Your possible round 1 team.

[Meth]

About as boring a team as we could have picked but that's Webby.

Disappointed in DWZ over AKP. Ford was always going to be in the 19 with no Barnett or Niukore, but still dreading him starting and playing 60+ minutes. Disappointed that Leka and Demetric are still being treated as bench impact when Leka in particular is already borderline elite. Surprised that Gannon is ahead of EIT.

When you look at the 22 named and then add TMM, Metcalf, Barnett, Niukore, it's fair to say our depth looks very strong. It's just depth made up of a lot of players of a similar sort of middling standard.

Yeah, this.

I think AKP is an injury thing?

Good to see Laban at 12, but I'd like to see Halasima starting. I guess Capewell is as much of a sacred cow as Ford seems to be.

I guess I kinda like the idea of impact from Vaimauga off the bench, but he should be at 10 with Barnett out. Ford is demonstratively better off the bench.

I don't really have much of a reference for Gannon, but I highly rate EIT. Hope he breaks in

 

[Big Marn]

What is it about EIT you like the most. I watched the 2nd trial and thought he was fine, but nothing startling. I thought Laban was more penetrating in that game, which is of more importance to me if we are going to score points. I only see EIT as injury cover.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Yeah, this.

I think AKP is an injury thing?

Good to see Laban at 12, but I'd like to see Halasima starting. I guess Capewell is as much of a sacred cow as Ford seems to be.

I guess I kinda like the idea of impact from Vaimauga off the bench, but he should be at 10 with Barnett out. Ford is demonstratively better off the bench.

I don't really have much of a reference for Gannon, but I highly rate EIT. Hope he breaks in

I personally like Leka off the bench. His engine was one area a little lacking last year, and I think his athleticism can pay more dividends if he's spared from the early donkey work.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I personally like Leka off the bench. His engine was one area a little lacking last year, and I think his athleticism can pay more dividends if he's spared from the early donkey work.

Isn't this a tacit admission that Leka isn't as good as he's made out to be though...or that his development has stalled? Like yeah he's young but...he's 20 and into his third season now. He's at an age and stage where typically elite talents are capable of being one of their team's leading players even if not in a "leadership role" per se. It's a bit disappointing if he's still "only" bench impact.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

What is it about EIT you like the most. I watched the 2nd trial and thought he was fine, but nothing startling. I thought Laban was more penetrating in that game, which is of more importance to me if we are going to score points. I only see EIT as injury cover.

I haven't watched a massive amount of him so hopefully I'm wrong - but I feel like I've heard a lot of comments about how EIT is the future etc but they almost all seem to be focused on his attitude and work ethic and I haven't actually heard or seen a whole lot about the outstanding attributes he brings. For now I just think he's sort of a fit and relatively athletic backrower, not sure if there's actually a world-beater in waiting there?

 

[Matua]

I guess Capewell is as much of a sacred cow as Ford seems to be.

Got to have some safe Aussie guys in the pack (despite the fact they aren't really safe).

 

[Izz]

What is it about EIT you like the most. I watched the 2nd trial and thought he was fine, but nothing startling. I thought Laban was more penetrating in that game, which is of more importance to me if we are going to score points. I only see EIT as injury cover.

Yeah I'm with you on EIT.

I like his effort and his training ethic, but tbh he looks a bit small to me right now. Gannon definitely looked better than EIT in second trial (and I really didn't like Gannon in first trial but to his credit he improved a lot)

On Leka, I don't have any evidence other than the eye test but I feel he didn't come to preseason in top shape. He just looked a little off the pace in both trials.

I'd really like to see Vaimauga start. Dominant physical presence from the get go.

EDIT: on AKP. Kinda hard to say he deserves to be there as he was underwhelming in All Star game before coming off with head knock and thus didn't get a chance to impress in second trial

 

[Penrose Warrior]

What is it about EIT you like the most. I watched the 2nd trial and thought he was fine, but nothing startling. I thought Laban was more penetrating in that game, which is of more importance to me if we are going to score points. I only see EIT as injury cover.

I have to admit the hype from me around EIT has somewhat been around his alleged training prowess, but I also thought he shone particularly in the Titans game last year and generally had a strong motor/work rate/hit the line hard.

In all likelihood, he could probably offer what Capewell does.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

On Leka, I don't have any evidence other than the eye test but I feel he didn't come to preseason in top shape. He just looked a little off the pace in both trials.

Second year syndrome hits a lot of players, especially one who was as hyped as Leka. I hope he hasn't bought into it.

I'm most worried about Ali this week. I really rate Billy Smith and he'll be preparing to give Ali a bath, and expose that right side defense along with DCE/Walker

 

[Izz]

I'm most worried about Ali this week. I really rate Billy Smith and he'll be preparing to give Ali a bath, and expose that right side defense along with DCE/Walker

Yeah, Ali's defense/fitness didn't particularly inspire during the trials, especially against the Phins

 

[Blair]

Righto, here's my prediction. Today is pay day and team naming Tuesday for the round 1 game I'm attending with my youngest on Friday, so it's a massive day in the life...

It's sold out so, for God's sake, make some noise! I'm sick of Mt Smart falling silent. OK, this Friday, the Roosters race out to 16-0 (luckily, they miss one conversation which minimises the damage) and our home crowd sound like they're attending an IBM meeting or something.

If the above scoreline happens you need to roar us back to 16-6, and quickly.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

It's sold out so, for God's sake, make some noise! I'm sick of Mt Smart falling silent. OK, this Friday, the Roosters race out to 16-0 (luckily, they miss one conversation which minimises the damage) and our home crowd sound like they're attending an IBM meeting or something.

If the above scoreline happens you need to roar us back to 16-6, and quickly.

Yeah I'll do my best. My elder daughter said she didn't want to come, now says she does but there's no more seats. An issue that was never something to deal with before 2023

 

[Blair]

Yeah I'll do my best. My elder daughter said she didn't want to come, now says she does but there's no more seats. An issue that was never something to deal with before 2023.

Those 23ers have changed everything. They don't seem to be dropping off either.

 

[hitro]

 

[Izz]

AKP at 21 makes me think there's some doubt around RTS

 

[Penrose Warrior]

AKP at 21 makes me think there's some doubt around RTS

Hmmm yeah I get your thinking, you'd feel like TT could cover the back 3, and if a centre went down, RTS goes there and TT goes to wing. However, given they've signed him, you'd think AKP>TT as a wing. I dunno, I think what you say has merit. I wouldn't think a fullback and wing would be the standard make-up of a six man bench

 

[Blair]

I'll be rapt if Ali has a really good game tonight, with strong hints that he could have a really great game in the very near future. I think we all missed him last year. He should be that young and exciting centre we've been missing.

 

[Izz]

Reggies game on Sky Sport 1 btw

 

[Izz]

Reserve Grade looks like mud so far lol

Slow and confused

 

[Izz]

With how flat our Cup team looks, I'm really worried about FG