Fainu is in the Top 30 til end of 2024.
WT Squad Prediction 2023
- Thread starter ancient_magpie
- Start date
jrtiger
Well-known member
I prefer to look at turnover as opposed to the squad itself. this is what I've got assuming Gildart and Peachey move on as reported.
Garner > Blore*
Leilua > Papali'i
Liddle > Koroisau
Mikaele > Fainu
Roberts > Staines
Tuilagi > Tumeth
Peachey > Ngatikaura
Gildart > Reilly
Tamou > Pole
Madden > Brown*
I think it's fairly clear we've lost out big time in the back row. we're also considerably lighter in terms of experience in the front row with the departure of Tamou and Mikaele who had 50+ games under his belt.
clearly need a backup half as well which explains why Laurie will be training at 5/8. the only position we've improved is at hooker and we've broke even in the outside backs, which could end up at a loss if Nofoaluma leaves and we don't adequately replace him.
it's sobering viewing. while Papali'i and Koroisau improve our starting 13 tenfold our depth has gotten somehow worse than what it was this year. Sheens and Marshall have their work cut out for them improving this squad before March.
Garner > Blore*
Leilua > Papali'i
Liddle > Koroisau
Mikaele > Fainu
Roberts > Staines
Tuilagi > Tumeth
Peachey > Ngatikaura
Gildart > Reilly
Tamou > Pole
Madden > Brown*
I think it's fairly clear we've lost out big time in the back row. we're also considerably lighter in terms of experience in the front row with the departure of Tamou and Mikaele who had 50+ games under his belt.
clearly need a backup half as well which explains why Laurie will be training at 5/8. the only position we've improved is at hooker and we've broke even in the outside backs, which could end up at a loss if Nofoaluma leaves and we don't adequately replace him.
it's sobering viewing. while Papali'i and Koroisau improve our starting 13 tenfold our depth has gotten somehow worse than what it was this year. Sheens and Marshall have their work cut out for them improving this squad before March.
earl
Well-known member
I reckon the only player we get is Staines, He is fast but I don't see him being a game changer for us.
It's a bottom 4 team again but with a good luck with injuries and if our best players actually play like they are our best players we may improve.
Doueihi, Brooks and Laurie are the guys that need to improve significantly.
Betterdays22
Well-known member
Its an improvement. Just not sure how Laurie would go in the front line. He has great potential to play the Brett Hodgson type fullback support player role. He has suffered playing behind a forward pack that gets dominated week in week out. This pack I like!
bigsiro
Well-known member
Brooks cannot improve. I’m not sure he can get much worse either. Laurie is a lemon. For those two we know what we will get. 🗑.
Douehi has potential to play a meaningful role.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
Laurie ⅝?
Do you know if he's played there growing up?
What's his passing and kicking game like?
I dunno about this one.
C
Can’t kick - that’s why you need a Hastings in 13 to provide an option to brooks.
C
Cobarcats
Guest
Unless someone can come up with some history on Daino he remains our mystery man.
It will be interesting to see how he develops over the off season and how they use him in training.
When he runs he's quiet impressive and certainly has a big heart for a little fella.
He needs to get more involved but he's still developing imo.
I think his running game could cause havoc in the line
Apparently he played in the halves, Gould rates him as a half
Yep, Gus (who brought him to Penrith) has said previously he thinks his future is at five-eighth not fullback.
tig_prmz
Well-known member
1. Laurie
2. Noffa
3. Kepaoa (L)
4. Naden (R)
5. Kenny
6. Douehi
7. Brooks
8. Joe O
9. Api
10. Stefano
11. Papali'i
12. Blore
13. Hastings
14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Musgrove
17. Freebairn
2. Noffa
3. Kepaoa (L)
4. Naden (R)
5. Kenny
6. Douehi
7. Brooks
8. Joe O
9. Api
10. Stefano
11. Papali'i
12. Blore
13. Hastings
14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Musgrove
17. Freebairn
Harvey
Well-known member
Maybe as a centre/winger. Sheenius!!
We need more mystery props.
Admittedly reading that, there appears to be improvements there.
Papali'i, Api, Fainu, Rua and Pole are all improvements.
