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Rumours and Stuff

JokerEel

JokerEel

Coach
Messages
13,260
SneakyEel said:
You know what lads a lot of you complain that we never bring in young talent or have no young talent in the squad look at the blokes we've signed players that are only going to improve and all of them are cheap. I like how the clubs approached losing all these players. When we bring in Taupau also I think we're pretty much set. I was speaking to my mate that is a die-hard Newcastle fan and he is hugely disappointed in losing Momoisea, reckons it highlights how poorly Newcastle is being run. Also really like the signing of Doorey he looks like he has plenty of potential and if Barrett is recommending him he must see something in him. The team I'd be picking is a team of:
  1. Gutherson
  2. Sivo
  3. Simonsson
  4. Penisini
  5. Dunster
  6. Brown
  7. Moses
  8. Campbell-Gillard
  9. Hodgson
  10. Paulo
  11. Lane
  12. Murchie
  13. Matterson
  14. Doorey
  15. Hopgood
  16. Taupau
  17. Momoisea
May not look as strong as our 2022 side but I honestly think it has the potential to be better. The forward pack is mobile and strong and Doorey, Hopgood, Momoisea, and Murchie haven't reached their potential yet at all. Also, think the addition of Barrett as an assistant is a master stroke by the club. BA will get the best out of a lot of these young blokes and I'm kind of excited to see what happens in 2023.
Click to expand...

Good side I would like a 14 on the bench that can come on and up the tempo at dummy half.
 
Bandwagon

Bandwagon

Super Moderator
Staff member
Messages
44,705
hindy111 said:
Who knows. I for one haven't minded our signings at all. Lot of them are cheap so low risk but if they shine then you have to start giving credit to our recruitment and coaching for being able to identify the needs to a succesfull squad and talent spotting.
Sometimes I feel it's just throwing darts. Some hit and some miss.

I am concerned about what I feel is a weak area. Our backs.

Forwards lost Papali'i, Stone,Marata,Kafusi and probably Brown. Only 3 of them where in our best 17 on a regular basis.
We've added Murchie,Hopgood,Doorey,Moimisea so it's possible they improve and fill those guys lost. And add the fact 1 or 2 juniors may spring up.

Hodgson takes Mahoneys spot. And even tho our backs are all there I feel we need another powerful runner of the ball.
Plenty of time for that to happen still. Also wouldn't mind a utility.
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Agree, we need a back who bends the line or even better has merkins arm grabbing in defence coming out of our own end. We also need that guy to offer a running threat 20 or 30 out that breaks tackles.

It doesn't need to be a To'o, but it needs to be better than what we have. It needs to make up for the power running game that Gutho lacks, and the elite level fullbacks have.
 
Obscene Assassin

Obscene Assassin

First Grade
Messages
6,317
With our forwards signings for next year I think we're going to see a shift in how we play defensively. All of them are smaller than the players they're replacing, Murchie and Momoisea whilst taller aren't as heavy. Hopefully this means a fast moving defensive line.

Then in attack hope we see more movement around the ruck. We've got 3 excellent passers with Paulo, Matto, and Hopgood to make them more effective they need bodies in motion on both hips.

These changes should prevent us being stagnant, thinking we'll make the GF again without putting in the work
 
L

lucablight

First Grade
Messages
6,498
Obscene Assassin said:
With our forwards signings for next year I think we're going to see a shift in how we play defensively. All of them are smaller than the players they're replacing, Murchie and Momoisea whilst taller aren't as heavy. Hopefully this means a fast moving defensive line.

Then in attack hope we see more movement around the ruck. We've got 3 excellent passers with Paulo, Matto, and Hopgood to make them more effective they need bodies in motion on both hips.

These changes should prevent us being stagnant, thinking we'll make the GF again without putting in the work
Click to expand...
That’s a huge call. I wouldn’t be surprised if we simply weren’t good enough anymore. We’re going to have a lot of unknown quantities in the squad so to say someone like Murchie is just going just come in and be a defensive powerhouse could be wishful thinking. I hope you’re right though.
 
