Round 1 2021 semi realistic sides

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

St George Illawarra Dragons: 2021 round 1 predicted team
Author
Chris Kennedy & Jamie Soward
Timestamp
Wed 30 Dec 2020, 07:00 AM
In a series analysing who will line up in each position for all 16 teams in the opening round of the Telstra Premiership in 2021, NRL.com looks at the St George Illawarra Dragons.

NRL.com says: There are four wingers vying for two spots, with Max Feagai and Jordan Pereira also in the frame.

Jack Bird could play a number of spots but is likely to start off at either centre or via the bench, which could hand Brayden Wiliame a chance.

Whether new coach Anthony Griffin sticks with Ben Hunt at hooker or returns he and skipper Cam McInnes to their preferred roles will become clear through the pre-season.

Jamie Soward says: The talking point will be where Ben Hunt plays. Anthony Griffin has made no secret about where he wants Ben to play and it's with Corey.

Both those guys are so talented and they have a system in place now and Cameron McInnes comes back at hooker.

Vaughan will probably start with someone like Faamausili with Josh Kerr off the bench so they have a bit more foot speed to start. I love the back row of Sims and Ford, who could be a breakout player this year.

I don't think Lawrie will start at 13; I wouldn't be surprised if Jack Bird found himself in the back row because of his versatility of being able to play centre, fullback, five-eighth ... he may start off the bench but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him spend some time in the back row with Max Feagai or Wiliame at centre.

Both Feagai brothers will be pushing for spots. Pereira will start on one wing and may partner Ramsey. Merrin and Lawrie are probably competing for one spot because they're similar body types.

Poasa has come from a Roosters system and will be expected to bring some of those values. One thing about the Dragons is they have depth in the outside backs because the Feagai bothers have come up to top squad. Clune and Sullivan will be pushing Hunt and Norman the whole way.

If that is the side we pick round 1 by jeebus we are going to have a good CC side. With both Feagai bros, Wiliame, Sloan, Sullivan, Amone, Pereira, Clune, Blacker, Brittain, Alvaro and co to name a few with Schiller, Coric and co possibilities all fighting for spots. That is creating some great competition even for our CC side.

 

[Maddragon99]

They must have written that before we signed Alvaro, otherwise they think we signed a 115kg Prop to play reserve grade. Alvaro and Vaughan to start with Lawrie at 13.
A good coach could make that truly great back line 1 - 7.

Vaughan is an obvious starter round one & I think trial form will dictate the other starter. Faamausili/Kerr/Lawrie/Alvaro

Vaughan
McInnes
Kerr
Sims
Ford
Merrin
Norman
Hunt
Ramsey
Max
Lomax
Ravalawa
Dufty

Bird
Faamausili
Alvaro
Lawrie

I know I’m one of the few on here that still has faith in Merrin but I really do think he’s got one last good season in the Red V before retirement. Bird initially off the bench until he’s fully fit then he’ll be the starter at Lock.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

For me round 1 the certainties are;
Dufty
Lomax
Norman
Hunt
McInnes
Vaughan
Sims
Pretty much every other position is up for grabs with the next tier the probables;
Kerr
Alvaro
Ford
Ramsey
Lawrie
Faumausili
After that it is really up for debate imo.

 

[SBD82]

1. Ramsey
2. JP (LW)
3. Feagai (LC)
4. Lomax (RC)
5. Rava (RW)
6. Sullivan (RH)
7. Clune (LH)
8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Alvaro
11. Bird (RF)
12. Sims (LF)
13. Lawrie
14. Hunt
15. Faamausili
16. Kerr
17. Ford

 

[redv13]

1. Ramsey
2. JP (LW)
3. Feagai (LC)
4. Lomax (RC)
5. Rava (RW)
6. Sullivan (RH)
7. Clune (LH)
8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Alvaro
11. Bird (RF)
12. Sims (LF)
13. Lawrie
14. Hunt
15. Faamausili
16. Kerr
17. Ford

16 FG games between our 6 and 7. Surely that’s some kind of record for a starting 6/7 combo

 

[SBD82]

16 FG games between our 6 and 7. Surely that’s some kind of record for a starting 6/7 combo

I’ll take ability with no experience over experience with no ability every day of the week.

