North Sydney vs Balmain trial

[girvie]

Here is a preview of the matches from the North Shore Times:

The first material evidence of the Bears’ alliance with the Melbourne Storm will be present at Leichhardt Oval when experienced forwards Jamie Feeney and Ian Donnelly turn out in a trial game against Balmain.

Feeney joined the Storm for this season following a long career with Canterbury, while Donnelly has had stints with St George Illawarra and Manly.

Melbourne’s management has indicated that as many as four of their contracted players will be available to Norths, who are now their feeder club, each weekend.

Feeney and Donnelly will fly up to Sydney today and train with Norths for the first time this afternoon, tackle the Tigers, then return to Melbourne.

The Balmain trial is the last opportunity for players to impress new Premier League coach Gary Freeman, following convincing wins over Cessnock in warm-up matches for both the top two grades last Sunday.

The Bears’ squad will then be cut from 33 to 22 or 23 ahead of the opening NSWRL competition game tomorrow week.

Norths kick-off the Premier League on March 5 against Parramatta at Cabramatta Sports Ground.

 

[Angel Bear]

Who won. Any standouts in the Bears?

 

[girvie]

Apparently Nowland played well and Balmain won. I heard the Bears forwards played well.
Can any Balmain fans give a report? How do you think Norths played?

 

[brook]

In the longest trial in history (had played 120 minutes when I left and still 20 minutes to go) Balmain absolutely flogged norths (52-12 with 20 to go) both the Jaimes (small and nowland) were standouts and robbie farah looked very good returning from injury.

for Norths things weren't as bad as the score looks - firstly although balmain never actually looked like losing the score only really blew out in the final 40 when they put their b side on - for the first 80 they pushed balmain and I honestly believe this Balmain side has a real shot at winning the comp.

The forwards did look good and you've got some size this year - I couldn't give any names 'cause the norths team wasn't announced but I think freeman would be pretty happy with the effort put in.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

In the longest trial in history (had played 120 minutes when I left and still 20 minutes to go) Balmain absolutely flogged norths (52-12 with 20 to go) both the Jaimes (small and nowland) were standouts and robbie farah looked very good returning from injury.

for Norths things weren't as bad as the score looks - firstly although balmain never actually looked like losing the score only really blew out in the final 40 when they put their b side on - for the first 80 they pushed balmain and I honestly believe this Balmain side has a real shot at winning the comp.

The forwards did look good and you've got some size this year - I couldn't give any names 'cause the norths team wasn't announced but I think freeman would be pretty happy with the effort put in.

Norths matched Balmain for most part of 60mins to be honest, they did have 5 Storm players playing for them on the day, Feeney, Donnelly and Harper were the top 3 players for Norths. Harper looks like he has bulked up abit from Balmain and looked like Freeman told him to stop offloading the ball - I know I have said this a few times but I think he could end the season playing for the Storms top 17!

 

[Ubsy]

I honestly believe this Balmain side has a real shot at winning the comp.

The forwards did look good and you've got some size this year - I couldn't give any names 'cause the norths team wasn't announced but I think freeman would be pretty happy with the effort put in.

I hope you a damn right. Unfortunately, when those "Good size" forwards get injured, there is not a huge amount left after that.
Lets hope I am wrong.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

I hope you a damn right. Unfortunately, when those "Good size" forwards get injured, there is not a huge amount left after that.
Lets hope I am wrong.

I don't know about that by the looks of things even with some injuries and players being called up to NRL Balmain could still have a decent size forward pack and one with abit of skill as well on the park.

The thing that has impressed me the most is the depth during these trials, sure they are just trials and tend to mean nothing on how a team goes during the season but the signs at least do look positive which in past seasons haven't been the case

 

[brook]

I honestly believe this Balmain side has a real shot at winning the comp.

The forwards did look good and you've got some size this year - I couldn't give any names 'cause the norths team wasn't announced but I think freeman would be pretty happy with the effort put in.

I hope you a damn right. Unfortunately, when those "Good size" forwards get injured, there is not a huge amount left after that.
Lets hope I am wrong.

I can't really agree - to me we have more depth up front than we have had in a long time

not only are the PL guys looking good but theres some bloody good talent in JF that look capable of making a step up if needed (Sam Moa being the obvious standout)

if we cop too many injuries we might have some worried but thats the case for most clubs - I think we could comfortably cover a few injuries/first grade call-ups

 

[girvie]

Norths matched Balmain for most part of 60mins to be honest, they did have 5 Storm players playing for them on the day, Feeney, Donnelly and Harper were the top 3 players for Norths. Harper looks like he has bulked up abit from Balmain and looked like Freeman told him to stop offloading the ball - I know I have said this a few times but I think he could end the season playing for the Storms top 17!

Apart from from Feeney and Donnelly who were the other 3 storm players?

 

[Mighty Tiger]

Apart from from Feeney and Donnelly who were the other 3 storm players?

Apperantly Feeney, Donnelly, Metuisela, Scott and Inglis all fronted up

 

[girvie]

Thanks for all the reports. Balmain are my second team so i hope they go well.

My dad was a Balmain fan until they changed there name to Sydney Tigers. #-o

 

[girvie]

Apart from from Feeney and Donnelly who were the other 3 storm players?

Apperantly Feeney, Donnelly, Metuisela, Scott and Inglis all fronted up

I don't know where you heard that, but it was definantly only Feeney and Donnelly.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

Apart from from Feeney and Donnelly who were the other 3 storm players?

Apperantly Feeney, Donnelly, Metuisela, Scott and Inglis all fronted up

I don't know where you heard that, but it was definantly only Feeney and Donnelly.

Mooney JF assistant coach

 

[girvie]

Here is the link to the North Sydney match reports.

http://www.northsydneybears.com.au/news/MatchReports.htm