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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 3591239, member: 1899"] [B]Rabbitohs[/B] - I find it odd that the only NRL player they've named is Leon Te Hau. I know they have a few unavailabilities, but how bad is their situation exactly? Let's have a look: Wighton (suspended), Graham (sternum), Munro (shoulder), Suluka-Fifita (knee), Lovett (knee) are all out and Walker (calf) is touch and go, but that still leaves 27 other players, who am I missing? I don't know why they were so desperate to get Gagai cleared when they have Te Hau there - that's a vote of no confidence if I've seen one. How did they swing that with the NRL? Did they give Gagai that last spot? Or did they show the NRL brass some footage of Te Hau and that was enough? I've barely seen Leon but I am a stickler for this whole squad system. In other words: [IMG]https://cinescribelakis.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/wp-1646849145941.gif?w=500[/IMG] I can answer that question, clearly and emphatically yes. I just wish the Bunnies put more of their NRL players up for this, but I hope the NSW Cup players put on a good show and set themselves for a big season. An 18th team is imminent, clubs are going to need depth and clubs value NSW/QLD Cup players. [B]Roosters[/B] - I can spot a few NRL players/juniors so that's something at least. The Roosters have only announced 26 players in their NRL squad and with injuries/suspensions it appears they're taking every fit player they can. I'm curious to see how they fit those other three spots before Round 1 and will be keen to see how Va'a goes. [B]Sharks [/B]- Not a lot to report. Finucane still hasn't recovered from his bicep injury and Hamlin-Uele is set to miss a chunk of football with a knee injury, otherwise their 1-17 looks settled. It's just a question of whether these players have hit their ceiling and if some of them can overcome their plateau. [B]Bulldogs[/B] - No Kiraz, Perham, Tracey, Samrani, Oloapu, Patolo, Knight, Sutton, Turpin, Topine or Montgomery with Faamausilli, Morrin, Clark, Papalii and Hayward skipping the cue. It looks like they're close to finalising their Round 1 team, rolling with the same spine as the Melbourne trial. The front row appears to be their biggest issue right now and it seems like a case of it is what it is. I wonder if we'll see Viliame Kikau or Josh Curran line-up there at some point? [B]Storm [/B]- Sproj pointed it out, but alongside the omissions of Munster and Asofa-Solomona, Sua Fa'alogo appears to be missing as well. I haven't heard any injury news but I presume he must be carrying a niggle because I'd be shocked if Bellamy rated Stewart higher. Then again, I'm shocked that Howarth finds himself behind Kane Bradley. Howarth maybe one of the longest NRL apprenticeships I've seen. That's good for Kane and I'll be curious to see how he plays after another pre-season with the Storm, he could be that Hoffman/Proctor type backrow they value. Outside of looking skinny in a few areas, it appears they're getting ready for the next generation. Both Munster and Hughes turn 30 this year and while Pezet and Russell-Smith are still colts, you'd still want to get a few games into them, so it'll be interesting to see how they transition from that 2020 premiership year moving forward. [B]Knights[/B] - I wonder if they'll make this their new home ground? Newcastle caught fire at the back end of the season, so it looks like they've stuck with as many combinations as possible. I'm interested to see how their right wings perform, Armstrong was impressive in that earlier trial and Newcastle rely on their wingers to spark their team. Both Pearce-Paul and Pryce will be in action as well, if Newcastle are to find another level, these two will have to offer a point of difference. I'm not an avid ESL watcher, so I'm keeping an open mind. [B]Warriors[/B] - I'm not a huge gambler so don't read into this as an endorsement, but I was surprised they were below so many other teams in the market. I guess it goes to show how apprehensive the bookies are when the Warriors can add players the calibre of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kurt Capewell to their roster after making the Top 4 and not be considered among the favourites. I'm curious to see how well Tuivasa-Sheck and Johnson combine and just how comfortable they look out there. By rights, they should be in the thick of this premiership race. [B]Dolphins[/B] - They seemed really frustrated against the Titans and only got on top of them late. It'll be interesting to see if they can do the same to the Warriors here and really make a fist of things. They're looking pretty settled at this rate, it's just a matter of finalising that centre combination and sorting out that bench formation. It seemed like they were toying with Averillo as a five-eighth/centre and Te Whare as a backrow/centre along with Niu and Herbie shifting to fullback. [B]Manly [/B]- So let's see: Hodgson, Humphreys, Sipley, Chan Kum