2017 TEAM - THE NO BS 'TRUMP' ANALYSIS

[lillchip]

So let's cut the BS and discuss REALITY.

1. Tom T (Brett presumably gone) = SUPERSTAR, GREAT
2. Taufua = SERIOUSLY AVERAGE, CAN'T CATCH BOMBS, SLOW AS HELL, AND NOT IMPROVING. MASSIVE ROBLEM.
3. Walker = GREAT, JUST NEEDS AN INJURY FREE RUN.
4. No idea = SERIOUSLY WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE ANYONE WITH MATAI AND WILIAME GONE, AND PUHLEEEEASE DON'T EVEN MENTION LEWIS BROWN. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
5. Matt Wright/Jono Wright/Uate = THREE VERY AVERAGE RESERVE GRADERS. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
6. Green = GOOD BUT HARDLY PREMIERSHIP CHANGER
7. DCE = WEIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH LITTLE TO WORK WITH.
8. Lussick = EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN 2016 BUT HAS A LOT OF WORK AHEAD.
9. Parcell = NEEDS TIME AND WILL ONLY IMPROVE.
10. Myles = WORST BUY OF 2016 BAR NONE. CAN'T BREAK AN EGG.
11. Taupau = CARRIED FORWARDS IN 2016 AND WILL HAVE TO REPEAT IT.
12. No idea = AGAIN MASSIVE PROBLEM TO NOT EVEN HAVE A TRUE 12 SORTED.
13. Jake T = CHAMPION

14. Koroisau = GREAT UTILITY VALUE.
15. Fonau-Blake = BIG POTENTIAL IF FIT ENOUGH.
16. Lawrence = TIME WILL TELL BUT TIME IS TICKING.
17. Winterstein = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF STARRING. DOUBTFUL.

18. Brown = RESERVE GRADER FOR INJURY COVER ONLY.
19. Sironen = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? DOUBTFUL.
20. Lane = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? POSSIBLE.
21, 22, 23.... a stack of other reserve graders.......

WHAT WILL BE MISSING BADLY.
Stewart (the pre 2016 version)
Matai
Lyon
Buhrer
Vave

WHAT WE WON'T MISS.
Burgess
Green
Starling
Wiiame (tried hard but never a first grader)
and the rest of them moved on...

VERDICT.
Oh boy a VERRRRY long year ahead folks.
13th place would be a miracle at this point.

 

[Bearfax]

Curious,. No Meehan, Hopoate, Bainbridge, Omar, Tom Wright, Cullen, Locke. Some I would agree are reserve grade status, but a few could turn into better than average first graders...maybe better for one or two

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Whilst your summation has its points I remind you that earlier this year the Titans were predicted to fight it out for the spoon with Newcastle.

Yes they managed a few mid year pick ups, and inherited the Hayne Plane in the last few rounds BUT they also lost a few of their only stars to injury and still made 8th spot.

Back in my day we talked about a champion team v a team of champions.

Like you I'm concerned , but I'm hopeful we will do a bit better than we did in 2016 as long as injuries don't cruel us again AND the players can pull together to achieve better results.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

But I'd 100% agree that side isn't top 4 or Premiership contenders.

2016- 13th
2017- 10th

And with a bit of luck 8 or 9

 

[Andrew..]

Whilst your summation has its points I remind you that earlier this year the Titans were predicted to fight it out for the spoon with Newcastle.

Yes they managed a few mid year pick ups, and inherited the Hayne Plane in the last few rounds BUT they also lost a few of their only stars to injury and still made 8th spot.

Back in my day we talked about a champion team v a team of champions.

Like you I'm concerned , but I'm hopeful we will do a bit better than we did in 2016 as long as injuries don't cruel us again AND the players can pull together to achieve better results.

Yep, that about covers it....I realise we may have tough times ahead but whats the point in having a team to support if you don't think they have any positives.

 

[madmax]

This thread is good for a laugh & that's about it!!

 

[Freagle]

Don't see this situation nearly as negatively as this...Taufua is not very average, nor is he a massive problem. He's a very good winger on his day, who knows the way to the line and can throw a fast pass back inside. Lane and Sironen are very promising backrowers who are fast, have skills and have tasted a bit of first grade. Green will bring a solid, experienced hand to the halves. Myles shores up the ruck area, despite not breaking tackles.
Meehan and Hoppa are touted as gun players of the future. Locke was exceptional once, and could be again.

Look for positives my friend, the world isn't all darkness and despair.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

This thread is good for a laugh & that's about it!!

