NRL team: Trial v Newcastle Knights

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Hard to compare 1st half teams attack with 2nd halfs because of the opposition defense. Ofcourse 2nd half team looked slick because they were playing against nobody's.
Big difference.

I agree but in the case of Wiliame he is no doubt better than Lafai, Lafai played in the second half himself and looked just as lost against the same opposition. Aitken looks like he has just been figured out defensively and doesn't have an answer. I would say it his lack of passing, they can just come in on him with little consequence and double up. If he does get a pass away its usually high, low behind or in front so its easy to slide out from. He looks totally ineffective in attack.

 

[Gareth67]

“ Williams - the young speedsters and those honky assistant coaches , what the f##k is wrong with you blokes ? How about a bit of credit to he who knows all - the maestro , yes me after all who do you think tells the players how to peel their oranges at half time ? “

 

[possm]

Maybe Friz might have second thoughts about this Newcastle premiership.

SGI should match the knights salary offer and up the contract term to 4 years. Then Firzell to lock, Merrin and Blacker in the mix for prop ahead of K Sims and Lawrie. Clune in the halves and Hunt to Hooker with Britain on the bench.

I know, only one trial game but the signs were there in this game. If repeated next week in the Charity Shield, surely we need to take a good look at the make-up of our squad.

I know I keep tweaking my preferred 17 but after watching them perform tonight my 17 would be:

1. Lomax - I think went really well at fullback tonight
2. Pereira - how could you pick anyone ahead of him on that form
3. Ravalawa - I do believe he could make it at right centre
4. Williame - what a surprise, he has spped and a very good pass
5. Saab - young and tall, he has to be our future on the right wing
6. Clune - a bright young talent that is going to be a high quality in the halves
7. Norman - not enough speed for 6 anymore
8. Merrin - not a lock, we need him in the front row
9. Hunt - he will add so much more to our attack as hooker
10. Vaughan - it's only early but he needs to step up this season
11. Ford - he deserves selection but he needs to maintain form
12. T Sims - he will be devastating on the right edge
13. Frizell - De Belin out for 2020

14. Britain - I've seen enough to know he will be a great utility
15. Kerr - young prop, it is his breakout season
16. Graham - if fit and ready to go
17. Blacker - can play frontrow and backrow

K Sims, Lawrie, Aitken and Lafai will need to win their spots by playing out of their skin in CC.

That is the way I see it right now.

 

[Mark D]

SGI should match the knights salary offer and up the contract term to 4 years. Then Firzell to lock, Merrin and Blacker in the mix for prop ahead of K Sims and Lawrie. Clune in the halves and Hunt to Hooker with Britain on the bench.

I know, only one trial game but the signs were there in this game. If repeated next week in the Charity Shield, surely we need to take a good look at the make-up of our squad.

I know I keep tweaking my preferred 17 but after watching them perform tonight my 17 would be:

1. Lomax - I think went really well at fullback tonight
2. Pereira - how could you pick anyone ahead of him on that form
3. Ravalawa - I do believe he could make it at right centre
4. Williame - what a surprise, he has spped and a very good pass
5. Saab - young and tall, he has to be our future on the right wing
6. Clune - a bright young talent that is going to be a high quality in the halves
7. Norman - not enough speed for 6 anymore
8. Merrin - not a lock, we need him in the front row
9. Hunt - he will add so much more to our attack as hooker
10. Vaughan - it's only early but he needs to step up this season
11. Ford - he deserves selection but he needs to maintain form
12. T Sims - he will be devastating on the right edge
13. Frizell - De Belin out for 2020

14. Britain - I've seen enough to know he will be a great utility
15. Kerr - young prop, it is his breakout season
16. Graham - if fit and ready to go
17. Blacker - can play frontrow and backrow

K Sims, Lawrie, Aitken and Lafai will need to win their spots by playing out of their skin in CC.

That is the way I see it right now.

Kerr and Blacker off the bench... I agree big boys , aggressive and mobile...

 

[Dragon Revival]

At least 11 players were missing:-
De Belin
Dufty
Fuimaono
Graham
Kerr
Luke
Mc Innes
Merrin
Ramsay
K. Sims
Sullivan
Not a bad result!

 

[mickeylane]

If Clune is to play 1st grade he will be on the bench and coming on for Luke w Hunt moving to Hooker - I can see this happening if Clune can repeat his form in the CC next week

 

[Number of the Beath]

SGI should match the knights salary offer and up the contract term to 4 years. Then Firzell to lock, Merrin and Blacker in the mix for prop ahead of K Sims and Lawrie. Clune in the halves and Hunt to Hooker with Britain on the bench.

