NYC Team vs Storm

[Yak]

1. Henare Wells
2. Usaia O'Sullivan
3. Cheyse Blair
4. Curtis Rona
5. Paul Rokolati
6. Jack Littlejohn
7. Ryley Jacks
8. Isaac Liu
9. Glenn Dumbrell
10. Kane Evans
11. Ethan Lowe
12. Jack Siejka
13. Nick Ehsman

14. Clarrie Moore
15. Adam Brent
16. Brandon Tago
17. Tai Tuivasa

A few notable omissions there in Alofa, Atkinson and Napa. Interesting that Taylor is still persisting with this rotation policy at fullback so close to the finals. Surely he will pick one for the entire finals series. Alofa scored a hat-trick last week and I thought if Henare Wells was to see any footy for the rest of the season it would be on the wing. But in saying that it's good to see O'Sullivan back on the right wing. It's still a very strong backline without the likes of Moga, Alofa and Taripo.

Also interesting to see Liu get a starting spot again this week and Napa dropped altogether. Liu started solidly in the game against Parra but when he came on for the last 20 mins he gave one of the most dominant front-rower displays I've seen from any of our guys all year, including Evans. He hit the ball up three times to the same spot in the line and broke through each time getting the ball away to a faster man each time (except for the first break, his offload was a shocker). Napa was our least effective prop without looking at the stats but I doubt this is a permanent demotion. Instead it's probably just a refresher before finals because it seems Taylor has big wraps on this ranga.

[Guest]

Can't wait to get everyone back on board...

Alofa
Taripo
Rona
Moga
Blair
Littlejohn
Jacks
Evans
Dumbrell
Liu
Lowe
Atkinson
Eshman

Moore
Brent
Tuivasa
Tago

With Henare Wells, Asipeli Fine and Usaia O'Sullivan as cover in the outside backs, and Dylan Napa (who has been very impressive), Sam Bernstrom (also very talented, but injured), and Jack Siejka as cover in the forwards, we are looking in VERY good shape come finals time.

I am not sure why they are picking Rokolati over Fine at the moment however. Rokolati is alright, but I think Fine is a better allround player.

Oh and Yah, although Napa was the least effective prop to you visually, he actually made 17 runs for 183 metres, which is a pretty good effort. The guy isn't a linebreaker, but he is a hard worker with a lot of aggression. I would even consider bringing him in for Adam Brent, and playing with three props off the bench.

[Yak]

Yeah that's why I put that little disclaimer "without looking at the stats". You're absolutely right he's a great toiler with the perfect amount of aggression in defence. Napa will be one of the starting props without a doubt in the finals. They pretty much play with three props off the bench every week anyway. Brent comes on as the tight backrower. Liu is probably the closest thing to a second rower out of all those guys, takes his hit ups very wide and often is the right side link to early set backline movements. Wouldn't be surprised to see Liu start as right side 2nd row in the finals, Atkinson at lock, with Napa starting and that would mean either Brent, Siejka or Ehsman get the final forward spot on the bench if Bernstrom still isn't back.

Re Rokolati, it was a little strange his selection last week but not the decision to stick with him. He was brilliant against Parra, made great metres from dh often making half breaks and got our forwards on a roll very frequently. Was also great under the high ball and measured up in defence. While Fine was good in the air early in the season I think his runs weren't as effective as Roko's and his hands were letting him down from the games I saw him play.

[theGman]

Yeah that's why I put that little disclaimer "without looking at the stats". You're absolutely right he's a great toiler with the perfect amount of aggression in defence. Napa will be one of the starting props without a doubt in the finals. They pretty much play with three props off the bench every week anyway. Brent comes on as the tight backrower. Liu is probably the closest thing to a second rower out of all those guys, takes his hit ups very wide and often is the right side link to early set backline movements. Wouldn't be surprised to see Liu start as right side 2nd row in the finals, Atkinson at lock, with Napa starting and that would mean either Brent, Siejka or Ehsman get the final forward spot on the bench if Bernstrom still isn't back.

Re Rokolati, it was a little strange his selection last week but not the decision to stick with him. He was brilliant against Parra, made great metres from dh often making half breaks and got our forwards on a roll very frequently. Was also great under the high ball and measured up in defence. While Fine was good in the air early in the season I think his runs weren't as effective as Roko's and his hands were letting him down from the games I saw him play.

