Round 1 V West Tigers

[kit66]

Tyrell or Jackson fighting for the last spot in my opinion and Tyrell trialled the better of the two and gives that flexibility. Wouldnt surprise me to see him picked over Ford but the rest looks pretty likely to me.

perhaps swap Brittain/Luke as club have stated that Brittain is the long minute player and Luke the impact reserve.

Ford is ahead of Fuimaono I think. Fuimaono looks impressive and I wouldn't say no to having him on the bench for short stints but Ford is a great young footballer and should be given every opportunity in the 17. In the Newcastle trial Ford made more metres than Vaughan, Frizell, Sims or Host. In the bunnies game he and Fuimaono played around 40 minutes each, Ford made 27 tackles, no misses, Fui made 18, missed 2 and 3 ineffective. Their hit ups were similar with Ford making marginally more metres per hit up.
I have no doubt Ford is destined for an impressive career. People whine constantly about Mary not having faith and bringing our best juniors through, well here's one and he deserves a shot.

 

[Old Timer]

A few weeks time with Cam back Billy out Tyrell in. Kerr a few games back and should be pushing Host Jacko or Blocka for a spot.

I’m not sold on Ford’s defence being good enough at NRL level but do like him as s running ball carrier.
Are they doing anything specific re his defence and are they trying to put some more size in his body and do you think that would hurt his mobility in attack?

 

[Dragsters]

Tyrell or Jackson fighting for the last spot in my opinion and Tyrell trialled the better of the two and gives that flexibility. Wouldnt surprise me to see him picked over Ford but the rest looks pretty likely to me.

perhaps swap Brittain/Luke as club have stated that Brittain is the long minute player and Luke the impact reserve.

Agreed re Luke and Billy.
I reckon just let Luke get into the role that he was brought here for, off the bench and for mine Billy looked sharp and earnt the starting spot in Cams absence...

 

[Dragsters]

His form warrants it too tbh. Many people have been critical of Rava but he’s grabbed his chances in the trials with some good defence on Sivo in particular and looks a bit faster maybe he’s a bit fitter I’m not sure.

Yep Rava looks hungry and Saab looked a bit tentative in the trials I thought.

Let him build some confidence in reserve grade...

 

[kit66]

I’m not sold on Ford’s defence being good enough at NRL level but do like him as s running ball carrier.
Are they doing anything specific re his defence and are they trying to put some more size in his body and do you think that would hurt his mobility in attack?

Ford's not only a terrific defender but his high work rate puts others to shame. He'll go alright in first grade, he's 95kg's but as any hooker will tell you size doesn't matter, he's heavier than McIness and a lot of other hookers.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Ford's not only a terrific defender but his high work rate puts others to shame. He'll go alright in first grade, he's 95kg's but as any hooker will tell you size doesn't matter, he's heavier than McIness and a lot of other hookers.

Ford will be one of our best players in history imo. He will be our John Bateman or a new Beau Scott. The faster the game gets the more impact he will have.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Even though this game is the first one for us in the competition, l think with playing the Tigers, it will pretty much establish whether we are a mid table team or ..... fodder.

l truly think we have a slight edge as far as player quality but the Tigers have a better coach, fact.

If we give up 20 - 30 points and still win, it wouldn’t surprise me, however, l would be extremely annoyed because it would mean our backs simply cannot defend.

Norman and his partner in crime will need to lead from the front. Norman has no where to hide this season.

 

[muzby]

Dickwad

I’m comfortable with you saying this as clearly that means it’s not true.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Even though this game is the first one for us in the competition, l think with playing the Tigers, it will pretty much establish whether we are a mid table team or ..... fodder.

l truly think we have a slight edge as far as player quality but the Tigers have a better coach, fact.

If we give up 20 - 30 points and still win, it wouldn’t surprise me, however, l would be extremely annoyed because it would mean our backs simply cannot defend.

Norman and his partner in crime will need to lead from the front. Norman has no where to hide this season.

I reckon it will be a gritty low scoring game. To me its a must win, because the Panthers look like dark horses to me and we will struggle against them.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

A few weeks time with Cam back Billy out Tyrell in. Kerr a few games back and should be pushing Host Jacko or Blocka for a spot.

