Team round 1

I can't see Bateman rushed into the side in Round One.

I would have Staines replace Ken given he has had more NRL experience than Junior.

Given his trial form I would been happy for Kepaoa to warm Bateman's spot for Round One then maybe a bench spot going forward.

Agree that Titans look a fast side with talent on both flanks
 
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The trial was great, but has also given the opposition the chance see the makeup, and playing style of our team. Laurie was good, and very busy, but i am concerned every time a high ball goes his way.
You can bet there will be many kicks going his way.
 
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Watching the trial vs Raiders some players seem a lock for round 1
Laurie ,Nofoaloma , Talau ,Naden , Douehi ,Brooks , Utoikimano , Korisau , Klemmer
Papalii , Ofengauhe ,
This leaves a choice for other winger either Tupou or Staines and assuming Bateman not match ready a 2nd row choice Blore , Pole ? Till Bateman ready
For me Bench maybe Pole ,Matamua , James and maybe Kepoa
 
Would like to see Blore and Pole come off the bench for more impact, those 2 would cause a bit of carnage coming on fresh after 20 or so.

What props do we have available for Round 1 besides Klemmer, Twal and Stefano?
 
I like the depth in this side

Fullback: Staines, Laurie
Wing: Nofa, Staines, Tupou, Kepoa
Centre: Talau, Naden, Kepoa
Halfback: Brooks, Wakeham
5/8: Douihei, Wil Smith
Prop: Utoikamanu, Ofehengaue, Twal, Klemmer, Pole, James
Back row: Papalli, Bateman, Blore, Matimua
Hooker: Api, Simpkin

We are not a finals side but will be competitive
 
Mighty_Tiger said:
The key will be holding the middle against the Titans and marking the man.

They have have a good forward pack when allowed some room to offload or quick play the balls do so creating the space for 2nd phase play to use the speed out wide.

Marking the man prevents the cut out ball and backs running onto the ball at speed with space reducing options (Nofo has been ordinary at this years past but against the Raiders looked good).
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I think the way we played against the big Raiders pack is how we should go for Round 1 against a big Titans pack. Lots of second phase play, making the big forwards do extra work in defence worked a treat. if we do this again, i am confident we will get the chockies.
 
TYGA said:
I like the depth in this side

Fullback: Staines, Laurie
Wing: Nofa, Staines, Tupou, Kepoa
Centre: Talau, Naden, Kepoa
Halfback: Brooks, Wakeham
5/8: Douihei, Wil Smith
Prop: Utoikamanu, Ofehengaue, Twal, Klemmer, Pole, James
Back row: Papalli, Bateman, Blore, Matimua
Hooker: Api, Simpkin

We are not a finals side but will be competitive
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I disagree our depth is strong.
At the very most, we have 20 first graders in our top 30.
A decent injury toll will sink us….not as harshly as other years, but still will.
 
TYGA said:
I like the depth in this side

Fullback: Staines, Laurie
Wing: Nofa, Staines, Tupou, Kepoa
Centre: Talau, Naden, Kepoa
Halfback: Brooks, Wakeham
5/8: Douihei, Wil Smith
Prop: Utoikamanu, Ofehengaue, Twal, Klemmer, Pole, James
Back row: Papalli, Bateman, Blore, Matimua
Hooker: Api, Simpkin

We are not a finals side but will be competitive
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Depth is very ordinary, 2 of the players aren’t even top 30 & Matimua is way off NRL level wise.

Blore hasn’t played a full season in years

That leaves us with 19 players at best if we include Blore.

If we get 2-3 injuries for any of those 19 players we are stuffed. The halves & center depth is shocking.
 
That's my best 21 squad
Still reckon Staines will start over Tupou (Experience wise)
1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Talau
4. Naden
5. Staines
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Klemmer
11. Papali’i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue

14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Pole
17. Bateman

18. Matamua, 19. Kepaoa, 20. Tupou, 21. Wakeham
 
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Just as an aside, although he is not ready now Tuki SImpkins looks to be a very good player. His rangy build makes it easy for him to make metres with the ball. I hope he continues to improve and we see him in our team. He brings something different to the team.
 
1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3.Bateman
4. Naden
5.Tupou
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Utoikamanu
9. Koroisau (c)
10. Klemmer
11. Papali’i
12. Blore
13. Ofahengaue
14. Simpkin
15. Twal
16. Pole
17.??
 
the Gold Coast are a great team that have gone out and recruited exactly what they needed. their edges are lethal, and Clark will open up the middle corridor when he comes on at 13. Verrills is a brilliant signing as well.

Foran is the key, you could see as much in last week's trial. his ability to go deep into the line and create space for his outside men is what makes him so good. cutting his time down and working hard from the inside will ensure we cover that.

Gold Coast's left edge is where the points are coming from. Foran, Fermor, Sami, Khan-Pereira. that's the side with AD, Talau and Nofo. they were brilliant last week defensively but they're going to have to step it up again if we're going to get anything from this game.

I think we'll overpower them through the middle and I have no issues with our attack but our halves need to control the game with their fifth tackle options. I'm still not completely sold on our defence. two lightning quick wingers, an elite backrow pair, a brilliant fullback in Brimson and Foran at 6 is going to be a huge assignment.
 
jrtiger said:
the Gold Coast are a great team that have gone out and recruited exactly what they needed. their edges are lethal, and Clark will open up the middle corridor when he comes on at 13. Verrills is a brilliant signing as well.

Foran is the key, you could see as much in last week's trial. his ability to go deep into the line and create space for his outside men is what makes him so good. cutting his time down and working hard from the inside will ensure we cover that.

Gold Coast's left edge is where the points are coming from. Foran, Fermor, Sami, Khan-Pereira. that's the side with AD, Talau and Nofo. they were brilliant last week defensively but they're going to have to step it up again if we're going to get anything from this game.

I think we'll overpower them through the middle and I have no issues with our attack but our halves need to control the game with their fifth tackle options. I'm still not completely sold on our defence. two lightning quick wingers, an elite backrow pair, a brilliant fullback in Brimson and Foran at 6 is going to be a huge assignment.
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Great assessment of what we're up against.

If we control the middle and put pressure on Foran with our line speed this game is very winnable. Sit back and let Foran dictate terms and our outside backs had better have confidence in each other to hold their assignments and let the sideline and cover defence sort out any leaks.
 
This may be an unpopular opinion...?
Is it an option to have your captain warm the bench for the first 20?
Or play 25min halves?
Or play the first 60min?
Or bench him for the first 20min of the 2nd half?
Would he go cold with a 30min break?
Or, push him to the full 80?
Tamou was C he never played a full game.
 
Jolls said:
Great assessment of what we're up against.

If we control the middle and put pressure on Foran with our line speed this game is very winnable. Sit back and let Foran dictate terms and our outside backs had better have confidence in each other to hold their assignments and let the sideline and cover defence sort out any leaks.
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our linespeed last week was poor. can attribute that to the heat and the fact that it was our first outing but it will need to improve considerably. if you give guys like Fifita, Foran, Brimson and Fermor a wide berth they'll cut you to pieces. hopefully it's being spoken about this week and next.
 
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