Team for Storm trial

[Rich102]

VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana Waters
5.00pm, Saturday, February 11

• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (C)
• Bunty Afoa
• Matthew Allwood
• Blake Ayshford
• James Bell
• Erin Clark
• David Fusitu’a
• Charlie Gubb
• Ata Hingano
• Ryan Hoffman
• Shaun Johnson
• Solomone Kata
• Mason Lino
• Tuimoala Lolohea
• Ken Maumalo
• Ofahiki Ogden
• Isaiah Papalii
• Junior Pauga
• Pat Sipley
• Toafofoa Sipley
• Lewis Soosemea
• Jazz Tevaga
• Albert Vete

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I expect a strong showing from that side. Looks like with the Nines out of the way SK is getting straight down to business with getting his top players match ready.
Only really Lilyman, Mannering, Luke, Vatuvei and Matulino missing. Mannering you know exactly what you'll get, Mutts is injured, whats the status of Luke, Manu and Bull? Regardless though they're all veterans who probably don't ned to be risked in a trial, though I'd like to see Luke there for the sake of combinations.

 

[ozbash]

Very young team.

 

[TheDMC]

I e
Only really Lilyman, Mannering, Luke, Vatuvei and Matulino missing. Mannering you know exactly what you'll get, Mutts is injured, whats the status of Luke, Manu and Bull? Regardless though they're all veterans who probably don't ned to be risked in a trial, though I'd like to see Luke there for the sake of combinations.

No Lisone either...so that is a very raw pack playing with only Hoffman an old head.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

No Lisone either...so that is a very raw pack playing with only Hoffman an old head.

Im not too cut up about no Lisone. Hes good but...he just does dumb sh1t at times. If he cuts his error rate to zilch, then hes all good but I think he averaged an error/turnover a game last year.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I wonder itf that means LIsone is on the nose with SK- he's certainly not senior enough to warrant resting for trials. Or maybe he's carrying a niggle.

 

[Rich102]

Or learning not to kick.

 

[One Warrior]

Lisone is playing for the NRL All Stars this weekend.

 

[jaseg]

So few middles. This is a concern - hopefully Lisone plays more like the first half of last year rather than the back half (and just generally better), Lillyman and Matulino aren't out too long. Soooo.... why didn't we go out and bring in another (better) young middle forward again?

 

[Big Marn]

So few middles. This is a concern - hopefully Lisone plays more like the first half of last year rather than the back half (and just generally better), Lillyman and Matulino aren't out too long. Soooo.... why didn't we go out and bring in another (better) young middle forward again?

maybe the west coast weightlifter they got from the knights will be a revelation??

 

[TheDMC]

So few middles. This is a concern - hopefully Lisone plays more like the first half of last year rather than the back half (and just generally better), Lillyman and Matulino aren't out too long. Soooo.... why didn't we go out and bring in another (better) young middle forward again?

Were there any feasible options for securing a high-class (proven) middle forward?

 

[Rich102]

I believe Wiki made himself available

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Lisone is playing for the NRL All Stars this weekend.

Lol so we're snubbing that one as well by sending a nuffy. Surely we should send someone like Simon?

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Quick recovery for SJ!

 

[jaseg]

Were there any feasible options for securing a high-class (proven) middle forward?

Paul Vaughan, I guess. But I when I was typing that I was thinking more along the lines of young guys in the NSW/QLD cup comps with a taste of NRL (and looked effective there) who haven't quite cracked it as NRL proven yet, but are good prospects to add to the squad... Luke Page, Abraham Papalii, Paterika Vaivai... those sorts of guys.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Paul Vaughan, I guess.

Yeah man get Paul Vaughan. Ricky Stuart picks and drops him a fair bit and watching the entertaining Raiders last year, I saw enough of Vaughans games to see why he was being demoted. Maybe I wasnt watching closely enough because I couldnt see why he was getting dropped.

 

[watcher]

Seems a very back-centric selection unless Kearney is playing Maumalo as a forward, and maybe Ayshford.

 

[Benek]

Seems a very back-centric selection unless Kearney is playing Maumalo as a forward, and maybe Ayshford.

My guess is because those are the positions that are more up in the air right now, and SK wants to see how these guys perform in trials to help select starting side for round one.

 

[ozbash]

I don't disagree with you Benek, but surely he can gauge a players best position through training.

If he doesn't know by now..

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Please not Luke Page.
Sure, his highlight video is great and all, but have you seen him play a few times (as in full games?)
Theres a reason why he made very few (maybe even a single) appearance for the Dragons, then dissappeared from the NRL

Abraham Papalii is a better shout, as is Paul Vaughan.
I quite rate the other guy the Raiders have, Boyd however he wouldn't be cheap.

Lillyman is injured I believe, but isn't out long. We should see him do well this year as he is off contract at seasons end.

This will be a better (or rather more relevant) test to see where Sipley, Afoa are at.