Tong, James, Parker, Condon, Matterson with Faulolo joining the NRL squad next year. It's a fair representation and Parker comes as something of a surprise considering how long he's been a fixture in that 17. I know he was converting to 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Ola'kauatu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Tommy Talau 19. Raymond Vaega 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Zac Fulton 22. Aaron Woods Something along those lines? With Talau potentially shifting Garrick to the wing or that bench formation shifting up. [B]Brisbane[/B] - Touched on the Broncos on the main board, but I'm surprised that Patston was relagated to the bench after he stepped in for Piakura. They still have a couple of spots up for grabs and you'd have to think one of those will go to an edge, so I'll be curious to see who steps up here and whether it'll even come down to this trial game. It's another big game for Mozer as well. Hopefully him and Falls have worked on their communication and can get the team around the park better than what they did against the Seagulls. If he can live up to the hype, the Broncos will be in pretty good hands when Reynolds retires. [B]Dragons[/B] - It appears at least for now the Dylan Egan bandwagon has been halted. I'd imagine with Leilua's return imminent they weren't going to go out on a limb and will just give everybody an opportunity to improve on what they served up at the Charity Shield. I don't think they were dreadful for the Dragons, it was just a couple of key moments where the support arrived late or the kick went too long. Now that they've got some match fitness, may as well give them another opportunity and make some decisions afterwards. Everyone would have seen the video, everyone would be aware on what they need to work on. Are they coachable, or is it time to cut bait? This is what we'll find out against the Tigers. [B]Tigers[/B] - For mine the shock winners of the weekend. Granted, they had a one man advantage for the majority of the game, still it was a nice way to instill some confidence into the team. They'll need plenty of it with so many new faces and so many young players making their way into the side. It appears that Benji is sending the squad a message by including Heath Mason, Navren Willett & Sione Latoa-Vaihu. They had their moments in that Warriors trial and with a couple of spaces open in the NRL squad, Benji isn't afraid to reward form. I was disappointed by the Tigers last season and only saw glimpses of what I thought they were capable of, really hoping Benji can hit the ground running. [B]Canberra[/B] - I thought they were impressive against the Eels and I get the feeling the Raiders will shock a few fans, myself included. It'll largely come down to how well their young spine players acclimitise to first grade and how much the forwards can assert themselves. I didn't think Canberra have had a particularly great couple of years but they've made the finals and didn't look out of place either time. Still, it does seem concerning that we don't seem to have a clear answer on the fullback or five eighth situation. Stewart didn't really impress and appears like he needs another pre-season or two before he's ready. Five-eighth appears to be between Weekes and Strange and it remains to be seen who will get the first crack. I'd lean towards Strange but would have to get a better look. [B]Cowboys[/B] - There was some speculation around who'd replace Hiku in the centres with Vailea coming over from the Warriors. However it appears Laybutt as held onto the position. I'm curious to see what you make of him [USER=8770]@Wolfie[/USER], he seems like your type of effort player who makes those around them look better. No real surprises or bolters for the side, I'll be curious to see how their edge backrows perform. Both of them hold the key and after injury disrupted seasons, I'm sure they'll be looking to assert themselves. [B]Titans[/B] - It's going to be tough without Fifita, so much of their set plays rely on his lines. Still they have a handy replacement in Fermor. I'm keen to see their defensive performance after what they served up against the Dolphins. They really frustrated them out of the game and that's always been the achilles heel of the Titans. They'll get a pretty good work-out from the Eels who ask plenty of questions. I also wonder how long Weaver can be kept out of the NRL for. [B]Eels [/B]- I thought they did well to go 12-12 last year despite all the off-field drama and distractions. Things could have gone pear shaped in a hurry, but they were able to lock down Moses and gain some stability moving forward. However the side is beginning to get up there in age and it's going to be tough to reverse this downward trend they're currently on. I just need to see if there's enough fire in the belly and how some of their younger chargers perform. Can Brown, Penisini, Russell, Hands, Greig and Talagi step up and help inspire the older heads? [/QUOTE]

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