Parramatta v Raiders TRIAL Game Day Thread @ Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Feb 17, 2024

[The Predictor]

T

Actually I didn't think of who to pick if Brown or Moses are injured. I don't think Sanders is ready yet, and I'd hope we could do better than Asi. Maybe Hands would be an option into the halves - and more reason to have him on the bench in 17 too?

Exactly….not one hand was put up their hand

 

[Gronk]

FMD….if this was just fringe first graders having a hit out, the result would not matter, but it was our future on the park and they were woeful, but clearly you are happy to more or less wait another year it’s delusional fans like you the club love!!!!

Yeah but in these trials, sometimes the timing of the player changes means everything. We bring on Saxon Pryke and they bring on Emre Guler for example. The second half was very much musical chairs with those players down to #26.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

It happens all the time. They dominate in juniors and get talked up as though they’re the next Messenger, and once in opens they’re just not at the required level. It’s not even a knock on them, it’s absolutely entirely predictable. But it just goes to show, once again, how silly it is to count on juniors to plug gaps or slot straight into the top grade.

It also goes to show how silly it is to predict someone's entire career on a pre-season game in what is their first chance of open age football whether that be positive or negative

 

[DaveMc]

It also goes to show how silly it is to predict someone's entire career on a pre-season game in what is their first chance of open age football whether that be positive or negative

Of course, I made the same point in my post following the one you quoted. All, some or none of these young guys *may* make it as first graders, but it’s very hard to see any of them making it in 2024.

 

[Gronk]

Of course, I made the same point in my post following the one you quoted. All, some or none of these young guys *may* make it as first graders, but it’s very hard to see any of them making it in 2024.

Nor are they expected to even play in 2024. After all, mist of them played SG Ball last year. That’s a long way from NRL. Their fullback Chevy Chase has been mooted as a gun, played NSW Cup last year, but was SG Ball age. He even played in the GF. Is he ready for NRL ? Hmmm dunno.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Talagi - don’t think he’s a fullback (at least not yet) but he showed willingness

This was his first game at fullback. The pulling the hands away on the bomb is concerning but understandable, previous to this he's played: lock, halves, centre in aged competitions. I think if you give him the year in reserves playing fullback he'll be more confident catching bombs in those situations.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

Of course, I made the same point in my post following the one you quoted. All, some or none of these young guys *may* make it as first graders, but it’s very hard to see any of them making it in 2024.

And if they do make their debut in 24 they'll be surrounded by better players and won't be relied on as being the guy

 

[Tiger5150]

Good question @Tiger5150

This may surprise you, but I didnt watch the trial. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd guess made some very strong runs and a couple of hard hits front on? Does the flashy showy things well....for a while.

People who hang on every word I post will remember that I said that Tigers fans were VERY excited about Kelma after his first 3 NRL games for us. I and most fans were devastated when he signed for Manly because he looked a strong runner who could hit hard. After a couple more games Tigers fans were happy to pack his bags to Manly. Manly were happy to ship him to Parra in less than 12 months.

Tigers and Manly fans have all had the happy fuzzy feelings you guys are having right now, and Im glad for you, enjoy them and live in the moment. Bookmark this post. Halfway through the season you will be commenting on his lazy defence and lack of commitment. I was right about Joffa, im right about Kelma.

Enjoy the sunshine, it feels nice.

 

[Happy MEel]

Gutho
Sivo
William
Superman
Russ

Brown
Moses

Reg
Lussick
Paulo

Carty
Lane
Hopgood

Hands
Greig
Offa
Matto

NSW Cup
Talagi
Lumelume
Cini
Harper
Martin

Asi
Sanders

Ogden
Smith
Rodwell
Kelma
Guymer
Moretti

Loizou
Lyn

I agree with most of this, but I’d have Tuilagi on the bench at the expense of Offa.

 

[JokerEel]

Doesn’t the same apply to the Raiders???

I don't give two f**ks about the Raiders.

 

[84 Baby]

This was his first game at fullback. The pulling the hands away on the bomb is concerning but understandable, previous to this he's played: lock, halves, centre in aged competitions. I think if you give him the year in reserves playing fullback he'll be more confident catching bombs in those situations.

Yeah I see him as centre and think he can take Bailey’s spot. But also understand if they looking at Gutho and thinking we’ve got a couple of seasons to develop his replacement. He wasn’t shirking runs and didn’t get dominated in tackles

 

[the phantom menace]

Gutho
Sivo
William
Superman
Russ

Brown
Moses

Reg
Lussick
Paulo

Carty
Lane
Hopgood

Hands
Greig
Offa
Matto

Yep, that's what I would have first choice. But BA will name 18 each week, and I suspect Tuilagi will be in the 17 too and Hands at 18 (most weeks).

