2021 Trials

[BAGNF05]

Talau is certainly a much slower burner than I had hoped. Should have looked like a superstar in that company. Had a few classy touches but didn’t look very interested.

 

[rihannafan1]

Maybe they just wanted Talau to have a run in the centres and the halves for a bit whereas AJ is only seen as a winger? And tbh didn't look like Talau or a number of them (Liddle) were going 100% out there.

Supporters can wish it all they like, but it's a trial game at the end of an intense off-season before the start of a gruelling regular season and pros just won't go all out for that.

I'd be very happy with Stefano and Laurie's performances as they were clearly stronger and better than their comp and that's what we expected of them.

 

[cochise]

Maybe they just wanted Talau to have a run in the centres and the halves for a bit whereas AJ is only seen as a winger? And tbh didn't look like Talau or a number of them (Liddle) were going 100% out there.

Supporters can wish it all they like, but it's a trial game at the end of an intense off-season before the start of a gruelling regular season and pros just won't go all out for that.

I'd be very happy with Stefano and Laurie's performances as they were clearly stronger and better than their comp and that's what we expected of them.

I have no problem with the intensity Talau played with, it was more the poor defensive reads that have carried over from previous seasons.

 

[JC99]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself, I'd like to see AJ on the wing over him as well

 

[cochise]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself

I was hoping to see an improvement in his defense this season.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

What are you looking for in the team list this week mate?

I suppose I’ll be looking to see who gets named from the group of hopefuls I watched on Saturday. Also questions I have: Mbye fullback or 6 for round 1; AJ or Talau on wing; How lethal will our centres be; Brooks and Doueihi- how does that gel; will our pack dominate and who is leading the race for our pack; where does Garner fit in......
Mate, so many questions - but it’s exciting because if we get it right and players perform I reckon we have a very competitive team with decent depth

I would be looking to play Mbye at 6 in round one so would like to see him spend some time there against Manly. It is hard though because Doueihi also needs a chunk of time there as well.

Yep .... same for opening round for me. We need an experienced 5/8 and it will be a good test to see if Mbye can produce something positive there. If not than Doueihi for round 2 ..... which will be further experiment.
With Benji (I know it was time to let go), Reynolds and Walters not in the mix ..... we are really short and unstable in the halves for this season. No easy answers and very possibly lots of headaches on the cards for Madge this season.

 

[tony soprano]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself, I'd like to see AJ on the wing over him as well

Been saying for a while needs to go into the forwards.

 

[innsaneink]

oh no stapleton

According to commentary ‘off with a suspected injured face’

Those commentators were hopeless. - "Broken face"

Would have been good if they named the players instead of
useless info and trying to be smart a---s

I notice the club added that
incident into the highlites
package

I don't see the point and if it's someone's idea of being funny we'll it aint

 

[balmain boy]

A lot of young players out there for both sides.

In the end it looked like the Roosters were more cohesive unit. While we had a number of better credentialled players they wouldn't have played a lot in these combiantions. This was basically the Roosters NSW Cup squad and it looked like they've been training and playing together over the off season. Had much better combinations.

To be expected when you've got a bunch of nrl, nsw cup, and flegg players out there. But hey, some of these guys were on train and trial contracts and guess what a trial game is for - trialling players and combos!

Fitz definitely looks like a prospect worth keeping but moreso on a dev contract. He's got raw ability but needs polishing.

Good to remember both Tuki and Simpkin are eligible for Flegg for another year or two. Tuki has a lot of filling out to do having only just turned 19

 

[rustycage]

The commentators are a lot better than Rabs, Gus Freddy and that moron Johns.

I see how you are joking there. At least I hope you are Rusty.

No mate. Can't stand those ch9 tools.

 

[Russell]

The commentators are a lot better than Rabs, Gus Freddy and that moron Johns.

I see how you are joking there. At least I hope you are Rusty.

No mate. Can't stand those ch9 tools.

I can understand your thoughts that they are hopeless, Rusty.

To say they are better than those two idiots at the trial though is almost certifiable.

They failed miserably in the one thing they had to do throughout the game.

That was tell the viewers who the players were - most of the time they DID NOT!

 

[Madge]

Talau was very disappointed with how he played after he came off.

 

[sleeve]

Take the trials with with a grain of salt,it's very hard to find your best game with so many changes.
I remember seeing Fulton play for country against city, he had
huge wraps on him and got completely outplayed by Tony Branson, only to become one of the greats. D Lockyers first 2 rep games were terrible, and he turned into one of the best.

Some of these guys have not played for a long time, give them a couple of games before before we judge them.

 

[earl]

Talau was very disappointed with how he played after he came off.

I thought he looked dangerous with the ball. He dropped an easy bomb but he was showing some toe.

 

[CarltonDry]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself, I'd like to see AJ on the wing over him as well

Been saying for a while needs to go into the forwards.

Yep he's a lock imo

 

[tony soprano]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself, I'd like to see AJ on the wing over him as well

Been saying for a while needs to go into the forwards.

Yep he's a lock imo

He reminding me of esan always thought he was a second rower and giving him ideas of centre has ruined him now happening talau

 

[Needaname]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself, I'd like to see AJ on the wing over him as well

Been saying for a while needs to go into the forwards.

Yep he's a lock imo

He reminding me of esan always thought he was a second rower and giving him ideas of centre has ruined him now happening talau

You do realise Talau is a five eight right?
Although I haven’t seen much in way of ball playing from him so he might of been a Jnr 5/8. In the Sironen mould.
His slowly transition into Chee Kams replacement.
Not sure that’s a good thing as far as holding down a spot in the 13 goes but he’ll make a handy utility.

 

[the_third]

Talau was very disappointed with how he played after he came off.

he should have been - he should have had more class than his opposites. he really missed a chance there. He needs to take every chance he gets.

Just like the whole team now.

 

[Tiger5150]

Really looking forward to team announcements on Tuesday (hopefully). Madge saying he’ll pick a squad of 24 then the Magpies reserve grade squad as well will give us a great indication of who has impressed,

It's exciting to see who will play what positions and what sides they'll be on. Interested to see what sides our second rowers and centres play and interested to see who gets named on the wing besides Nofa.

I think Talau had a mixed bag yesterday, he made some horrible reads in defence though looked damaging with the ball.

I would probably have AJ in front of him at the moment for the second wing spot.

Talau is an interesting one. I don't think he's a winger, not fast enough and makes a few silly errors a game. Can run nice lines and is great in attack at centre but defence really lets him down. If he can fix that up he'll get that centre spot for himself, I'd like to see AJ on the wing over him as well

Been saying for a while needs to go into the forwards.

Yep he's a lock imo

Hes the next MCK IMO

 

[The_Patriot]

My take from the ground is as follows.
.
Tuki Simpkins is NRL ready.
.
Laurie is a classy player who needs an off season or two in the gym to reach super star level.
.
Liddle has his body spot on after an off season or two in the gym.
.
Stefano rolls the ruck nicely and has a nice change of direction. Petero Civoniceva style.
.
Madden can lead an NRL team around the park. Needs football to get out the rust.
.
Talau will come good, just not on the wing hopefully, would be better at centre.
.
Seyfarth is a keeper. he has improved.
.
I like William Kei.

.
My hot take of the game however is that young Joe Tapairi is the half we have been looking for. Struts around and runs the team like a good half should. Carries himself like the good ones do. For his age and development its rare! Comparison wise i see him as a mix of a Shaun Johnson or Thruston type player. Heres hoping he can be half as good.