2024 Pre-Season

Tito Santana said:
It’s a photo taken after a session. Fark me, who cares.
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People tend to forget that when this club was enjoying success on the field we had a number of larrikins/personalities in the team. Guys like Bryce Gibbs, Liam Fulton and Beau Ryan were forever taking the piss. Word from the sheds is big Samuela is also a bit of a larrikin and has been a hit, particularly with the other youngsters within the playing group.
Given that the photo was not officially sanctioned, I don't have issue with the prank. With Shaun Blore gone we are looking for someone to fill that bench edge impact role. If Big Sammy can produce the goods for us then I am sure a January team shot will soon be forgotten.
IF Sam doesn't fall into line I am sure Messrs Marshall, Morris, Farah, and Heighno will have a word.
 
Odessa said:
Question is do you develop Junior for the Dolphins?
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The only thing this club has won in the last 2 years is 2 wooden spoons to crack together. We simply aren't travelling well enough NOT to put our best team on the park week to week. If Junior's from warrants him being in the top 2 wingers at the club then he plays. It is up to the other players to earn his spot.
It will be interesting to see what Andrew Webster does with AFB at the Warriors (Top 4 NRL club) this year, given that he has signed with the sharks for 2025. I will be very surprised if he is running around in ressies.
 
Tigerwould said:
Which up-&-coming 2nd rowers do you see replacing Bateman in a couple of years time?
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Could be Samuela Fainu if they still view him as a second rower then (all talk suggests he’ll be a prop long-term).

Could be Galvin if they want to have Latu Fainu/Sullivan and Luai as the halves.

Then there’s a few other options whose long-term prospects aren’t fully clear yet, like Tony Sukkar.
 
KingRobbie said:
Could be Samuela Fainu if they still view him as a second rower then (all talk suggests he’ll be a prop long-term).

Could be Galvin if they want to have Latu Fainu/Sullivan and Luai as the halves.

Then there’s a few other options whose long-term prospects aren’t fully clear yet, like Tony Sukkar.
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IMO, out and out 2nd rowers seems a bit thin compared to other postions.
when the swop deal (with Blore) was done, it was said that the WTs had a lot of high quality junior forwards coming through. but it seems most are middles and locks to me. Do you think this is the case?
 
having a look at the attacking shapes SG were running it seems like we're in for some very simple attacking shapes, but the timing of the pass and the intent of those running lines needs to be of a high standard in order to make the defensive line make decisions.

from what I could see there's a lot of block to block shapes, or showing a player underneath and then throwing the ball out the back, but when the halves saw something was on they'd play a flat four and go thru the hands and find the line.

that's how I'd expect first grade to play. plenty of structure to try and find gaps in the defence, but when something's on they'll overcall the structure and play flat and fast.
 
jrtiger said:
having a look at the attacking shapes SG were running it seems like we're in for some very simple attacking shapes, but the timing of the pass and the intent of those running lines needs to be of a high standard in order to make the defensive line make decisions.

from what I could see there's a lot of block to block shapes, or showing a player underneath and then throwing the ball out the back, but when the halves saw something was on they'd play a flat four and go thru the hands and find the line.

that's how I'd expect first grade to play. plenty of structure to try and find gaps in the defence, but when something's on they'll overcall the structure and play flat and fast.
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There's been a lot of talk about the congruency of all grades' playing styles and structures through to firsts moving forward, ala the Penrith model.

Can only be a positive.
 
jrtiger said:
having a look at the attacking shapes SG were running it seems like we're in for some very simple attacking shapes, but the timing of the pass and the intent of those running lines needs to be of a high standard in order to make the defensive line make decisions.

from what I could see there's a lot of block to block shapes, or showing a player underneath and then throwing the ball out the back, but when the halves saw something was on they'd play a flat four and go thru the hands and find the line.

that's how I'd expect first grade to play. plenty of structure to try and find gaps in the defence, but when something's on they'll overcall the structure and play flat and fast.
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Should work well for us, can see a guy like Papali'i being a bigger winner from this, same with Staines, guys that have good timing and footy instincts, even Feledy if he can get his defence up to league standard.
Other guys like Toa and maybe Bateman might be a little constricted offensively. But it should really reduce those 5-10 minute mental fade puts that have killed us in the past.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
Should work well for us, can see a guy like Papali'i being a bigger winner from this, same with Staines, guys that have good timing and footy instincts, even Feledy if he can get his defence up to league standard.
Other guys like Toa and maybe Bateman might be a little constricted offensively. But it should really reduce those 5-10 minute mental fade puts that have killed us in the past.
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your early ball types might struggle, but ultimately it's on the halves to identify that there's an opportunity for them to get early ball and 1 on 1 with their opposition. I think we shot ourselves in the foot last year in attack because teams knew we would just give early ball to our backrowers and expect them to create something and they just doubled up on guys like Papali'i and Bateman.

at least with plenty of structure our halves have the opportunity to go to the line and utilise the backrower in short or as a decoy to create further space out wide. the key is execution. Bateman's a very unconventional type but it wouldn't surprise me if he was moved to the middle, while To'a might actually benefit from getting the ball on the ad line.
 
