Season 2024 - Round 2 Team

[jrtiger]

so, given Luai is due to be the dominant half and is almost certain to play on the left edge, here’s my plan.

Sezer to play down left and control the side. I know he’s a predominantly right sided player and he’s played with Bateman in the past, but it’s the right move given he’s only here for a year and is best equipped to lead the side around.

as for the right edge, its a shootout between Sullivan, Fainu and Galvin to partner Luai. we can have our right edge sorted and build combos during the season as opposed to doing it in preseason like we’ve done forever, and we can still be competitive without compromising a season.

thoughts?

 

[lathami]

1.Bula
2.Stains (left)
3.Toa (right)
4.Olam (left)
5.Lobb (right)
6.Sezer (using his wits and high iq down the short sides to help seal off trys)
7.Sully (hands on the ball playing first receiver)
8.Stefano
9.Api
10.Klemmer
11.Papalii
12.Bateman
13.Pole (reduce mins and tell him to go hard and fast)

14.Simpkin/Galvin when ready
15.Twal
16.Seyfarth
17.S fainu

I’ve got kit in there before fainu!

 

[rugbygoated]

so, given Luai is due to be the dominant half and is almost certain to play on the left edge, here’s my plan.

Sezer to play down left and control the side. I know he’s a predominantly right sided player and he’s played with Bateman in the past, but it’s the right move given he’s only here for a year and is best equipped to lead the side around.

as for the right edge, its a shootout between Sullivan, Fainu and Galvin to partner Luai. we can have our right edge sorted and build combos during the season as opposed to doing it in preseason like we’ve done forever, and we can still be competitive without compromising a season.

thoughts?

Brooks/Sezer/Luai are all left-footed and similar in ways. Good idea to start building combos on the right so at least one side has chemistry in 2025. 2024 can be a 'rebuild' (build again) year

 

[dribble1963]

Just for shits and giggles, would love to see this squad run out for rd 2, if your gonna give the newbies a go, give em a go from the start...

1. Bula
2. Lobb
3. Alaimalo
4. Olam
5. Staines
6. Sullivan
7. Fainu
8. Klemmer
9. Api
10. Utoikimanu
11. Papalii
12. Bateman
13. Laulii

14. Pole
15. S Fainu
16. Twal
17. Da Silva

That backline 2-5 has plenty of power and height on the wings...

Is everyone hedging their bets with S. Fainu? There are two!

 

[Needaname]

so, given Luai is due to be the dominant half and is almost certain to play on the left edge, here’s my plan.

Sezer to play down left and control the side. I know he’s a predominantly right sided player and he’s played with Bateman in the past, but it’s the right move given he’s only here for a year and is best equipped to lead the side around.

as for the right edge, its a shootout between Sullivan, Fainu and Galvin to partner Luai. we can have our right edge sorted and build combos during the season as opposed to doing it in preseason like we’ve done forever, and we can still be competitive without compromising a season.

thoughts?

On point!
Sezer is a left footed kicker so it would make the most sense to have him take the dominant playmaker role on the left edge. Which with the current side playing with Luke Brooks ‘controlling’ from the left shouldn’t be too much a of a change for the team.
I think we start with Sullivan.
Fainu I think is ready for senior football but I’m not sure about Galvin. So we could probably line up all 3 on the right in each grade and promote / demote accordingly.
Who however do we have to partner in NSW Cup in the halves? I know Wakeham has left and signed we Blacktown is there another steady half the club has recruited to bring the halves through in the lower grade teams?
Final note. With all that considered above, would it be worthwhile keeping Sezer on another year as senior halves cover to play NSW Cup alongside Galvin or Latu?
Another consideration would be to play Fainu off the bench in the early stages as a utility as he would be more physically ready for that role then having TDS.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

On point!
Sezer is a left footed kicker so it would make the most sense to have him take the dominant playmaker role on the left edge. Which with the current side playing with Luke Brooks ‘controlling’ from the left shouldn’t be too much a of a change for the team.
I think we start with Sullivan.
Fainu I think is ready for senior football but I’m not sure about Galvin. So we could probably line up all 3 on the right in each grade and promote / demote accordingly.
Who however do we have to partner in NSW Cup in the halves? I know Wakeham has left and signed we Blacktown is there another steady half the club has recruited to bring the halves through in the lower grade teams?
Final note. With all that considered above, would it be worthwhile keeping Sezer on another year as senior halves cover to play NSW Cup alongside Galvin or Latu?
Another consideration would be to play Fainu off the bench in the early stages as a utility as he would be more physically ready for that role then having TDS.