Staines & Brown if they came off would also be better than the outs. Blore could well be better than Garns if he can stay bloody fit.
The Chad
Well-known member
Top 30 prediction...ok...guessing time...
Fullbacks-
Staines (Wing)
Laurie
Wingers-
Maumalo
Nofoaluma
Mansour
Centres-
Naden
Kepaeoa (Wing)
Talau (2nd Row)
Toupo (Wing)
To'a (Wing)
5/8-
Douiehi (Centre)
Halfbacks-
Brooks (5/8)
Hastings (Lock, 5/8)
Crossland
Lock-
Ofehengaue (Prop)
Freebairn (2nd Row)
2nd Row-
Sironen
Papali'i
Tumeth
Matamua
Blore (Prop)
Prop-
Twal
Dias
Utoikamanu
Pole
Simpkins
Seyfarth (2nd Row)
Hooker-
Korisau
Simpkin
Ngatikaura
There's 30...
Fullbacks-
Staines (Wing)
Laurie
Wingers-
Maumalo
Nofoaluma
Mansour
Centres-
Naden
Kepaeoa (Wing)
Talau (2nd Row)
Toupo (Wing)
To'a (Wing)
5/8-
Douiehi (Centre)
Halfbacks-
Brooks (5/8)
Hastings (Lock, 5/8)
Crossland
Lock-
Ofehengaue (Prop)
Freebairn (2nd Row)
2nd Row-
Sironen
Papali'i
Tumeth
Matamua
Blore (Prop)
Prop-
Twal
Dias
Utoikamanu
Pole
Simpkins
Seyfarth (2nd Row)
Hooker-
Korisau
Simpkin
Ngatikaura
There's 30...
Joelcainenumber1fan
Well-known member
which one ? and are we linked to him ? i haven't heard anything about that
Joelcainenumber1fan
Well-known member
Blore defense before the injruy was insane didnt he only miss 1 tackle in like 7 games ??
Starting one week earlier next season.
The 2023 NRL season will be the earliest kick-off in 22-years, lasting 31 weeks and in a major shock for fans, every club will have three byes.
In a massive win for fans, the regular season will be run over 27 rounds with four weeks of finals.
Thursday night March 2 next year - one week earlier than the kick-off date of this current season - is the opening round launch date that every club has been told to prepare for.
Pre-season matches are poised to formally begin on the weekend of February 10-12 with staging of the NRL’s Indigenous and Maori All Stars clash in Rotorua, on top of every club’s first official trial matches.
The annual Charity Shield between South Sydney and St George-Illawarra, as well as a second weekend of club trial matches, is being slated by the NRL for February 17-19.
Every club will be given a weekend off from footy on February 24-26 in order to rest before the season-proper commences on March 2. (DT)
The 2023 NRL season will be the earliest kick-off in 22-years, lasting 31 weeks and in a major shock for fans, every club will have three byes.
In a massive win for fans, the regular season will be run over 27 rounds with four weeks of finals.
Thursday night March 2 next year - one week earlier than the kick-off date of this current season - is the opening round launch date that every club has been told to prepare for.
Pre-season matches are poised to formally begin on the weekend of February 10-12 with staging of the NRL’s Indigenous and Maori All Stars clash in Rotorua, on top of every club’s first official trial matches.
The annual Charity Shield between South Sydney and St George-Illawarra, as well as a second weekend of club trial matches, is being slated by the NRL for February 17-19.
Every club will be given a weekend off from footy on February 24-26 in order to rest before the season-proper commences on March 2. (DT)
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
We extended AJ/Toa for 1yr only though which says Sheens/Benji aren't convinced on either.
Naden carries into Benji years so he will figure.
Talau I think will be backrow if he gets past the offseason only be 1yr only to cover our squad in 23.
Ken has 1yr left
Nofa has a few and if on song is our best back still.
I have a feeling AD is on the outer & center we just suck in atm. I would like us to play the Hastings/Brooks/AD with Api in the middle for a good 8-10 rounds and see how our attack forms but just think Sheens/Benji will shake some things up because it's clear out attack sucks (and they are attack focused) .
