One of the major contributing factors to our awful NYC season last year was our decision to appoint a part-time coach over the squad. We started massively behind the eight ball in both fitness and playing structures when Rd.1 rolled around and it just got worse from there. We also had zero consistency in the spine and it showed in just how poorly we executed, especially in the red zone. Troy Dargan and Michael Doolan will form a stable halves partnership and will finally be playing without a serious age handicap.
I don't think we have a stacked squad this year by any means but there are some good players peppered through it and we looked fairly well drilled in defence against the Knights on Saturday. Predicting the 20s is generally an exercise in futility but there isn't any reason why we should't be in the mix for the Top 8.
The team list that is hopefully revealed tomorrow should clarify our best 17 in this grade but I am expecting something a starting 13 that looks roughly like:
1. Bevan French
2. Kelepi Manu
3. Tyrell Fuimaono
4. Dane Auckafolau
5. Amanaki Manu
6. Michael Doolan
7. Troy Dargan
8. Alex Twal
9. Denzal Tonise
10. Jamie Stowers
11. Jack Morris
12. Craig Field
13. Tom Amone
Much like first-grade, the bench is where most of the contest spots lie. I expect one of Joey Tramontana or Nifo Seve to take the #14 (Matt Pryce is the other contender here) while guys like Frank Salu, Jarrod Thomkins, Jonathan Mose, Tom Field, Jack Miller etc will fight it out for the last 3 spots.
I think we have a reasonable starting pack. Twal is a proven junior rep forward while I liked the contributions of Tonise, Morris and Amone in 2015. There is a lack of a blockbusting runner though unless one of Salu or Thomkins step up to the late. As for out wide, I think French, Fuimaono and Auckafolau will give us all the strike we need.
I don't blame you for tempering expectations but I do think it is a wee bit premature to be hailing us as certainties for the wooden spoon.