Well he did get it off his chest, so that's a good thing!!

I don't think we'll be that bad, but nor do I think we'll be that good.

Barring injury issues, I think we would have finished a few spots higher in 2016, remember so much of the year we had so many out.

We did put on a few good performances on when we had the cattle on the field, so I'm really hoping after two horrendous injury years that the football gods might shine on us to at least allow a "normal year".

In my opinion whilst Green isn't a superstar 5/8 he will take a lot of pressure off Cherry being the only go to man and this should make a considerable difference.

I've also seen clips of Sirronen, and if we can get him back to those days he could well surprise and be that ball playing forward we have so missed since Gifty was shafted!!

 

[southsideeagle]

2017 will depend on how Barrett can mould the team. I'm a toovs supporter but that is a past discussion. I have not been a great Barrett supporter but still think he may be able to get the team performing as a cohesive unit IF he is allowed to. (doubtful) He is likely to be hindered by not having the full control of the reins.

Teams can win alot of NRL first grade games with averages players if they are all "moving in same direction".

 

[Eagleheart]

So let's cut the BS and discuss REALITY.

1. Tom T (Brett presumably gone) = SUPERSTAR, GREAT
2. Taufua = SERIOUSLY AVERAGE, CAN'T CATCH BOMBS, SLOW AS HELL, AND NOT IMPROVING. MASSIVE ROBLEM.
3. Walker = GREAT, JUST NEEDS AN INJURY FREE RUN.
4. No idea = SERIOUSLY WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE ANYONE WITH MATAI AND WILIAME GONE, AND PUHLEEEEASE DON'T EVEN MENTION LEWIS BROWN. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
5. Matt Wright/Jono Wright/Uate = THREE VERY AVERAGE RESERVE GRADERS. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
6. Green = GOOD BUT HARDLY PREMIERSHIP CHANGER
7. DCE = WEIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH LITTLE TO WORK WITH.
8. Lussick = EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN 2016 BUT HAS A LOT OF WORK AHEAD.
9. Parcell = NEEDS TIME AND WILL ONLY IMPROVE.
10. Myles = WORST BUY OF 2016 BAR NONE. CAN'T BREAK AN EGG.
11. Taupau = CARRIED FORWARDS IN 2016 AND WILL HAVE TO REPEAT IT.
12. No idea = AGAIN MASSIVE PROBLEM TO NOT EVEN HAVE A TRUE 12 SORTED.
13. Jake T = CHAMPION

14. Koroisau = GREAT UTILITY VALUE.
15. Fonau-Blake = BIG POTENTIAL IF FIT ENOUGH.
16. Lawrence = TIME WILL TELL BUT TIME IS TICKING.
17. Winterstein = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF STARRING. DOUBTFUL.

18. Brown = RESERVE GRADER FOR INJURY COVER ONLY.
19. Sironen = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? DOUBTFUL.
20. Lane = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? POSSIBLE.
21, 22, 23.... a stack of other reserve graders.......

WHAT WILL BE MISSING BADLY.
Stewart (the pre 2016 version)
Matai
Lyon
Buhrer
Vave

WHAT WE WON'T MISS.
Burgess
Green
Starling
Wiiame (tried hard but never a first grader)
and the rest of them moved on...

VERDICT.
Oh boy a VERRRRY long year ahead folks.
13th place would be a miracle at this point.

Unfortunately, I mostly agree with you @lillchip....!

It really is quite upsetting to see that we really have not recruited well, yet again. We have lost amazing talent and have not gone anywhere near to replacing it or improving it. So based on that alone, it is hard to see how we will finish higher on the ladder than what we did this year.

Not being negative, I love my team, but the reality is my team is resembling 50% first graders and 50% retirees/second graders.

Penn, ZtH and co are completely responsible for this.

 

[madmax]

Unfortunately, I mostly agree with you @lillchip....!

It really is quite upsetting to see that we really have not recruited well, yet again. We have lost amazing talent and have not gone anywhere near to replacing it or improving it. So based on that alone, it is hard to see how we will finish higher on the ladder than what we did this year.

Not being negative, I love my team, but the reality is my team is resembling 50% first graders and 50% retirees/second graders.
Penn, ZtH and co are completely responsible for this.

Lost amazing talent?? Apart from Lyon & Buhrer (Stewart & Matai unknown yet) who of real note have we lost?? Burgess, Vave, N Green, Leary, Johns, Wiliame, Starling, Satini? Knight was unproven, Symonds was OK......so you think, Sironen, Uate, Green, Lane & possibly Locke, Slaimankhel are not better than what we let go?? Sorry to disagree mate!

