Round 1 Team

[CarltonDry]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Good in the air 😂🤣 he can't even catch a ball on his chest🤦‍♂️

 

[avocadoontoast]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Good in the air ?? he can't even catch a ball on his chest?‍♂️

His eye issues have been discussed on here. He’s also better defensively than Talau who I don’t believe is a winger (and was very underwhelming in the trial). I’d have AJ over Talau for the left wing spot.

 

[CarltonDry]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Good in the air ?? he can't even catch a ball on his chest?‍♂️

His eye issues have been discussed on here. He’s also better defensively than Talau who I don’t believe is a winger (and was very underwhelming in the trial). I’d have AJ over Talau for the left wing spot.

Agree to disagree but the good thing about Sunday is it's a real trial, well the 1st half will be

 

[TigerSJ]

Interview with Madge on 2gb wwos about to start now

 

[TigerSJ]

Usual stuff - nothing new really- same old questions from James Bracie and co- host (Candice?)
Only thing i picked up on was Madge mentioned missing Mbye and Blore (and Doueie) from his top 17 for this week’s trial but no mention of Musgrove - seems he wasn’t considering Zane as an option.

 

[JC99]

Usual stuff - nothing new really- same old questions from James Bracie and co- host (Candice?)
Only thing i picked up on was Madge mentioned missing Mbye and Blore (and Doueie) from his top 17 for this week’s trial but no mention of Musgrove - seems he wasn’t considering Zane as an option.

Probably cause Musgrove will play in the trial. Suspensions are only for actual games they can still trial

 

[Muffstar]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Not at all convinced with Talau, looked very average during the last trial. Hopefully Kepaoa gets an opportunity to show his wares. I put Talau and Mikale in the same boat.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Not at all convinced with Talau, looked very average during the last trial. Hopefully Kepaoa gets an opportunity to show his wares. I put Talau and Mikale in the same boat.

Talau looked off the pace against players well below nrl standard. But thats what a trial is for to blow the cobwebs out and get some miles in the body.

 

[The_Patriot]

I'm one of Mikaele's fans but not convinced he is an automatic pick in the 17 anymore.

Not now we have added a bit more experience.

 

[TigerSJ]

Usual stuff - nothing new really- same old questions from James Bracie and co- host (Candice?)
Only thing i picked up on was Madge mentioned missing Mbye and Blore (and Doueie) from his top 17 for this week’s trial but no mention of Musgrove - seems he wasn’t considering Zane as an option.

Probably cause Musgrove will play in the trial. Suspensions are only for actual games they can still trial

Good point JC - didn’t think of that. Seemed strange when i heard him speak about the squad for the trial that Musgrove wasn’t mentioned. My thought was he might be being punished for his recent indiscretions.

 

[Needaname]

Interesting to hear Jimmy Tamou say the round 1 team is pretty close to being set except the hooker position on the radio today. Said they're not as close to picking their starting hooker as they'd like to be

I wouldn't be surprised to see Simpkin start with Liddle on the bench. It'll be interesting to see which way Madge goes this week against Manly. Either way I think both Liddle and Simpkin will be in the side for round 1.

If Simpkins body holds up better in contact than Liddle’s it makes sense.
Simpkin starts from the get go. Similar mould to Harry did last year, lots of energy and fast play through the ruck, gets us on the front foot from the start. Comes off about the 25-30th minute to a more steady and composed style of Liddle who Probably sees out the game at hooker with Simpkins returning into a roving role adding a bit of energy in lock / hooker for the final stages. Could be an interesting and effective play style.

 

[Cairnstigers]

Before the trial team is named..

1 Daine Laurie
2 David Nofoaluma
3 Joey Leilua
4 James Roberts
5 Tommy Talau

6 Jock Madden
7 Luke Brooks

8 Joe Ofahengaue
9 Jacob Liddle
10 James Tamou
11 Luke Garner
12 Luciano Leilua
13 Alex Twal

14 Jake Simpkin
15 Russell Packer
16 Thomas Mikaele
17 Stefano Utoikamanu..

If, and I say if the Pom is right you can add Tom Amone in there somewhere

Maybe he can take the 15 Jersey

 

[Speed2burn]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Not at all convinced with Talau, looked very average during the last trial. Hopefully Kepaoa gets an opportunity to show his wares. I put Talau and Mikale in the same boat.

Yet he’s proved he’s more than 1st grade standard on a few occasions.

