side, but if his form is off as a result of spending most of the off-season in rehab, then I say it's a perfect opportunity to test our depth in the back line and see how they fare in the long-term.
Overall, it's a fairly solid and balanced line-up you got there, still weak in the halves but I think Humble has what it takes to develop into a solid halfback.

 

[superparra]

Did any of you guys see the article in Big League a few months ago where DA compared Mortimer's 'second year syndrome' to Chris Sandow's second year?
I'm not getting my hopes up, but maybe we'll see something special from him hopefully in the 6 next year.

 

[Pazza]

1.hayne
2.grothe
3.reddy
4.tahu
5.burt
6.mortimer
7.murry
8.poore
9.mcguire
10.moi moi
11.hindmarsh
12.webb
13.smith

14.mitchell
15.mannah
16.shackleton
17.horo

 

[yy_cheng]

It's obvious that the 6 and 7 pairing over every team listed here is inexperienced and not totally proven.

What type of Style would you guys see us playing with these halves pairing considering that only Hindmarsh and a touch of Horo will be the only 2nd phase creaters left after losing Mateo and Caylo?

Basically, we may not have the skills to play 2nd phase anymore.


Would you say we go the yesteryear of Newcastle. Big forwards who just ruck it up and hopefully Hayne will do some magic EVERY GAME.

In the GF, I noticed that Brian went for the old 2001 ploy of quick men running from dummy half.

I actually like this because the forwards don't get as knackered as fast as the faster men help out more.

But at the end of the day, it will be Throw to Hayne and see what he can do.


Everyone knows that I like Hayne at 6 so that we don't F around all year trying to find a pair of halves but if Hayne is to stay at 1 I will really really really consider this

1. Hayne
2. Loko
6. Burt
7. Murray/Humble/Mortz/Robbo.

Burt is the only one out of the above 7 that I have seen who can do something. He can kick long and short as well.

HOWEVER, my biggest problem with BURT has always been his size and defense and so either he hops back to the wing in defense or he stands next to Benny or Hindy.

 

[boxhead]

Hmmm......what about this team;

1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Ken Sio
3. Jacob Loko
4. Timana Tahu
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Daniel Mortimer
7. Tom Humble
8. Tim Mannah
9. Casey Mcguire
10. Fui Fui Moi Moi
11. Nathan Hindmarsh
12. Ben Smith
13. Justin Horo

14. Anthony Mitchell
15. Shane Shackleton
16. Justin Horo
17. Carl Webb

That is a crazy side, but look at the attacking potential in the back-line.....
I can't see it happening though, at least not next year in any case.

 

[Twizzle]

I can see Humble at 5/8 but I think he would be wasted at halfback because he has such a good running game.

Prefer Murray at half, at least he is a specialist half.

 

[boxhead]

I can see Humble at 5/8 but I think he would be wasted at halfback because he has such a good running game.

Prefer Murray at half, at least he is a specialist half.

I see what you mean, I think I may adapt that actually. The problem I saw with starting the year with Brad Murray was that he had no prior first-grade experience, I thought that Humble may be a better option as he has already had a few games to his name.....I agree with you, however.

 

[eel01s]

Assuming everyone is 100% fit:

1. Hayne
2. Burt
3. Reddy
4. Tahu
5. Grothe
6. Humble
7. Murray/Robson
8. Poore
9. McGuire
10. Moi Moi
11. Hindmarsh
12. Smith
13. Shackleton

14. Mitchell
15. Webb
16. Mannah
17. Horo

 

[Eels Dude]

Did any of you guys see the article in Big League a few months ago where DA compared Mortimer's 'second year syndrome' to Chris Sandow's second year?
I'm not getting my hopes up, but maybe we'll see something special from him hopefully in the 6 next year.

You say that like it's a good thing...

 

[Eels Dude]

I see what you mean, I think I may adapt that actually. The problem I saw with starting the year with Brad Murray was that he had no prior first-grade experience, I thought that Humble may be a better option as he has already had a few games to his name.....I agree with you, however.

Humble is also a bit older and played amongst the big boys at QLD Cup, and the sadly pathetic competition which we call the NSW Cup. Matching it with the best at QLD Cup level is quite impressive though. It's a tall order to expect a kid to go straight from U20's into a starting halfback at NRL level. To the point where it's not even worth the risk unless he's guarenteed to be a superstar, which Murray isn't.

