Season 2025 Expectations, Predictions & Key Positions.

The Chad said:
3 time NRL last placed.

The club, I don't think, can afford to have one of it's most genuine attacking options, one of it's most talented players, in Latu Fainu in KOE.

Which is why I still think there is a world where Fainu or Galvin play in the centres.

1. Bula
2. Skelton
3. Latu Fainu
4. Olam
5. Turuva
6. Galvin
7. Luai
13. Bird
12. Bateman
11. Sam Fainu
10. Klemmer
9. Koroisau
8. Pole

14. Da Silva
15. Hunt
16. Seyfarth
17. Twal/ Sione Fainu
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Agree Chad. Latu's a 1st grader no question. Ideally Lachie has a revelation & decides his future is in the pack. Certainly would solve the problem.
 
I see a lot of top 17s named and that's great but it wasn't the top 17 that was the major issue in 2024 it was what happened when they were missing for one reason or another. What's more important imo is what the backup looks like across the park - when 1,2, or 5 players are out how do we still win.
 
My top 17 as of now although expect more signings to come

FB- Bula
W-Skelton
C-Olam
C-To'a
W- Turuva
FE- Galvin
HB- Laui
L- Bird
SR- Fainu
SR- Bateman
P- Hunt
H- Api
P- Klemmer

R1- Pole
R2- Twal
R3- Seyfarth
R4- Latu Fainu

This allows Bird to cover mid game injuries in the backs which hurt us massively in 2024
 
boonboon said:
My top 17 as of now although expect more signings to come

FB- Bula
W-Skelton
C-Olam
C-To'a
W- Turuva
FE- Galvin
HB- Laui
L- Bird
SR- Fainu
SR- Bateman
P- Hunt
H- Api
P- Klemmer

R1- Pole
R2- Twal
R3- Seyfarth
R4- Latu Fainu

This allows Bird to cover mid game injuries in the backs which hurt us massively in 2024
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I’d forgotten about old Starford.
It would be good if he earnt his contract for a year or two. It’d solve a lot of problems if he could play half as good as that one game for most of the season. With what we have, Bird, Tito and young Mak coming through, but Stars last few games were terrible. .
 
boonboon said:
I see a lot of top 17s named and that's great but it wasn't the top 17 that was the major issue in 2024 it was what happened when they were missing for one reason or another. What's more important imo is what the backup looks like across the park - when 1,2, or 5 players are out how do we still win.
Click to expand...
nailed it. they need to either put some genuine depth in place or sign on top of players that need to be moved down the depth chart.

some of the youngsters have developed well this year, but there's still genuine concern that we're a couple of injuries away from calling up the likes of Fa'agutu, Feledy, Kit, Matamua, Saukuru and Sukkar when they're either not ready or not up to it. even Luke Laulili'i, despite his clear talent isn't anywhere near regular first grade.
 
Flippedy said:
Yep the addition of NAS would change everything.. it’s a simple solution and one I hope we are exploring.
Click to expand...
Hope so too. Another A predator prop is what we need to show our team the way forward.

I feel we could have an amazing opportunity already within our squad to create a lethal spine of 1-6-7-13-9 and his name is LATU FAINU.

If everything goes to plan then Galvin & Luai will be a long-term halves pairing but Latu is such a phenomenal talent not to include. If he, his manager & coaches are supportive, I'd transition him to lock this season.

With the width he could create for Luai & Galvin as the linkman, it would give us so many options out wide plus his acceleration, strength & ball-playing skill can be dangerous up the middle keeping the defence in 2-minds.

He is already quite strong in defence & is a good tackler, would just need to add to his frame & build up his tank.

Next season, Bird could start at #13 with Latu as #14 and still have room for TDS on the bench with 2 middles. So Bird/Latu share the lock position (with Bird also as backrow & centre coverage).

If Luai & Galvin can be wider off the ruck with Latu as the link, I'm getting Broncos 2023 attacking structure vibes!!!
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Hope so too. Another A predator prop is what we need to show our team the way forward.

I feel we could have an amazing opportunity already within our squad to create a lethal spine of 1-6-7-13-9 and his name is LATU FAINU.

If everything goes to plan then Galvin & Luai will be a long-term halves pairing but Latu is such a phenomenal talent not to include. If he, his manager & coaches are supportive, I'd transition him to lock this season.

With the width he could create for Luai & Galvin as the linkman, it would give us so many options out wide plus his acceleration, strength & ball-playing skill can be dangerous up the middle keeping the defence in 2-minds.

He is already quite strong in defence & is a good tackler, would just need to add to his frame & build up his tank.

Next season, Bird could start at #13 with Latu as #14 and still have room for TDS on the bench with 2 middles. So Bird/Latu share the lock position (with Bird also as backrow & centre coverage).

If Luai & Galvin can be wider off the ruck with Latu as the link, I'm getting Broncos 2023 attacking structure vibes!!!
Click to expand...
Maybe Latu can be that Tyran Wishart player for us, at least in the short term.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Hope so too. Another A predator prop is what we need to show our team the way forward.

I feel we could have an amazing opportunity already within our squad to create a lethal spine of 1-6-7-13-9 and his name is LATU FAINU.

If everything goes to plan then Galvin & Luai will be a long-term halves pairing but Latu is such a phenomenal talent not to include. If he, his manager & coaches are supportive, I'd transition him to lock this season.

With the width he could create for Luai & Galvin as the linkman, it would give us so many options out wide plus his acceleration, strength & ball-playing skill can be dangerous up the middle keeping the defence in 2-minds.

He is already quite strong in defence & is a good tackler, would just need to add to his frame & build up his tank.

Next season, Bird could start at #13 with Latu as #14 and still have room for TDS on the bench with 2 middles. So Bird/Latu share the lock position (with Bird also as backrow & centre coverage).

If Luai & Galvin can be wider off the ruck with Latu as the link, I'm getting Broncos 2023 attacking structure vibes!!!
Click to expand...
Hopefully he shakes off those hammy issues and we get to see more of what he can do next year.
 
BAGNF05 said:
I think we should be analysing how the Dogs managed to stay in games with a no-name forward pack who were on the smaller side.

A pack of Twal, Api, Pole, Bateman, Fainu, Seyfarth should be able to punch out minutes with Hunt and Bird to provide some impact. They would get dominated physically as there’s no clear alpha players but Canterbury seemed to manage ok.

It’s going to be an interesting watch.
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I don’t want to break ur belief, but u seen how easy we were run over this year , we have lose two big bodies , yes we got hunt back t he’s not a great defender and I think bird will end up playing centre, unless Richo can sign 3 more forwards with big work ethnics we are in big trouble
 
user118245 said:
Wonder what Tim J could do as a second rower
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I reckon he’d be a handful.
Personally I’d prefer to see him put on a little more and be the best wrestler at the club. If he’s got any mongrel in him, I’d challenge him to be a ferocious prop. Him and miller would be my prop projects for the offseason. Same program only no Maccas for Miller. I’d pit them against and with each other, challenge them to be the KOE bruise bros and by seasons end playing NRL together.
 
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