2023 Team

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We can dream all we like about the outside players we think will make a difference for us in 2023. In reality though what do we actually have that would attract them to play for us? We don't have a great deal of cash to offer them. We don't look anything like premiership contenders for the next few years. The days of players wanting to be coached by Des Hasler are over. Our coaching system is close to basket case level. We definitely do not have an attractive club culture. To be honest we haven't had that for awhile. Plus we have a divided team, a crap feeder system and list goes on....
What do we actually have to offer any potential recruits that will immediately have a positive impact for us?
 
From the team that played today I think several of them are not up to First Grade standard:
. Tippytoes
. Burbo
. Bully
. Sippers
. DeLuxe

We are losing Foran, Walker and Kapow (and Davey). I'll reserve my judgement on The Shoe as I still have hopes his natural talent will come to the fore next season. DCE was terrible today and has been poor for the last six matches; why the club extended his contract needs explaining.
I'll give pass marks to Koala, Parker, Guacca, Al and Froggy. Vegas is too new to assess.
Next season worries me. I don't think DESpicable is who we need as coach. That goes double for our owners, the Penn family. We need a new feeder club; I don't think anybody feels that Blacktown is the right mix. I'd like the club to reunite with the south island of New Zealand.
If reports about us letting Sandwich go one year early then that is lunacy.
I can't share the same optimism as some posters who keep hoping for a return to our glory days. We don't have the financial clout to compete with the big clubs. Our performances over these past three matches have been an insult to the great players of our past, and to mugs like me who care so much for the club.
 
Bully needs more time as a middle forward. Today was a great opportunity for him to play 20 minutes at lock, and then go into the prop rotation when Walker came on. Des keeps persisting with him as an edge, which clearly he isnt suited to.
 
Think we are a bad risk of losing both Humphries and Weekes. With D C E clearly first choice half-back for next 3 years, Schuster similarly anointed and signed (pending progress of L Fainu who is second choice) and Mr Glass on long term lock for fullback, Jeez if you are a specialist half/five-eigth or fullback you would have to be a bit stupid not to test the market as soon as contractually possible. Unless you actually enjoy watching your career stagnate at BWSE.......
 
I honestly think we need to slot Weekes in there somewhere guys. And please, not for the last 6 minutes when we are already down by 30+

Kids a talent, and plays uptempo like players in the good teams.

His exuberance may rub off on the rest of the group.
In a game we were never going to win we picked B Trbojevic in the centres (and lets be honest he was very poor). Why Weekes did not play fullback and Koula into the centres is hard to fathom. Weekes has now had 2 x 10 min cameos and we are still none the wiser if the kid can play. Time for a clean out - coaching staff and players.
 
Think we are a bad risk of losing both Humphries and Weekes. With D C E clearly first choice half-back for next 3 years, Schuster similarly anointed and signed (pending progress of L Fainu who is second choice) and Mr Glass on long term lock for fullback, Jeez if you are a specialist half/five-eigth or fullback you would have to be a bit stupid not to test the market as soon as contractually possible. Unless you actually enjoy watching your career stagnate at BWSE.......



Its amazing how things can change very quickly, mainly through injury. But your point is a good one. We need to ensure players like Weekes, Humphries and Latu Fainu get their chance and dont linger too long in the lower grades. I suspect over the next year (as long as Des stops playing his conservative no risk policy), that at least Weekes will find a spot in first grade, if his form holds. Humphries will take DCEs spot when the captain is unavailable and Latu, if he is as good as he seems may challenge Schuster, who then may have to play lock in a few years. All conjecture, but the important issue is they must be given game time or we lose them.
 
We can dream all we like about the outside players we think will make a difference for us in 2023. In reality though what do we actually have that would attract them to play for us? We don't have a great deal of cash to offer them. We don't look anything like premiership contenders for the next few years. The days of players wanting to be coached by Des Hasler are over. Our coaching system is close to basket case level. We definitely do not have an attractive club culture. To be honest we haven't had that for awhile. Plus we have a divided team, a crap feeder system and list goes on....
What do we actually have to offer any potential recruits that will immediately have a positive impact for us?
Interesting to read today the Roosters have signed up with Ipswich Jets for them to be a feeder team. Why can’t we have thinking like this instead of leaving it up to the Fultons to bus players in from West Syd
 
Its amazing how things can change very quickly, mainly through injury. But your point is a good one. We need to ensure players like Weekes, Humphries and Latu Fainu get their chance and dont linger too long in the lower grades. I suspect over the next year (as long as Des stops playing his conservative no risk policy), that at least Weekes will find a spot in first grade, if his form holds. Humphries will take DCEs spot when the captain is unavailable and Latu, if he is as good as he seems may challenge Schuster, who then may have to play lock in a few years. All conjecture, but the important issue is they must be given game time or we lose them.
That's exactly it @Bearfax, if we are to keep these good young kids we need to be able to show them some kind of valid pathways
 
Think we are a bad risk of losing both Humphries and Weekes. With D C E clearly first choice half-back for next 3 years, Schuster similarly anointed and signed (pending progress of L Fainu who is second choice) and Mr Glass on long term lock for fullback, Jeez if you are a specialist half/five-eigth or fullback you would have to be a bit stupid not to test the market as soon as contractually possible. Unless you actually enjoy watching your career stagnate at BWSE.......