Probably isn't worth keeping Sezer for that role. Biggest issue is that our 2025 roster has 26 / 30 positions filled as it stands. If Olam comes it is 27 which leaves only 3 top 30 spots left with the following still off contract:

Doueihi
Kepaoa
Simpkin
Sione Fainu
Alaimalo
Sezer (Mutual Option)
Utoikamanu (Mutual Option)
Tumeth (Player Option)

You would assume the club goes hard to retain Utoikamanu which would then make it 28 / 30 if successful.
The club can't sign 30 players until Tumeth decides whether or not to activate his clause, meaning we are only playing around with 29 spots atm instead of 30.

In short if we can wrap up Olam & Utoikamanu going into 2025 then we have 1 - 2 spots left. I could see the club looking at a more experienced Wing / Centre such as Reimis Smith or Cotric in order to have some competition for spots. Possibly an experienced forward as well because outside of the top 17 all of our forwards combined have played less than 10 games of NRL.

Based on my observation on the positions we would need to fill I think the only player that has a chance of being retained is Doueihi. He could create competition for spots in the centres & possibly fill in for the spine if we have injury issues. Alternatively (and this is my preference) you could play him in a more creative 13 role. He's about an inch shorter and 5kg lighter than Yeo. If he kills it then we have one extra experienced leader in the forward pack.

 

[ElleryHanley]

A good few weeks...definitely looking a lot better than a month ago.

Finally addressing our need at center...after ignoring it for ages. If Kepoa is your starting center, you are going to win spoons.

Now, he will hopefully be permanently in state cup.

 

[Tito Santana]

Probably isn't worth keeping Sezer for that role. Biggest issue is that our 2025 roster has 26 / 30 positions filled as it stands. If Olam comes it is 27 which leaves only 3 top 30 spots left with the following still off contract:

Doueihi
Kepaoa
Simpkin
Sione Fainu
Alaimalo
Sezer (Mutual Option)
Utoikamanu (Mutual Option)
Tumeth (Player Option)

You would assume the club goes hard to retain Utoikamanu which would then make it 28 / 30 if successful.
The club can't sign 30 players until Tumeth decides whether or not to activate his clause, meaning we are only playing around with 29 spots atm instead of 30.

In short if we can wrap up Olam & Utoikamanu going into 2025 then we have 1 - 2 spots left. I could see the club looking at a more experienced Wing / Centre such as Reimis Smith or Cotric in order to have some competition for spots. Possibly an experienced forward as well because outside of the top 17 all of our forwards combined have played less than 10 games of NRL.

Based on my observation on the positions we would need to fill I think the only player that has a chance of being retained is Doueihi. He could create competition for spots in the centres & possibly fill in for the spine if we have injury issues. Alternatively (and this is my preference) you could play him in a more creative 13 role. He's about an inch shorter and 5kg lighter than Yeo. If he kills it then we have one extra experienced leader in the forward pack.

I think Tumeth stays - I can’t see anyone picking him up so he will be holding on to not have to get a real job. Damn shame as he is terrible.

Albeit I don’t know how all these options work etc.

The three I would retain as of right now are:

Alaimalo
Sezer (Mutual Option)
Utoikamanu (Mutual Option)

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I think Tumeth stays - I can’t see anyone picking him up so he will be holding on to not have to get a real job. Damn shame as he is terrible.

Albeit I don’t know how all these options work etc.

The three I would retain as of right now are:

Alaimalo
Sezer (Mutual Option)
Utoikamanu (Mutual Option)

I have the same worries about Tumeth.

The NRL released a top 30 breakdown for all clubs over the next 4 years the other day. At the bottom of the article they covered how the options work:

Club Option - The Club can activate the extra year/s before a certain date
Player Option - The Player can activate the extra year/s before a certain date
Mutual Option -The Club and player both must agree to activate the extra year/s before a certain date

The dates normally have to be activated by around the end of June on the year of the contract being up.

 

[jrtiger]

Brooks/Sezer/Luai are all left-footed and similar in ways. Good idea to start building combos on the right so at least one side has chemistry in 2025. 2024 can be a 'rebuild' (build again) year

I don't want 2024 to be a rebuild year. I think we can be competitive while also having an eye on 2025 if we play Sezer down the left. he certainly isn't coming here for a holiday. if its a 1 year deal he'll be busting his ass for a contract either here or elsewhere.

