Week 1 finals - game day thread Eels v Knights

[strider]

I don't think so.

yeah HIAs are all free

 

[yy_cheng]

Starting wingers next year barring another signing will be Dunster and Sivo. Dunster into Fergo’s spot and Russell into Dunster’s. Sivo might anger people but at his best, he’s very good winger. The task with him is to get him to do it every week.

But one thing that’s been really pleasing me of late is Waqa’s willingness to get back early and take hit ups. If he continues that, carrying lightweight wingers can work

Sivo is ahead of Russell but gee Sivo's urgency, ruck outs, takes under the high bomb are too inconsistent for me.

I would actually prefer Russell get a run in front of sivo

 

[84 Baby]

Sivo is ahead of Russell but gee Sivo's urgency, ruck outs, takes under the high bomb are too inconsistent for me.

I would actually prefer Russell get a run in front of sivo

Well with Sivo’s injury and judicial record, I’m certain Russell will get opportunities

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I doubt Sivo will be ready for the start of next year.

 

[emjaycee]

I reckon Sivo finishes all the tries that Russell would, but doubt Russell finishes all the ones Sivo does.

 

[Twizzle]

 

[lingard]

I reckon Sivo finishes all the tries that Russell would, but doubt Russell finishes all the ones Sivo does.

Trouble with Sivo is he's just a finisher; and very little else. Seldom makes breaks or long runs. Just finishes 10 meters out.

 

[emjaycee]

Trouble with Sivo is he's just a finisher; and very little else. Seldom makes breaks or long runs. Just finishes 10 meters out.

Agreed.

 

[yy_cheng]

I reckon Sivo finishes all the tries that Russell would, but doubt Russell finishes all the ones Sivo does.

But I reckon Russell will do better in the other aspects like under the high ball, rucking out and turning and chasing

 

[Poupou Escobar]

In terms of the knights next year unless ponga has a tommy turbo type season and drags newcastle to a few extra wins. I cant see too much improvement from them elsewhere to fear them overtaking us next year.

Mitchell pearce is past it and has proven he cant dominate big games. Frizzell is getting older. Gagai isnt a game breaker. Klemmer isnt the same player he was 3 years ago. Connor watson is leaving.

Outside of the saifiti twins there isnt much else there to me that will see newcastle improve on what they currently have

I disagree. Newcastle have a lot of players still in their early 20s. These merkins all played at least a dozen games this year:

Best
Clifford
Jones
Ponga
To'a
Tuala

Crossland and Hoy also both played a third of a season (eight games). They'll all be better for the run.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Throw in the fact that Windscreens will be a better coach next year and they may end up getting 7th again.

 

[Tooooks]

I thought Paulo was a but overused in the heat.
He did come off but somehow I didn't see it

There's still many weeks to go against no weak teams going forward.

I hope Junz is not burnt out

I still can’t figure out why he played 70 mins.

 

[hindy111]

Agreed.

There was a moment in last weeks game Dunster had to step in. Sivo most likely barrels into corner and scores.

 

[Gary Gutful]

There was a moment in last weeks game Dunster had to step in. Sivo most likely barrels into corner and scores.

I know the one you are talking about. The pass was pretty wide. I reckon Sivo would have struggled. Thought Dunster showed some smarts to stay away from the sideline.

 

[hindy111]

I disagree. Newcastle have a lot of players still in their early 20s. These merkins all played at least a dozen games this year:

Best
Clifford
Jones
Ponga
To'a
Tuala

Crossland and Hoy also both played a third of a season (eight games). They'll all be better for the run.

Issue for them is Klemmer is on 900k. Frizzel 800k. Both are on decline. Klemmer looked like an old man this year.
The side is solid. They had a soft draw but lots of injuries. I think they can maybe make the top 8. But a stinker of a year wouldn't surprise. Pearce is also in decline.
Ponga is brilliant inside opposition red zone. Id say best of all the fullbacks. But outside of being in that area I am not sure he rates highly. His cart backs are weak. Defense ok but not the top 5.
Teddy,Turbo,Papenhuzen,Latrel are far more dangerous in every other part of the field. So unsure where I rate Pongamas far as what he is worth. His ball playing is best by far. But every other part of his game including running I don't think is mind blowing.

 

[hindy111]

I know the one you are talking about. The pass was pretty wide. I reckon Sivo would have struggled. Thought Dunster showed some smarts to stay away from the sideline.

Yes he did. He would of been thrown out. Sivo would of been a 50/50 for sure.

 

[Tooooks]

View attachment 53898

Lol. Classic Clarky putting Stone in at 9. Guess he didn’t watch Brandon Smith or Harry Grant play.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I still can’t figure out why he played 70 mins.

Our ruck defence got very sloppy during the period where it went from 22-10 to 22-20.

 

[eels_fan]

Sivo will miss a month or two.

Whoever gets the start could get the jump on him with a great start both individually and as a team

 

[Tooooks]

I’m more concerned with rucking it out early in the set. You need size/power for that. Dunster has done ok in that department but it’s not his strongest asset. We’re talking next year and so I don’t think Russell will be able to put on enough beef, especially with another small frame in Gutho at the back.

Dunno if I’d consider Gutho a small frame. He’s 6’3’’ and 96kg.

Sean Russell will be plenty big enough once he fills out.