2021 Trials

[old_man_tiger]

In the past when we have won trials it has led to a fair bit of optimism. Probably healthy for many (including me) to have a reality check at this stage.

During this off-season, I went from angry and disheartened at the club to pretty optimistic, but in reality judgement has to be reserved until the ladder position at the end of the season is known. That is the only metric that matters to me this year. Anything 8th or above is success, irrespective of details/ individual performances. Anything 9th or below is abject failure, irrespective of details/ individual performances.

Enjoy the ride, there were 3 or 4 guys who played last night who are good enough to impact results in first grade, and a couple of smokeys in Rodgers-Smith, Tuilagi and Cooper who might be a bonus, but the result and performance of flegg/reggies is not that meaningful.

 

[Goanna57]

In the past when we have won trials it has led to a fair bit of optimism. Probably healthy for many (including me) to have a reality check at this stage.

During this off-season, I went from angry and disheartened at the club to pretty optimistic, but in reality judgement has to be reserved until the ladder position at the end of the season is known. That is the only metric that matters to me this year. Anything 8th or above is success, irrespective of details/ individual performances. Anything 9th or below is abject failure, irrespective of details/ individual performances.

Enjoy the ride, there were 3 or 4 guys who played last night who are good enough to impact results in first grade, and a couple of smokeys in Rodgers-Smith, Tuilagi and Cooper who might be a bonus, but the result and performance of flegg/reggies is not that meaningful.

Good post old_ man_ I like what you’re saying and totally agree, I think that Docker-Clay also had a good game he was very direct

 

[Guest]

New combinations are a work in progress: Maguire
Author
Alicia Newton
NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Sat 20 Feb 2021, 11:06 PM

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has warned it may take a month into the Telstra Premiership for him to find the side's best combinations ahead of the squad's only main trial with the Sea Eagles next week.

Maguire got a glimpse of new recruits Daine Laurie and Stefano Utoikamanu in a low-key trial game in Camden on Saturday night but will now switch his focus to finalising a team for round one against the Raiders.

The NRL limited the amount of trial games for players in 2021 due to a shortened pre-season amid following COVID-19.

In the case for the joint venture, who are looking to replace Benji Marshall and Harry Grant, Maguire is wary of the effect that will have on combinations.

"You can probably work out who is pushing for spots but it's an open team for me at the moment," Maguire said.

"We have had a number of changes with personnel coming to the club and finding the cohesion in teams is something we're going to be working for.

"It could take a month to find exactly how we're going to go but it creates opportunity for the players.

"I'll probably play about 24 players [next week] and some of those guys will play a fair bit of time, some won't.

"We've done a lot of training so I'm pleased with where we're at but we want to play games, that's what it's all about."

Among those vying for a spot in round one are dummy-halves Jacob Liddle and Jake Simpkin.

The pair shared hooker duties against the Roosters with Maguire indicating they'll both be better for the run after long lay-offs last season.

"They showed some good signs throughout the game," Maguire said.

"I'm looking forward to how they go this week now. I was pleased with Jake, it's his first game back in a long time.

"He gets out and probes well, he's got good composure. Jacob showed some good signs getting out and running too.

"We'll have all our senior players around them next week and that will be a big difference … being able to roll the big men on to the ball and defence is a big part as well."

Maguire said Laurie showed signs of being a natural competitor after starting at five-eighth before shifting to fullback.

"He’s exactly what I expected," Maguire said.

"He came out with the ball. He's got good composure and he's quick. I'm looking forward to seeing him grow."

 

[cochise]

In the past when we have won trials it has led to a fair bit of optimism. Probably healthy for many (including me) to have a reality check at this stage.

During this off-season, I went from angry and disheartened at the club to pretty optimistic, but in reality judgement has to be reserved until the ladder position at the end of the season is known. That is the only metric that matters to me this year. Anything 8th or above is success, irrespective of details/ individual performances. Anything 9th or below is abject failure, irrespective of details/ individual performances.

Enjoy the ride, there were 3 or 4 guys who played last night who are good enough to impact results in first grade, and a couple of smokeys in Rodgers-Smith, Tuilagi and Cooper who might be a bonus, but the result and performance of flegg/reggies is not that meaningful.

Good post old_ man_ I like what you’re saying and totally agree, I think that Docker-Clay also had a good game he was very direct

It thought he did well when he was on during garbage time, threw a nice ball for the Fitzgibbon try.

 

[rihannafan1]

It seemed like we played a lot more guys than the Roosters?

The difference was entirely the finishing. Yeah, the Roosters botched one certain try on our line but we had about 5 cracks at them that were terrible. A line break with a botched pass to Laurie, two flat balls to the right that were intercepted, a couple of sixth tackles with no kick.

And Mavoni looked huge and quite impactful when he came on, but was only on about 3 minutes. What's the go there? Must be a poor trainer I'd assume.