Obscene Assassin

Obscene Assassin

First Grade
Messages
6,317
lucablight said:
That’s a huge call. I wouldn’t be surprised if we simply weren’t good enough anymore. We’re going to have a lot of unknown quantities in the squad so to say someone like Murchie is just going just come in and be a defensive powerhouse could be wishful thinking. I hope you’re right though.
Click to expand...

Not sure where I said that. His build suggests he's going to be able to handle more effort on effort plays, whereas Papa is an explosive athlete built for maximum effectiveness but minimal plays. He doesn't need to be a "defensive powerhouse" but we know he isn't Papali'i which is going to force us to change plans.
 
the phantom menace

the phantom menace

Coach
Messages
11,694
Poupou Escobar said:
But each team only cares about where they finish, not where the other 15 teams finish. They don’t care if eight other teams miss the finals. It’s far worse if only seven other teams miss the finals.
Click to expand...
Is all you are trying to say there that you think it's far worse missing the eight this season (16 teams) than next season (17 teams)?
 
L

lucablight

First Grade
Messages
6,498
Obscene Assassin said:
Not sure where I said that. His build suggests he's going to be able to handle more effort on effort plays, whereas Papa is an explosive athlete built for maximum effectiveness but minimal plays. He doesn't need to be a "defensive powerhouse" but we know he isn't Papali'i which is going to force us to change plans.
Click to expand...
He’s 25 going on 26 and played 40 first grade games. It’s more likely he’ll turn out to be a fringe first grader than an integral part of a fast defensive line. Here’s hoping the less likely scenario occurs.
 
Eelementary

Eelementary

Post Whore
Messages
57,124
lucablight said:
He’s 25 going on 26 and played 40 first grade games. It’s more likely he’ll turn out to be a fringe first grader than an integral part of a fast defensive line. Here’s hoping the less likely scenario occurs.
Click to expand...

Lane joined us as a 25-year old, with 48 First Grade games under his belt.

Not saying that Murchie will be an integral cog in our side, but it could happen.
 
Obscene Assassin

Obscene Assassin

First Grade
Messages
6,317
Eelementary said:
Imo, Hopgood is a middle (and a damn good one), and he plays big minutes.

When Matterson is back, I'd have:

11. Lane
12. Matterson
13. Hopgood

15. Murchie
Click to expand...

I don't think Matto should go back to the edge, his output in the middle was just too good. He was elite this year whereas he was a good second-rower previously. Think him replacing Junior after 20 minutes will work really well. And finally we may only need to use 4 players to cover 3 positions. Matto playing 60, Hopgood playing 80, then have Junior and Reg covering the other 100 minutes in the middle that'll really stir up the chicken littles about bench rotation.

*EDIT* Changed 40 to 80
 
Last edited:
hindy111

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
62,867
Obscene Assassin said:
I don't think Matto should go back to the edge, his output in the middle was just too good. He was elite this year whereas he was a good second-rower previously. Think him replacing Junior after 20 minutes will work really well. And finally we may only need to use 4 players to cover 3 positions. Matto playing 60, Hopgood playing 40, then have Junior and Reg covering the other 100 minutes in the middle that'll really stir up the chicken littles about bench rotation.
Click to expand...

I agree. Matterson has done nothing at edge. His best footy has always been middle.
 
hindy111

hindy111

Post Whore
Messages
62,867
I'm not against starting Bryce at edge and giving him first crack. If he wants it enough he will fight to keep his spot. Of anyone on our books he is the most talented edge. Give him 4 or 5 games and if not up tonit then perhaps Doorey,Murchie or a young bloke will step up and take his spot.
 
A

Angry_eel

First Grade
Messages
8,644
hindy111 said:
I'm not against starting Bryce at edge and giving him first crack. If he wants it enough he will fight to keep his spot. Of anyone on our books he is the most talented edge. Give him 4 or 5 games and if not up tonit then perhaps Doorey,Murchie or a young bloke will step up and take his spot.
Click to expand...
Dude, you KNOW that is not going to happen. The chances of Bryce going to England are higher than Bryce playing regularly in the 17.
 
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