I know, only one trial game but the signs were there in this game. If repeated next week in the Charity Shield, surely we need to take a good look at the make-up of our squad.

I know I keep tweaking my preferred 17 but after watching them perform tonight my 17 would be:

1. Lomax - I think went really well at fullback tonight
2. Pereira - how could you pick anyone ahead of him on that form
3. Ravalawa - I do believe he could make it at right centre
4. Williame - what a surprise, he has spped and a very good pass
5. Saab - young and tall, he has to be our future on the right wing
6. Clune - a bright young talent that is going to be a high quality in the halves
7. Norman - not enough speed for 6 anymore
8. Merrin - not a lock, we need him in the front row
9. Hunt - he will add so much more to our attack as hooker
10. Vaughan - it's only early but he needs to step up this season
11. Ford - he deserves selection but he needs to maintain form
12. T Sims - he will be devastating on the right edge
13. Frizell - De Belin out for 2020

14. Britain - I've seen enough to know he will be a great utility
15. Kerr - young prop, it is his breakout season
16. Graham - if fit and ready to go
17. Blacker - can play frontrow and backrow

K Sims, Lawrie, Aitken and Lafai will need to win their spots by playing out of their skin in CC.

That is the way I see it right now.

I like it..
But I'll take Lawrie over Merrin

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Pretty pumped to see Kerr take another step in the all stars.

 

[jak]

If Friz goes to the Knights, it’s either for the money or total dislike of McGregor.

Ok then, probably the latter......

or both

 

[Dragonsamy]

View attachment 36269

Gareth you sure he's not you.
You are looking well

 

[George Dragon]

Why won't Sullivan play?

Sorry mate just seen this question
Bud injured his ankle, he is in a moon boot atm. Could be out for a while

 

[Dragonsamy]

Sorry mate just seen this question
Bud injured his ankle, he is in a moon boot atm. Could be out for a while

Thanks George not looking good

 

[Ted bartolo]

SGI should match the knights salary offer and up the contract term to 4 years. Then Firzell to lock, Merrin and Blacker in the mix for prop ahead of K Sims and Lawrie. Clune in the halves and Hunt to Hooker with Britain on the bench.

I know, only one trial game but the signs were there in this game. If repeated next week in the Charity Shield, surely we need to take a good look at the make-up of our squa
I know I keep tweaking my preferred 17 but after watching them perform tonight my 17 would be:

1. Lomax - I think went really well at fullback tonight
2. Pereira - how could you pick anyone ahead of him on that form
3. Ravalawa - I do believe he could make it at right centre
4. Williame - what a surprise, he has spped and a very good pass
5. Saab - young and tall, he has to be our future on the right wing
6. Clune - a bright young talent that is going to be a high quality in the halves
7. Norman - not enough speed for 6 anymore
8. Merrin - not a lock, we need him in the front row
9. Hunt - he will add so much more to our attack as hooker
10. Vaughan - it's only early but he needs to step up this season
11. Ford - he deserves selection but he needs to maintain form
12. T Sims - he will be devastating on the right edge
13. Frizell - De Belin out for 2020

14. Britain - I've seen enough to know he will be a great utility
15. Kerr - young prop, it is his breakout season
16. Graham - if fit and ready to go
17. Blacker - can play frontrow and backrow

K Sims, Lawrie, Aitken and Lafai will need to win their spots by playing out of their skin in CC.

That is the way I see it right now.

SGI should match the knights salary offer and up the contract term to 4 years. Then Firzell to lock, Merrin and Blacker in the mix for prop ahead of K Sims and Lawrie. Clune in the halves and Hunt to Hooker with Britain on the bench.

I know, only one trial game but the signs were there in this game. If repeated next week in the Charity Shield, surely we need to take a good look at the make-up of our squad.

