I was pretty disappointed with the trial. I was hoping to get a lot more from it with regards to the line up for round one but it didn't really help.
From what I have seen and heard i would like:
1.Norman/Hoffman
2.Kemp
3.Reed
4.Hodges
5.Maranta
6.Prince
7.Wallace
8.Hannant
9.Macca
10.Mcguire
11.Glenn
12.Thaiday
13.Parker
14.Hunt/Granville
15.Gillett
16.Stagg
17.Anderson/form prop - Dodds, Molo, Hala, Timu, Lui, Wallace
In the trial Norman disappointed me at 5/8. It was his big chance to make a claim for a halves spot and he stuffed it. I still like his flamboyant style though and think he could offer a lot running off Prince from fullback.
Hoffman was average/solid. Him and Norman are in the same boat for me. They both have a lot to improve on from 2012.
Bond looked waaaay too small to play first grade for me. His arms looked like twigs. He obviously would bring something to the side that we lack though with his agility and he was always looking for the offload. Maybe if he was able to bulk up a bit he could be in contention.
Hard to judge who to pick out of the wingers. It's hard to go Maranta who was solid and looked like a veteran in his debut season in 2012. And I haven't seen Kenp play this year but the talk is he looks likely to get a spot. Also Berryman didn't show much in the trial and I haven't seen much of him before but he looked small too.
Gillett ran rampant on the fringe and Thaiday was very average but I'd like to see Gillett bring that for a few games in a row when the season starts before starting him and pushing Thaiday into the front row.
Hunt was the stand out of the halves for mine in their limited time. Of course it's hard to judge when they are chopping and changing the spine very quarter but he seemed to be the only one who took the line on and looked dangerous. Prince looked good too. Wallace better watch out if these glimpses are anything to go by for the 2013 season because Hunt looks sharp.
I hope to see Kahu really push Reed for a spot too. Kahu looks very fleet footed.
