Squad 2023-24

[Teddy]

Apologies in advance if a thread already exists on this topic.

We are missing a couple players in some positions as of right now and our front row will be completely different once SST and JWH have finished up SST last season and JWH probably retires in 23.

Right wing- we currently have one elite winger at the club and nobody else Big Joe S is doing a great job but if you read ahead I believe he will be moved to left centre, so what do guys think will be the clubs, Robbo’s plan here move Karavelu up or do we go to market? If so who is out there a budget option veteran specialist will be the go I think Naqaima is rubbish Billy is not a winger and don’t mention Momo he’s really not an option for any position moving forward.

Left Centre- Is Robbo’s plan here to move Big Joe S to this position going forward or is this just what the majority of us penners think? (he’s height and carts back from our line are great playing from the wing).

2nd Row- I think is our biggest weakness atm I love Nat have always thought of him as our new Maubs (if he had a little more pace stick him at left centre maybe) Sitili in my eyes is not the solution from the bench perhaps, Gus I’m not sure how I feel the stats look great but he just isn’t threatening in attack or is he playing to Robbo’s instruction cart the ball up, run hard, defend? We need someone who has all these attributes (Pappalii eels version, Kikau)

Prop- Collins I understand is signed to a long deal I think until 25 or 26 from memory, he’s origin quality still has some development to go but the club has made it’s intentions clear moving forward he will lead the pack, who partners him and then who jumps in from the interchange Baker/DSF/Whyte would love to see more of the latter.

Hooker- Right now Sam is just a band aid I doubt he’ll be here much longer Cheese will push him out, In the meantime is this Watson’s position moving forward? Because Hutch is not the answer Marshke someone mentioned he will be available for selection? I’d rather him and Watson share that role the kid loves tough stuff and his aggression in D is great.

Thoughts?

[ism22]

My thoughts...

- Yeah, it'll suck losing SST and then (eventually) JWH. Collins is showing good signs but we're arguably short on front/rowers.

- I think Momirovski and Smith are both great options moving forward when Suaalii starts playing centre.

- Karawalevu... never seen him play but my guess is that his understanding of rugby league is pretty basic and he may never quite make it? Not banking on him but at the same time I'd love to see him come good.

- Surely Cheese is hooker no contest. #14? I just dunno. However I suspect we'll keep whoever wants that #14 jersey the most. Love for a club and a passion for self-improvement are great but with NRL careers being short, most people need to find an alternative that pays the bills. Sure some will always be ~$200-300k players (which isn't bad money compared with your average person). But... I reckon Watson and Verrills can both earn more. It'll largely depend what they want. For example if momentum's going our way, a premiership at #14 could be VERY enticing for the right person.

- Guessing Egan, Whyte, Baker and the like are all progressing well. I'd love to see us sign a marquee front-rower but feel that with us having signed Smith, we may not have the reserve cash lying around.

[Steakface]

Apologies in advance if a thread already exists on this topic.

We are missing a couple players in some positions as of right now and our front row will be completely different once SST and JWH have finished up SST last season and JWH probably retires in 23.

Right wing- we currently have one elite winger at the club and nobody else Big Joe S is doing a great job but if you read ahead I believe he will be moved to left centre, so what do guys think will be the clubs, Robbo’s plan here move Karavelu up or do we go to market? If so who is out there a budget option veteran specialist will be the go I think Naqaima is rubbish Billy is not a winger and don’t mention Momo he’s really not an option for any position moving forward.

Left Centre- Is Robbo’s plan here to move Big Joe S to this position going forward or is this just what the majority of us penners think? (he’s height and carts back from our line are great playing from the wing).

2nd Row- I think is our biggest weakness atm I love Nat have always thought of him as our new Maubs (if he had a little more pace stick him at left centre maybe) Sitili in my eyes is not the solution from the bench perhaps, Gus I’m not sure how I feel the stats look great but he just isn’t threatening in attack or is he playing to Robbo’s instruction cart the ball up, run hard, defend? We need someone who has all these attributes (Pappalii eels version, Kikau)

Prop- Collins I understand is signed to a long deal I think until 25 or 26 from memory, he’s origin quality still has some development to go but the club has made it’s intentions clear moving forward he will lead the pack, who partners him and then who jumps in from the interchange Baker/DSF/Whyte would love to see more of the latter.

Hooker- Right now Sam is just a band aid I doubt he’ll be here much longer Cheese will push him out, In the meantime is this Watson’s position moving forward? Because Hutch is not the answer Marshke someone mentioned he will be available for selection? I’d rather him and Watson share that role the kid loves tough stuff and his aggression in D is great.

Thoughts?

Prop
....is a concern for me.
SST and JWH going leaves a big hole. Collins i'm confident can step up, but all the depth is just 'potential' at this stage. No doubt Robbo is keen to blood Taphua and give Fifita another run. Regardless, SST and JWH will go in fairly quick succession imo, and thats a big hole of experience gone. Baker I am not confident in.

