Forward pack

[Demps]

8\. Woods (prop only)
9\. Farah
10\. Grant (prop only)
11\. Lawrence (80 mins)
12\. Sironen (lock if necessary throughout the game)
13\. Sue (also in the prop rotation)

14\. Seumanufagai (prop only)
15\. Edwards (prop and lock rotation)
16\. Chee Kam
17\. Cherrington

Sue, Edwards and Sironen (if necessary due to fatigue) to cover lock rotation. I think it would be better to keep Sironen on an edge though, that's where his short passing game is going to do the most damage linking inside or outside.

I don't think Sue suits being on the edge and Edwards does not have a passing or running game to provide much threat on the edge.

Chee Kam to give Sironen a rest in the second row and provide cover for the backs.

Cherrington to replace Farah and up the tempo in attack.

Thinking this is the go.

I'm strugging to find spots for Halatau, Billy & Griff, Jesse P and others.
Ballin has to fit in somewhere too.
We're stacked (for once)
It's good.

 

[Russell]

Would like to see Siro and Rowdy start.
If they don't work out after a few games, if the replacements deserve a shot, then make a switch.

Don't think outside NRL form warrants a spot first up. Big difference in class.

There is a big difference…...
between NRL and State cups,however,given a chance the two Ipswich boys are very talented and would not have been recruited just to make up the numbers,personally I can't wait to see how they perform in the trials,they will be keen to prove themselves and yes Rowdy is a must in the second row this year but Sirro has to really perform well this year consistently to warrant selection week in and week out,Griffin won the best and fairest award at the Jets last year and has played tests for PNG,he's no mug and can play the game,McConnachie is a dead set goer and plays hard,I hope they take full advantage of their opportunity at NRL level if the get selected,they are fine additions to our squad....

Agree TT - Siro has to stand up, but he needs to be given the chance (especially now the team has improved). My reasoning -

You can't just pick defensive forwards, you have to have a playmaking forward in the same style as SBW or young Cartwright.

Siro is the best we have got . If he fails, bring on others but give him the go with this team first. He deserves the chance.

 

[magpiecol]

Would like to see Siro and Rowdy start.
If they don't work out after a few games, if the replacements deserve a shot, then make a switch.

Don't think outside NRL form warrants a spot first up. Big difference in class.

There is a big difference…...
between NRL and State cups,however,given a chance the two Ipswich boys are very talented and would not have been recruited just to make up the numbers,personally I can't wait to see how they perform in the trials,they will be keen to prove themselves and yes Rowdy is a must in the second row this year but Sirro has to really perform well this year consistently to warrant selection week in and week out,Griffin won the best and fairest award at the Jets last year and has played tests for PNG,he's no mug and can play the game,McConnachie is a dead set goer and plays hard,I hope they take full advantage of their opportunity at NRL level if the get selected,they are fine additions to our squad....

Agree TT - Siro has to stand up, but he needs to be given the chance (especially now the team has improved). My reasoning -

You can't just pick defensive forwards, you have to have a playmaking forward in the same style as SBW or young Cartwright.

Siro is the best we have got . If he fails, bring on others but give him the go with this team first. He deserves the chance.

Sironen has had enough chances. Griffin is a very talented, ball playing, 80 minute forward. His defence is ok and he can really offload.

 

[bp_tiger]

would like to see McConnachie in front of sirro, he seems to have a bigger work rate and hits harder.

 

[Tigerdon]

8\. Woods (prop only)
9\. Farah
10\. Grant (prop only)
11\. Lawrence (80 mins)
12\. Sironen (lock if necessary throughout the game)
13\. Sue (also in the prop rotation)

14\. Seumanufagai (prop only)
15\. Edwards (prop and lock rotation)
16\. Chee Kam
17\. Cherrington

Sue, Edwards and Sironen (if necessary due to fatigue) to cover lock rotation. I think it would be better to keep Sironen on an edge though, that's where his short passing game is going to do the most damage linking inside or outside.

I don't think Sue suits being on the edge and Edwards does not have a passing or running game to provide much threat on the edge.

Chee Kam to give Sironen a rest in the second row and provide cover for the backs.

Cherrington to replace Farah and up the tempo in attack.

Thinking this is the go.

I'm strugging to find spots for Halatau, Billy & Griff, Jesse P and others.
Ballin has to fit in somewhere too.
We're stacked (for once)
It's good.