 

[The Predictor]

This may surprise you, but I didnt watch the trial. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd guess made some very strong runs and a couple of hard hits front on? Does the flashy showy things well....for a while.

People who hang on every word I post will remember that I said that Tigers fans were VERY excited about Kelma after his first 3 NRL games for us. I and most fans were devastated when he signed for Manly because he looked a strong runner who could hit hard. After a couple more games Tigers fans were happy to pack his bags to Manly. Manly were happy to ship him to Parra in less than 12 months.

Tigers and Manly fans have all had the happy fuzzy feelings you guys are having right now, and Im glad for you, enjoy them and live in the moment. Bookmark this post. Halfway through the season you will be commenting on his lazy defence and lack of commitment. I was right about Joffa, im right about Kelma.

Enjoy the sunshine, it feels nice.

Maybe he had learned from being cut

 

[Delboy]

The coaching staff got a good look again at the mid tier back ups, the backline back ups are barely Cup standard , Dunster is too easily run around due to that savage hip drop injury, Cini is worse than Lumelume, and they are the principal back ups.
Forwards are OK, you get effort from all,of them and Greig showed out and Ogden was serviceable.
As has been said before , the need for that one close to elite 3/4 line player is even more urgent.
The juniors got an idea of what’s needed for the next step.
Special mention to Sean Russell, he’s matured and looks set for a good year.

 

[Tiger5150]

Maybe he had learned from being cut

Time will tell obviously

 

[Gronk]

Yeah I see him as centre and think he can take Bailey’s spot. But also understand if they looking at Gutho and thinking we’ve got a couple of seasons to develop his replacement. He wasn’t shirking runs and didn’t get dominated in tackles

TBH elite players (backs) don’t play centre. If he is good as the hype, then he will play in the spine. If it turns out that he doesn’t have the complete game, then he will find himself in the centre.

That conundrum is with both Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton right now. Are either really good enough to play and earn elite spine coin ? Both born in 2000, both signed until 2027 on zillions.

 

[Gronk]

As has been said before , the need for that one close to elite 3/4 line player is even more urgent.

Even more crucial now that we lost two decent prospects with ACLs. I am sure they know that but.

 

[Delboy]

Even more crucial now that we lost two decent prospects with ACLs. I am sure they know that but.

It is that obvious, but not sure the recruitment team were willing to pay the sort of cash needed to recruit that player. There are good reasons to have a very cautious approach given the cap etc, but it’s been a failing for 4/5 years and we dont seem to have that position covered in juniors coming through.

 

[84 Baby]

This may surprise you, but I didnt watch the trial. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd guess made some very strong runs and a couple of hard hits front on? Does the flashy showy things well....for a while.

People who hang on every word I post will remember that I said that Tigers fans were VERY excited about Kelma after his first 3 NRL games for us. I and most fans were devastated when he signed for Manly because he looked a strong runner who could hit hard. After a couple more games Tigers fans were happy to pack his bags to Manly. Manly were happy to ship him to Parra in less than 12 months.

Tigers and Manly fans have all had the happy fuzzy feelings you guys are having right now, and Im glad for you, enjoy them and live in the moment. Bookmark this post. Halfway through the season you will be commenting on his lazy defence and lack of commitment. I was right about Joffa, im right about Kelma.

Enjoy the sunshine, it feels nice.

I saw laziness/lack of detail in between his big runs and front on hits. But the thing is he isn’t here as a starter. Lane & Cartwright will start for us, Matterson will probably be first injury cover at backrow. Then we still have Greig & Ofahengaue to fill bench. Tuilagi is at best 17th pick for us at full strength

 

[Gronk]

It is that obvious, but not sure the recruitment team were willing to pay the sort of cash needed to recruit that player. There are good reasons to have a very cautious approach given the cap etc, but it’s been a failing for 4/5 years and we dont seem to have that position covered in juniors coming through.

Well to be fair the ACLs would have taken them off guard. Young Penisini was obviously on a pathway to NRL 24/25/26 and AMS could develop that way too. Last year in Flegg we had Dick P, Blaize in the centres with also with Sammy L.

It will be interesting to see who they have recruited for Flegg. From the TCT blog, @MarkInTheStands said the Eels won the Flegg trial vs Dogs 8 tries to 2.

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