Auckland 9's Discussion

[fletch]

I know its a mickey mouse competition but given the goings on of the last week, just happy to be able to watch and talk about on the field stuff again.

originally our squad was to be named this week but obviously other matters took priority.

apparently Joe Burgess is likely to be named when our team is released tomorrow.

will be watching with interest to see if Copley/Nikorima are named.

didn't realise but we actually open the tournament against the vermin on 10:30am next Saturday morning.

looking forward to hopefully seeing the likes of Mitchell/Manu up against better competition also if Elliot has continued his development during the offseason.

[eddie]

I'll treat watching the nines as I would a trial match.
It's good to see some young blokes and the new arrivals get a run, and I put that above the result.
Now that the nrl's greed has diluted the importance of the WCC, league don't start till round one again.

In the meantime I'm hoping to see players like Taylor, Nikorima and Papalii get a chance.

[fletch]

out of the 8 teams named so far the Warrior/Titans/Sharks are the ones taking it most seriously.

surely this is the year the Warriors win it.

[Team Evil]

I am looking forward to seeing our young recruits develop.

We have done so well developing young players over the last 5 years.
We did so well developing players that everyone could not work out how we were under the cap.
Now we have had to let some go but we are still competitive.

I have high hopes for Burgess, just hope he can cope with the pace and defensive side of things but have you seen the size of him. BIG super fast and strong.

I hope SKD is available to play or we will be short one centre. Any idea who will play right centre if SKD is out?.

Blake needs to cover FB as L. Mitchell is not ready and needs to play wing as RTS did.
I would prefer Blake back at centre and Mitchell at FB but watching him last year made me think he was barely ready to play FG wing. Just happy to let super coach Robbo make that hard decision.

Everyone has to remember that our forward pack will still be the best in the comp. JWH will need another year to get back to full pace. I should know as I had 2 ACL reconstructions through my playing days. To make up for JWH our young forwards have had another year to mature and will help to lay an awesome platform.

Our forwards are going to keep us in the top 8 this year. I have high hopes that Andrew Johns will help develop our two young halves with great potential.

Who is going to give Jake a break? Poor Maubs will have to play out of position again?

I think we have a lot to look forward to this year.

I just hate all the off field crap, bring on the footy.

Evil

[Drumstick]

I am just happy to watch football. There was a team submitted already by the club, but the NRL wasn't happy and a new team was submitted. I hope we put plenty of young guns there. I hope Charlie Taylor gets picked, a Nines Specialist and an absolute flyer. This will suit him immensely. It will also depend on how serious the club is on having a crack at this as it would be good after all the recent events that we come out on a positive note and win this. Somehow I don't think the club gives a sh**

[fletch]

I am just happy to watch football. There was a team submitted already by the club, but the NRL wasn't happy and a new team was submitted. I hope we put plenty of young guns there. I hope Charlie Taylor gets picked, a Nines Specialist and an absolute flyer. This will suit him immensely. It will also depend on how serious the club is on having a crack at this as it would be good after all the recent events that we come out on a positive note and win this. Somehow I don't think the club gives a sh**

Anasta is playing its clear we don't care, this is just about exposing our youngsters to the NRL environment.

[Drumstick]

Anasta is playing its clear we don't care, this is just about exposing our youngsters to the NRL environment.

I agree, Annasta playing has stopped another kid getting a go, not that he would care and obviously the club as well. Don't understand it.

[eddie]

Would've been good to see Mini take part.
Wonder if they asked him before Braith?

[Drumstick]

Would've been good to see Mini take part.
Wonder if they asked him before Braith?

I think there should be 2 comps over the weekend. One called the golden oldies u40s and the other our nines teams focussed on youth. The golden oldies play the same formula vs best of the other golden oldies from the other clubs and both have their finals at the end. The organisers will sell more tickets and could be a huge success. But to mix with oldies in the teams at the moment, I don't like. Its stopping other kids getting a go and giving them experience as we might have to call on them through the season for injuries, suspensions, reps etc

[eddie]

I think there should be 2 comps over the weekend. One called the golden oldies u40s and the other our nines teams focussed on youth. The golden oldies play the same formula vs best of the other golden oldies from the other clubs and both have their finals at the end. The organisers will sell more tickets and could be a huge success. But to mix with oldies in the teams at the moment, I don't like. Its stopping other kids getting a go and giving them experience as we might have to call on them through the season for injuries, suspensions, reps etc

Excellent concept, probably too imaginative for the nrl.
Although you might have trouble filling all the teams. Perhaps under 50s ?
Monday morning might see some very busy GPs in certain areas.

[Drumstick]

Excellent concept, probably too imaginative for the nrl.
Although you might have trouble filling all the teams. Perhaps under 50s ?
Monday morning might see some very busy GPs in certain areas.

Yes maybe u50s. I think you and I should organise it as the NRL can't think that far and not creative enough

[Kingbilly]

The single reason clubs put players like Anasta (and Fittler last year) into the 9s is because they have to have a certain number of marquee players to draw the crowds.
Even though they are no longer playing NRL they are considered to fulfill that criteria. So Anasta is not taking a young players spot, he is preventing the Roosters from having to risk a first grader in the 9s.

Makes sense to me
.

[eddie]

Yes maybe u50s. I think you and I should organise it as the NRL can't think that far and not creative enough

True that.
In their defence the nrl is very busy training referees on how to make their soap opera a reality, when they haven't got their snouts in troughs.

Wonder if Horrie is still up for a game?

[Drumstick]

True that.
In their defence the nrl is very busy training referees on how to make their soap opera a reality, when they haven't got their snouts in troughs.

Wonder if Horrie is still up for a game?

Yes he could play, still a fit bugger and is a fitness instructor, has his own business. He could even coach the u50s side if he didn't want to play

[eddie]

The gibbon would play for sure. We know he keeps fit.