Round 1 - Your side to take on Souths

[Tim Sheens]

I was glad to see Sue start in the second row. If Ava starts it will add much needed muscle to the pack. I'm really excited by Aloiai's form in the pre-season. Could pack some real punch off the bench.

Did not know Sue started on the right until I read this post. Though he went alright as he did when tried there a couple of years ago, I find it strange after playing Aloiai there all of last year that Taylor would change that up.

Would be good to see Suli also get a first up shot and like Josh, be able to hold down the spot all season.

Actually Aloiai appeared to be defending actually in the 13 position while out there

The second half was well underway when I was able to tune in and I had little idea on who was playing where whilst watching a stuttering broadcast on my phone. Though there were some obvious defensive issues on the right edge last season, late in the year saw a gelling of Moses and Aloiai in attack that could be wasted if altered.

As for Suli, I just want to see something different and hope that he is one of those rare youngsters that can hit the ground running. Don't think I have seen him play before last night as he played bugger all in 2016 due to injury, but although not really tested he didn't look out of place against a good cows side.

On a side note, that Coen Hess looked even more huge the other night, a monster.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Really don't see what the fuss is about in regards to Chee Kam. I expect him to be a fringe first grader like he was last year.

 

[westTAHger]

Pretty simple for me, to beat Souths :
kick deep and to the corners on the 5th tackle.
don't push the pass when not needed.
don't let points in the 5 min period before and 5 min period straight after half time.
defend well.
that's all I ask for.

 

[Needaname]

Really don't see what the fuss is about in regards to Chee Kam. I expect him to be a fringe first grader like he was last year.

I missed the start of the game,
Did chee Kam play in the back row with lawernce at five eight as listed?

I don't think kev has lost his Centre spot just yet, however with Rankin he hasn't been used once on the wing in the preseason which leads me to believe that he will be our super sub this year.

Don't be surprised to see our first choice hookers Ballin and Liddle being in reserve grade if not fit, then switch with mcwillrik, Rankin / Littlejohn in the early rounds. Personally I think liddle might get more time in state cup building up his resilience and match fitness. Shoulder injuries are not ideal especially if your in the middle of the front line.

With sue, when that try was scored he was in tighter than Ava, which makes me think he was playing lock at that stage.
He played 2 great games in the backrow back start of 2015 and missed no tackles.
With that try he was covering a gap of about 5 meters as the A defender which is not ideal and being 30 secs out from half time means the whole team was ready to go to the sheds.
A good try for JT to use as an example of staying focused.

In saying that I liked our starting side and definitely think we looked stronger across the park.
Defence was solid also, for the first time since 2014 we were actually staying on our feet and controlling the ruck in defence.
Only taomalolo was a handful but even then he only progress a couple more metres than the rest of the props and didn't make a break from what I can remember.

Side for round 1.

Teddy
Nofoluma
Kev
Idris
Suli
Moses
Littlejohn / Brooks if fit
Woods
McWillrik
Ava
Lawerance
Sue
Taylor

Rankin
Chee Kam
Grant
Aloii

Having Chee Kam allows Sue to move in tighter if required. (I'd probably prefer Chee Kam starting back row latter in the year with Sue providing more impact off the bench)
Also if required Rankin can handle hooker if we need another forward McWillrik is also a very good lock.

 

[Harvey]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/rabbitohs/nrl-2017-no-love-lost-robbie-farah-opens-up-on-round-one-clash-with-wests-tigers/news-story/c9103a295c8a48b283ae8edc74542cf5

Robbie seems all charged up the clash - with our inside knowledge of his game our boys should be able to contain him.

Dummy and go yourself is his only move.

That is not fair. Inside the oppositions 10, he also has the left foot grubber into a defenders legs.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Anyone know what's happening with JJ? Is he injured, or is he out of favour?

 

[fulleightyminutes]

Anyone know what's happening with JJ? Is he injured, or is he out of favour?

He played about 50 minutes in ISP trial last night and looked strong and not injured.Jason Taylor was at the game so perhaps was just watching him have a longer hit-out.

 

[Harvey]

Have been really impressed by what I have seen of Aloiai so far this year. Seems to have improved and think re-signing him was a very smart move. I would be looking for him to play more minutes this year either in the middle or on an edge

 

[bp_tiger]

with JT we have no idea what he will come up with other than all the stars if fit been picked, but heres a team I think he would like to pick,lol.

hunt
kev
milone
tim
helela
littlejohn
rankin
ballin
Lovett
aloaia
Edwards
mcllwricik
grant

and your guess is as good as mine re bench, hope all u no happy people don't get up set with a little be season humour.

 

[innsaneink]

Oh… Humour was it?

 

[WestsBenTigers]

Have been really impressed by what I have seen of Aloiai so far this year. Seems to have improved and think re-signing him was a very smart move. I would be looking for him to play more minutes this year either in the middle or on an edge

Would he be worth it in Fantasy???

 

[newtiger]

We saw what inexperience can bring with Heleta last night… I'd hate for Suli to be thrown in too soon... Not easy for an outside back to be eased in.
Let him train with the squad... Throw him in at seasons end when were out of semis contention

I don't think Watson will ever do that again, and it was in a trial rather then a NRL game.

 

[TIGER]

1\. Tedesco
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Idris
4\. Chee-Kam
5\. Naiqama
6\. Moses
7\. Brooks
8\. Woods
9\. McIlwrick
10\. Sue
11\. Aloiai
12\. Lawrence
13\. Taylor
14\. Ava
15\. Felise
16\. Grant
17\. Littlejohn

I don't think JT will rush Suli into 1st grade. I expect him to play most of the season in NYC/ISP, and feature in 1st grade when there are injuries.

I also don't think Sue is mobile enough to be an effective defender in the second row. His missed tackle that led to Hampton's try right on halftime is evidence of his poor lateral movement.

This is the team I'd pick too, I'm not completely sold on chee kam yet but let's give him a go.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Tedesco
Nofoaluma
Idris
Chee Kam
Suli
Moses
Brooks
Woods
Ballin
Ava
Lawrence
Sue
Taylor

Grant
McIlwrick/Liddle
Aloiai
Felise

I still am concerned that Sue will struggle in back row defensively especially when he encounters pure speed

good team, JT may prefer Naiqama on LW.

 

[swag_tiger]

Buchanan is gone which will free a spot on the bench

 

[Masterton]

Have been really impressed by what I have seen of Aloiai so far this year. Seems to have improved and think re-signing him was a very smart move. I would be looking for him to play more minutes this year either in the middle or on an edge

Would he be worth it in Fantasy???

I picked him. I'm no expert, but most people will tell you to watch out for players that are on the improve. I also picked Idris, so we'll soon see how deluded I am.

 

[Born_tiger]

Buchanan is gone which will free a spot on the bench

Buchanan?

 

[clifferdSH]

Not sure how relevant this is but today at the launch the players were handed their jerseys with their number on it.

Went like this

1\. James Tedesco
2\. David Nofoaluma
3\. Jamal Idris
4\. Kevin Naiqama
5\. Jordan Rankin
6\. Mitchell Moses
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Aaron Woods
9\. Mart Ballin
10\. Tim Grant/Ava Semanufangi
11\. Sauso Sue
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Elijah Taylor

14\. Jacob Liddle/Michael Chee Kam

Rest of bench not named

Again not sure how accurate that is but those were the jersey numbers handed out to those specific players

So maybe that is the confirmed side?

 

[innsaneink]

Souths looked pretty good today… They don't be easy

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Souths looked pretty good today… They don't be easy

I'm quietly confident.