 

[redv13]

I’ll take ability with no experience over experience with no ability every day of the week.

Can’t be any worse really, they may even surprise some teams. Much better that Hunt/Norman and at least they will have a crack unlike the latter

 

[SBD82]

Can’t be any worse really, they may even surprise some teams. Much better that Hunt/Norman and at least they will have a crack unlike the latter

Lack of experience notwithstanding, I think their styles would complement one another nicely. Clune can game manage, with Sullivan playing eyes up.

The players that I’ve picked around them would complement their styles too. Sims, Feagai and JP are all pretty straight forward structured players, which would allow Clune to select his passes in good shape.

Bird, Lomax and Rava are all less structured, and given time could form a lethal ad hoc right edge combo.

My only real concern would be the right edge defense. That would depend on Bird’s transition to defending further in.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

1. Ramsey
2. JP (LW)
3. Feagai (LC)
4. Lomax (RC)
5. Rava (RW)
6. Sullivan (RH)
7. Clune (LH)
8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Alvaro
11. Bird (RF)
12. Sims (LF)
13. Lawrie
14. Hunt
15. Faamausili
16. Kerr
17. Ford

I hope Hook is that adventurous but I doubt it. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that the side would be close to that although for me Hunt starts or he plays reserves. People quote the coin he is on but at the end of the day he is here for at least 2 more seasons so he is either our halfback or he is gaining his confidence as our halfback in reserves. McInnes is our 9 and I hope we try hard to keep him, if not I would be going in hard for Brandon Smith.

 

[SBD82]

I hope Hook is that adventurous but I doubt it. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that the side would be close to that although for me Hunt starts or he plays reserves. People quote the coin he is on but at the end of the day he is here for at least 2 more seasons so he is either our halfback or he is gaining his confidence as our halfback in reserves. McInnes is our 9 and I hope we try hard to keep him, if not I would be going in hard for Brandon Smith.

I take your point, but the money isn’t really a part of my thinking.

I think that Hunt is an elite 14. So I’d play him there.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I take your point, but the money isn’t really a part of my thinking.

I think that Hunt is an elite 14. So I’d play him there.

Fair enough, who would he replace? my fear would be being a bit light on the bench but I also agree that if was winning games for us at 14 I have no issue with the money side of things. I honestly just hope Hook can get something out of him, my aim for this season is to go into it completely open minded and reserve my judgement until say round 8-10. Even Norman I will give the benefit of the doubt. With a new pack, new coach and new gameplan it will be very interesting to see what transpires.

 

[SBD82]

Fair enough, who would he replace? my fear would be being a bit light on the bench but I also agree that if was winning games for us at 14 I have no issue with the money side of things. I honestly just hope Hook can get something out of him, my aim for this season is to go into it completely open minded and reserve my judgement until say round 8-10. Even Norman I will give the benefit of the doubt. With a new pack, new coach and new gameplan it will be very interesting to see what transpires.

I’d give Mcinnes a genuine spell. And also play hunt in the triangle for another 20, depending on the game situation.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I’d give Mcinnes a genuine spell. And also play hunt in the triangle for another 20, depending on the game situation.

I actually think he does need a spell from time to time but hopefully if that does happen it doesn’t hurt our chances of keeping him. On another subject, I hope if we start the season better than expected we can rotate players a bit with having the odd game where BB gets a game at hooker etc to try and a) get them peaking and fresh at finals time b) get some game time into players in the event of injury and b)settle on the best 17.

 

[redandwhite4evr]

1. Ramsey
2. JP (LW)
3. Feagai (LC)
4. Lomax (RC)
5. Rava (RW)
6. Sullivan (RH)
7. Clune (LH)
8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Alvaro
11. Bird (RF)
12. Sims (LF)
13. Lawrie
14. Hunt
15. Faamausili
16. Kerr
17. Ford

Like it-starting back row the only area of conjecture but only time will tell there.

 

[SBD82]

Like it-starting back row the only area of conjecture but only time will tell there.

Agreed. The back row isn’t ideal. We are particularly weak at 13, for reasons that have been thoroughly covered elsewhere.

