2024 Backline

[FrodoTBaggin]

How are the goal kicking options looking as there are no goal kickers in the forwards?
Alex Lobb is a kicker I believe, anyone else?

If Lobb isn't in team then it'll be between Sezer & Api

 

[Odessa]

Dragons clearly made an error with not promoting Sullivan enough. I think it’s the same with Lobb. I think he’ll be great for us.

I see Lobb as the Dragons next Reuben Garrick he had similar problems when at the Dragons also both kick Goals and I believe both name NSW cup winger of the year

 

[Bruiser]

There’s a dude who kicked a match winning penalty goal from the sideline on the 40m line late last year. Names escaping me though 🤔

Api of course, maybe a good back-up but, another reliable kicker of first grade ability would be handy

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Api of course, maybe a good back-up but, another reliable kicker of first grade ability would be handy

Sezar.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Sezar.

Kicks above 80%, only reason he didn't kick at Canberra was Croker

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Kicks above 80%, only reason he didn't kick at Canberra was Croker

No brainer.

 

[Bruiser]

Sezar.

Yep, 246 NRL & Super league goals that's sorted.

 

[Tiger Tarl]

I think we will have strong competition for positions and a next-man-up policy with every backline position with two potential starters. I've gone with the starter then the next-man-up in my side due to injury or form.

Taking emotion out of it (re. Nofo and Tupou) I think they are still our starting wingers but with Staines and Lobb breathing down their necks.

1. Bula
2. Nofo/Lobb
3. Olam/Alaimalo
4. Toa/Naden
5. Tupou/Staines
6. Sullivan/Latu Fainu
7. Sezer/Sullivan

I have a sneaking suspicion that Benji sees Sullivan as a 7. And thus Luai's understudy in 2025 (or partner is Luaia stays as a 6). Wouldn't be surprised if we started 2024 with 7. Sezer/6. Sullivan but ended it with 7. Sullivan/6. Fainu.

 

[Odessa]

I think we will have strong competition for positions and a next-man-up policy with every backline position with two potential starters. I've gone with the starter then the next-man-up in my side due to injury or form.

Taking emotion out of it (re. Nofo and Tupou) I think they are still our starting wingers but with Staines and Lobb breathing down their necks.

1. Bula
2. Nofo/Lobb
3. Olam/Alaimalo
4. Toa/Naden
5. Tupou/Staines
6. Sullivan/Latu Fainu
7. Sezer/Sullivan

I have a sneaking suspicion that Benji sees Sullivan as a 7. And thus Luai's understudy in 2025 (or partner is Luaia stays as a 6). Wouldn't be surprised if we started 2024 with 7. Sezer/6. Sullivan but ended it with 7. Sullivan/6. Fainu.

I don't think anyone but Sezer will play 7 you want his game experience and he won't beat a guy with speed playing 6 like the other two will

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

Yep, 246 NRL & Super league goals that's sorted.

The NRL's Most Accurate Sharpshooters - Ladbrokes Blog

The 2023 NRL premiership has been a banner year for goalkicking, with goals being landed at 77.6 percent across the board. Eight regular kickers (20-plus goals) are landing their attempts...

www.ladbrokes.com.au

#2 on the all time list, obviously not a great indicator given he has taken a lot less shots than others but he is also very consistent. He has only taken a quarter of the shots that someone like Thurston has taken but when he was Titans main goalkicker from 2012 - 14 he kicked 105 / 123 (85.37%).

I don't think anyone is claiming that he will be our permanent solution, but if Lobb isn't in the team I think he will be kicking over Api

 

[jrtiger]

I think Alaimalo will get the hang of rugby league structures quicker than most think, I’m tipping he will surprise and likely start the season in our NRL side.
He’s tall and strong and has the speed to score long range tries.

he’s definitely a bolter. by all reports they’ve been rotating a few players in and out of the left wing spot with Tupou in the centres. if Tupou truly wants to play there he can do it in Cup, which would open a spot for Alaimalo on the left wing.

