2024 Pre-Season

[joebob]

I popped into training today and watched for about 10 minutes.

Bateman had what appeared to be an ankle issue, was trying to stretch it out, but seemed to be causing him issues. As such wasn't training.

Douehi was doing some running, looked ok. Didn't pull up gingerly, so seems to be coming along.

The rest were playing group A vs group B. I think someone listed out the group A guys a few days back.

Seytharth at lock, got subbed for Sam. AJ was playing 2nd row instead of Bateman. Sullivan and Sezer in the halves.

Conditions weren't great, so they weren't running or tackling hard. A few drop balls. Ice did a big effort to keep a ball inside the sideline. Then Api dropped the ball at dummy half on the next play and was very upset with himself.

Benji was the half for group B. I couldn't locate Latu amongst those out there.

 

[Vicious]

I popped into training today and watched for about 10 minutes.

Bateman had what appeared to be an ankle issue, was trying to stretch it out, but seemed to be causing him issues. As such wasn't training.

Douehi was doing some running, looked ok. Didn't pull up gingerly, so seems to be coming along.

The rest were playing group A vs group B. I think someone listed out the group A guys a few days back.

Seytharth at lock, got subbed for Sam. AJ was playing 2nd row instead of Bateman. Sullivan and Sezer in the halves.

Conditions weren't great, so they weren't running or tackling hard. A few drop balls. Ice did a big effort to keep a ball inside the sideline. Then Api dropped the ball at dummy half on the next play and was very upset with himself.

Benji was the half for group B. I couldn't locate Latu amongst those out there.

Who were the outside backs for the A Team ?

 

[joebob]

Who were the outside backs for the A Team ?

Olam and Junior on the left. Toa and Staines on the right.

 

[jrtiger]

Olam and Junior on the left. Toa and Staines on the right.

thanks mate. sounds like the side is pretty much locked in, the only question is where Bateman fits.

left back row sounds logical but I think he has pretty much played exclusively on the right, where he can cut back against the grain. I feel he might be moved to the middle with AJ locking down the left edge and Seyfarth going back to the bench, although I may be completely wrong on that.

 

[Kelce68]

thanks mate. sounds like the side is pretty much locked in, the only question is where Bateman fits.

left back row sounds logical but I think he has pretty much played exclusively on the right, where he can cut back against the grain. I feel he might be moved to the middle with AJ locking down the left edge and Seyfarth going back to the bench, although I may be completely wrong on that.

The bench makeup will be pretty interesting.

 

[jrtiger]

The bench makeup will be pretty interesting.

definitely. trials (providing Bateman is right to go) will give us more of an indication of what is going on, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that Marshall names 4 forwards on the bench and plays Api for 80.

the only issue then is what you do if someone in the spine goes down, but like you said it will be very interesting what they decide.

the more I think about it though I feel Seyfarth may well end up at 13. high effort/application type which is the pillar of Marshall's culture. I just didn't think Bateman was suitable for the left.

 

[WT46]

Hey guys, this might’ve been mentioned but I saw big Timmy Grant back with the club. What’s his role there?

 

[Canadian Club]

thanks mate. sounds like the side is pretty much locked in, the only question is where Bateman fits.

left back row sounds logical but I think he has pretty much played exclusively on the right, where he can cut back against the grain. I feel he might be moved to the middle with AJ locking down the left edge and Seyfarth going back to the bench, although I may be completely wrong on that.

He has played a handful of games on the left for Canberra and Wigan.

If Seyfarth does end up in the lock position its safe to assume Twal and Pole are guaranteed for two bench spots.

The other two spots will likely be between Latu Fainu, Simpkin, TDS, Kepaoa, Matamua and Samuela Fainu. I think it will depend if Benji wants to carry an extra half, hooker or outside back on the bench. Kepaoa's ability to cover backrow and 2-5 might give him the edge.

 

[jrtiger]

He has played a handful of games on the left for Canberra and Wigan.

If Seyfarth does end up in the lock position its safe to assume Twal and Pole are guaranteed for two bench spots.

The other two spots will likely be between Latu Fainu, Simpkin, TDS, Kepaoa, Matamua and Samuela Fainu. I think it will depend if Benji wants to carry an extra half, hooker or outside back on the bench. Kepaoa's ability to cover backrow and 2-5 might give him the edge.

maybe I'm overthinking it and Bateman will lock down the left. Marshall and Morris might've seen something and have made the switch for whatever reason. spitballing here but maybe in order to play as structured as Marshall wants, having Bateman on the left stops him from coming back against the grain and disrupting things. I dunno...

for mine, I think Simpkin and Sammy Fainu lock down jerseys 14 and 17, but Kepaoa's versatility could prove invaluable. I doubt we'll have any idea what Marshall has in mind until we see the team list for Round 2.

 

[KingRobbie]

Hey guys, this might’ve been mentioned but I saw big Timmy Grant back with the club. What’s his role there?

Player Development Officer.

Not entirely sure what that entails but is an off-field role I assume.

 

[KingRobbie]

I popped into training today and watched for about 10 minutes.

Bateman had what appeared to be an ankle issue, was trying to stretch it out, but seemed to be causing him issues. As such wasn't training.

Douehi was doing some running, looked ok. Didn't pull up gingerly, so seems to be coming along.

The rest were playing group A vs group B. I think someone listed out the group A guys a few days back.

Seytharth at lock, got subbed for Sam. AJ was playing 2nd row instead of Bateman. Sullivan and Sezer in the halves.

Conditions weren't great, so they weren't running or tackling hard. A few drop balls. Ice did a big effort to keep a ball inside the sideline. Then Api dropped the ball at dummy half on the next play and was very upset with himself.