I think that a genuine 13 completes the side, and I’d leave Lawrie out completely if we had one available. Would also shift Alvaro to the bench and bring in Kerr to start to solidify the middle across the game.

 

[SBD82]

I actually think he does need a spell from time to time but hopefully if that does happen it doesn’t hurt our chances of keeping him. On another subject, I hope if we start the season better than expected we can rotate players a bit with having the odd game where BB gets a game at hooker etc to try and a) get them peaking and fresh at finals time b) get some game time into players in the event of injury and b)settle on the best 17.

Hopefully it wouldn’t influence Mcinnes’ decision making with regard to his contract. With the 6 again rule speeding up the game I think 80 minute hookers will once again become a thing of the past.

A Mcinnes/Hunt combo would be as good as any in the comp. It also covers an injury at 6 or 7, and Ford can cover the backline with some shifting for the back 3.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Hopefully it wouldn’t influence Mcinnes’ decision making with regard to his contract. With the 6 again rule speeding up the game I think 80 minute hookers will once again become a thing of the past.

A Mcinnes/Hunt combo would be as good as any in the comp. It also covers an injury at 6 or 7, and Ford can cover the backline with some shifting for the back 3.

True, but personally I think for now Bird at 14 is a given. He can cover a huge number of positions himself. I would like to see Dufty sniffing around the ruck a bit more even coming in to dummy half every now and again to take a dart or even throw a pass, same with Hunt, he could slip in and make a kick. Just little things to mix it up and keep McInnes fresh. On a side note Dufty looks to have put on some serious beef. Don’t get me wrong I would love it if Ramsey was named 1 but I just doubt it. I’m sure Hunt and Dufty will start. Sullivan will benefit from some CC and Ramsey will benefit from time on the wing and will be a weapon. It will be nice having two players in Dufty and Ramsey with genuine speed.

 

[SBD82]

True, but personally I think for now Bird at 14 is a given. He can cover a huge number of positions himself. I would like to see Dufty sniffing around the ruck a bit more even coming in to dummy half every now and again to take a dart or even throw a pass, same with Hunt, he could slip in and make a kick. Just little things to mix it up and keep McInnes fresh. On a side note Dufty looks to have put on some serious beef. Don’t get me wrong I would love it if Ramsey was named 1 but I just doubt it. I’m sure Hunt and Dufty will start. Sullivan will benefit from some CC and Ramsey will benefit from time on the wing and will be a weapon. It will be nice having two players in Dufty and Ramsey with genuine speed.

Even with Bird on the bench I still think a genuine dummy half at 14 would be necessary. Bird could swap with Ford in the team that I listed and not upset the balance.

Dufty is unlikely to miss out, I agree. But for mine he has proven too many times that he isn’t a long term solution at 1. Great highlight reel, but I think those highlights are overemphasized in a team that has been sorely lacking spark for too long. His positioning continues to be poor, especially for someone with his speed. And his kick returns are appalling.

Ramsey is far from the finished product, but his upside looks huge. He isn’t a genuine winger, (That’s not a slight, he’s done a great job there) He’s a through and through fullback. Let’s play him.

 

[Maddragon99]

1. Ramsey
2. JP (LW)
3. Feagai (LC)
4. Lomax (RC)
5. Rava (RW)
6. Sullivan (RH)
7. Clune (LH)
8. Vaughan
9. McInnes
10. Alvaro
11. Bird (RF)
12. Sims (LF)
13. Lawrie
14. Hunt
15. Faamausili
16. Kerr
17. Ford

I’d like to see a Sullivan/Hunt combo, Norman is the weak link in the team. Norman being so useless made Hunt a worse player in 19 & 20.

Hunt has never been a dominant Half he prefers to sit back & game manage. Sullivan is a more dominant player & could potentially compliment Hunt. This also resolves the McInnes issue he can stay at Hooker.

 

[SBD82]

Hunt has never been a dominant Half he prefers to sit back & game manage.

I’m not sure what you mean by this. When I talk about dominant halves I mean someone who game manages. Usually the halfback. Sometimes on the ball but always the General. Eg Cronk, Hornby. Are we using the term in different ways?