 

[jrtiger]

On point!
Sezer is a left footed kicker so it would make the most sense to have him take the dominant playmaker role on the left edge. Which with the current side playing with Luke Brooks ‘controlling’ from the left shouldn’t be too much a of a change for the team.
I think we start with Sullivan.
Fainu I think is ready for senior football but I’m not sure about Galvin. So we could probably line up all 3 on the right in each grade and promote / demote accordingly.
Who however do we have to partner in NSW Cup in the halves? I know Wakeham has left and signed we Blacktown is there another steady half the club has recruited to bring the halves through in the lower grade teams?
Final note. With all that considered above, would it be worthwhile keeping Sezer on another year as senior halves cover to play NSW Cup alongside Galvin or Latu?
Another consideration would be to play Fainu off the bench in the early stages as a utility as he would be more physically ready for that role then having TDS.

Sullivan definitely gets the jump, but I feel as if Latu will be ready later down the line (half the season in Cup is ideal, then blooded in the Origin period) and Galvin I'm not too sure on his timeline either. that said, providing you give all of them a decent and fair crack then I see no issue. who knows, Sullivan may keep the other two out for the entire season and start next to Luai come 2025.

Cup halves are a toughie. It does look as if it'll be Fainu and Galvin given what we currently have, but Iverson Matai is one option, as is Harradyn Wilson (former QLD U19s half). no one is exactly experienced like Wakeham was, but it may fast track their development.

I don't think it's a terrible idea to retain Sezer, but someone has to go with Luai coming in next year and given he's on a 1 year deal he's the likeliest to leave. it feels like Richo is going to prioritise Galvin and Fainu moving forward, so that probably leaves Sullivan in a bit of trouble. it is possible that we take up Sezer's option and Sullivan is released, but I don't think that's the likely option.

interesting times nonetheless and providing we get it right, we should be able to have a competitive year while working out who partners Luai at the scrumbase.

 

[rugbygoated]

I don't want 2024 to be a rebuild year. I think we can be competitive while also having an eye on 2025 if we play Sezer down the left. he certainly isn't coming here for a holiday. if its a 1 year deal he'll be busting his ass for a contract either here or elsewhere.

I think Tigers will be like last year. Have some big scalps against Panthers, Cowboys but fall away towards the end on a losing run. It's going to take a lot to turn around the last 2 years. And most of the players in the team were there to experience it

 

[The-moP]

Realistically:

Bula
Staines
To'a
Naden
Tupou
Bud
Sezer
Klemmer
Api
Stefano
Matamua
Papalil
Pole

Sam Fainu
Matamma
Twal
Simpkin

Players to come in to side:

Justin Olam (if the swap with Blore comes through which i think it will)
John Bateman
Latu Fainu
Jordan Miller
Soloman Alaimalo
Chris Faagutu
Kit Laulilii
Tallyn De Silva
Alex Lobb
David Nofoaluma (if he isnt sacked)
Asu Kepaoa

 

[jrtiger]

I think Tigers will be like last year. Have some big scalps against Panthers, Cowboys but fall away towards the end on a losing run. It's going to take a lot to turn around the last 2 years. And most of the players in the team were there to experience it

I can't see us having a year like the two previous. I'm not saying top 8, but we will win more than four games.

I think we have a squad and a style of play that will dig us out of the bottom four. our forward pack is excellent and we now have a halfback that lead the side around, not to mention having our fullback sorted and Koroisau in the building since day 1.

we will probably lack the polish to ice some games, but I think we are going to hang in games far more than we did. 12th sounds about right to me.

 

[rugbygoated]

I can't see us having a year like the two previous. I'm not saying top 8, but we will win more than four games.

I think we have a squad and a style of play that will dig us out of the bottom four. our forward pack is excellent and we now have a halfback that lead the side around, not to mention having our fullback sorted and Koroisau in the building since day 1.

we will probably lack the polish to ice some games, but I think we are going to hang in games far more than we did. 12th sounds about right to me.

