Best young props in NRL - where are we?

[Guest]

Aiden Tolman
Russell Packer
Tim Mannah
Eddy Pettybourne
James Tamou

These were five of the best graduating props from the 2008 NYC. They played a large % of their games in FG in 2009 off the bench, and are now developing into key players and leaders in their respective packs.

Sam McKendry
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Trent Merrin
Leeson Ah Mau

These were four players who were standouts in the first two seasons of NYC, and are now regular first graders for their respective teams too.

Aside from Hargreaves, we really need to look in at some of these blokes, especially Mannah, Merrin and Tolman. These blokes have massive tickers, play well above their age and maturity, and don't make silly errors or push passes/offloads - they just roll their sleeves up and get their hands dirty.

Kennedy and Masoe weren't even standouts in NYC, so it is hard to expect them to really show anything too special in first grade. Arona was strong last season in the NYC but I don't see him pushing for a first grade spot anytime soon.

[Guest]

Pettybourne is playing 2nd row.

[Guest]

I think there is still hope for Kennedy. Agreed that he hasn't been a stand out in NYC, however the Roosters chose to put him against the big boys for Newtown when still eligible for NYC.

At the start of the season I wasn't hopeful of much from Kennedy, but in a couple of performances he has shown some promise. May not be a world beater, but I think he will be a solid first grader.

[Rooster_6]

Kennedy is too much like Conn for mine, no frills player who plays tough and hard. Every club needs them in fact they're crucial to clubs but two in the one side in the same position?

Personally I think we need to go hard out for Tolman, he's the best young prop in the game and Ryles (our only prop who actually goes forward on a consistent basis) isn't far from retirement. No one in our junior ranks from what I can see bar probably Arona could replace his workload.

[Guest]

Kennedy is too much like Conn for mine, no frills player who plays tough and hard. Every club needs them in fact they're crucial to clubs but two in the one side in the same position?

Personally I think we need to go hard out for Tolman, he's the best young prop in the game and Ryles (our only prop who actually goes forward on a consistent basis) isn't far from retirement. No one in our junior ranks from what I can see bar probably Arona could replace his workload.

From what I've seen from Conn, he is at the club for depth - similar to Chad Robinson when we were successful. He has real go, but wouldn't be in the side with all players available.

No arguements with the need to look for more props though. You need 4 good props and a couple more to cover for injuries. We have Ryles (short term), JWH (long term), FPN (juries out), Paea (juries in - Paeas out) and Kennedy (potential). Even if two of Kennedy, FPN and Arona come through, we will still need someone off the top shelf.

[Guest]

Did you guys know that we had Russell Packer on a scholarship when he was young?

And we let him go.

[Guest]

Did you guys know that we had Russell Packer on a scholarship when he was young?

And we let him go.

Packer, Hannant, Tamou, Shillington

Yeah - Hannant is a mercanary and Shillington got offered overs, but what about the money we have wasted on other props....

[Guest]

To be fair to Conn, he is a backrower playing prop.

[Rooster_6]

From what I've seen from Conn, he is at the club for depth - similar to Chad Robinson when we were successful. He has real go, but wouldn't be in the side with all players available.

No arguements with the need to look for more props though. You need 4 good props and a couple more to cover for injuries. We have Ryles (short term), JWH (long term), FPN (juries out), Paea (juries in - Paeas out) and Kennedy (potential). Even if two of Kennedy, FPN and Arona come through, we will still need someone off the top shelf.

Problem is having 4 young front rowers is a little like watching grass grow.

I'm not sold on JWH being a prop yet, still reckon he's more suited to being a wide runner. Haven't seen him bend the line once yet off a hitup.

I actually reckon Jason King (who we were linked to in the off season) would be a decent signing for the bench. Good go forward, experienced and still probably got another 3-4 years left in him. Much better than spending big money on someone like Graham who is untested in the NRL anyway.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Problem is having 4 young front rowers is a little like watching grass grow.

I'm not sold on JWH being a prop yet, still reckon he's more suited to being a wide runner. Haven't seen him bend the line once yet off a hitup.

I actually reckon Jason King (who we were linked to in the off season) would be a decent signing for the bench. Good go forward, experienced and still probably got another 3-4 years left in him. Much better than spending big money on someone like Graham who is untested in the NRL anyway.

You think King would give up being co-captain and starting front rower at Manly to play on the bench for the Roosters? Seriously??

[Cockadoodledoo]

Aiden Tolman
Russell Packer
Tim Mannah
Eddy Pettybourne
James Tamou

These were five of the best graduating props from the 2008 NYC. They played a large % of their games in FG in 2009 off the bench, and are now developing into key players and leaders in their respective packs.

Sam McKendry
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Trent Merrin
Leeson Ah Mau

These were four players who were standouts in the first two seasons of NYC, and are now regular first graders for their respective teams too.

Aside from Hargreaves, we really need to look in at some of these blokes, especially Mannah, Merrin and Tolman. These blokes have massive tickers, play well above their age and maturity, and don't make silly errors or push passes/offloads - they just roll their sleeves up and get their hands dirty.

Kennedy and Masoe weren't even standouts in NYC, so it is hard to expect them to really show anything too special in first grade. Arona was strong last season in the NYC but I don't see him pushing for a first grade spot anytime soon.

I thought POS signed all the best young front rowers.

[Rooster_6]

You think King would give up being co-captain and starting front rower at Manly to play on the bench for the Roosters? Seriously??

What a joke co-captaincy is anyway but good point.

Still it was the idea of signing someone like King rather than spending big dollars on someone that I was getting at. Shane Tronc who's only on a 6 month contract with the ponnies would be a handy signing.

[Cockadoodledoo]

What a joke co-captaincy is anyway but good point.

Still it was the idea of signing someone like King rather than spending big dollars on someone that I was getting at. Shane Tronc who's only on a 6 month contract with the ponnies would be a handy signing.

King is a damn good player granted and I do actually get what you are saying but he would not leave Manly unless we offered some decent coin.. Unfortunately when you are an also ran it is harder to recruit decent experienced players... We certainly should be targeting a front rower though with 100 games experience in the 25-28 year age bracket.. I just do not know who is available... Tronc may be a useful option as he fills that criteria.

[Rooster_6]

Kade Snowden (although a little less experienced) and Jeff Lima are the only two I can think of. Both would be looking for decent sized contracts though.

[Guest]

Luke Douglas. 24 years old, hasn't missed a game of first grade since debuting in 2006. Almost always makes at least 100 metres and 30 tackles a game, aggressive and tough.