Trial vs Newcastle Thread

[Gary Gutful]

Edwards is one of the most underrated bench forwards in the comp, because he's a merkin and unliked he doesn't get the props he deserves.

Why would he? He's a backrower.

 

[emjaycee]

Some talk of Teps "finding his voice this pre season". Im expecting a huge season from Teps. I really hope Manu finds his 2016 form this season. I love KE but he is always one brain snap from being on everyones shit list.
Beau is a legend and Takas move does have me excited
All in all a very exciting group there.

That Nathan Brown goes okay too.

 

[emjaycee]

Rugby League is often about little more than field position and high completion rates. Getting to the kick on the 4th or 5th tackle, kicking for field position and defending well to limit the oppositions kick. BA has built a squad that can do that I reckon.

Our defence in 2017 provided one of the best (lowest) post-contact metres conceded of all teams and if they do that again then the kicking game of Norman and Moses will give us excellent field position time and time again. And of course our kicking options improved somewhat in the off-season with the signing of one J. Hayne who gives us yet another option if Norman or Moses cannot get a good kick away.

I am quite excited about the squad that we have across the park, and although it looks like we could do with another front-rower, I am not disappointed with picking 4 for each game from Mannah, Alvaro, Evans, Moreoa, Matagi, Vave, Terepo and Williams.

Less than 18 days to go to Round 1 and I am pumped really early.

 

[strider]

Less than 18 days to go to Round 1 and I am pumped really early.

Take it to the 18 days to go thread mate

 

[emjaycee]

Take it to the 18 days to go thread mate

I was so going to tag you in that sentence but changed my mind @strider

 

[Stevie]

Just off the top of my head, the Burgi drop the ball every second time they touch it

If you say you would swap George Burgess for Tim Mannah I’ll be stunned. I like Tim, but GB under BA I think would be a revelation. Yes they’ve been terrible but so have all of the South’s pack. George can play! Huge upside in X factor over our starting props.

 

[strider]

If you say you would swap George Burgess for Tim Mannah I’ll be stunned. I like Tim, but GB under BA I think would be a revelation. Yes they’ve been terrible but so have all of the South’s pack. George can play! Huge upside in X factor over our starting props.

George played well for about a year .... then his mind seemed to wander .... i would maybe swap him for one of our lesser middle pigs, but not good workers like alvaro, brown, mannah

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I think our props especially Alvaro / Mannah (the two definite top 17 props for 2017) are a bit underrated actually.

Look at the storms starting props Bromwich / McLean. Everyone would expect them to be so much better then our two but stats wise especially McLean their isn't a hugh difference between the 4.

Mannah 91 m / 23 tackles (94 %)
Alvaro 90 m / 28 tackles (95 %)
McLean 105 m / 22 tackles (96%)
Bromwich 127m / 24 tackles (93%)

I suspect our pair especially Mannah probably play at least 5 to 10 mins less per game.

While our pairs stats are no where near brilliant when considering what the pair cost and how they compared to the storms pair , I reckon ours go ok and more then hold their own.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

If you say you would swap George Burgess for Tim Mannah I’ll be stunned. I like Tim, but GB under BA I think would be a revelation. Yes they’ve been terrible but so have all of the South’s pack. George can play! Huge upside in X factor over our starting props.

The difference is Burgess needs team mates like Mannah to cover for him in defence, whereas Mannah doesn’t need anyone to cover for him.

 

[T.S Quint]

I was talking about this today. I worry we may have the weakest starting props in the comp. Who has worse, if anyone?

Newcastle, Manly, maybe Wests.
Who the f**k knows if we are better or worse than anyone else? The season hasn't even started yet!

 

[hineyrulz]

G Burgess has Timmy covered in the Selfie stakes

 

[Stevie]

The difference is Burgess needs team mates like Mannah to cover for him in defence, whereas Mannah doesn’t need anyone to cover for him.

Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking Tim, I just know who has the most upside as a player. But that's just my opinion.
And as for Brown, I wouldn't swap that weapon for any merkin.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

So the merkins not named for any team this week are:

Gutherson
Gennings
Leleisiuao
Salmon
Vave
Williams

 

[Gazzamatta]

Whats your thoughts on Vave Poo?
Is he ever not injured? Hes on damn good money for the minutes hes played thus far. Foran like money Id suggest. Not a fan as yet. Hope he turns that around.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

On any given run he is a very good attacking forward. He is powerful, with skill and footwork. This was reflected in his runs per minute stat, far higher than any other player in our team, which shows how the coach wanted to use him.

But yeah, his fitness is his weakness, and being overweight makes him more susceptible to injury, which in turn makes it harder to gain or maintain fitness. I suspect he is probably a bit lazy. TheRam would be certain of it.

 

[Stevie]

On any given run he is a very good attacking forward. He is powerful, with skill and footwork. This was reflected in his runs per minute stat, far higher than any other player in our team, which shows how the coach wanted to use him.

But yeah, his fitness is his weakness, and being overweight makes him more susceptible to injury, which in turn makes it harder to gain or maintain fitness. I suspect he is probably a bit lazy. TheRam would be certain of it.

The stat you miss was he is also a very good attacking eater.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

The stat you miss was he is also a very good attacking eater.

More likely a defensive eater. It keeps the sadness at bay.

 

[Gazzamatta]

If hes only playing 20 mins each game (when he actually does play) its little wonder his stats are high in that regard. I reckon this stat needs to be in conjunction with an offload or a quick play the ball to take advantage. Im not sure he does that.
Needs a big year to be offered any sort of deal for next year I reckon.

 

[hineyrulz]

On any given run he is a very good attacking forward. He is powerful, with skill and footwork. This was reflected in his runs per minute stat, far higher than any other player in our team, which shows how the coach wanted to use him.

But yeah, his fitness is his weakness, and being overweight makes him more susceptible to injury, which in turn makes it harder to gain or maintain fitness. I suspect he is probably a bit lazy. TheRam would be certain of it.

And Gleneel’s favourite player.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He's definitely fat enough. We obviously need more like him.