I think we'll improve but not by a huge amount. Still bottom 4 for me. Our roster is good but other teams around us have better things going for them. Dogs signed Critta and have a lot more depth than we do. Flanagan is a good coach for Dragons. Titans have Hasler who I can't see failing. I think Raiders will finish bottom 4 and maybe get the spoon. Sea Eagles for me will finish bottom 4. Dolphins have Wayne Bennett. All we signed for 2024 is Olam while also having Richo but it will take a while to improve. Who is in your bottom 4 mate? My bottom 4 is Raiders, Manly, Tigers and Bulldogs

 

[jrtiger]

I think we'll improve but not by a huge amount. Still bottom 4 for me. Our roster is good but other teams around us have better things going for them. Dogs signed Critta and have a lot more depth than we do. Flanagan is a good coach for Dragons. Titans have Hasler who I can't see failing. I think Raiders will finish bottom 4 and maybe get the spoon. Sea Eagles for me will finish bottom 4. Dolphins have Wayne Bennett. All we signed for 2024 is Olam while also having Richo but it will take a while to improve. Who is in your bottom 4 mate? My bottom 4 is Raiders, Manly, Tigers and Bulldogs

fair enough mate. I think we're a far better prospect than the Dogs as their middles are well below NRL standard. Dragons get the spoon for mine, agree on Canberra and Gold Coast and Manly hinges solely on Trbojevic. Dolphins to improve but will be close to us.

bottom four: Canterbury, Canberra, St George, Newcastle. the Knights caught fire this year but I think their last two months papered over some pretty large cracks. I don't have New Zealand in the 8 this year either, they'll be in a similar position to us. I think Cronulla could have an off year as well.

Parramatta, Souths and North Queensland are far too good to miss the 8 again. they'll bounce straight back up.

 

[rugbygoated]

fair enough mate. I think we're a far better prospect than the Dogs as their middles are well below NRL standard. Dragons get the spoon for mine, agree on Canberra and Gold Coast and Manly hinges solely on Trbojevic. Dolphins to improve but will be close to us.

bottom four: Canterbury, Canberra, St George, Newcastle. the Knights caught fire this year but I think their last two months papered over some pretty large cracks. I don't have New Zealand in the 8 this year either, they'll be in a similar position to us. I think Cronulla could have an off year as well.

Parramatta, Souths and North Queensland are far too good to miss the 8 again. they'll bounce straight back up.

Knights signed Cogger who is very decent. Gamble is super competitive. If Ponga stays fit, I think they finish just outside the 8. They are very inconsistent though. Dom Young a big loss

 

[Le Tiger]

NRL:

1. Bula
2. Staines
3. Olam
4. Toa
5. Naden

6. Sullivan
7. Sezer

8. Stef
9. Api
10. Klemmer

11. Ice
12. Bateman
13. Seyfarth

14. Simpkin
15. Matamua
16. Pole
17. Twal

Cup:

1. Tupou
2. Lobb
3. Faataape
4. Feledy
5. Alaimalo

6. Galvin
7. L. Fainu

8. S. Fainu
9. TDS
10. S. Fainu
11. Tumeth
12. Kepoa
13. Kit

14. Sukkar
15. Faagutu
16. Miller
17. Saukuru

Some of the younger players will likely start the year in Ball or Flegg. But here is my NRL side and Cup side made up of top 30 + dev players

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

NRL:

1. Bula
2. Staines
3. Olam
4. Toa
5. Naden

6. Sullivan
7. Sezer

8. Stef
9. Api
10. Klemmer

11. Ice
12. Bateman
13. Seyfarth

14. Simpkin
15. Matamua
16. Pole
17. Twal

Cup:

1. Tupou
2. Lobb
3. Faataape
4. Feledy
5. Alaimalo

6. Galvin
7. L. Fainu

8. S. Fainu
9. TDS
10. S. Fainu
11. Tumeth
12. Kepoa
13. Kit

14. Sukkar
15. Faagutu
16. Miller
17. Saukuru

Some of the younger players will likely start the year in Ball or Flegg. But here is my NRL side and Cup side made up of top 30 + dev players

Gheez mate is that our Cup side or our Flegg side I don't think it would work out well having all of these guys play Cup. I think Galvin, Sukkar, Feledy, Miller, Faagutu should all probably be playing Flegg still.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

I think we'll improve but not by a huge amount. Still bottom 4 for me. Our roster is good but other teams around us have better things going for them. Dogs signed Critta and have a lot more depth than we do. Flanagan is a good coach for Dragons. Titans have Hasler who I can't see failing. I think Raiders will finish bottom 4 and maybe get the spoon. Sea Eagles for me will finish bottom 4. Dolphins have Wayne Bennett. All we signed for 2024 is Olam while also having Richo but it will take a while to improve. Who is in your bottom 4 mate? My bottom 4 is Raiders, Manly, Tigers and Bulldogs

To be fair, we improved the squad from the last year especially at halves as we signed Sezar, Sullivan, three Fainu brothers, so it is not just Olam.