 

[Needaname]

Well guys and gals of this great forum,I just finished a 10 hour shift and didnt see any of this trial game....
I have read through this thread about how our guys played...it was a close game that could have gone either way ....
I just want to say that there are many young guys who have huge wraps on them,I hope they put their heads down and bums up and train hard and learn what it takes to play consistently at NRL level...
From what I said a couple of days ago,that Madden needs time in CC to gain much experience if he is to make it at NRL level...I also know that this was a trial and some of the kids havent played because of covid..
I wont go into a full summary,but would like many on here to understand what it would take to be on the field for 80 mins at NRL pressure,eg do you guys really think Madden is the solution at 6/7 for us in the first round ? I dont,he would be slaughtered by a full fg side ready to win to get their season rolling,irrelevent who we are playing...Maybe Madge knows a hell of alot more than us,hence the Hastings rumour...
Anyway chins up guys we are still looking not to bad with the way Madge is scheming and planning our way to finals football...
Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players...hope they keep improving as the year goes on...

You know you can watch it on NRL.com?
Search trials, and go to full matches.
Make sure you select the one that is titled ‘Preseason trial’. Not ‘full match replay’!

 

[Needaname]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

 

[Go_You_Good_Things]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yeah Geo, I thought of that too, but let's be honest . . . any roosters junior side is the best of that age group. They don't pick average players to sign ( and more power to them for being smart ) . . . their reserves are like an "all stars" team for that level.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

I hate the club losing any game, but it was basically a reserve grade trial, with a scattering of possible FG options?

Next week will show us more.

Yea , really none of those guys playing yesterday , apart from the dummy halves are pencilled in for round 1 . Plus it’s hard to gauge , as guys were playing minutes they wouldn’t normally play. Positions they wouldn’t normally play , etc.

 

[Geo]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

2nd tier Cap...?

Is that the Rorters other filing cabinet...

 

[southerntiger]

Rogers-Smith looks very impressive. Is he Flegg or State Cup?

Train and trial I think, probably earn himself a reserve grade contract

Interesting. He looked very good. Big boy

 

[carltonleach]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

That’s a good point, just goes to show experience isn’t everything. Young blokes coming through have played there whole lives they may not have NRL experience but they do have rugby league experience which counts for more then people give it credit IMO

 

[BalmainJnr]

Has anyone seen anything on Billy Stapleton post the trial last night? It looked pretty ominous, but I’m hoping the young bloke didn’t break his jaw last night.

 

[Needaname]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

2nd tier Cap...?

Is that the Rorters other filing cabinet...

Good point. But has it been confirmed how it will work this year yet?

 

[Geo]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

2nd tier Cap...?

Is that the Rorters other filing cabinet...

Good point. But has it been confirmed how it will work this year yet?

How what works..?

Same as pre-covid...Can only play NRL if you have a top 30 NRL contract...Development contracted players permitted to play after Round 11 but an exemption need to be sought..

2020 Development players were allowed to play with exemption from the restart as Squads were in the bubble..

No bubble as yet..

 

[hobbo1]

All I got from last nights game is that our depth really sucks

 

[Needaname]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

2nd tier Cap...?

Is that the Rorters other filing cabinet...

Good point. But has it been confirmed how it will work this year yet?

How what works..?

Same as pre-covid...Can only play NRL if you have a top 30 NRL contract...Development contracted players permitted to play after Round 11 but an exemption need to be sought..

2020 Development players were allowed to play with exemption from the restart as Squads were in the bubble..

No bubble as yet..

So it’s not offical yet that players outside of that and in the reserves teams can be used in addition to the development players?

Not that it helps us much.
There would be about 10 players outside of our 30 squad that trialled last night that would be decent enough for reserve grade.

 

[Geo]

All I got from last nights game is that our depth really sucks

Really ..I reckon our depth players (NRL)Simpkin, Lauire, Simpkins, Utoikamamu, Seyfarth, Madden did OK...Tuilagi (development) was very good..Chee-Kam not the best but picked up a niggle..

Lot of those others would be State Cup players mixed with Flegg reps who had already played a game and gave it it to the Raiders..but are unlikely to see NRL this year..

 

[jadtiger]

All I got from last nights game is that our depth really sucks

I got the opposite feeling about our depth,for the first time in years it looked reasonable

 

[Geo]

Most of these blokes had a good hit out and had a taste of what it would be like against older seasoned players…hope they keep improving as the year goes on…

That would be good except the side the Rorters fielded included players with 0 NRL game experience..not 1..ooh unless you count Brad Abbey....and most not even State Cup

Yes this really concerns me also.
Only 1, One player Fletcher Baker in that trial is part of the Roosters first grade squad.

Now with the new rule change to teams getting access to the 2nd tier cap. All these players are available for depth.
What’s that 60 players loosely contracted to the roosters?
And yet we fielded a side with 8 players of first grade experience and about 10 of them being part of our top 30...

Which side suffered the most injuries last year?.... hmmm.
Which team has a coach on the NRL rules committee?... hmmm.

Guess what guys. We are 5 steps behind the rest of the league, like always......

2nd tier Cap...?

Is that the Rorters other filing cabinet...

Good point. But has it been confirmed how it will work this year yet?

How what works..?

Same as pre-covid...Can only play NRL if you have a top 30 NRL contract...Development contracted players permitted to play after Round 11 but an exemption need to be sought..

2020 Development players were allowed to play with exemption from the restart as Squads were in the bubble..

No bubble as yet..

So it’s not offical yet that players outside of that and in the reserves teams can be used in addition to the development players?

Not that it helps us much.
There would be about 10 players outside of our 30 squad that trialled last night that would be decent enough for reserve grade.

Not sure what you mean official...Not since 2017 when the 2nd Tier cap was abolished have players outside NRL contracted players that can play NRL..

That hasn't changed..