Rate teams on depth

[Freak]

Id like to see a few people attempt to rate the teams on depth of squad.

As an Eel I think for the first time since 01 we are covered quite well. Although I will admit although we have potential halves they are not proven. The Roosters are the obvious strong depth club with 3 teams making it to the GF in 04 and have bought well to fill holes as well, whilst Penrith have ample forwards putting their hands up but not as many backs to choose from in 05.

Teams that I believe are lacking in depth in 05 are;
Newcastle, as seen last year and will be worse this year
Canberra, although they tend to always do well in Prems
Brisbane, on paper their 20-30 looks mediocre but Bennett always gets plenty from them around SOO time.
Manly, if there new recruits go missing SPOON me up peoples!!

 

[Briza]

Considering Manly's Premier League and Ball sides both made the Major Semi, They are quite covered for Depth!

 

[ByRd]

The Bulldogs although losing players in 2004 have continued to have that great depth in the club which has been around for years now. The starting backs will be: Patten, El Masri, Lolesi, Tonga, Utai. Then we still have Harris, Cutler, Phlephs & others. Our halves are also strong with Sherwin & Anasta, then we also have Oliver, Hughes, Maitua, Phlephs, Karawana(juniour kiwi 5/8). Even though we lost alot of forwards last year we have recruited well & our starting pack is the best in the comp. O' Meley, Perry, Asotasi, Mason, Ryan, Grimaldi then a bench of Hughes, Maitua, Sonny Bill, Armit with reserves such as Czlikowski, Thurling, Myles, N Armit, C Tonga, Mitchell. I think that the dogs are up there with the best depth in the comp along with the roosters & dragons. The cowboys also have great depth in 2005.


Teams that have a lack of depth are the Raiders, Knights (if injury strikes they are goooooooone), the Rabbitohs & Tigers will also struggle if injury strikes.

 

[Broncodroid]

If we are lacking in depth, I dare not think about where you have a team like the Sydney Roosters.

A sample of a possible squad of 30 from Brisbane"

1. Karmichael Hunt
2. Tame Tupou
3. Shaun Berrigan
4. Justin Hodges
5. Brent Tate

6. Darren Lockyer (c)
7. Brett Seymour

8. Shane Webcke
9. Michael Ryan
10. Petero Civoneceva
11. Brad Thorn
12. Dane Carlaw
13. Tony Carroll

14. Casey McGuire
15. Neville Costigan
16. Tom Learoyd
17. David Stagg

18. Sam Thaiday
19. Corey Parker
20. Barry Berrigan
21. Berrick Barnes
22. Stu Kelly
23. Darren Mapp
24. Nick Parfitt
25. Scott Minto

26. Joe Clarke
27. Tony Duggan
28. Steve Irwin
29. Neale Wyatt
30. Ian Tate

In addition we have alot of talent running around in the Clydesdales as well that could make the 30 replacing some of the above.

Depth wise, especially in the forwards, we are quite strong IMO.

 

[Edwahu]

Canberra has alot of depth in terms of middle of the road 1st graders but is lacking at the top end. We have a glut of average players.

 

[ByRd]

The Broncos are strong but the worrying thing about Brisbane is that they have a GRANDPA'S pack, Webcke, Civo, Carroll, Thorn are all getting to the end of their careers.

 

[Broncodroid]

True dog4life, though we are looking at their depth for 2005 which we have covered. The great thing for Brisbane is we are going to have a host of talent looking to replace the "GRANDPA's PACK". A possible future forward pack:

8 - Tom Learoyd Lahrs
9 - Mick Ryan
10 - Sam Thaiday
11 - Neville Costigan
12 - Dane Carlaw
13 - David Stagg

All getting invaluable playing time and making names for themselves.

All is well from where I sit The backline is young as well, keeping in mind we have a kid named Berrick Barnes waiting in the wings.

 

[Darth Bobo]

Gotta agree with Broncodroid here, if there is 1 thing the Broncos have always had is depth.

Maybe comparing the guys they have to the international and Origin players they would be replacing is why you think they lack depth but they have always had a glut of 1st grade talent at thier club.

