Your 2016 Rnd 1 team

[umina panther]

Kikau plays prop for mine. Thats where he's needed

 

[Rowdy Panther]

Kikau plays prop for mine. Thats where he's needed

Disagree. We're well stocked with props this year. Anyway, the more important thing is Kikau's development as a player. Needs to start as an edge forward and get accustomed to FG before moving into the middle.

 

[betcats]

Yeah I dont how he needs to play in the middle we have a good set of props plus young guys like Leota, Stanton Albert and Clark looking like they will be future FGers. I have nothing against him in the middle but I think he can make an immediate impact on the edge and as rowdy said its a softer start to fg.

 

[umina panther]

Our backrow is far more stacked than the front and players like Merrin, Cartwright and Peach need the most time on the field as possible

 

[martielang]

While Yeo isn't the most fancied back rower, I think he can do a similar job to Gavin Cooper. Still very green and learning his trade but runs some really good lines. I think he'll most likely start in NSW Cup but will work his way into first grade early on.

I also rate Garcia. He's nuggety but has good leg drive and also runs good lines.

Lets just play 12 backrowers and Moylan.

 

[betcats]

Our backrow is far more stacked than the front and players like Merrin, Cartwright and Peach need the most time on the field as possible

I don't know only Bryce and Merrin are auto selections for the backrow. After that you have Taylor and Peach whose spots aren't certain then a few younger guys battling to get a FG run. Kikau would be as likely to get a run in the backrow as he would the front row. Besides how many props go straight from NYC to NRL and have a good impact? Kikau certainly could do it but imo its more likely he takes a while to get up to speed in the front row for NRL.

 

[Rowdy Panther]

Our backrow is far more stacked than the front and players like Merrin, Cartwright and Peach need the most time on the field as possible

You would expect that Trent Merrin will be playing in the middle whether he has #8, #10 or #13 on his back. Peach would probably have license to roam although Griffin may plan to play him on the edges this season as will Cartwright. Kikau's main strengths are his footwork, power and agility for such a big unit that he'd be best utilised running the edges given he has played centre in his junior days. He'd go all right in the middle I'm sure but his introduction to FG should be playing the edges.

 

[maple_69]

We have Merrin, Peachey, Taylor and Cartwright as certaintied for first grade in the backrow.
Mckendry, RCG, Latimore (to start the season at least) in the front row.
After that its a toss up. We need two props on the bench. Whether we need a second backrower on the bench, roll with a utility or use Peachey in that capacity is another question.
I see the pecking order as Latu, Matagi then Kikau for prop and Sopoaga, Smith, Garcia in the second row.
We have guys who deserve first crack to cover us for now. We can play Kikau in NSW Cup and make a call on where he is best suited and when the right time is to bring him up.
The other thing to consider is we could eventually play him off the bench as a hybrid. Merrin goes to prop, Taylor lock and Kikau backrow or a straight swap for a prop. A lot will depend on how the interchange reduction effects the game and how we choose to manage it.

 

[Panfas]

1. M Moylan
2. P Hiku
3. W Blake
4. D Whare
5. D Watene-Zelezniak
6. TM Martin
7. J Soward
8. R Campbell-Gillard
9. J Segeyaro
10. T Merrin
11. B Cartwright
12. I Yeo
13. E Taylor
------
14. S McKendry
15. L Latu
16. B Garcia
17. T Peachey
------
18. J Latimore
19. S Matagai
20. W Smith

 

[franklin2323]

That is very close to the side I'd play. Matagi for McKendry is the only change... If RCG doesn't play a trial though he'd miss out

 

[betcats]

Both Matagi and Latimore should be ahead of Mckendry.

 

[Copperhead]

That is very close to the side I'd play. Matagi for McKendry is the only change... If RCG doesn't play a trial though he'd miss out

Really? You'd start Yeo and have Garcia on the bench.

 

[Blues Riff]

Ha, so where's Mansour in this grand plan? The forwards will have to do some work without him.

 

[Pomoz]

That is very close to the side I'd play. Matagi for McKendry is the only change... If RCG doesn't play a trial though he'd miss out

Based on last years form, the first name on the team sheet should be RCG. If he isn't match fit, he plays from the bench to ease him back in or one or two weeks in NSW cup to get up to speed.

The point is, he is our best prop bar none. He was given very little credit for last year where as a rookie prop he was consistently our best forward and topped the metres gained stats. He was never intimidated by other teams with big tough packs (the Bulldogs for example). He was brilliant in the toughest position on the field. People forget how young he is. Plenty to come from him.

McKendry just hasn't really kicked on. The neck injury seems to have restricted his development and he will be lucky to get spot in the team as the younger props develop. I hope he proves me wrong.

How sad is it that both Tim Grant and Sam, who were lauded as our great local juniors, have failed to deliver? I think Sam's neck injury is a valid excuse for him, but Tim Grant is just a massive disappointment. What went wrong?

 

[franklin2323]

Really? You'd start Yeo and have Garcia on the bench.

Yeo starts or doesn't play at all. Peachey gives you strike power off the bench.

 

[franklin2323]

Based on last years form, the first name on the team sheet should be RCG. If he isn't match fit, he plays from the bench to ease him back in or one or two weeks in NSW cup to get up to speed.

We got in to trouble trying to ease players into form in FG. NSW Cup for a week if he doesn't play Sat. A much slower paced game so he's in atleast some form in FG the moment we start picking on reputation over form we have problems

 

[Copperhead]

Yeo starts or doesn't play at all. Peachey gives you strike power off the bench.

Peachey does, but what about Garcia? After the trial you said he was smashed in every tackle.

You really think
1. M Moylan
2. P Hiku
3. W Blake
4. D Whare
5. D Watene-Zelezniak

is better than

1. Moylan
2. Mansour
3. Whare
4. Hiku
5. DWZ

 

[betcats]

Interesting team named, Merrin in the front row, Yeo at lock, Bryce on the bench.

I like Merrin in the front row, I hope that is his spot for the year.

 

[franklin2323]

Peachey does, but what about Garcia? After the trial you said he was smashed in every tackle.

You really think
1. M Moylan
2. P Hiku
3. W Blake
4. D Whare
5. D Watene-Zelezniak

is better than

1. Moylan
2. Mansour
3. Whare
4. Hiku
5. DWZ

Yes Mansour needs to get stuff worked on a run in NSW cup will do him wonders. How much game time do you think the 4th bench guy will get? Him or Sopoaga are the ones I'd have on it they can play in the backs and forwards

 

[franklin2323]

Interesting team named, Merrin in the front row, Yeo at lock, Bryce on the bench.

I like Merrin in the front row, I hope that is his spot for the year.

Where's McKendry and RCG? I fear it's just a short term thing until we have them back