You're right there Demps. I'm seeing at least 12 genuine first Grade forwards plus at least 5 more in our squad that have potential to be 1st grades. There is a maximum of 10 forward positions in the 17 (6 on the field 4 on the bench) ..this includes Dummy Halves.
Here's my top 12: Woods, Farah, Sue, Grant, Lawerence, Sirro, Ballin, Ava, Edwards, Halatau, Cherrington , Chee Kam.
So Two out of this list of 12 genuine 1st graders, have to start their season in State Cup along with
Griffin, Jesse P, Billy Mc, Dallas Graham, Jack Buchanan, Lamar Liolevave,Kyle Lovett, Tyler Cassel …ect.
I'd want Cheerington playing off the bench, coming on late as our Super-sub. I think Ballin and either Chee Kam or Halatau will be playing State Cup. Which is very tough as they all played well in 1st grade last year. We have heaps of competition for forward spots in 2016.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Some good discussion on this page.

For my two bobs worth, on average three or so of the top dozen are going to be unavailable for selection each week due to injury, suspension or rep duties, so they will all get a shot at some point if deserved.

Without Grant we were a bit light on having lost Keefy, but with him comes the experience we would have been sorely lacking, particularly if Woods succumbs to injury. I'm with Demps on Sue and don't think we will miss Taupau much, if at all.

 

[Demps]

would like to see McConnachie in front of sirro, he seems to have a bigger work rate and hits harder.

From all reports, it's been said McConnachie is struggling with fitness….
I'm sure Sirro would be considered elite against State Cup competition.

I don't think the two are compareable.

 

[yeti]

Billy M. is an unknown at NRL level. He'll need to make his way in to the top grade from NSW Cup. I'm sure he'll get some chances in the Trials - IF he picks up his fitness.

 

[The-moP]

8\. Woods
9\. Farah
10\. Grant
11\. Lawrence
12\. Sironen
13\. Sue

14\. Ballin (can make up to 40 tackles a game, and give Farah a break at acting half)
15\. Edwards (can make valuable meters and can tackle all game)
16\. Seumanufagai (prop)
17\. this has to be a prop (Buchanan, Aloiai, Griffin, McConchie, Liolevave)

18\. Parahi / Chee-Kam (both can play back row or in the centres)

Unfortunately I really can't see Halatau, or Lovett getting much game time this year. I believe the new signings give us far more versatility then they can offer us.

All in all, I think we have an interesting season coming ahead for us, We seem to have back up depth all over the park the season, which we didn't have last season.

 

[Tigerdon]

Here's our "likely" forward pack For Round One - vs New Zealand Warriors
8\. Woods V Jacob Lillyman
9.Robbie V Issac Luke
10.Grant V Ben Matulino
11.Sirro V Ryan Hoffman
12.Lawrence V Bodene Thompson
13.Sue V Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14 Ava, 15 Edwards, 16, Chee Kam, 17 Cherrington
Interchange: 14\. Thomas Leuluai, 15\. Ben Henry, 16\. Sam Lisone, 17\. Albert Vete.

 

[Tigerdon]

Here's our "likely" forward pack For Round One - vs New Zealand Warriors
8\. Woods V Jacob Lillyman
9.Robbie V Issac Luke
10.Grant V Ben Matulino
11.Sirro V Ryan Hoffman
12.Lawrence V Bodene Thompson
13.Sue V Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14 Ava, 15 Edwards, 16, Chee Kam, 17 Cherrington
Interchange: 14\. Thomas Leuluai, 15\. Ben Henry, 16\. Sam Lisone, 17\. Albert Vete.

Round Two forwards Vs Manly
8.Woods V Nate Myles
9\. Robbie V Apisai Koroisau
10\. Grant V Jake Trbojevic
11\. Sirro V Jamie Buhrer
12\. Lawrence V Lewis Brown
13\. Sue V Martin Taupau.

Interchange: 14\. Ava, 15\. Edwards, 16 Halatau, 17 Cherrington
Interchange: 14\. Feleti Mateo, 15\. Brenton Lawrence, 16\. Darcy Lussick, 17\. Tom Symonds

Once again, I think we can more than match this pack. I'm not so optimistic about our backs chances for Rounds One and Two. In Round three the Titans have a decent pack, but our backs look better on paper.

 

[Russell]

Here's our "likely" forward pack For Round One - vs New Zealand Warriors
8\. Woods V Jacob Lillyman
9.Robbie V Issac Luke
10.Grant V Ben Matulino
11.Sirro V Ryan Hoffman
12.Lawrence V Bodene Thompson
13.Sue V Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14 Ava, 15 Edwards, 16, Chee Kam, 17 Cherrington
Interchange: 14\. Thomas Leuluai, 15\. Ben Henry, 16\. Sam Lisone, 17\. Albert Vete.