 

[Raider_69]

Geez ive noticed that alot dont seem to rate our depth
03 PL premiers top 4 in 04

Our PL team has also been strengthened this year with several top line youngsters being brought in like Ale, Goodwin and Alley-Tovio, our depth is third only to the roosters and dragons IMO for depth

 

[eloquentEEL]

there's nothing wrong with the Broncos depth... they can call on pretty much any "retired" QLDer from the last 10 yrs

 

[Raider_69]

Sample top 30 for canberra

1. Schifcofske
2. Chalk
3. Mogg
4. Frawley
5. Graham

6. J. Smith
7. Carney

8. O'Hara
9. Woolford
10. Weyman
11. Hodgeson
12. Adamson
13. Croker

14. Hindmarsh
15. Cross
16. Miller
17. Withers

18. Campese - very good prospect
19. Ale - very good prospect
20. Rothery - average prospect
21. Kahler - average prospect
22. Martin - average player
23. Thompson - SHIT HOUSE
24. Robertson - good player
25. Gafa - top player
26. T.Smith - SHIT HOUSE
27. N.Smith - good prospect
28. Tongue - average player
29. Alley-Tovio - very good prospect
30. Beau Mundine - good prospect

 

[Timbo]

OK I'll run through the Raiders 1s and then give my view on their backups:

Fullback-Clinton Schifcofske :arrow: Marshall Chalk will start the season on the wing. Chalk has been the PL fullback for a few years and is brilliant in attack without having Chocs awesome defencive ability. However when Choc is unavailable I think Chalky is more than up to it. Bronx Goodwin the Sharks 04 Flegg FB was also signed however he is more a long term option.

Wing-Marshall Chalk and Phil Graham :arrow: Michael Robertson has been a regular in and out of first grade for a few seasons, but Phil and Chalky should start the season. Robbo is more than capable of stepping up. Matt Gafa was also in and out of 1s last year aswell and is up to the task. Nathan Smith despite a slightly shaky start to his off-field career showed promise last year and is capable of stepping up.

Centres-Adam Mogg and Craig Frawley :arrow: Jermaine Ale was a try scoring freak for the Roosters in flegg last year. He was signed as more of a long term player but can undoubtably step up. With the losses of Bulgarelli (not a real loss anyway IMO) and Monaghan, utility back David Howell signed from the Dragons may need to shuffle into the 3/4 also this season.

Halves-Todd Carney and Jason Smith :arrow: William Zillman and Terry Campese. The halves are a bit of a worry for us next year (because as we know we've not had any halves problems recently ) because should Carney or Smith be unable to play, the PL players are probably too young and inexperienced at this stage to step up. Zillman perhaps towards the end of the season but I'd say season 2006 is a more realistic goal for him. In reality, the only backup half we have is Lincoln Withers, and he is another Brad Drew (albeit a significantly more talented one) in that we'd be forcing a hooker into the #7 jersey. Campo played a bit last year but he's more a lock for mine, however a good season could see him in the long term #6.

Front Row-Ryan O'Hara and Michael Weyman :arrow: Ben Cross is actually a realistic chance to start ahead of Michael Weyman, although I'd disagree with that move. Cross has been in and around first grade for a few years now, and if he learns to harness his agression, as opposed to attempting to decapitate oposition players, he could be a superstar. Troy Thompson is now, and always will be, a good reserve grader. However in short stints, usually off the bench, he can be effective. Josh Miller was very good in his debut season last year and could leapfrog the others and be in a starting position by the end of the season.

Hooker-Simon Woolford :arrow: Well in Lincoln Withers we have probably a player who is as good if not better than our starter. My money is on Germ to leave at the end of 05 and Linc to be our long term starting #9. Also Luke Jay is an excellent long term prospect.

Second Row-Matt Adamson and Ian Hindmarsh :arrow: Michael Hodgson was close to being our player of the year last year. He is an excellent player who may gain the start ahead of Adamson. Alan Rothery and Kris Kahler are both young and showed buckets of promise in their runs at the top last year, they'll let noone down. Michael Howell from the Dragons will also be in the mix for a spot. Tez Martin could also be challenging for a second row or lock position.

Lock-Jason Croker :arrow: Alan Tongue has been around 1s for a long time now and can slot in wherever necessary however for mine he's mainly a lock. Tyran Smith is also still around and may factor heavially in the Raiders fortunes this season.

Having listed my starters above, I'd say the interchange bench would be Withers, Cross, Hodgson and one of Rothery and Kahler.

I think our depth is pretty good, I have concerns about the halves and centres, but other than that I think with a bit of luck I think season 05 will be a good one.

