2024 Pre-Season

Mighty_Tiger said:
Agree. Pole shouldn’t be a lock, we need him to run hard and straight give space off the quick play the ball in the middle. Him and Steph with Fainu could be a bloody good prop rotation for the next 5-10yrs. Pole/Twal interchange is also good and should let Stefano play harder as well.

Seyfarth at lock makes sense as his best attribute is his defensive work rate he did play his best games in a semi distributive role at the line (raw but potentially) & buys time for the kids to come through (unless he nails it).

A bench of Pole, Twal allows us Fainu (just impact) and maybe Latu/TDS/AJ/kid for cover.

We all of a sudden look more balanced bench wise.

Issue is lack of backrower depth if AJ is 1st off the rack (sounds like it) we could be in trouble (although did think his best performances have been playing more middle).
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IMHO, Twal is more like 80min worker and certainly not an impact player so he shall start with Klammer. We shall not have him and Seyfarth on the field at the same time, as they they are both the "pillow" forwards and do not offer much in the attack.
So, if Pole is not the lock, he should be on the bench with Utoikamanu, Da Silva, and S Fainu
 
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InBenjiWeTrust said:
IMHO, Twal is more like 80min worker and certainly not an impact player so he shall start with Klammer. We shall not have him and Seyfarth on the field at the same time, as they they are both the "pillow" forwards and do not offer much in the attack.
So, if Pole is not the lock, he should be on the bench with Utoikamanu, Da Silva, and S Fainu
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Agree Pole off the bench gives us something that is his spot until Klem leaves.

Don’t agree on Stef being on the bench for Twal, Twal and Klem are very similar players like Stef/Pole are if used to their strengths - having the balance of one on the park at all times is important plus having that difference with them is key as well I think for the younger forwards on the park.

I would’ve got Twal to train at lock in the offseason people forget how he started the year when he was at lock - was probably his best NRL impact run he had. He was emergency reserve for NSW from memory before injury hit him that year as well.
 
Mighty_Tiger said:
Agree Pole off the bench gives us something that is his spot until Klem leaves.

Don’t agree on Stef being on the bench for Twal, Twal and Klem are very similar players like Stef/Pole are if used to their strengths - having the balance of one on the park at all times is important plus having that difference with them is key as well I think for the younger forwards on the park.

I would’ve got Twal to train at lock in the offseason people forget how he started the year when he was at lock - was probably his best NRL impact run he had. He was emergency reserve for NSW from memory before injury hit him that year as well.
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Twal could be good at 13:

8 Utaikamanu
10 Klemmer
13 Twal

Bench
14 Da Silva
15 Pole
16 S Fainu
17 ??

18 ??

Note: regarding 17 1and 18 ??, we need to add at least two aggressive, powerful props, hence Seyfarth could not be considered. He could play NSW Cup, and replace Twal when he is suspended/injured.
 
Bigscreentv said:
I really don’t think you can read into anyone’s form too much until we see a team with an organising half.
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You can judge them on their one percenters which Bateman excels at. Anything attacking-wise last year was hard to judge. Brooks just started to come good and got injured then it was an absolute farcical array of combinations.
 
InBenjiWeTrust said:
Twal could be good at 13:

8 Utaikamanu
10 Klemmer
13 Twal

Bench
14 Da Silva
15 Pole
16 S Fainu
17 ??

18 ??

Note: regarding 17 1and 18 ??, we need to add at least two aggressive, powerful props, hence Seyfarth could not be considered. He could play NSW Cup, and replace Twal when he is suspended/injured.
Click to expand...
Twal not a good 13; not enough offloads, ball playing. Maybe of our halves create more, but I feel we need a lock that can contribute to ball playing.
 
I think the talk about the forwards is all about the right things; but to be blunt unless our halves take it to and at times dig into the line it doesn't matter who we have playing where. Our go forward was cruelled last year because our halves were inept as pairs. Voldemort at 6 paired up with Salad may have been OK, but him and AD and him and Wakeham were simply inept.

I get a feel, from what little I have seen, that Bud is the type of player to dig into the line and pass late if nothing comes; this would suite IP more than Bateman I expect. I haven't seen enough of Bud over long enough to know if it is just highlights or if he plays that way consistently. Salad on the other hand doesn't tend to go as deep into the line as I remember him with the Faders; but he has established relationship with Bateman that led to several tries back then. He is a bit of a steadying hand if you like. It will be interesting to see if we try to build on that relationship early on the establish a rhythm that can be built upon by the younger generation as they come into grade.

I'm looking forward to the trials - so much guesswork from the lounge chair at this time of the year!
 
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