jrtiger said:
your early ball types might struggle, but ultimately it's on the halves to identify that there's an opportunity for them to get early ball and 1 on 1 with their opposition. I think we shot ourselves in the foot last year in attack because teams knew we would just give early ball to our backrowers and expect them to create something and they just doubled up on guys like Papali'i and Bateman.

at least with plenty of structure our halves have the opportunity to go to the line and utilise the backrower in short or as a decoy to create further space out wide. the key is execution. Bateman's a very unconventional type but it wouldn't surprise me if he was moved to the middle, while To'a might actually benefit from getting the ball on the ad line.
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Agree it falls on the halves to pick the best option.
And yes Bateman will be fine he's a class player and can run a decent line, he's just not massive for a backrower.
And I like To'a, there's potential there, I just think he's well below par as hole runner.
I remember one play against the dogs last year where To'a went outside shoulder instead of going inside to gaping hole and Doueihi popped a short ball perfectly into the lap of Paul Alamoti, who then ran 90m to score under the posts. Doueihi gave To'a an earful and To'a looked as if he'd just been awoken from a 3 hour nap.
Just saying there's a bit to work on.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
Agree it falls on the halves to pick the best option.
And yes Bateman will be fine he's a class player and can run a decent line, he's just not massive for a backrower.
And I like To'a, there's potential there, I just think he's well below par as hole runner.
I remember one play against the dogs last year where To'a went outside shoulder instead of going inside to gaping hole and Doueihi popped a short ball perfectly into the lap of Paul Alamoti, who then ran 90m to score under the posts. Doueihi gave To'a an earful and To'a looked as if he'd just been awoken from a 3 hour nap.
Just saying there's a bit to work on.
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definitely agree with you on all accounts. Bateman's best asset is coming back against the grain after being turned back inside, but if Papali'i is training on the right as has been the case all preseason, then I think he may well end up at lock, because I can't recall him ever playing down the left.

I occasionally forget that To'a is only in his third ever year of playing in the centres. coming thru he was a fullback and then got moved to the wing for Newcastle. he's only now playing centre for us, and he's still acclimatising to the position. I'm hopeful that he's more consistent and is able to fix a few things, namely hitting the right hole and timing his run.
 
jrtiger said:
definitely agree with you on all accounts. Bateman's best asset is coming back against the grain after being turned back inside, but if Papali'i is training on the right as has been the case all preseason, then I think he may well end up at lock, because I can't recall him ever playing down the left.

I occasionally forget that To'a is only in his third ever year of playing in the centres. coming thru he was a fullback and then got moved to the wing for Newcastle. he's only now playing centre for us, and he's still acclimatising to the position. I'm hopeful that he's more consistent and is able to fix a few things, namely hitting the right hole and timing his run.
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Very interesting re Bateman, saw a post on twitter today that had AJ in 11 and Seyfarth in 13 (Bateman still in rehab). I think he's best on an edge, his edge defence is just surreal. But I can understand wanting to utilise his running and ball playing at 13.

I didn't realise that Toa had played so little centre, in that case I'll give him a pass for a bit. If fit I'd probably give Naden first crack, interestingly that same post had Declan Casey swapping reps with Toa in the 1st grade side, must be doing well at training.
 
AdelaideTiger said:
Very interesting re Bateman, saw a post on twitter today that had AJ in 11 and Seyfarth in 13 (Bateman still in rehab). I think he's best on an edge, his edge defence is just surreal. But I can understand wanting to utilise his running and ball playing at 13.

I didn't realise that Toa had played so little centre, in that case I'll give him a pass for a bit. If fit I'd probably give Naden first crack, interestingly that same post had Declan Casey swapping reps with Toa in the 1st grade side, must be doing well at training.
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I’ve watched a bit of Declan Casey, he’s tall, fast, athletic and runs the ball with good intent.
He struggled to play regular NRL at the Bulldogs partly through getting injured at the wrong times, but also struggled under the high ball when playing on the wing.
Ironically he’s played a lot of fullback and is generally very good under the high ball, maybe it was nerves in trying to cement himself as an NRL player.
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jrtiger said:
definitely agree with you on all accounts. Bateman's best asset is coming back against the grain after being turned back inside, but if Papali'i is training on the right as has been the case all preseason, then I think he may well end up at lock, because I can't recall him ever playing down the left.

I occasionally forget that To'a is only in his third ever year of playing in the centres. coming thru he was a fullback and then got moved to the wing for Newcastle. he's only now playing centre for us, and he's still acclimatising to the position. I'm hopeful that he's more consistent and is able to fix a few things, namely hitting the right hole and timing his run.
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I’m giving a few players like To’a a clean slate this year. It’s up them to make the spot their own.

I haven’t been a big fan of his so far but you do make a very good point.

If we get on the front foot with more attacking formations inflight with good halves & Bula chiming in To’a could benefit from it.

Attacking wise he has some ability that’s for sure we just need him to be on more than he is off.
My biggest challenge with To’a though is his defensive weaknesses & looking to see improvement on the effort here in 24.
 
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