What did we learn from todays trial? Lets give the boys something to talk about.
For me....
1. Bula (nothing today was going to change that, but I thought he was quiet)
2. Staines - Didnt get any good ball today
3. Toa/Naden - Left this bracketed because we didnt really learn much from todays trial
4.Faataape - probably wont get a run but if we are basing the team on today, he looked the goods.
5. Lobb - I thought he did as much as Tupou, has a future at the club and is obviously a great aerial target
6. Sullivan - based purely on today. He looked good in patches, is not an organiser, looks slightly unfit. i think ultimately Latu Fainu gets this spot.
7. Sezer - Exceeded my expectations. in one half of footy looked the best half we have had for 10 years.
8. Stef - Looked great, will work well with Api
9. Api. - What needs to be said
10 - Klem - Simply gets it done, will benefit from the kids and Api
11. Papalii - Looked great today
12 - Bateman - has to be because there is nothing else on the shelf based on today
13 - Seyfarth - Im not a fan, but if I had to base it on today, he gets the gig.
14 - Simpkin - Controversial call but I thought he was good today. Service was good, better than TDS and he defended well. i thikn Api will need a break and Simpkin can do the job. Could help in halves at a pinch
15 - Sam Fainu
16 - Twal - Obviously nothing to do with today but you know he will be there
17- Pole - Despite today
Fringe - Sione Fainu
Everyone else needs a good workout in Cup for a few weeks,
What did we learn from todays trial? Lets give the boys something to talk about.
For me....
1. Bula (nothing today was going to change that, but I thought he was quiet)
2. Staines - Didnt get any good ball today
3. Toa/Naden - Left this bracketed because we didnt really learn much from todays trial
4.Faataape - probably wont get a run but if we are basing the team on today, he looked the goods.
5. Lobb - I thought he did as much as Tupou, has a future at the club and is obviously a great aerial target
6. Sullivan - based purely on today. He looked good in patches, is not an organiser, looks slightly unfit. i think ultimately Latu Fainu gets this spot.
7. Sezer - Exceeded my expectations. in one half of footy looked the best half we have had for 10 years.
8. Stef - Looked great, will work well with Api
9. Api. - What needs to be said
10 - Klem - Simply gets it done, will benefit from the kids and Api
11. Papalii - Looked great today
12 - Bateman - has to be because there is nothing else on the shelf based on today
13 - Seyfarth - Im not a fan, but if I had to base it on today, he gets the gig.
14 - Simpkin - Controversial call but I thought he was good today. Service was good, better than TDS and he defended well. i thikn Api will need a break and Simpkin can do the job. Could help in halves at a pinch
15 - Sam Fainu
16 - Twal - Obviously nothing to do with today but you know he will be there
17- Pole - Despite today
Fringe - Sione Fainu
Everyone else needs a good workout in Cup for a few weeks,
Yeah, pretty close I reckon.
Personally, I’d go:
Bula
Lobb
Naden
Faatape
Staines
Sullivan
Sezer
Steph
Api
Klemmer
Papalli’i
Bateman
Seyfarth
Reserves
DaSilva
Latu Fainu
Sam Fainu
Lachlan Galvin
Twal
Pole
Matamua
Sione Fainu
Junior Tupou
To’a
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I think the centres, one wing, 13 and 6 are all up for grabs. Big opportunity for a few youngsters to grab a spot for round 2 over the next weeks.
bench is a concern as I don’t think we have too many fringe forwards that are ready.
Do the Magpies play round 1?
I hope to see TDS in NSW cup playing 80min. With Api pretty much our best player it gives us lots of time to allow TDS to develop his game and his body against men. The example of Matamua sitting on the extended NRL bench the last 2 years getting limited minutes in NSW cup and not playing NRL is an example of how not to develop a talented junior.
Faatape and Feledy to pair in NSW cup with the Fainu’s and the cup team has some great young core players.
I would take a punt on Lobb on the wing given the rule changes this year and I think it’s too much to ask Api to goal kick ontop of all his other duties. He reminds me a lot of Corey Oates but a little bit more athletic
Yeah I tend to agree when it comes to Lobb... if there is not a lot of difference between him and another winger (Tupou / Naden) then his goal kicking has to come into that calculations. As long as he does his wing duties well enough and not make stupid mistakes, the additional goal kicking option will be worth it.
Also Sione Fainu looks to be a little rejuvenated having his brothers in the squad, so I'm happy to see where he can develop his game. Might well be an additional bonus of getting Latu and Samuela.
Also Sione Fainu looks to be a little rejuvenated having his brothers in the squad, so I'm happy to see where he can develop his game. Might well be an additional bonus of getting Latu and Samuela.
I hate to say it but I think we really NEED him to step up and play a strong part off the bench.
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Also Sione Fainu looks to be a little rejuvenated having his brothers in the squad, so I'm happy to see where he can develop his game. Might well be an additional bonus of getting Latu and Samuela.
I hate to say it but I think we really NEED him to step up and play a strong part off the bench.
Agreed but with the addition of Sam F and Sione's apparent resurgence, our bench depth seems improved. Not relying on the Matamua, Freebairns of the squad
1. Bula
2. Naden (assuming fitness)
3. Olam (see above) if not - Naden and bring Staines to wing
4. To'a
5. Tupou (just) Need to see more if Lobb
6. Sullivan (he'll get first crack)
7. Sezer
8. Stef
9. Api
10. Klemmer
11. Bateman (could be 13 though)
12. Papalii
13. Seyfarth (not ideal but will do a job)
14. DaSilva
15. Twal
16. Sam Fainu or Pole
17. Kepaoa (covers multiple positions)
Surely Staines would be our no.1 winger
@tiger_alex my thoughts are he's not showing any effectiveness in bringing the ball back to start our sets. We need good set starts
i would go for Lobb on a wing and can kick goals
I think Lobb needs some time to build a bit more size/strength for bringing the ball out. Probably ticks all the other boxes but at present I he'd get owned by the defence jamming him in. Same goes for Willett.
Until then Jnr will be first winger picked, then between Naden and Staines (yes, still not the best at kick returns but the quickest).
Agree with the sentiment around Faatape, he played really well but doubt he'll get a look in at this stage.
Was impressed with Sezer and Bud in the halves.
Seyfarth probably did exactly as he was asked which means the pack is locked in.
Bench will probably include Simpkin, Pole, Twal and Kepoa. I wasn't impressed with Sam Fainu's style.