Thats exactly how I reckon it will go. Luke and BB out Fuimaono and/or Kerr in I wish at the expense of Graham but I doubt it.

 

[Dragonsamy]

I reckon it will be a gritty low scoring game. To me its a must win, because the Panthers look like dark horses to me and we will struggle against them.

Also 4 day turn around will be hard but at least we are at home for both games.

 

[giboz71]

High energy back rowers seem to be all the rage at the moment.

Murray, Radley, Bateman. Ford could be that guy for us.

I’d even have him start at lock and see how he goes.

 

[kit66]

Even though this game is the first one for us in the competition, l think with playing the Tigers, it will pretty much establish whether we are a mid table team or ..... fodder.

l truly think we have a slight edge as far as player quality but the Tigers have a better coach, fact.

If we give up 20 - 30 points and still win, it wouldn’t surprise me, however, l would be extremely annoyed because it would mean our backs simply cannot defend.

Norman and his partner in crime will need to lead from the front. Norman has no where to hide this season.

I'm hoping our recent good early season form can get us a few wins in what will be a tough start to the year. 7 tough rounds to get through. I'll be happy if we manage to not get another flogging from Wests, that was embarrassing. If we can defend like we did in the 1st half of the CS for 80 minutes I'd be happy.
In the trials I was ecstatic to see a real effort to get early ball out wide, keep that up and we'll do well. You're right, time for Norman and Hunt to get their act together or Clune will take someone's jersey.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Also 4 day turn around will be hard but at least we are at home for both games.

Yeah plus Friz will be up against Leilua first up, lets see how much his defence has improved under Madge..

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Tips: Euan Aitken is set to miss the cut for Round 1 as the Red V shake-up their centres to try and kick-start the new season. New signing Brayden Williame will be selected on the Dragons’ left edge alongside Jordan Pereira with Tim Lafai to be moved to the Red V right side along with Mikaele Ravalawa.

Fox sports

It’s not the only shake-up on at St George Illawarra with both backrowers Tyson Frizell and Tariq Sims switching sides as the Red V looks to ignite the club’s attack. Frizell was due to give the club an answer on his contract negotiations by this weekend but both parties have relaxed the deadline. Aitken will start the season in NSW Cup with St George Illawarra.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

I'm happy with that team George

Fascinating to see how prop and stop Lafai will do on the right

Maybe tHey said run straight run hard

I like Ford at this stage but it is splitting hairs

Host I really liked in the trials

Our bench props are small hmmmmm

Aitken now knows suli wants his spot also

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

His form warrants it too tbh. Many people have been critical of Rava but he’s grabbed his chances in the trials with some good defence on Sivo in particular and looks a bit faster maybe he’s a bit fitter I’m not sure.

If you cannot see that Ravalawa is a clumsy plodder with zero game awareness, you and I have been watching different games since last year.

 

[redv13]

When a ball is bombed towards Ravalawa or behind the line I’m sure I stop breathing everytime. I’m pretty sure late last year there was a game where he tried to “volleyball spike” a bouncing ball across the field from about 15 meters in front of our tryline. Love his dodo smile but fair dinkum the guy is an 80 minute heart attack every week

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

If you cannot see that Ravalawa is a clumsy plodder with zero game awareness, you and I have been watching different games since last year.

Over the last year he has been a plodder, and im not heralding his form I'm more roasting Saab for his lack of form. I think Rava is about 22 odd, but in the trials he did pull off some great try savers. and that run down the sideline setup by Lomax vs the Knights did show he seems a touch faster. Personally id go with Saab as I think this year is more about building for next year but if you were in Mary's shoes and needed to field your best 17, I think it would be hard to pick Saab over Rava based on trial form alone. Ravalawas hands worry me, a lot. Saabs defence and meter eating ability worry me a bit too so I guess neither one is screaming from the rooftop.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

When a ball is bombed towards Ravalawa or behind the line I’m sure I stop breathing everytime. I’m pretty sure late last year there was a game where he tried to “volleyball spike” a bouncing ball across the field from about 15 meters in front of our tryline. Love his dodo smile but fair dinkum the guy is an 80 minute heart attack every week

As do I, we are very light on for good outside backs. Thats why I don't hate buying Jennings.