Benji was the half for group B. I couldn't locate Latu amongst those out there.

Was Papali'i on the right or left?

 

[Needaname]

maybe I'm overthinking it and Bateman will lock down the left. Marshall and Morris might've seen something and have made the switch for whatever reason. spitballing here but maybe in order to play as structured as Marshall wants, having Bateman on the left stops him from coming back against the grain and disrupting things. I dunno...

for mine, I think Simpkin and Sammy Fainu lock down jerseys 14 and 17, but Kepaoa's versatility could prove invaluable. I doubt we'll have any idea what Marshall has in mind until we see the team list for Round 2.

I like Bateman on the left keeping Olam in check and linking up with Sezer for defensive reasons.
Offensively we may also be better off.
Papali was best off Moses at Para and prehaps Sulivan or Fainu could be similar halves to push Papali into a hole. Off brooks last year Papali either was a battering ram off an early ball or was left out when he was running a line into a hole. Sullivan has probably a little bit more foot work and subtly in his ball playing that could bring out the best in Papali.
Bateman is unorthodox, you would have to create a hole for him to make a line break as he is unlikely to break through himself. Alternatively Bateman can come alive when nothing is on with early ball and just test the defensive line in any which way.
But most importantly as it’s been mentioned originally with the Olam signing he was probably at his best when he had a defensive minded backrower on his same edge and Sezer is a strong half in defense.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I popped into training today and watched for about 10 minutes.

Bateman had what appeared to be an ankle issue, was trying to stretch it out, but seemed to be causing him issues. As such wasn't training.

Douehi was doing some running, looked ok. Didn't pull up gingerly, so seems to be coming along.

The rest were playing group A vs group B. I think someone listed out the group A guys a few days back.

Seytharth at lock, got subbed for Sam. AJ was playing 2nd row instead of Bateman. Sullivan and Sezer in the halves.

Conditions weren't great, so they weren't running or tackling hard. A few drop balls. Ice did a big effort to keep a ball inside the sideline. Then Api dropped the ball at dummy half on the next play and was very upset with himself.

Benji was the half for group B. I couldn't locate Latu amongst those out there.

All this in 10 mins.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Any relation to Billy Bob Sue?

 

[BAGNF05]

He has played a handful of games on the left for Canberra and Wigan.

If Seyfarth does end up in the lock position its safe to assume Twal and Pole are guaranteed for two bench spots.

The other two spots will likely be between Latu Fainu, Simpkin, TDS, Kepaoa, Matamua and Samuela Fainu. I think it will depend if Benji wants to carry an extra half, hooker or outside back on the bench. Kepaoa's ability to cover backrow and 2-5 might give him the edge.

AJ needs a stint in twos to figure out what he is.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I popped into training today and watched for about 10 minutes.

Bateman had what appeared to be an ankle issue, was trying to stretch it out, but seemed to be causing him issues. As such wasn't training.

Douehi was doing some running, looked ok. Didn't pull up gingerly, so seems to be coming along.

The rest were playing group A vs group B. I think someone listed out the group A guys a few days back.

Seytharth at lock, got subbed for Sam. AJ was playing 2nd row instead of Bateman. Sullivan and Sezer in the halves.

Conditions weren't great, so they weren't running or tackling hard. A few drop balls. Ice did a big effort to keep a ball inside the sideline. Then Api dropped the ball at dummy half on the next play and was very upset with himself.

Benji was the half for group B. I couldn't locate Latu amongst those out there.

This lines up with all the photos I saw of training yesterday as well. I think Seyfarth will actually start at the lock position in order for Benji to avoid having him and Twal come off the bench at the same time. Twal and Pole would make much more sense as a bench duo in order to keep our intensity levels.

Seyfarth at lock also leaves the position open for one of the kids to eventually claim it as I think they will focus on making Pole the best prop he can possibly be in order to get to a starting combo of Stefano & Pole in future years.

 

[Vicious]

maybe I'm overthinking it and Bateman will lock down the left. Marshall and Morris might've seen something and have made the switch for whatever reason. spitballing here but maybe in order to play as structured as Marshall wants, having Bateman on the left stops him from coming back against the grain and disrupting things. I dunno...

for mine, I think Simpkin and Sammy Fainu lock down jerseys 14 and 17, but Kepaoa's versatility could prove invaluable. I doubt we'll have any idea what Marshall has in mind until we see the team list for Round 2.

That is the most likely 17 to kick off the season.
I think Latu Fainu might get a bench spot ahead of Simpkin as he can cover the halves, hooker and outside backs if required.
That would mean Samuela Fainu likely to also be on the bench with the obvious Pole and Twal.
If Bateman is not ready to start the season, it seems pretty clear AJ will be his replacement. He’s shown he’s not very effective an an NRL centre or winger, let’s hope he steps up as a second rower.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

You heard it here first. Our most likely 17 to start.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

This lines up with all the photos I saw of training yesterday as well. I think Seyfarth will actually start at the lock position in order for Benji to avoid having him and Twal come off the bench at the same time. Twal and Pole would make much more sense as a bench duo in order to keep our intensity levels.

Seyfarth at lock also leaves the position open for one of the kids to eventually claim it as I think they will focus on making Pole the best prop he can possibly be in order to get to a starting combo of Stefano & Pole in future years.

I like the thinking @FrodoTBaggin . I for one like having Seyfarth at lock. For his energy & effort, for his experience, for his attitude & for his ball-playing (which he can do). This will be his time to shine in his rightful position and allow time for Matamua & Kit to develop more.

Yes Twal & Pole off the bench makes perfect sense.

 

[Tucker]

You heard it here first. Our most likely 17 to start.

What happened to your mate that was abusing you earlier?