I know I keep tweaking my preferred 17 but after watching them perform tonight my 17 would be:

1. Lomax - I think went really well at fullback tonight
2. Pereira - how could you pick anyone ahead of him on that form
3. Ravalawa - I do believe he could make it at right centre
4. Williame - what a surprise, he has spped and a very good pass
5. Saab - young and tall, he has to be our future on the right wing
6. Clune - a bright young talent that is going to be a high quality in the halves
7. Norman - not enough speed for 6 anymore
8. Merrin - not a lock, we need him in the front row
9. Hunt - he will add so much more to our attack as hooker
10. Vaughan - it's only early but he needs to step up this season
11. Ford - he deserves selection but he needs to maintain form
12. T Sims - he will be devastating on the right edge
13. Frizell - De Belin out for 2020

14. Britain - I've seen enough to know he will be a great utility
15. Kerr - young prop, it is his breakout season
16. Graham - if fit and ready to go
17. Blacker - can play frontrow and backrow

K Sims, Lawrie, Aitken and Lafai will need to win their spots by playing out of their skin in CC.

That is the way I see it right now.

Thought Tyran Wishart looked good

 

[Slackboy72]

Kerr injured in all stars game.

 

[Gareth67]

I you don’t behave yourself Sammy I will get you to paint the gymnasium - with red lead paint !

 

[Frank Facer]

Backline changes befure 1st round

Lafai out - Williame in
Aitken out - Fuimaono in
Ravalawa out - Saab in

Anyone else notice Hunt playing 5/8 from set pieces like scrums, taps..

I noticed Hunt at second receiver a few times and thought he looked to be playing more of a 5/8 role.

 

[Frank Facer]

SGI should match the knights salary offer and up the contract term to 4 years. Then Firzell to lock, Merrin and Blacker in the mix for prop ahead of K Sims and Lawrie. Clune in the halves and Hunt to Hooker with Britain on the bench.

I know, only one trial game but the signs were there in this game. If repeated next week in the Charity Shield, surely we need to take a good look at the make-up of our squad.

I know I keep tweaking my preferred 17 but after watching them perform tonight my 17 would be:

1. Lomax - I think went really well at fullback tonight
2. Pereira - how could you pick anyone ahead of him on that form
3. Ravalawa - I do believe he could make it at right centre
4. Williame - what a surprise, he has spped and a very good pass
5. Saab - young and tall, he has to be our future on the right wing
6. Clune - a bright young talent that is going to be a high quality in the halves
7. Norman - not enough speed for 6 anymore
8. Merrin - not a lock, we need him in the front row
9. Hunt - he will add so much more to our attack as hooker
10. Vaughan - it's only early but he needs to step up this season
11. Ford - he deserves selection but he needs to maintain form
12. T Sims - he will be devastating on the right edge
13. Frizell - De Belin out for 2020

14. Britain - I've seen enough to know he will be a great utility
15. Kerr - young prop, it is his breakout season
16. Graham - if fit and ready to go
17. Blacker - can play frontrow and backrow

K Sims, Lawrie, Aitken and Lafai will need to win their spots by playing out of their skin in CC.

That is the way I see it right now.

Possm. I am pretty much on the same page as you on most selections, but Ramsey would still be my first winger chosen if fit.

 

[Dragon David]

Pretty pumped to see Kerr take another step in the all stars.

Unfortunately suffered knee injury in 4th quarter so sorely missed in the Indigenous grind. Hopefully not long term injury as we need him in our starting 17.

 

[Frank Facer]

Isaac Luke must be the worst signing we have ever made. I thought Lovadua handled himself quite adequately up against Newcastle's first half team. He wasn't outstanding, but I thought he was at least a pass mark. I even thought he looked to be an ideal bench player who can cover hooker or backrow.

I would also take Billy Brittian over Luke

I like the look of Blacker and would like to see him in on the bench for our first game of the season.

Williame looked better than I expected and should definitely take Lafai's spot.

Clune was impressive. I am starting to think we should move Hunt to hooker and play Clune at halfback or 5/8. I don't know if a Clune Norman halves combination would be successful, as I see both of them as dominate halfbacks. It will probably take injuries or rep selections for Clune to get a run this year.

Lomax was very solid. He also threw a couple of good passes. His goalkicking would be up there with the best in the game. I still think he is the best option we currently have for fullback this year. He also looks to have developed physically since last year.

Rava went well on the wing. I still think he would make a better centre.

Pereira scored 4 tries.

Aitken played most of the game. Mary wasn't interested in seeing how anyone else would go there. He should have given Rava some game time there today and last year.

 

[Frank Facer]

like Possm I have also made some changes to the team that I would select for round 1.

1 Lomax
2 Ramsey
3 Williame
4 Rava
5 Saab
6 Clune
7 Norman
13 Frizell
12 T Sims
11 Ford
10 Merrin
9 Hunt
8 Vaughan

14 Kerr
15 Blacker
16 Graham
17 Lovadua/Brittian/Sailor