Yak/Mack,
Asipeli hasn't been able to play due to a blood infection hence Rokolati on the wing for Taripo. Rokolati the pocket rocket goes ok.
Alofa has a calf injury and Napa sustained an ankle injury. Both will hopefully be right for their finals campaign.

[fletch]

Gman, any news on Bernstrom?, we really need his workrate on that right edge, between Bernstrom on the right and Lowe on the left they have been outstanding mopping up in defence and powerhouses with ball in hand.


unfortunately looking at likely NYC/NRL finals matchups our NYC first week final will be the only match not shown live on Foxtel, the match will be shown on replay on sunday morning.

NYC Melbourne vs Dogs sunday arvo to be matched with Storm NRL side
NYC Warriors vs Knights saturday twilight to match with Broncos vs Warriors NRL match
NYC Cowboys vs Tigers friday night to be matched with Tigers NRL final even though Cowboys finished higher
NYC Sharks vs Roosters saturday night to be matched with the Manly vs Cowboys NRL

[theGman]

Gman, any news on Bernstrom?, we really need his workrate on that right edge, between Bernstrom on the right and Lowe on the left they have been outstanding mopping up in defence and powerhouses with ball in hand.


unfortunately looking at likely NYC/NRL finals matchups our NYC first week final will be the only match not shown live on Foxtel, the match will be shown on replay on sunday morning.

NYC Melbourne vs Dogs sunday arvo to be matched with Storm NRL side
NYC Warriors vs Knights saturday twilight to match with Broncos vs Warriors NRL match
NYC Cowboys vs Tigers friday night to be matched with Tigers NRL final even though Cowboys finished higher
NYC Sharks vs Roosters saturday night to be matched with the Manly vs Cowboys NRL

Knee injury mate. Nothing too serious i don't think.
For his age and lean build, i think Sam's been performing very well. He has surprised me tbh. I consider him our BP - the quiet achiever.
If our conditioning staff train him properly in the off season, we should see Sam back in 2012 bigger & better.

[wayne challis]

Hi Gman, I know Skosana is out injured but do you know what's happened to Olomanu Usini, Tom Guymer, DJ Lokeni-Purcell and Tom Morrison? They were playing earlier in the season but seem to have disappeared lately.

[Roostarz]

Our guys are up 22 nil after 18 mins

[morley101]

Hopefully we will get a few players back this week.

1. Henare Wells
2. Usaia O'Sullivan
3. Cheyse Blair
4. Curtis Rona
5. Chris Taripo
6. Jack Littlejohn
7. Ryley Jacks
8. Isaac Liu
9. Glenn Dumbrell
10. Kane Evans
11. Ethan Lowe
12. Sam Bernstom
13. Dane Atkinson

14. Clarrie Moore
15. Nick Eshman
16. Brandon Tago
17. Tai Tuivasa

Alofa a bit unlucky . Taripo in for his goal kicking. When Moga comes back I would put
Rona onto the bench to replace Moore. Rona can play both back row and as a outside back if required.

[fletch]

would like to see Napa instead of Tuivasa offers more workrate, we got worn down badly in the second half against the Storm, also unlikely to carry both Eshman and Moore on the bench, a lot will depend if Bernstrom is fit after knee injury.

my greatest fear is results go against us earlier on the weekend and we slip up against the Storm and drop out the back door without seeing Moga get another run this season.

[theGman]

Hi Gman, I know Skosana is out injured but do you know what's happened to Olomanu Usini, Tom Guymer, DJ Lokeni-Purcell and Tom Morrison? They were playing earlier in the season but seem to have disappeared lately.

Hi Wayne, from what i know,
Guymer got injured early & didn't really fit into coach Taylor's plans. He played for Moore Park in Souths Juniors. I believe he's
playing for the Gold Coast in 2012.
Morrison got injured in the early rounds then didn't get a look in once the SG kids came through.
DJ Lokeni made a few appearances but couldn't really crack it ahead of others.
Unsure about Usini.

[Guest]

This week

Live on Foxsports 1 at 1.30pm Sunday

[morley101]

Season stats roosters NYC (missing Rd 26)

http://www.rleague.com//db/year/2011...ters/index.php

[Pass the Ball]

Is Moga still suspended?

[Guest]

Moga is back next week