Top 25 Squad

[carcharias]

Cronulla (2004 squad): David Peachey, Matt Rieck, Nathan Merritt, Hassan Saleh, Nigel Vagana, Ryan McGoldrick, Paul Franze, Greg Bird, Russell Aitken, Brett Kimmorley, Michael Sullivan, Dean Bosnich, Jason Stevens, Danny Nutley, Chris Beattie, Dale Newton, Andrew Lomu, Phil Bailey, Matt Hilder, Paul Gallen, Keith Galloway, Sam Isemonger, Matt Bickerstaff, Michael Russo, Jon Green.

Jon Green ???? I read he is from WA and was spotted in the Perth comp . He is a prop. He was spotted 2 years ago and has been though the Sharks Junior System.

 

[carcharias]

here's more from www.sharks.com :
SHARKS NAME TOP 25 FOR 2004

Coach Stuart Raper and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks have announced their full-time squad for the upcoming NRL season.

The 25 players named include a blend of the experienced stars along with some exciting newcomers. Teenage five-eighth Russell Aitken has been included in the squad, as have young forwards Dale Newton, Jon Green and Keith Galloway.

Green was discovered playing junior football in the unlikely rugby league outpost of Perth. A front rower with an impressive work ethic, Green is still just 18 years of age, with a number of good judges predicting a long and bright future in the game. Newton and Galloway both tasted first grade in 2003, with Galloway, a local Sharks junior from the Yarrawarrah club, playing in the NRL as a 17-year-old.

Former St George-Illawarra winger Hassan Saleh has also
been selected in the top 25 after impressive performances
both in the trials and on the training paddock since coming to
the Sharks club about a month ago.

In other news, Internationals Phil Bailey and Jason Stevens, two of the Sharks
who are expected to lead the way in 2004, have almost fully recovered from off
season injuries and are likely to be selected this week for the Sharks final trial
match.

The Sharks travel north this weekend to take on local teams Port Macquarie,
Coffs Harbour and Wingham. The match will kick off at 7pm at the Regional Sports
Stadium, Boundary Road, Port Macquarie. The trial will wind up the Sharks pre season
preparations before their season opener against the Wests Tigers on March 13.
The round one match is a part of the NRL Double Header at Telstra Stadium.

 

[Macca]

I guess Kent missing the top 25 means that he is won't be considered unless there are a few injuries. Oh well. The squad looks excellent, a big year looms.

 

[Sheros los Deros]

Good squad, but Kent would be nice.

Still, if Saleh can play better than him, he will get the spot, as much as I want Kent in there.

I'm also glad that Kent didn't make the top 25, it proves we have better depth in the backs this season. I think that Kent is a solid fringe first grader, a good back up to have if the players in the top 25, get injured or don't perform. But as a first choice wing or centre? I think we will really be struggling in the 3/4's if Kent is the best we can do.

 

[sydneysharkbrisbane68]

Well after the squad has been announced, I have come up with my first grade and reserve grade teams to start the comp, the both look quite strong

First Grade
1. D.Peachey
2. R.McGoldrick
3. N.Vagana
4. P.Franze
5. N.Merritt
6. R.Aitken
7. B.Kimmorley
13.M.Hilder
12.P.Bailey
11.A.Lomu
10.C.Beattie
9. D.Bosnich
8. J.Stevens
res
14.M.Sullivan
15.D.Nutley
16.K.Galloway
17. M.Russo

res
1. D.Simmons
2. H.Saleh
3. J.Kent
4. S.Ross
5. M.Rieck
6. G.Bird
7. A.Dallanana
13. S.Isemonger
12. M.Bickerstaff
11. P.Gallen
10. D.Newton
9. P.Gibson
8. J.Green
Res
14. A.Emilio
15. R.Williams
16. C.Ciraldo
17. T.Burns
18. M.Greenfield
19. J.Williams

not bad teams at all plenty of depth this year, blooding all them players last year, maybe seen as a masterstroke later this year

 

[Macca]

:shock: No Bronx Goodwin? or will he be playing Flegg?

 

[Sheros los Deros]

Well after the squad has been announced, I have come up with my first grade and reserve grade teams to start the comp, the both look quite strong

First Grade
1. D.Peachey
2. R.McGoldrick
3. N.Vagana
4. P.Franze
5. N.Merritt
6. R.Aitken
7. B.Kimmorley
13.M.Hilder
12.P.Bailey
11.A.Lomu
10.C.Beattie
9. D.Bosnich
8. J.Stevens
res
14.M.Sullivan
15.D.Nutley
16.K.Galloway
17. M.Russo

res
1. D.Simmons
2. H.Saleh
3. J.Kent
4. S.Ross
5. M.Rieck
6. G.Bird
7. A.Dallanana
13. S.Isemonger
12. M.Bickerstaff
11. P.Gallen
10. D.Newton
9. P.Gibson
8. J.Green
Res
14. A.Emilio
15. R.Williams
16. C.Ciraldo
17. T.Burns
18. M.Greenfield
19. J.Williams

not bad teams at all plenty of depth this year, blooding all them players last year, maybe seen as a masterstroke later this year

I think Gallen has been one of our best in the trials and will be in first grade. Sully will be lucky to crack the top squad. Aitken is a bit young for mine to start in the top grade.

 

[blacktip-reefy]

I will say there will be quite a few surprises in the squad when it is announced.
I think lock 5/8 & hooker are causng some angst.

 

[King of the Hill]

lock 5/8 & hooker

well yeah
out of those positions, i'd only nominate hilder for 1 of the 3
i dont know if it would be lock or 5/8...lock preferable but there is nothing doing at 5/8

the rest is a bit wishy washy to say the least

 

[cheese]

Hilder deserves 1st crack at 1st grade.......dont care where

To relegate last years rookie of the year would be a ballbag bruiser