The following is what I believe is our best 17 (once a few of them return from injury). I have also included a small evaluation for each player and five players listed as "Best of the Rest".
Best 13
1 Latrell Mitchell
There is no need for Latrell to play on the wing ever; I would be keen to see him run with the ball more often particularly close to the try line.
2 Daniel Tupou
Some have suggested that Daniel be dropped due to poor form. I think we should keep the side as stable as possible and keep him in the 17.
3 Brendan Elliot
Difficult choice between Brendan and Copley. I would not be surprised if Trent selects Copley once he returns from injury in round 19.
4 Blake Ferguson
With a bit of luck, playing for Australia can give Blake some confidence. He needs to get back to his best soon.
5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Shaun has been one of our best performers so far this season. He can play just as well at centre but I would rather him on the wing.
6 Jackson Hastings
Once Pearce returns this Saturday, I believe Jackson will improve big time. His short kicking at the try line combined with Pearce's long kicking should make winning games easier.
7 Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell returning will be excellent for the team. He will add a great deal of stability in offence. I won’t be too surprised if he’ll be co-captain again next season.
8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared also returning will be excellent for the team. He will give a lot of confidence to the younger players in the side.
9 Jake Friend
With Waerea-Hargreaves and Cordner back together this Saturday it should help relieve the amount of tackling Jake has been carrying out this season and allow him to attack more.
10 Dylan Napa
Dylan in my view is a starting prop this season taking over from Moa permanently. He needs to keep a high intensity in both offence and defence in every game.
11 Boyd Cordner
I am really happy Boyd is back. Like Waerea-Hargreaves, he will offer a lot of confidence to inexperienced players. I can see him scoring plenty of tries this season.
12 Aidan Guerra
I’m not sure why some on here think Aidan has been in poor form. In the last 2-3 weeks, he has been great and will continue to improve week to week.
13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho
It was a tough decision between Siua and Liu at lock. I prefer Siua starting but I’m not concerned too much. Huge potential.
Interchange
14 Mitchell Aubusson
Always reliable. I don't mind Mitchell at centre but he should be on the bench to add impact and stability when required.
15 Kane Evans
Similar to Napa, Kane needs to be powerful with every run and defend well. He would be effective starting at prop as a replacement for Napa.
16 Isaac Liu
Again, I would not be too bothered at all if Isaac started at lock instead of Taukeiaho. Similar to Aubusson, constantly reliable and solid.
17 Ryan Matterson
I have selected Ryan as the ultimate utility.” He can possibly play at second row, lock, prop and centre maybe halfback as well. He has enormous potential and ability.
Best of the Rest
18 Dale Copley
We will have to wait until round 19 to see if Trent selects Dale to start at centre instead of Elliot. I'm not 100% sold on his ability yet.
19 Connor Watson
I have been surprised with Connor’s effort thus far. To be honest I have him ahead of Nikorima. He looks like he handles NRL a lot better.
20 Jayden Nikorima
Jayden should get his confidence back playing U20s. I would like to see him step up to 2nd grade soon; this should benefit him even more.
21 Joe Burgess
Joe has been solid so far in the NRL. I think he still needs to improve to play in the NRL and potentially take the place of Tupou full-time.
22 Vincent Leuluai
I wouldn't mind Vincent being selected rather than Matterson. He has impressed me a lot before he was injured earlier in the season.
Best 13
1 Latrell Mitchell
There is no need for Latrell to play on the wing ever; I would be keen to see him run with the ball more often particularly close to the try line.
2 Daniel Tupou
Some have suggested that Daniel be dropped due to poor form. I think we should keep the side as stable as possible and keep him in the 17.
3 Brendan Elliot
Difficult choice between Brendan and Copley. I would not be surprised if Trent selects Copley once he returns from injury in round 19.
4 Blake Ferguson
With a bit of luck, playing for Australia can give Blake some confidence. He needs to get back to his best soon.
5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Shaun has been one of our best performers so far this season. He can play just as well at centre but I would rather him on the wing.
6 Jackson Hastings
Once Pearce returns this Saturday, I believe Jackson will improve big time. His short kicking at the try line combined with Pearce's long kicking should make winning games easier.
7 Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell returning will be excellent for the team. He will add a great deal of stability in offence. I won’t be too surprised if he’ll be co-captain again next season.
8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared also returning will be excellent for the team. He will give a lot of confidence to the younger players in the side.
9 Jake Friend
With Waerea-Hargreaves and Cordner back together this Saturday it should help relieve the amount of tackling Jake has been carrying out this season and allow him to attack more.
10 Dylan Napa
Dylan in my view is a starting prop this season taking over from Moa permanently. He needs to keep a high intensity in both offence and defence in every game.
11 Boyd Cordner
I am really happy Boyd is back. Like Waerea-Hargreaves, he will offer a lot of confidence to inexperienced players. I can see him scoring plenty of tries this season.
12 Aidan Guerra
I’m not sure why some on here think Aidan has been in poor form. In the last 2-3 weeks, he has been great and will continue to improve week to week.
13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho
It was a tough decision between Siua and Liu at lock. I prefer Siua starting but I’m not concerned too much. Huge potential.
Interchange
14 Mitchell Aubusson
Always reliable. I don't mind Mitchell at centre but he should be on the bench to add impact and stability when required.
15 Kane Evans
Similar to Napa, Kane needs to be powerful with every run and defend well. He would be effective starting at prop as a replacement for Napa.
16 Isaac Liu
Again, I would not be too bothered at all if Isaac started at lock instead of Taukeiaho. Similar to Aubusson, constantly reliable and solid.
17 Ryan Matterson
I have selected Ryan as the ultimate utility.” He can possibly play at second row, lock, prop and centre maybe halfback as well. He has enormous potential and ability.
Best of the Rest
18 Dale Copley
We will have to wait until round 19 to see if Trent selects Dale to start at centre instead of Elliot. I'm not 100% sold on his ability yet.
19 Connor Watson
I have been surprised with Connor’s effort thus far. To be honest I have him ahead of Nikorima. He looks like he handles NRL a lot better.
20 Jayden Nikorima
Jayden should get his confidence back playing U20s. I would like to see him step up to 2nd grade soon; this should benefit him even more.
21 Joe Burgess
Joe has been solid so far in the NRL. I think he still needs to improve to play in the NRL and potentially take the place of Tupou full-time.
22 Vincent Leuluai
I wouldn't mind Vincent being selected rather than Matterson. He has impressed me a lot before he was injured earlier in the season.
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