Wing/Centre/Fullback
Sualli is probably viewed long term as our next fullback, perhaps as early as 3 years from now. I'd also expect him to see some centre action in the interim. Speculation maybe, but its not out of the question that as Teddy ages and loses a bit of pace, he could get shifted to 5/8.

2nd row - problem here is threefold
- Nat Butcher is an 80 min lock. You dont get his maximum value in the 11 or 12 jersey.
- Sitili is not a starter imo, he is a bench back rower designed to run hard against tiring opposition.
- Gus is a concern, and is overpaid for what he delivers.

Spine overall....
Overall, long term I think we're alright in the spine
1. Teddy
6. Walker
7. Keary
9. Smith
will do us just fine. That's a great spine. Most teams would kill for a spine of that calibre.

[FlamingRooster]

Wing/Centre/Fullback
Sualli is probably viewed long term as our next fullback, perhaps as early as 3 years from now. I'd also expect him to see some centre action in the interim. Speculation maybe, but its not out of the question that as Teddy ages and loses a bit of pace, he could get shifted to 5/8.

Doubt it. Probably what will happen is Roosters will offer Manu 5/8 at end of '24, (Keary will be approaching 33), or he's gone. They will throw big, big money at Suaalii if he turns out as good as we think he will, and keep him in centres, while continually offering Teddy 1 year deals until his gas tank is gone, at which point Suaalii will move there.

As for our front-row, unfortunately barring a big signing, Robbo has plans for Flipperhands Collins to lead the pack. Players like May, DSF and Tuku will probably be developed into our other 3 props.

Second row - Angus Crichton is not a bad player!!!!!! Sitili is a bench player. Egan Butcher will be developed for the other 2nd rower position.

[King Salvo]

Prop
....is a concern for me.
SST and JWH going leaves a big hole. Collins i'm confident can step up, but all the depth is just 'potential' at this stage. No doubt Robbo is keen to blood Taphua and give Fifita another run. Regardless, SST and JWH will go in fairly quick succession imo, and thats a big hole of experience gone. Baker I am not confident in.

Wing/Centre/Fullback
Sualli is probably viewed long term as our next fullback, perhaps as early as 3 years from now. I'd also expect him to see some centre action in the interim. Speculation maybe, but its not out of the question that as Teddy ages and loses a bit of pace, he could get shifted to 5/8.

2nd row - problem here is threefold
- Nat Butcher is an 80 min lock. You dont get his maximum value in the 11 or 12 jersey.
- Sitili is not a starter imo, he is a bench back rower designed to run hard against tiring opposition.
- Gus is a concern, and is overpaid for what he delivers.

Spine overall....
Overall, long term I think we're alright in the spine
1. Teddy
6. Walker
7. Keary
9. Smith
will do us just fine. That's a great spine. Most teams would kill for a spine of that calibre.

Baker has ball skills(pass and offload) which should be used more plus he should get more minutes- not sure that the bench is used to it's maximum affect especially prop wise.

JWH/SST should be used in shorter more impact roles - say first 20 minutes then off - come back second half for 15 or so minutes - 2 other props in Collins/Baker play 45 or so minutes straight through either side of the half time break

[King Salvo]

Apologies in advance if a thread already exists on this topic.

We are missing a couple players in some positions as of right now and our front row will be completely different once SST and JWH have finished up SST last season and JWH probably retires in 23.

Right wing- we currently have one elite winger at the club and nobody else Big Joe S is doing a great job but if you read ahead I believe he will be moved to left centre, so what do guys think will be the clubs, Robbo’s plan here move Karavelu up or do we go to market? If so who is out there a budget option veteran specialist will be the go I think Naqaima is rubbish Billy is not a winger and don’t mention Momo he’s really not an option for any position moving forward.

Left Centre- Is Robbo’s plan here to move Big Joe S to this position going forward or is this just what the majority of us penners think? (he’s height and carts back from our line are great playing from the wing).

2nd Row- I think is our biggest weakness atm I love Nat have always thought of him as our new Maubs (if he had a little more pace stick him at left centre maybe) Sitili in my eyes is not the solution from the bench perhaps, Gus I’m not sure how I feel the stats look great but he just isn’t threatening in attack or is he playing to Robbo’s instruction cart the ball up, run hard, defend? We need someone who has all these attributes (Pappalii eels version, Kikau)

Prop- Collins I understand is signed to a long deal I think until 25 or 26 from memory, he’s origin quality still has some development to go but the club has made it’s intentions clear moving forward he will lead the pack, who partners him and then who jumps in from the interchange Baker/DSF/Whyte would love to see more of the latter.

Hooker- Right now Sam is just a band aid I doubt he’ll be here much longer Cheese will push him out, In the meantime is this Watson’s position moving forward? Because Hutch is not the answer Marshke someone mentioned he will be available for selection? I’d rather him and Watson share that role the kid loves tough stuff and his aggression in D is great.

Thoughts?

Not sure why you would have Nat Butcher playing centre - someone else on here said that Radley should play wing?

[Teddy]

Not sure why you would have Nat Butcher playing centre - someone else on here said that Radley should play wing?

That was a joke dude relax