 

[colonel_123]

Tiger's Depth:

Fullback: Brett Hodgson, Simon Greally, Daniel Fitzhenry, Robert Miles

Wing: Matthew Reick, Pat Richards, Robert Miles, Aaron Mercer, Daniel Fitzhenry

Centre: Paul Whatuira, Dean Collis, Shane Elford, John Wilson, Daniel Fitzhenry, Dene Halatau

5/8: Benji Marshall, Scott Prince, Ben Reynolds, Nick Kouparitsas, Daniel Fitzhenry, John Wilson, Liam Fulton

Half-Back: Scott Prince, Ben Reynolds, Benji Marshall

Hooker: Robbie Farah, Ben Galea, Daniel Fitzhenry, Dene Halatau

Prop: John Skandalis, Todd Payten, Anthony Laffranchi, Bryce Gibbs, Mark Meredith, Jeff Lima, Matt Jobson, Chris Patterson

Second Row: Bronson Harrison, Dene Halatau, Mark O'Neill, Anthony Laffranchi, Ben Galea, Jeff Lima

Lock: Tim McGann, Nick Graham, John Wilson, Dene Halatau, Bronson Harrison, Liam Fulton, Shane Elford

There's also a whole host of very talented Flegg and Premier League players who may get a run towards the end of the year that I haven't listed. Players like David Pangai, Richard Parker, Rangi Chase, Jarrod Saffy, Sam Moa etc etc.

Any injuries in the 1, 6, 7 and 9 postitions and we'll be in trouble. Our attack will be centre around Hodgson, Marshall, Prince and Farah. If we keep these four players on the field for most of the year than we could surprise a few people.

 

[Broncodroid]

Damn, I didn't know Matt Jobson was picked up by the Tigers, a former teammate of mine in the junior days in Newcastle. Here's hoping he gets a chance to build on what was looking to be a promising start to his NRL career...at the moment, he is more and more likely to be a UK SL "star".

 

[thommo4pm]

Dragons Top squad looks great. Good depth in the top 25-30 for just about every position except for the vital half back role.
Our top squad goes something along these lines:

1. Hornby
2. Youngquest(debatable)
3. Gasnier
4. Cooper
5. Simmonds
6. Barrett
7. Head

8. Bailey
9. Ennis
10. Ryles
11. Sims
12. Thommo
13. Young

14. Timmo
15. Poore
16. Creagh
17. Manu

18. Henderson - Prop
19. Gorrell - Half/Hooker
20. Greenshields - Fullback/ 5/8
21. Holdsworth - 5/8 / Lock
22. Wheatley - 2nd row
23. Norrie - 2nd row/prop
24. Naiqama Anywhere in the threequarter line or fullback
25. Best As Above
26. Torrens Centre
27. Payne Back row
28. Toupo Back row
29. Tee Maari Back row
30. Dalziel - Don 5/8 / Lock
31. Asotasi Wing/Backrow
32. Kelly Centre/Backrow

 

[Freak]

It's all very easy to defend your own's sides depth as it is a bias opinion but it is when you compare it with other teams depth is the real issue.

How many clubs can say they have 30 current players in their squad which have played more than a dozen first grade games???

 

[colonel_123]

Damn, I didn't know Matt Jobson was picked up by the Tigers, a former teammate of mine in the junior days in Newcastle. Here's hoping he gets a chance to build on what was looking to be a promising start to his NRL career...at the moment, he is more and more likely to be a UK SL "star".

I don't know a whole lot about him but here's hoping he steps up.

Skandalis' back must have been killing him from almost single handedly carrying the Tiger's forward pack last season. He could do with a few more players lending a hand with the go forward.

 

[thommo4pm]

The most contentious spots for the Dragons are the wings, the last spot on the bench and who will actually start in the back row.

Wingers we have Simmonds, Youngquest, Naiqama, Best, Torrens, Asotasi.

Backrow starting spots to be fought out between, Young, Thommo, Timmins, Creagh, Manu, Poore, Sims, Wheatley, Norrie......the last few guys mentioned can also play prop, with Poore & Sims playing most of last year in the 3 & 4 prop positions.

We have some great depth this year and overall our squad looks stronger even with the loss of 8-10 first grade players.

 

[thommo4pm]

It's all very easy to defend your own's sides depth as it is a bias opinion but it is when you compare it with other teams depth is the real issue.

How many clubs can say they have 30 current players in their squad which have played more than a dozen first grade games???

I don't think many clubs could boast that record.
If a player is good enough for first grade but is in spot number 3 or 4 in his position at his current club, he will obviously look to go to another club where he can get a start.

Also the salary cap plays it's part here.

 

[melon....]

Gotta agree with Broncodroid here, if there is 1 thing the Broncos have always had is depth.

And a whole state to choose from.