 

[Brocky]

So let's cut the BS and discuss REALITY.

1. Tom T (Brett presumably gone) = SUPERSTAR, GREAT
2. Taufua = SERIOUSLY AVERAGE, CAN'T CATCH BOMBS, SLOW AS HELL, AND NOT IMPROVING. MASSIVE ROBLEM.
3. Walker = GREAT, JUST NEEDS AN INJURY FREE RUN.
4. No idea = SERIOUSLY WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE ANYONE WITH MATAI AND WILIAME GONE, AND PUHLEEEEASE DON'T EVEN MENTION LEWIS BROWN. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
5. Matt Wright/Jono Wright/Uate = THREE VERY AVERAGE RESERVE GRADERS. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
6. Green = GOOD BUT HARDLY PREMIERSHIP CHANGER
7. DCE = WEIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH LITTLE TO WORK WITH.
8. Lussick = EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN 2016 BUT HAS A LOT OF WORK AHEAD.
9. Parcell = NEEDS TIME AND WILL ONLY IMPROVE.
10. Myles = WORST BUY OF 2016 BAR NONE. CAN'T BREAK AN EGG.
11. Taupau = CARRIED FORWARDS IN 2016 AND WILL HAVE TO REPEAT IT.
12. No idea = AGAIN MASSIVE PROBLEM TO NOT EVEN HAVE A TRUE 12 SORTED.
13. Jake T = CHAMPION

14. Koroisau = GREAT UTILITY VALUE.
15. Fonau-Blake = BIG POTENTIAL IF FIT ENOUGH.
16. Lawrence = TIME WILL TELL BUT TIME IS TICKING.
17. Winterstein = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF STARRING. DOUBTFUL.

18. Brown = RESERVE GRADER FOR INJURY COVER ONLY.
19. Sironen = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? DOUBTFUL.
20. Lane = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? POSSIBLE.
21, 22, 23.... a stack of other reserve graders.......

WHAT WILL BE MISSING BADLY.
Stewart (the pre 2016 version)
Matai
Lyon
Buhrer
Vave

WHAT WE WON'T MISS.
Burgess
Green
Starling
Wiiame (tried hard but never a first grader)
and the rest of them moved on...

VERDICT.
Oh boy a VERRRRY long year ahead folks.
13th place would be a miracle at this point.

I agree tafua couldn't run out of site in a dark night, and u forgot the main person Barrett, about as useful as tits on a nun. Hopefully Myles can take a few classes at his gym and break out of awalk. I really hope Snake has one more year in him, we desperately need him at the gary jack to organize.

 

[Ryan]

I'm starting to think with no centre options, Locke could be a great option at fullback. Honestly, the kid was amazing for both New Zealand International team & The Warriors before off field depression hit the kid hard. With that in mind (and with a view to picking up a centre in 2018 - Whare):

01. Kevin Locke
02. Jorge Taufua
03. Tom Trbojevic
04. Dylan Walker
05. Akuila Uate
06. Blake Green
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Darcy Lussick
09. Matt Parcell
10. Addin Fanua-Blake
11. Marty Taupau
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Lewis Brown
15. Brenton Lawrence
16. Nate Myles
17. Shaun Lane

18. Apisai Koroisou
19. Jonathan Wright
20. Willis Meehan
21. Matthew Wright
22. Frank Winterstein

 

[robbiea]

23.Hopoate

 

[1969]

I agree with number 4 and 12, lilchip, you have no idea!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I'm starting to think with no centre options, Locke could be a great option at fullback. Honestly, the kid was amazing for both New Zealand International team & The Warriors before off field depression hit the kid hard. With that in mind (and with a view to picking up a centre in 2018 - Whare):

01. Kevin Locke
02. Jorge Taufua
03. Tom Trbojevic
04. Dylan Walker
05. Akuila Uate
06. Blake Green
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Darcy Lussick
09. Matt Parcell
10. Addin Fanua-Blake
11. Marty Taupau
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Lewis Brown
15. Brenton Lawrence
16. Nate Myles
17. Shaun Lane

18. Apisai Koroisou
19. Jonathan Wright
20. Willis Meehan
21. Matthew Wright
22. Frank Winterstein

That's not a bad YART mate, again not Premiership contenders but def not Wooden Spooners either.

I'm suggesting 13th to 10th

 

[Andrew..]

That's not a bad YART mate, again not Premiership contenders but def not Wooden Spooners either.