 

[Forty20]

Seeing as our roster is pretty much finalised barring the acquisition of a halfback I'll take a crack at a few different squads for 2011. I've left Maitua out of all the squads simply since he isn't available for selection until well into next years season.

If Kearney plays it safe:

1. Hayne
2. Burt
3. Reddy
4. Tahu
5. Grothe
6. Humble/Mortimer
7. Murray/Whichever halfback we may end up signing
8. Poore
9. Mcguire
10. Fui
11. Hindy
12. Smith
13. Shackleton

14. Mitchell/Mortimer/Humble
15. Mannah
16. Horo
17. Webb

Nothing special here, most of the 2010 squad is retained while Robson is the fall guy in the spine making way for Mcguire. Webb comes onto the bench on the hope that he has a huge preseason and simply because there isn't a great deal else barring Manuokafoa or Peletelese stepping up big time.

If Kearney is willing to take a few chances:

1. Hayne
2. Sio/Burt
3. Filiga
4. Reddy/Tahu
5 Loko/Grothe
6. Humble
7. Murray/Whichever halfback we may end up signing
8. Poore
9. Mitchell
10. Fui
11. Hindy
12. Smith
13. Horo

14. Mortimer/Mcguire
15. Mannah
16. Shackleton
17. O'Hanlon

The backline undergoes a pretty significant revamp with Sio and Loko duking it out with Burt and Grothe for the wing positions. Filiga comes into the centres while Reddy and Tahu fight it out for the remaining spot.

Mitchell comes into starting hooker, thus also taking a big step up in responsibility but will share the duty with Mortimer/Mcguire. Our starting backrow will be expected to play a lot more minutes as only O'Hanlon is there to form a rotation. Shackleton is to be used as an interchange prop but can cover the backrow in the case on an injury or a change to the gameplan.

And finally, mostly for laughs...close the lowest average aged squad that is even remotely close to competitive :

1. Hayne
2. Sio
3. Filiga
4. Loko
5. Tupou
6. Humble
7. Murray
8. Poore
9. Mitchell
10. Fui
11. Hindy
12. Smith
13. Horo

14. Mortimer
15. Mannah
16. Shackleton
17. O'Hanlon

Not much to say about this team, it's young and raw and resembles the 2010 Broncos a great deal with the exception of an old head and steady hand in the halves (Lockyer). It would essentially make 2011 a write off, with a top 8 result a massive bonus, as we build for a huge 2012. Barring an injury crisis in our backline we won't be seeing this team though.

 

[superparra]

You say that like it's a good thing...

Haha. Just hoping he breaks through and has an amazing year like Sandow did.

 

[Eels Dude]

Haha. Just hoping he breaks through and has an amazing year like Sandow did.

That wasn't what I meant ;-)

I'm rather hoping he doesn't turn out like Sandow. Sandow is the worst defensive halfback in the history of the game. Calling him a speed hump would be a compliment. You actually have to slow down when you come to a speed bump. He's more like a roundabout.

 

[superparra]

That wasn't what I meant ;-)

I'm rather hoping he doesn't turn out like Sandow. Sandow is the worst defensive halfback in the history of the game. Calling him a speed hump would be a compliment. You actually have to slow down when you come to a speed bump. He's more like a roundabout.

Morts was roadkill this year after some of the hits he took..

I'd like to see Tim Mannah as a starting prop to eventually captain the side for 10 years :3

 

[lingard]

Where is he proven, in the Under 8's. I was of the impression he is a fullback, who is being converted into a five eight.

No. Humble is a specialist five-eight. (I know, I know; there`s no such thing anymore.)

For me the halves pairing to start the year would be Robson at half and Humble five-eight. I think that`s as good a place to start as any. The one thing I don`t want to see is what Anderson did last year - stubbornly sticking with a player until he resembles a dead horse.

 

[mrpwnd]

That wasn't what I meant ;-)

I'm rather hoping he doesn't turn out like Sandow. Sandow is the worst defensive halfback in the history of the game. Calling him a speed hump would be a compliment. You actually have to slow down when you come to a speed bump. He's more like a roundabout.

Comes as a trade-off, you either focus on developing your attack and risk being hammered alot in defense, or you become a Pearce-like halfback and just have all your assets defending like a 9.
This is where defense tactics come in handy, you generally need a prop or a 9 getting to the player before he hits the halfback in defense.
Halves aren't tackling machines and generally should be spared from defensive efforts as much as possible.