01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolu Koula
04. NEW
05. Reuben Garrick
06. Kaeo Weekes
07. Daly Cherry-Evans OR Jamie Humphreys (origin + injury)
08. Jake Trbojevic (captain)
09. NEW
10. Josh Aloiai
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. NEW
13. Josh Schuster

14. Karl Lawton
15. Taniela Paseka
16. Sean Keppie
17. Kelma Tuilagi

Possibly even start Lawton at 9, Weekes to 14, Schuster to 6 - get a marquee lock
If DCE is upset about losing the (c), offer him to the Dolphins - JH starts - cap fixed.

New players have to be leaders & drivers of culture - they don't even have to carry all the ability in the world (think of Dale Finucane OR Liam Martin types).

Our coaching make-up is getting a shake-up. Make SURE it's shaken up and there's accountability - to ALL parties.
 
01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolu Koula
04. NEW
05. Reuben Garrick
06. Kaeo Weekes
07. Daly Cherry-Evans OR Jamie Humphreys (origin + injury)
08. Jake Trbojevic (captain)
09. NEW
10. Josh Aloiai
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. NEW
13. Josh Schuster

14. Karl Lawton
15. Taniela Paseka
16. Sean Keppie
17. Kelma Tuilagi

Possibly even start Lawton at 9, Weekes to 14, Schuster to 6 - get a marquee lock
If DCE is upset about losing the (c), offer him to the Dolphins - JH starts - cap fixed.

New players have to be leaders & drivers of culture - they don't even have to carry all the ability in the world (think of Dale Finucane OR Liam Martin types).

Our coaching make-up is getting a shake-up. Make SURE it's shaken up and there's accountability - to ALL parties.


I like you're adventurous spirit Doomster, but boy you're taking a big risk with Weekes at 5/8 and Humphries at half. Good players but neither have had any time in first grade and therefore havent had the experience to take permanent first grade spots especially in two of the four most crucial spots in the team. Maybe in a year or two. Certainly Weekes deserves a spot somewhere. A thought which many would be horrified by would be Weekes in the centre with Koula, or even heaven help us, Turbo at centre and Weekes at full back, though that's a real stretch at this stage. It may be worth taking the captaincy off DCE, not because of the team issue but to take the pressure off him though. I like the idea of infusing some juniors though.
 
01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolu Koula
04. NEW
05. Reuben Garrick
06. Kaeo Weekes
07. Daly Cherry-Evans OR Jamie Humphreys (origin + injury)
08. Jake Trbojevic (captain)
09. NEW
10. Josh Aloiai
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. NEW
13. Josh Schuster

14. Karl Lawton
15. Taniela Paseka
16. Sean Keppie
17. Kelma Tuilagi

Possibly even start Lawton at 9, Weekes to 14, Schuster to 6 - get a marquee lock
If DCE is upset about losing the (c), offer him to the Dolphins - JH starts - cap fixed.

New players have to be leaders & drivers of culture - they don't even have to carry all the ability in the world (think of Dale Finucane OR Liam Martin types).

Our coaching make-up is getting a shake-up. Make SURE it's shaken up and there's accountability - to ALL parties.

It would be great to think we have the capacity to get a new centre, hooker, and backrower @Merchant Of Doom The reality is we don't have that capacity for 2023, and it's unlikely we will get it for 2024. The team below will probably go close to the team chosen for the first round (barring pre-season injuries and/or wholesale changes over the off-season)

01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolu Koula
04. Christian Tuipulotu
05. Reuben Garrick
06. Josh Schuster
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Jake Trbojevic (captain)
09. Lachlan Croker
10. Josh Aloiai
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. Karl Lawton

14. Kaeo Weekes
15. Taniela Paseka
16. Sean Keppie
17. Ethan Bullemore

18 Toafofoa Sipley
 

Staff online

Team P W L PD Pts
7 6 1 99 14
8 6 2 66 14
7 6 1 54 14
8 5 2 39 11
8 5 3 64 10
7 4 3 49 10
8 4 4 73 8
7 3 4 17 8
8 4 4 -14 8
8 4 4 -16 8
8 3 5 -55 8
8 4 4 -60 8
8 3 4 17 7
8 3 5 -25 6
7 2 5 -55 6
7 1 6 -87 4
8 1 7 -166 4
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