Round 1 vs Titans (3, 2, 1's)

[Tiger05]

I'd like to see the following team:-

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona - left side
4. Lawrence
5. Richards
6. Moses
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Lodge
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Buchanan
16. Santi
17. Halatau

Richards to make way for Nofo when he returns assuming Naqaima is playing as he has been. One of Brooks and Moses to be replaced by Drinkwater if they don't perform. Hopefully one of the young backrowers comes on and can put pressure on one of Santi or Halatau.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Lodge in number 12? I don't think he is quick enough to play in that position. Tupau could probably play their if he really wanted to but I doubt they would last longer than 30 minutes. I also reckon they wouldn't have the lateral movement to cover most tackles.

I'd have exact same team as you but changes to:

12. Halatau
15. Lodge
17. Sue

 

[gronkathon]

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona
4. Lawrence
5. Richards
6. Moses
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Sue
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Lodge
16. Santi
17. Halatau

Is what I would expect to see

 

[Tiger05]

I'm not sure if Lodge could cut it as a wider running backrower but if he could that starting pack would be awesome wouldn't it.

Lodge does look mobile so it might work. I'd give it a shot as that right backrow position is somewhere that I think we need to improve.

 

[Tiger05]

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona
4. Lawrence
5. Richards
6. Moses
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Sue
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Lodge
16. Santi
17. Halatau

Is what I would expect to see

I think that this will be the team as well.

 

[gronkathon]

I am not sold on Santi however and I would prefer Buchanan or better still Liolevave in his place.

He has work rate no doubt but so limited as a ball runner

 

[Tiger05]

I am not sold on Santi however and I would prefer Buchanan or better still Liolevave in his place.

He has work rate no doubt but so limited as a ball runner

I think we need a backrower to really come good this year and I'm assuming that Sironen is a sure thing. I'm not sold on Santi or Sue. Buchanan looks like a good option at prop.

I think though that Moses and Brooks are our biggest risks. We have a tonne riding on them.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Yes, I too think back-row will be our problem for a while. We need the younguns to step up since we havent purchased any backrow talent in the player market for this year. It may take half the season for a definitive group of 3 backrowers to emerge and another 2 to be first option picks on the bench.

 

[The Charlatan]

Drinkwater performing in NSW cup will see we get the best out of Brooks and Moses. Drinkwater starts the year well and one of those two flounder, JT may pull the rug.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Sironen and Sue MUST step up to a consistent first grade standard.
Taupau must play lock.

Lovett and Liolavave must come on and transistion quickly to firsts.

Santi is crap. Halatau has nothing. Both one dimensional players.

Prop rotation is great.
Prefer Fine in the team.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Where is all this Santi hate coming from? He is gun, has workhorse written all over him.

 

[tiger102]

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona
4. Lawrence
5. Hoeter
6. Drinkwater
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Sue
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Lodge
16. Buchanan
17. Liolevave

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Where is all this Santi hate coming from? He is gun, has workhorse written all over him.

Has unremarkable journeyman written all over him with no ceiling.
Good footballer but not first grade standard.
A trier and sound defender unproven in firsts and never stood out coming through the grades IMO despite some rep honours. Liolavave and Lovett have higher ceiling and better all round games.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona
4. Lawrence
5. Hoeter
6. Drinkwater
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Sue
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Lodge
16. Buchanan
17. Liolevave

Naquima, Hoeter and Drinkwater. No, no and no.
Richards, Fine and Moses if fit.

Any word on Chance Peni or Nathan Brown from training?

 

[mepelthwack]

Admittedly I have only seen Santi at the Auckland nines but he looks like he'll be awesome to me.

I don't get the sudden love for Buchanan tbh though Id be so happy for him to prove me wrong.

 

[Tigers Tale]

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona
4. Lawrence
5. Richards
6. Moses
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Sue
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Lodge
16. Santi
17. Halatau

Is what I would expect to see

I am with Gronk....

 

[TYGA]

1. Tedesco
2. Naqaima
3. Simona
4. Lawrence
5. Richards
6. Moses
7. Brooks
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Galloway
11. Sironen
12. Sue
13. Taupau

14. Seumanufagai
15. Lodge
16. Akouala
17. Liolevave

Sitaleki and Liolevave provide more punch off the bench for me and have more upside.
When Nofo is fit he would replace Richards for me.

 

[gronkathon]

Where is all this Santi hate coming from? He is gun, has workhorse written all over him.

I wouldn't call it hate.

I just think the days of the workhorse with little running impact ala Dallas Johnson are a thing of the past. I think the modern NRL has moved on. That and Santi at this stage can't punch out 40 minutes straight in NSW Cup. His only chance would be an 80 minute anchor and he is not there by a long shot.

Happy to be proven wrong though

 

[macnaz]

I wouldn't call it hate.

I just think the days of the workhorse with little running impact ala Dallas Johnson are a thing of the past. I think the modern NRL has moved on. That and Santi at this stage can't punch out 40 minutes straight in NSW Cup. His only chance would be an 80 minute anchor and he is not there by a long shot.

Happy to be proven wrong though

Remind me what Fulton offered ?

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Remind me what Fulton offered ?

70 to 80mins at least. But not great quality in his work, though many will disagree.