1. Bula
2. Staines
3. To’a/Naden
4. Olam
5. Alaimalo

a lot of speed, size and power in that backline I feel. this would be my picks for Round 2.

 

[Stevec]

1.Bula
2.Nofoaloma
3.Olam
4.Toa
5.Naden
6.Sullivan
7.Sezer
Bench : Latu Fainu ,Staines (18th)
This is my guess what Benji will go with
Forwards pick themselves 8-13
The 2 or 3 bench forwards open to opinion

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I think we will have strong competition for positions and a next-man-up policy with every backline position with two potential starters. I've gone with the starter then the next-man-up in my side due to injury or form.

Taking emotion out of it (re. Nofo and Tupou) I think they are still our starting wingers but with Staines and Lobb breathing down their necks.

1. Bula
2. Nofo/Lobb
3. Olam/Alaimalo
4. Toa/Naden
5. Tupou/Staines
6. Sullivan/Latu Fainu
7. Sezer/Sullivan

I have a sneaking suspicion that Benji sees Sullivan as a 7. And thus Luai's understudy in 2025 (or partner is Luaia stays as a 6). Wouldn't be surprised if we started 2024 with 7. Sezer/6. Sullivan but ended it with 7. Sullivan/6. Fainu.

Staines is currently our best wing prospect, he will be there round 1. Only question is who will be on the other wing.

Staines is also helped by the fact that he can swap to fullback. If something happens to Bula.

Tupou makes too many errors on the wing to be paired with Olam.

 

[FrodoTBaggin]

I think our backline will be

1. Bula
2. Nofo
3. Toa
4. Olam
5. Staines
6. Sullivan
7. Sezer - Goalkicker

I think we may have gone with Staines and Tupou Wing / Centre partnership to start with but with Junior leaving and Olam coming in I think they go that route instead. Charlie is our fastest player and was always the first one in support last year. Only lost his spot due to the bowel injury. Gives time for the whole edge to gel for when Luai comes next year.

I think Nofo gets into the team purely because we want to ship him off & a slight bump in form could help with that. If all reports about his attitude are true though then I think it wouldn't be for long if at all.

Lobb / Alaimalo / Naden / Tupou will be fighting for Nofo's spot. Competition for spots is even greater this year so hopefully brings out everyone's best. Naden should also hopefully be pushing for Starfords spot.

 

[hammertime]

Luai will be 7. It's his team and he can't do that from the 6.

 

[innsaneink]

The NRL's Most Accurate Sharpshooters - Ladbrokes Blog

The 2023 NRL premiership has been a banner year for goalkicking, with goals being landed at 77.6 percent across the board. Eight regular kickers (20-plus goals) are landing their attempts...

www.ladbrokes.com.au

#2 on the all time list, obviously not a great indicator given he has taken a lot less shots than others but he is also very consistent. He has only taken a quarter of the shots that someone like Thurston has taken but when he was Titans main goalkicker from 2012 - 14 he kicked 105 / 123 (85.37%).

I don't think anyone is claiming that he will be our permanent solution, but if Lobb isn't in the team I think he will be kicking over Api

Thanks for that wasn't aware... Good news

 

[innsaneink]

Luai will be 7. It's his team and he can't do that from the 6.

Not this year

 

[Coastie_Tiger]

1. Bula
2. Tupou
3. Naden/Toa
4. Olam
5. Staines
6. Sullivan
7. Sezer

 

[Bigscreentv]

Staines is currently our best wing prospect, he will be there round 1. Only question is who will be on the other wing.

Staines is also helped by the fact that he can swap to fullback. If something happens to Bula.

Tupou makes too many errors on the wing to be paired with Olam.

I feel like it needs to be Lobb, but can understand if they go for Nofo due to experience.

 

[Tucker]

Staines is currently our best wing prospect, he will be there round 1. Only question is who will be on the other wing.

Staines is also helped by the fact that he can swap to fullback. If something happens to Bula.

Tupou makes too many errors on the wing to be paired with Olam.

Why do you think Staines has snatched one wing position?
He has shown nothing in our colours so far…