Our Pack

[Raidersrawesome]

Thinking about our playing stocks for the forward pack, we have amazing depth , we have a host of players that will be pushing for a top 17 position.

10.Shillington
9.Buttriss
8.Tilse
11.Miller
12.Picker
13.Tongue

14.Flanagan
15.Harrison
16.Thurling
17.Thommo

18.TLL
19.Turner
20.Plum
21.Logan

22.J.Thompson
23.Fensom

anyone of these players could make the top 17 , the others will be playing for SL. TLL has some weeks to spend on the sideline at the start but you'd imagine he will come into the 17 once thats done.
Even with some injuries ( which always happen ) we will still field a strong pack. It would have to be one of the best in the comp.
Im so looking forward to 2009

 

[Chachi]

TLL at full strength is a certainty for the 17 (and should be in the starting side IMO).

We have an awesome pack which has all positions well covered. When you have the likes of Turner, Plum, Thurling and Miller fighting for a spot in the 17 you know things are looking good.

 

[Sydney_Raider]

Have been thinking about our forwards stocks and find it almost impossible to choose. If you think Flanagan and Buttriss will both be in the 17, which I believe will be the case, then I struggle with the likes of Turner, Miller and Thommo/Logan making it. I have no doubt we boast the best forward depth in the NRL for 2009 and competition for spots should ensure the forwards deliver week in week out. I would like to say the same for the backs however it is not as black and white as the forwards. A lot more questions to be asked of the backs and hopefully they can deliver. Phil Graham needs to stay fit and I personally would play him on the left wing with Carney on the right. Monaghan and Purtell in the centres, Milne at the back. A big microscope place on Purtell though, he has stated he prefers centre but some of his efforts this year made me wonder why we didn't let him got to Melbourne.

 

[hrundi99]

Surely Thommo/Logan should be there in place of Tilse...?

 

[Sydney_Raider]

Surely Thommo/Logan should be there in place of Tilse...?

I wouldn't think so.

 

[CHRIS SANDOW]

Probably one of the best forward packs the raiders had in a while.

 

[CHRIS SANDOW]

Surely Thommo/Logan should be there in place of Tilse...?

I would consider thommo but not logan. Tilse and thommo are on par in my oppinion.

 

[Timbo]

I would have:

8-Shillington
9-Flanagan
10-Logan
11-Picker
12-Turner
13-Tongue

14-Harrison/Thompson
15-Tilse/Thurling
16-Learoyd-Lahrs
17-Buttriss

R-Plum
R-Fenson
R-Harrison/Thompson
R-Tilse/Thurling
R-J.Thompson
R-Lasscock

-----------

It's going to be hard, a lot of selections will be down to trial form I think.

The backs, now there's a worry. No depth at all outside our starting 1-7.

 

[Raidersrawesome]

It will really depend on form , but I cant see Harrison been left out , he has looked good in the WC.
I know experience is needed , but Thommo , Tongue , Harrison , Shillo have some games under their belt.
Tilse and Thommo where our best front rowers , Thurling was awesome from the bench , Picker only improved as the season went and will be a gun secondrower pushing for rep honors.
It will also depend on what Dave does with his bench if he carries a 2nd hooker and uses him as a utility if needed.
1 thing for sure , if they dont perform then they wont be picked.

 

[Chachi]

Logan is on the way down and should only start from the bench IMO. If Thommo, Tilse and Shillington are all fit I find it hard to give him a spot in the 17 - especially if Miller or Thurling are playing.

Turner and Plum will struggle to make First Grade IMO but that is a great sign as they are both very good players who unfortunately have had injury concerns.

Harrison should be a great acquisition. He and Picker could make for the most dynamic young second row partnership in the comp. Add TLL to the mix (I think he should be left at second row personally) and it's an awesome prospect.

I love this forward pack. With the likes of TLL, Harrison, Shillington and Picker it's potentially the most damaging I have seen at the club since Lazarus and Clyde played together...and there are still the workhorses like Tonguey, Thommo, Miller and Turner to keep it honest. It's certainly the best depth we've had in 15 years.

 

[aussies1st]

Agree our recruitment for next season has really strengthen our depth in that department. Good luck to Furner trimming down the forwards as I'm struggling doing it.
Turner was really coming good before his injury, he was offloading which caused problems for the opposition.

 

[Macko8]

In form i would pick:-

8 Tilse
9 Flanagan
10 Shillington
11 Harrison
12 Picker
13 Tongue

14 Thurling
15 Learoyd-Lahrs
16 Logan
17 T Thompson

 

[donkey|rope]

I can't wait for 09.

Surely Thommo/Logan should be there in place of Tilse...?

Are you serious? I thought Tilse was easily our best forward all season.

TLL at full strength is a certainty for the 17 (and should be in the starting side IMO).

I don't think I'd start TLL for sometime. I'd bring him off the bench and put some metres into those legs gradually. You would have to handle him with kid gloves for his sake as much as the clubs, if he can't get it together this season its pretty much a wrap for him.

In form i would pick:-

8 Tilse
9 Flanagan
10 Shillington
11 Harrison
12 Picker
13 Tongue

14 Thurling
15 Learoyd-Lahrs
16 Logan
17 T Thompson

I like the look of that, though I'd probably drop omit a forward on form and add Buttress.

 

[Chachi]

I don't think I'd start TLL for sometime. I'd bring him off the bench and put some metres into those legs gradually. You would have to handle him with kid gloves for his sake as much as the clubs, if he can't get it together this season its pretty much a wrap for him.

That's kinda what I meant about him being at full strength. If he is playing at 100% there is almost no better back rower in the game IMO. Until then, yes, we need to be patient.

Macko, and d|r I agree with that starting pack, and I think Buttriss will find his way into the 17 for round 1. It will take some time for Thommo to get fit so I suggest he'd be the one to drop out.

Am I right in thinking TLL finishes his suspension during the pre-season?

 

[Raidersrawesome]

Dont quote me but I think he may have to serve 2 comp games , he's allowed to serve 2 during trials that should leave 2 more.
Happy to be corrected.

 

[mongoose]

Bronson harrison may have earned himself a spot in the starting 13 with his world cup performances. Picker and Tongue would make up the back row.

 

[Chachi]

Dont quote me but I think he may have to serve 2 comp games , he's allowed to serve 2 during trials that should leave 2 more.
Happy to be corrected.

Fair enough...I'm happy to go with that.

 

[Macko8]

Plenty of backrowers:-

Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Glen Turner, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Joel Thompson, Nigel Plum, Trevor Thurling and Josh Miller.

I'd say there can only be 2 starting and 2 on interchange bench.
which means half will have to pull on a jumper for SL

 

[legend]

At this stage the four backrowers I'd go with would be Picker, Harrison, Thurling and Miller. Worked well for us this year with Picker, Thurling and Miller with Harrison giving us more direction and punch running out wide.

 

[dubby]

I am happy with our pack; gone are Weyman (awesome talent but forever injured or suspended), Costigan (ditto), Ben Jones (honest player, gave his all but not in the same league as these fellas), Withers (Mr silly mistake)

In comes Shillington, Flanagan and Harrison who are very young, aggressive and talented.

My pack (if all fully fit):

8. Tilse
9. Buttriss
10. Logan
11. Picker
12. Harrison
13. Tongue

14. Miller
15.TLL
16. Thompson
17. Flanagan.

TLL and/or Picker can play out wide if needed, although I think TLL is more of a prop these days. I'd love to know if he is as quick if he used to be; 11.5 secs over the 100mt