jirskyr
Well-known member
Some interesting Rd 1 2021 team observations:
* The Huth named on the bench for Panthers, with Momirovski starting centres and Robert Jennings on extended bench. Interesting that they weren't really good enough to cement regular spots in our starting side and yet have found a space in the Grand Finalist side.
* Ryan James playing for Raiders in his first match in some 650 days.
* Andrew Fifita did not make the starting 17 for Sharks, with Aiden Tolman preferred.
* Aloiai joins Marty Taupau in an ex-Tigers Manly front row, with Curtis Siro giving them a 50% ex-Tigers starting pack.
* Adam Keighran, who couldn't get a run at the Warriors, named on the Roosters bench. Verrills and Radley still not fit.
* Sam Mc has not made the Top 17 for Titans, nor has Herman Thesis'thesis.
* One-time Tigers target Phillip Sami not selected in the Titans starting 17, with The Don and Corey Thompson preferred.
* The Parra bench, I might be wrong, but it just looks pure custard: Oregon Kaufusi, Isaiah Papali'i, Keegan Hipgrave, Will Smith. A head-shaven Jordan Rankin named at #20 for the Eels.
* Brodie Croft preferred over Tommy Dearden, despite how badly he played last year. Broncos line-up hardly changed from the wooden spooners 2020, bar the addition of John Asiata and return of David Mead.
* Jr Jr got a contract extension today and partners Kurt Mann in the halves for the Knights, a sure-fire finals-failing combo.
* Bulldogs unveiling new fullback Corey Allan, with Jake Averillo promoted to 5/8th to partner Kyle Flanagan. Backline honestly look ordinary despite the addition of Cotric. Lachlan Lewis nowhere to be seen. Jeremy M-King injured or also dropped? Jayden Okunbor has done his ACL.
* Actually whole Bulldogs side looks ordinary, Jack Hetherington going straight to starting prop and Corey Waddell from Manly going into the back row. Luke Thompson suspended until Rd 5. Not sure where Renouf To'omaga has gone?
* Interesting stat - only 4 of the Bulldogs starting 17 have played more than 83 matches. By contrast Tigers have 8.
* Jesse Sue makes the bench for his new club the Knights, with Ava Seumanufagai making a surprising return for me on the extended bench for the Dogs. That guy should have just stayed at Tigers for a modest wage.
* My favourite-named current fooballer - Tyson Smoothy - didn't make the Top 17 for Storm but is wearing #21 on an extended bench.
* Brandon Smith realising his dream of being the Storm Round 1 starting hooker, by virtue of his two "rivals" being unavailable. Cam Smith will apparently appear on Thursday at an unveiling of a bronze statue outside AAMI Stadium, but nobody yet knows if he ever intends to play another NRL match, despite the NRL marching on without him.
* Jai Arrow surprisingly named on the bench for Souths, along with new team-mate Benchy Marshall as super-sub #14.
* The Huth named on the bench for Panthers, with Momirovski starting centres and Robert Jennings on extended bench. Interesting that they weren't really good enough to cement regular spots in our starting side and yet have found a space in the Grand Finalist side.
* Ryan James playing for Raiders in his first match in some 650 days.
* Andrew Fifita did not make the starting 17 for Sharks, with Aiden Tolman preferred.
* Aloiai joins Marty Taupau in an ex-Tigers Manly front row, with Curtis Siro giving them a 50% ex-Tigers starting pack.
* Adam Keighran, who couldn't get a run at the Warriors, named on the Roosters bench. Verrills and Radley still not fit.
* Sam Mc has not made the Top 17 for Titans, nor has Herman Thesis'thesis.
* One-time Tigers target Phillip Sami not selected in the Titans starting 17, with The Don and Corey Thompson preferred.
* The Parra bench, I might be wrong, but it just looks pure custard: Oregon Kaufusi, Isaiah Papali'i, Keegan Hipgrave, Will Smith. A head-shaven Jordan Rankin named at #20 for the Eels.
* Brodie Croft preferred over Tommy Dearden, despite how badly he played last year. Broncos line-up hardly changed from the wooden spooners 2020, bar the addition of John Asiata and return of David Mead.
* Jr Jr got a contract extension today and partners Kurt Mann in the halves for the Knights, a sure-fire finals-failing combo.
* Bulldogs unveiling new fullback Corey Allan, with Jake Averillo promoted to 5/8th to partner Kyle Flanagan. Backline honestly look ordinary despite the addition of Cotric. Lachlan Lewis nowhere to be seen. Jeremy M-King injured or also dropped? Jayden Okunbor has done his ACL.
* Actually whole Bulldogs side looks ordinary, Jack Hetherington going straight to starting prop and Corey Waddell from Manly going into the back row. Luke Thompson suspended until Rd 5. Not sure where Renouf To'omaga has gone?
* Interesting stat - only 4 of the Bulldogs starting 17 have played more than 83 matches. By contrast Tigers have 8.
* Jesse Sue makes the bench for his new club the Knights, with Ava Seumanufagai making a surprising return for me on the extended bench for the Dogs. That guy should have just stayed at Tigers for a modest wage.
* My favourite-named current fooballer - Tyson Smoothy - didn't make the Top 17 for Storm but is wearing #21 on an extended bench.
* Brandon Smith realising his dream of being the Storm Round 1 starting hooker, by virtue of his two "rivals" being unavailable. Cam Smith will apparently appear on Thursday at an unveiling of a bronze statue outside AAMI Stadium, but nobody yet knows if he ever intends to play another NRL match, despite the NRL marching on without him.
* Jai Arrow surprisingly named on the bench for Souths, along with new team-mate Benchy Marshall as super-sub #14.