Round Two forwards Vs Manly
8.Woods V Nate Myles
9\. Robbie V Apisai Koroisau
10\. Grant V Jake Trbojevic
11\. Sirro V Jamie Buhrer
12\. Lawrence V Lewis Brown
13\. Sue V Martin Taupau.

Interchange: 14\. Ava, 15\. Edwards, 16 Halatau, 17 Cherrington
Interchange: 14\. Feleti Mateo, 15\. Brenton Lawrence, 16\. Darcy Lussick, 17\. Tom Symonds

Once again, I think we can more than match this pack. I'm not so optimistic about our backs chances for Rounds One and Two. In Round three the Titans have a decent pack, but our backs look better on paper.

I think our lot are not out of place against both these teams on paper.

Hopefully they can transpose that to action on the field. I think they can.

 

[innsaneink]

Gee I like manlys bench

 

[TYGA]

8\. Woods (prop only)
9\. Farah
10\. Grant (prop only)
11\. Lawrence (80 mins)
12\. Sironen (lock if necessary throughout the game)
13\. Sue (also in the prop rotation)

14\. Seumanufagai (prop only)
15\. Edwards (prop and lock rotation)
16\. Chee Kam
17\. Cherrington

Sue, Edwards and Sironen (if necessary due to fatigue) to cover lock rotation. I think it would be better to keep Sironen on an edge though, that's where his short passing game is going to do the most damage linking inside or outside.

I don't think Sue suits being on the edge and Edwards does not have a passing or running game to provide much threat on the edge.

Chee Kam to give Sironen a rest in the second row and provide cover for the backs.

Cherrington to replace Farah and up the tempo in attack.

I like the forward pack and bench. The only wildcard is Chee Kam could be right centre.
If Siro doesn't perform Taylor needs to drop to Reserve Grade.

 

[Tigerdon]

8\. Woods (prop only)
9\. Farah
10\. Grant (prop only)
11\. Lawrence (80 mins)
12\. Sironen (lock if necessary throughout the game)
13\. Sue (also in the prop rotation)

14\. Seumanufagai (prop only)
15\. Edwards (prop and lock rotation)
16\. Chee Kam
17\. Cherrington

Sue, Edwards and Sironen (if necessary due to fatigue) to cover lock rotation. I think it would be better to keep Sironen on an edge though, that's where his short passing game is going to do the most damage linking inside or outside.

I don't think Sue suits being on the edge and Edwards does not have a passing or running game to provide much threat on the edge.

Chee Kam to give Sironen a rest in the second row and provide cover for the backs.

Cherrington to replace Farah and up the tempo in attack.

I like the forward pack and bench. The only wildcard is Chee Kam could be right centre.
If Siro doesn't perform Taylor needs to drop to Reserve Grade.

This is the Pack/Bench I'd go with as well, if Edwards hammy recovers in time. It seems well balanced. With Sue at 13 , our starting side will be strong up the middle. You could have Edwards at 13 and Sue coming of the bench for impact. Either way it's a good pack. Last year when we did have Cheerington coming off the bench to replace Robbie it did lift our pace for the halves and Teddy to play off.

 

[balmain boy]

Would be doubtful for Edwards to be matchfit by round 1, even if his hammy heals quickly.

 

[supercoach]

First month of the NRL anything can happen. The contests are usually free flowing with plenty of turnovers and on top of that we have the reduced interchange. You do not usually get the power game from the better forwards packs so it will make it a lot easier for us to compete and even get on top of some of the better packs. It will be mid season when the grind starts to kick in we may have problems, but I am confident our pack will do better than previous years

 

[Harvey]

Gee I like manlys bench

I don't. I found it uncomfortable when I used it and ended up with splinters. You would think that a club that can buy that many players would at least have some padding and covering (and am not talking about recruiting George Rose).

 

[goldcoast_tiger]

According to some people who saw a lot more of them than I did, The two Ipswich guys, stood out regularly in the Qld cup over the season, apart from their games at the end of the season.
Much as I hate to say it, but the Qld cup is a higher standard of football than the NSW Cup, and has been for a fair while. While I agree that the NRL is a whole different level for anyone from either of the lower tier competitions, both these blokes have shown that they are definetly worth the chance( if they're fit)
I still think that there are some in our pack, who have gone missing at times in the past, and hope these two recruits can put some real pressure on this year.
My big hope is that it's form that decides who is picked this year.

 

[guyofthetiger]

Wow it used to be we pulled in a reserve grader as an emergency.

Now it's the whole pack bar Woods.

I hope JT at least takes a punt on mongrel or X factor.

Graham or Griffin? Lioleve?

We just don't have safe dependable options.