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

[Eelementary]

I thought Harper played well, and credit where it's due - I wasn't thrilled when we signed him, but he did well.

Sanders is a long way off First Grade.

Sean Russell is a very, very good player.

 

[emjaycee]

This makes a bit of sense.

If Blake's form didn't tank we don't even have this discussion.

I do think the club needs to sign up a centre for 2025 as Dick will be another year away Simmonoson should be let go and Cini less spoken about his signing the better.

Sorry about that.

 

[Gronk]

Not sure if this is an all year thing, but the trial was on Kayo (ie not free to air) last night and was posted on YouTube by the NRL at 8:30am this morning.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

of course, if his minutes are significantly reduced coming off the bench, his ability to focus and not be lazy will be increased and his bigger impact moments will outweigh his liabilities.

In that case the bigger question is that in the modern game, can any team afford to use up a bench spot with a low mileage second rower?

Every team has a bench player who plays short minutes. Nico Hynes didn't get on the field at all in the 2020 grand final. That 17th bench spot is a luxury, not a necessity.

 

[the phantom menace]

This makes a bit of sense.

If Blake's form didn't tank we don't even have this discussion.

I do think the club needs to sign up a centre for 2025 as Dick will be another year away Simmonoson should be let go and Cini less spoken about his signing the better.

*2024 ?

Given that Dunster's injury and Blake's drop in form were both toward the start of 2023. And the apparent x-factor recruitment comment was also in the mix before then too...

 

[Poupou Escobar]

we lost Jenko and Fergo what 4/5 years ago and for some reason they were never replaced with anyone close to their ability

They were replaced (on the cap) with more expensive forwards. The cheaper forwards we had at the time were replaced with the cheaper outside backs we have now. It's all connected, like in that movie Avatar.

 

[lucablight]

Every team has a bench player who plays short minutes. Nico Hynes didn't get on the field at all in the 2020 grand final. That 17th bench spot is a luxury, not a necessity.

It depends on the makeup of the team. That Storm side had Tino, Brandon Smith and Finacune on the bench. Those players would have been starters at a lot of other clubs. The Storm side also had alot of toilers who could play long minutes. Will we be blessed with the same quality and makeup in our 17? We have a lot of defensive weak links in our side with the likes of Paulo, Cartwright and Hopgood who could benefit from a rest if they play at a high intensity rather than having to pace themselves.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Come on now, that type head knock happens in NRL regularly

And if he wasn't physically ready they would have identified it during the preseason. Matt Arthur is solid. Yes he's short, but at his age he is unlikely to get any taller. There have been plenty of hookers his height play in the NRL, including Jake Friend, who debuted at the age of 18. He was an NRL regular before his 20th birthday.

 

[JokerEel]

And if he wasn't physically ready they would have identified it during the preseason. Matt Arthur is solid. Yes he's short, but at his age he is unlikely to get any taller. There have been plenty of hookers his height play in the NRL, including Jake Friend, who debuted at the age of 18. He was an NRL regular before his 20th birthday.

Friend isn't a good example retired due to too many head knocks.

 

[Pazza]

I'm not saying that Tuilagi will magically turn into a consistently good player because he is in the Blue and Gold, but one thing Brad Arthur has shown he is very good at, is getting the best out of his forwards.

Beau Scott, Bryce Cartwright, Andrew Davy, Ogden...

He's managed to get consistent performances out of them.

Time will tell whether he can do that with Tuilagi, though.

Beau Scott was an Origin player well before BA got him

 

[JokerEel]

The 23 from the Raiders copped a week for his high shit.

Man he has a face a mother could only love....

NRL Judiciary Report: Kiwi games counted in NAS ban

Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona will only miss one game at the start of the 2025 season after it was ruled that three of New Zealand's Pac Champs game would count as part of his ban.

www.nrl.com

 

[JokerEel]

Anyone know this dumb new rule about contesting for a bomb? Kelma was in place jumped for the ball and the idiots commentating said it's not a try due to this new rule?

 

[JokerEel]

Also Cotric is another player who has fallen off a cliff. Didn't do much yesterday made 50 meters or around that.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Friend isn't a good example retired due to too many head knocks.

Too many premierships you mean

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Beau Scott was an Origin player well before BA got him

HE WAS SHIT FFS!!!

 

[JokerEel]

Too many premierships you mean

Matty Arthur to win 3 premierships!

 

[JokerEel]

Lumelume is shot if he isn't on a contract we should let him go and use that spot to develop Martin ffs. On the Raiders last try he didn't even contest a bomb horrible for a player who has been around for a few seasons.

 

[the phantom menace]

Matty Arthur to win 3 premierships!

That would make him just as a good a player as Cleary!

 

[Tiger5150]

Every team has a bench player who plays short minutes. Nico Hynes didn't get on the field at all in the 2020 grand final. That 17th bench spot is a luxury, not a necessity.

Most teams carry 2-4 middles, and a hooker/utility. A secondrower on the bench is rare for a reason in the modern game unless they can play centre.

 

[Twizzle]

The 23 from the Raiders copped a week for his high shit.

Man he has a face a mother could only love....

source ?