I'm suggesting 13th to 10th

If we get Whare do you reckon we could scrape into the 8 ?

 

[Duff]

So let's cut the BS and discuss REALITY.

1. Tom T (Brett presumably gone) = SUPERSTAR, GREAT
2. Taufua = SERIOUSLY AVERAGE, CAN'T CATCH BOMBS, SLOW AS HELL, AND NOT IMPROVING. MASSIVE ROBLEM.
3. Walker = GREAT, JUST NEEDS AN INJURY FREE RUN.
4. No idea = SERIOUSLY WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE ANYONE WITH MATAI AND WILIAME GONE, AND PUHLEEEEASE DON'T EVEN MENTION LEWIS BROWN. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
5. Matt Wright/Jono Wright/Uate = THREE VERY AVERAGE RESERVE GRADERS. MASSIVE PROBLEM.
6. Green = GOOD BUT HARDLY PREMIERSHIP CHANGER
7. DCE = WEIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH LITTLE TO WORK WITH.
8. Lussick = EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN 2016 BUT HAS A LOT OF WORK AHEAD.
9. Parcell = NEEDS TIME AND WILL ONLY IMPROVE.
10. Myles = WORST BUY OF 2016 BAR NONE. CAN'T BREAK AN EGG.
11. Taupau = CARRIED FORWARDS IN 2016 AND WILL HAVE TO REPEAT IT.
12. No idea = AGAIN MASSIVE PROBLEM TO NOT EVEN HAVE A TRUE 12 SORTED.
13. Jake T = CHAMPION

14. Koroisau = GREAT UTILITY VALUE.
15. Fonau-Blake = BIG POTENTIAL IF FIT ENOUGH.
16. Lawrence = TIME WILL TELL BUT TIME IS TICKING.
17. Winterstein = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF STARRING. DOUBTFUL.

18. Brown = RESERVE GRADER FOR INJURY COVER ONLY.
19. Sironen = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? DOUBTFUL.
20. Lane = RESERVE GRADER. CHANCES OF RESURRECTION? POSSIBLE.
21, 22, 23.... a stack of other reserve graders.......

WHAT WILL BE MISSING BADLY.
Stewart (the pre 2016 version)
Matai
Lyon
Buhrer
Vave

WHAT WE WON'T MISS.
Burgess
Green
Starling
Wiiame (tried hard but never a first grader)
and the rest of them moved on...

VERDICT.
Oh boy a VERRRRY long year ahead folks.
13th place would be a miracle at this point.

You've not displayed a great knowledge of the squad there.
Others have replied with some notable omissions.

If your team were to take the field, I'd think Schliamankel or Parker would figure ahead of Brown for the #4 jersey and I would think Winterstein would be up against it to get the nod for round 1.

I'd think Ryan's team is closer to the mark but a short fullback and two wingers that can't catch bombs would concern me. Perhaps Tommy could defend on the wing and attack in the centres to at least alleviate some of the aerial pressure.

 

[bringbackbeaver]

I'm starting to think with no centre options, Locke could be a great option at fullback. Honestly, the kid was amazing for both New Zealand International team & The Warriors before off field depression hit the kid hard. With that in mind (and with a view to picking up a centre in 2018 - Whare):

01. Kevin Locke
02. Jorge Taufua
03. Tom Trbojevic
04. Dylan Walker
05. Akuila Uate
06. Blake Green
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Darcy Lussick
09. Matt Parcell
10. Addin Fanua-Blake
11. Marty Taupau
12. Curtis Sironen
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Lewis Brown
15. Brenton Lawrence
16. Nate Myles
17. Shaun Lane

18. Apisai Koroisou
19. Jonathan Wright
20. Willis Meehan
21. Matthew Wright
22. Frank Winterstein

Agree with this team 100% with Hoppa and Meehan to put pressure on Lane and BJ Lawrence/Myles for a starting spot. As much as everyone hates on Brown , he is a good utility player. Not many can play centre, hooker and backrow. He doesnt excel at any of them (not a fan of him in the centres) but he does whatever job is put in front of him with no fuss. It's a big call putting Turbo in the centres and Locke at fullback but could be the right call. Or can Locke play in the centres?

 

[bringbackbeaver]

That's not a bad YART mate, again not Premiership contenders but def not Wooden Spooners either.

I'm suggesting 13th to 10th

well trained and injury free no reason that team can't play finals footy. Like you pointed out, look at the titans. 2nd year under Baz will be much better than the 1st. If we had the Matai and Snake money available to buy a world class second rower and outside back, we would have a great side