Players that will play NRL?

[Guest]

I'd say the bulk of our team will go close to playing NSW Cup/Qld Cup and/or NRL, obviously not all at the Chooks. This is probably the best U/20 we have ever had, even bad years have produced quite a few FG players. U/20's is the tip of the talent pool, there are so many levels below its not funny(including 1st Grade Group footy in the bush), there are guys who played ozy schoolboys, NSWCHS, NSWCCC, NSW 18's etc who cannot even get close to our starting squad, we have a good problem on our hands, players that cannot get a run in our squad would be starters in other teams.

[Guest]

Scruff,

How do you rate Atkinson and Lowe compared to Symonds at the same age?

[TheBigFella]

I reckon that Lowe is a cut above.... Taripo played well & has some real solid defence

[Guest]

He made three crucial handling errors late in the game. He'll fit in perfectly in 1sts next year.

[Guest]

Scruff,

How do you rate Atkinson and Lowe compared to Symonds at the same age?

Lowe is a bit too econometric for me, but better than symonds at same stage in 20's, particularly on edge attack. Atkinson is possibly the best one on one defender getting around, he consistently dominates in tackles( saw at least 3 smashups) last night that put us on the front foot, he and Evans were the best two forwards out there when they were on it was noticeable. Bernstrom also played well in defense. Our kicking game was terrible last night and our offense predictable, our halves struggled for some reason, just one of those nights, the effort was there but the gas tank was empty by half time. 47% possession hurts.

[Guest]

Thanks Scruff... did you notice Moga's one handed snare 1 metre out from the line?

He could be absolutely anything that kid.

[Yak]

How the hell did he catch that? It was flying past him. Love the way he throws defenders away in tackles.

[Guest]

That couldn't put him to ground even though he was flat footed...naturally very, very strong.

[Rooster_6]

Evans is definitely ready for the step up and I'd have Dumbrell on the bench next year. I'd like to see Moga get about 5-10 game next year but no more.

[Yak]

R6, by the sounds of it Smith wants him to start the season on the wing next year getting first shot before Tagive. If this happens and he plays well I can't see us dropping him back to Newtown when he's giving us good return. I think Lowe will be very close to firsts next year. He was their best in the two finals games and has leader written all over him. Evans will definitely get a call up early next year if any injuries arise to our props. He could not have been any more dominant this season. He's still young though and will probably fill out a bit more over the off season. For a guy that is 200cm they will want him at least 112kgs for first grade and he's a few off that. Fingers crossed he maintains his fitness though cos his workrate is one of his main plusses.

Dumbrell is an interesting one. I rate him highly but doubt he will play firsts til at least the end of the year. He is still very lean so hopefully the coaching staff work on improving his tackling technique because he has a very front-on upright friend-like style that doesn't work for his body shape. I'd hate to see him stacks on the kilos and lose his explosive speed. He's faster than any half and a lot of backs in our 20s side and would create a lot of opportunities if he came on while our forwards were getting a role on. It was strange to see him play such few minutes all year. I thought at the start of the season he would progress into a 60 minute player at least.

These young guys are really making me look forward to 2012. Would be great if they all worked their way into semi-regular first grade positions by the end of the season.

[Guest]

Moga has the best chance as we are pretty thin on outside backs, especially on the left hand fringe vacated by Linnett and Graham's departures. The right side is set with SKD and Perrett playing outside Aubusson.

The left side is the big question mark IMO. There are three slots - wing, centre, backrow - on that edge, and the only one who I think is a definite is Leilua. And what is funny is that he could potentially fill any of those spots.

We could see Leilua in the backrow on the left edge, with Moga at centre and Tagive on the wing.

We could see Leilua in the centres, with Lowe/Guerra/Cordner/Symonds/Taka in the backrow and Moga/Tagive on the wing.

We could see Leilua on the wing, with Lowe/Guerra/Cordner/Symonds/Taka in the backrow and Moga in the centres.

I would be more inclined to go with Leilua at centre however, but the bigger question mark is then who out of Lowe, Guerra, Cordner, Symonds and Taka will get that left hand fringe running role? It is safe to assume that Nuuausala will probably get the tight running lock role, with a bench of Mitchell, Masoe, Hargreaves and Tasi (Kennedy and Ryles starting), so it leaves us with a plethora of backrowers all fighting for one spot.

Dumbrell could very well dislodge Mitchell, but as for Evans, as good as he is, I don't see him strolling past the 5 main props in our squad. I'd love to see him groomed next year to replace Ryles however. 5 man prop rotation of Evans, Tasi, Hargreaves, Masoe and Kennedy, with an 80 minute backrow of one of the young backrowers alongside Aubusson and Nuuausala - we will be running over team and busting them open out wide.

[Guest]

Moga has the best chance as we are pretty thin on outside backs, especially on the left hand fringe vacated by Linnett and Graham's departures. The right side is set with SKD and Perrett playing outside Aubusson.

The left side is the big question mark IMO. There are three slots - wing, centre, backrow - on that edge, and the only one who I think is a definite is Leilua. And what is funny is that he could potentially fill any of those spots.

We could see Leilua in the backrow on the left edge, with Moga at centre and Tagive on the wing.

We could see Leilua in the centres, with Lowe/Guerra/Cordner/Symonds/Taka in the backrow and Moga/Tagive on the wing.

We could see Leilua on the wing, with Lowe/Guerra/Cordner/Symonds/Taka in the backrow and Moga in the centres.

I would be more inclined to go with Leilua at centre however, but the bigger question mark is then who out of Lowe, Guerra, Cordner, Symonds and Taka will get that left hand fringe running role? It is safe to assume that Nuuausala will probably get the tight running lock role, with a bench of Mitchell, Masoe, Hargreaves and Tasi (Kennedy and Ryles starting), so it leaves us with a plethora of backrowers all fighting for one spot.

Dumbrell could very well dislodge Mitchell, but as for Evans, as good as he is, I don't see him strolling past the 5 main props in our squad. I'd love to see him groomed next year to replace Ryles however. 5 man prop rotation of Evans, Tasi, Hargreaves, Masoe and Kennedy, with an 80 minute backrow of one of the young backrowers alongside Aubusson and Nuuausala - we will be running over team and busting them open out wide.

Good to see we have a strong team. Thats good, go roosters.