Settle down, he probably only played to not get injured and to blow the cob webs out. The players he was playing with and against, were much hungrier

 

[cochise]

We all have to agree that this has been a great off season recruitment wise..The hooker position is Liddles to lose in my opinion,he has an opportunity to show his undeniable skills within the role as long as he is injury free..
Mbye will be our fb as he has been training there all off season and no captaining responsibilities or injuries will allow him to play the way he did when he first played for us in 2018,I think he will have a much better year...
Madden,Laurie and many other young talented guys may be a little way off NRL selection,they will need time and games under their belts in CC this year..
If you look at the big picture,you can see why the club has extened Madge,he has quality young guys coming up and experienced NRL players to mentor them as they go along..
Madge will get us in the finals and establish a culture that is completely the opposite of what we the fans have seen for many years,it just takes time and hard work...none of us can doubt the integrity and passion that Madge has displayed while on this journey...he deserves a shot and much support from us...

I agree that the recruitment this offseason has been really, really good. But I think a lot of the credit for that needs to go to Hartigan. Since he joined in Mid 2019 we've added AD, Tamou, Roberts, Luciano, Ofahengaue, Musgrove, Blore, Laurie, Simpkin, Simpkins, Stefano, BJ and AJ. We've also managed to move on Reynolds.

Prior to him arriving we signed Jennings and were looking to sign Mannah.

Also I think Laurie is absolutely ready for NRL.

Well when you put it like that. Mumma Mia...... Hartigan the unsung hero!
Props to who ever got Hartigan over here :+1:

Pascoe

 

[avocadoontoast]

We all have to agree that this has been a great off season recruitment wise..The hooker position is Liddles to lose in my opinion,he has an opportunity to show his undeniable skills within the role as long as he is injury free..
Mbye will be our fb as he has been training there all off season and no captaining responsibilities or injuries will allow him to play the way he did when he first played for us in 2018,I think he will have a much better year...
Madden,Laurie and many other young talented guys may be a little way off NRL selection,they will need time and games under their belts in CC this year..
If you look at the big picture,you can see why the club has extened Madge,he has quality young guys coming up and experienced NRL players to mentor them as they go along..
Madge will get us in the finals and establish a culture that is completely the opposite of what we the fans have seen for many years,it just takes time and hard work...none of us can doubt the integrity and passion that Madge has displayed while on this journey...he deserves a shot and much support from us...

I agree that the recruitment this offseason has been really, really good. But I think a lot of the credit for that needs to go to Hartigan. Since he joined in Mid 2019 we've added AD, Tamou, Roberts, Luciano, Ofahengaue, Musgrove, Blore, Laurie, Simpkin, Simpkins, Stefano, BJ and AJ. We've also managed to move on Reynolds.

Prior to him arriving we signed Jennings and were looking to sign Mannah.

Also I think Laurie is absolutely ready for NRL.

Well when you put it like that. Mumma Mia...... Hartigan the unsung hero!
Props to who ever got Hartigan over here :+1:

Pascoe

Then great job by Pascoe. I think Hartigan has been our best signing in years.

 

[bathursttiger1]

I'm one of Mikaele's fans but not convinced he is an automatic pick in the 17 anymore.

Not now we have added a bit more experience.

Tom was carrying injuries last season which hampered his performances, hopefully he has a big years as I think he could be anything if he put the effort in.

 

[tony soprano]

slightly disappointed that at this point it looks as if Kepaoa has been overlooked for the left wing spot over Talau. Talau is obviously at the stage where he needs consistent first grade in order to improve, but he's a centre. Kepaoa on the other hand is a bit pacier and good in the air and looks a more natural fit on the flank.

Good in the air ?? he can't even catch a ball on his chest?‍♂️

His eye issues have been discussed on here. He’s also better defensively than Talau who I don’t believe is a winger (and was very underwhelming in the trial). I’d have AJ over Talau for the left wing spot.

Fast too which talau ain’t

 

[The_Patriot]

I'm one of Mikaele's fans but not convinced he is an automatic pick in the 17 anymore.

Not now we have added a bit more experience.

Looking likely

 

[Tigerwould]

Mark Geyer is predicted WTs come 8th in 2021. One of the only media types to do so

 

[cochise]

Mark Geyer is predicted WTs come 8th in 2021. One of the only media types to do so

I mainly think that is because of Blore.