Trial vs Newcastle Thread

[Gary Gutful]

Isn't the Special One being unleashed for this one ?

Yes. Pearce is playing.

 

[Noise]

Yes. Pearce is playing.

I don't think he meant 'special needs'

 

[strider]

When pearce rips us apart like a portugese chicken this forum will go quiet

 

[Gary Gutful]

He already has the peri peri sauce ready.

 

[84 Baby]

Why do people think that is a strong team? Ponga has injury issues but has been good when given an opportunity but it remains to be seen if he is ready for NRL every week. Their backline all have defensive issues but will start them on the front foot. Watson is a good player who will probably do better with more time on the park and Pearce is a very good club player. Jacob and Daniel Saifiti can be very good players they just need to become more consistent, same with Ese'ese. Griffin isn't a good dummy half, Levi should be starting with Griffin coming off the bench. Their second-rowers are meh. Buhrer and Heighington on the bench makes them small with minimal impact.

For mine, overall, this is still a bottom 4 team but having Pearce and the potential for their younger forwards to step up they could push for 9-12.

The score will depend on how long each team's top 17 plays but if this is Newcastle's best 17 for the trial I'd hate to see what their depth looks like. I think our talent runs deeper than Newcastles.

It's a strong team for a trial because this will be their regular starting 17. The only other players in their squad they'll look to give regular game time to are Lamb & Barnett. But as you've pointed out, it really highlights their lack of genuine depth. They are really relying on Ponga, Moga, Watson, Saifiti x 2, Griffin & Esesesesese to establish themselves as real 1st graders

 

[Gary Gutful]

*Esesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesesese

 

[84 Baby]

I think there’s meant to be a commaery thing in there. Maybe a couple

 

[Gronk]

https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2018/02/21/eels-name-squads-for-pre-season-trial/

Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights pre-season trial squad

1. Bevan French
2. Kirisome Auva’a
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Josh Hoffman
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Tim Mannah
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Brad Takairangi
13. Nathan Brown

Interchange

14. Beau Scott
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Kane Evans
17. Suaia Matagi
18. Tepai Moeroa
19. Peni Terepo
20. Will Smith
21. Kaysa Pritchard
22. David Gower

 

[Gronk]

^^^^

Wentworthville Magpies v Newcastle Knights – ISP trial, kick off at 4:45pm

1. Anthony Layoun
2. Atini Gafa
3. Nathan Davis
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Dylan Izzard
7. Kauri Appouri
8. Andy Saunders
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Magnus Stromquist
11. David Gower
12. Marata Niukore
13. Ray Stone

Interchange

14. Reed Mahoney
15. Sam Gorman
16. Zach Nicholls
17. Haimona Hiroti
18. Matt Woods
19. Nathan Milone
20. Daniel Dole
21. Pio Sokobavalu
22. Nick Kassis
23. Josh Minhinnick
25. Jermain Mati-Lefi
26. Epa Navale Jnr

 

[84 Baby]

https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2018/02/21/eels-name-squads-for-pre-season-trial/

Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights pre-season trial squad

1. Bevan French
2. Kirisome Auva’a
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Josh Hoffman
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Tim Mannah
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Brad Takairangi
13. Nathan Brown

Interchange

14. Beau Scott
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Kane Evans
17. Suaia Matagi
18. Tepai Moeroa
19. Peni Terepo
20. Will Smith
21. Kaysa Pritchard
22. David Gower

I like the look of that extended roster.

And their coach named at lock. That'll f**k em up

 

[84 Baby]

^^^^

Wentworthville Magpies v Newcastle Knights – ISP trial, kick off at 4:45pm

1. Anthony Layoun
2. Atini Gafa
3. Nathan Davis
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Dylan Izzard
7. Kauri Appouri
8. Andy Saunders
9. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Magnus Stromquist
11. David Gower
12. Marata Niukore
13. Ray Stone

Interchange

14. Reed Mahoney
15. Sam Gorman
16. Zach Nicholls
17. Haimona Hiroti
18. Matt Woods
19. Nathan Milone
20. Daniel Dole
21. Pio Sokobavalu
22. Nick Kassis
23. Josh Minhinnick
25. Jermain Mati-Lefi
26. Epa Navale Jnr

So Kingy is 1st choice hooker?

And NAVALE JNR!!! EPAAAA!!

 

[Stevie]

Geez I didn't expect Taka to go straight into 12 jersey. Should we not look too much into that as its a trial and BA already knows what Kenny and Tepai are capable of, or will that mean he is above them?

Ooh DAM its good to be talking footy!!

 

[hineyrulz]

So Kingy is 1st choice hooker?

And NAVALE JNR!!! EPAAAA!!

I remember his dad scored 4 tries against West and was barely heard of again.

 

[84 Baby]

Geez I didn't expect Taka to go straight into 12 jersey. Should we not look too much into that as its a trial and BA already knows what Kenny and Tepai are capable of, or will that mean he is above them?

Ooh DAM its good to be talking footy!!

I reckon it's hard to say but would you start with Tepai and have say Taka, Kenny E, Evans/Alvaro & Scott/Smith on bench. It's a relatively small bench only tempered somewhat by Tepai starting and capable of playing middle

 

[emjaycee]

I reckon it's hard to say but would you start with Tepai and have say Taka, Kenny E, Evans/Alvaro & Scott/Smith on bench. It's a relatively small bench only tempered somewhat by Tepai starting and capable of playing middle

Maybe Tepai's days on an edge are now over with him being looked at as a middle forward only.

 

[Stevie]

I reckon it's hard to say but would you start with Tepai and have say Taka, Kenny E, Evans/Alvaro & Scott/Smith on bench. It's a relatively small bench only tempered somewhat by Tepai starting and capable of playing middle

Well yeah that's what I'd be doing. I think Taka has some real ball playing ability out wider also however I think Tepai would start and play more middle if that's the case. With Kenny and Taka to come in and try and cause havoc at later stages perhaps?

To be honest I like the idea of Evans start and Matagi off the bench I think he adds more impact from there. Alvaro will do well anywhere.

 

[eels_fan]

Tep would be joining the prop rotation from now on imo... and I’d have him above Matagi for sure

 

[Stevie]

Maybe Tepai's days on an edge are now over with him being looked at as a middle forward only.

He has to get the minutes though I hope as he is very important to our defence.

 

[Stevie]

Tep would be joining the prop rotation from now on imo... and I’d have him above Matagi for sure

Prop rotation? Hmm. What's everyone's opinion on that?

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I reckon it's hard to say but would you start with Tepai and have say Taka, Kenny E, Evans/Alvaro & Scott/Smith on bench. It's a relatively small bench only tempered somewhat by Tepai starting and capable of playing middle

I don't mind a bench of Scott / Moeroa / Evans / Edwards ( think Matagi will drop out come round one).

Some good size there, Moeroa is 190cm / 112 kg and Evans 199cm/110 and both are good defensively. Moeroa is probably moving to the middle, so we will have some good size coming on into the middle.

We know what Edwards can do, while Scott probably plays the role of picking up our line speed at some time during the game (much like what BA did when playing a second hooker).