Pack for 2011

[BUDDY]

I can't believe how many backrowers we are going to have for next year.

Anasta
Myles
Maubs
JWH
FPN
Conn
Cherrington
Symonds
Leilua
Tasi
Ikahihifo???

And these are our genuine front rowers.

Ryles
Kennedy
Masoe
Arona

I know they can bend the line but imo I think we need a front rower that will bend the line consistently for long minutes. Not sure how good Arona is as he plays NSW Cup. But that is one area we lacked this year.

Anyway, so out of 15 players above and possibly one or two more to come and with Friend and Watts automatic selections, that leaves 7 or 8 spots to fill. What a nice headache for Smithy to have but it can cause problems for some and we may lose a couple.

Can someone find odds on Newtown winning the NSW Cup next year?

[Guest]

You have forgotten Boyd cordner. He'll become the best of the lot of them.

[BUDDY]

You have forgotten Boyd cordner. He'll become the best of the lot of them.

I was thinking about Boyd but I doubt he will get a go next year after a year off and still eligible for NYC and we really don't need to risk him.

[Guest]

I have massive hope for Arona,he has great potential.

Also Boyd Cordner,our Club has great times ahead

[BUDDY]

I have massive hope for Arona,he has great potential.

Also Boyd Cordner,our Club has great times ahead

From his stats Arona (183cm - 104kg) seems to be in the mould of FPN which isn't big for a front rower. Can anyone give insight on his playing style? Does he play long minutes?

[Guest]

I think JWH may end up as an "enforcer" type prop. He's a big boy now but still has some growing to do. He won't bend the line so much but he will keep the middle honest.

[elo]

What's happening with Verlinden? Now there's a man mountain.

Aged 23; 193cm; 118kg.

If he's ever going to crack first grade somewhere it will need to be now, front rowers peak is usually mid to late 20's.

[Guest]

I think next year will be critical for Cherrington. After a full season of recovery and strengthening and hopefully no more major setbacks, he may just be the explosive attacking x-factor we currently lack in the back row.

The only concern I have with the pack is that with Anasta moving to lock, we might not get enough yards/work rate from our back row. Maubs might have to bulk up over the off season to provide some balance.

[Guest]

I think next year will be critical for Cherrington. After a full season of recovery and strengthening and hopefully no more major setbacks, he may just be the explosive attacking x-factor we currently lack in the back row.

The only concern I have with the pack is that with Anasta moving to lock, we might not get enough yards/work rate from our back row. Maubs might have to bulk up over the off season to provide some balance.

i agree. next season is make or break for cherrington, if he doesnt perform then i think he can pretty much kiss goodbye to a career with us. we have plenty of talented young backrowers some of which have already proven their worth in first grade (symonds, leilua, maubs etc) and if we are afraid about losing him as a big, strong, powerful backrower then dont forget we have signed tasi who played that sort of role for manly is the NYC along with prop this year, we have FPN who has had his greatest success with us in the backrow so far and even the likes of JWH and Masoe have played there so it all comes down to cherro

[Guest]

From an outsiders point of view, this is your best Pack here:


8. Ryles
9. Freind
10. Masoe
11. Aubbusson
12. Anasta ( C )
13. Myles

14. Watts
15. Hargreaves
16. Nuu'asala
17. Conn

[Guest]

Given Paea started ahead of Masoe in the final, I can't help but think Masoe is on the outer.

[Guest]

Given Paea started ahead of Masoe in the final, I can't help but think Masoe is on the outer.

I think that might have had to do with experience.

[Guest]

Given Paea went like a busted ass against the Saints previously, and Masoe belted their forwards only a few weeks back I found it very strange. If Smith was concerned about experience then Graham would have started ahead of BJ.

[Headless Chook]

I heard it was a fitness issue.

[Guest]

Given Paea went like a busted ass against the Saints previously, and Masoe belted their forwards only a few weeks back I found it very strange. If Smith was concerned about experience then Graham would have started ahead of BJ.

Paea really went backwards in the last 12 months. I was expecting big things this season but he just seemed tired and ineffective.