Bench for 2025

[Mark from Brisbane]

Loads of options for the bench in round 1, but we must remember , it’s only round 1!!

Injuries will happen , and as they do the competition will be less fierce

 

[Kalvin]

Loads of options for the bench in round 1, but we must remember , it’s only round 1!!

Injuries will happen , and as they do the competition will be less fierce

So what do you think the bench will be round 2? 😆

 

[CRPSI eagle]

The way I see it CRPSI, Garricks goalkicking keeps him in. Then it comes down to Talau or Lehi. When Lehi has the ball things happen or should I say trys happen. This is so darn hard to justify tho, as I love Talau and what he brings to the team.

DCE, Brooks and Talau can all kick. We will never win GF with Garrick at center.

 

[CRPSI eagle]

I think you need a psychiatrist. This agenda you have against Garrick is laughable mate. He’s a prolific points scorer for a start! Our best 17 backs must include Garrick, Koula, Talau, Hoppa, Saab & Trbo. Whoever doesn’t start between Hoppa & Talau is on the bench.

Just stating the obvious, it’s there for all to see and most agree!

 

[eaglebuzz]

DCE, Brooks and Talau can all kick. We will never win GF with Garrick at center.

I think we can but only if he improves his defense

 

[CRPSI eagle]

I think we can but only if he improves his defense

He doesn’t have the ticker my friend, far to soft and always worried about his hair getting out off place.
I like the young center from last weeks game, good player and true center.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

So what do you think the bench will be round 2? 😆

Depends on how many get injured in round 1

 

[Phobia]

DCE, Brooks and Talau can all kick. We will never win GF with Garrick at center.

Where are you getting Talau being able to kick from? Would hardly say Brooks can kick, only at sub-70% at the Tigers.

 

[Eagle 1]

DCE, Brooks and Talau can all kick. We will never win GF with Garrick at center.

In the past, I've always maintained on here that Garrick is an out and out prolific try scoring winger. But, Garrick's now starting to make centre his home now, he doesn't miss that many tackles and has pace to burn. Let's hold back our judgement until after the first 3 games, really think 2025 could be Garrick's best season yet.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

The make up of the bench is not static. It will depend upon who's actually picked in the 13. The bench is really important and we have seen how thigs can go wrong in a game when the composition of the bench could not deal with the circumstances that arose. Generally what is required are two front rowers for the rotation. IMO the ideal situations is to have a player that can also play dummy half and that brings Jazz Tevega into the frame as he can play dummy half and backrow. So at full strength I'd have Simpkins at nine and Teveaga at number 14. Two prop forwards for the front row rotation and then the most difficult choice is the last spot on the bench. A back or a backrower? I'd go the backrower as gone are the days when you can afford to have someone sitting on the bench for most of the game.

 

[Pete W]

The make up of the bench is not static. It will depend upon who's actually picked in the 13. The bench is really important and we have seen how thigs can go wrong in a game when the composition of the bench could not deal with the circumstances that arose. Generally what is required are two front rowers for the rotation. IMO the ideal situations is to have a player that can also play dummy half and that brings Jazz Tevega into the frame as he can play dummy half and backrow. So at full strength I'd have Simpkins at nine and Teveaga at number 14. Two prop forwards for the front row rotation and then the most difficult choice is the last spot on the bench. A back or a backrower? I'd go the backrower as gone are the days when you can afford to have someone sitting on the bench for most of the game.

This is why I would have Koula on the bench.

He would provide backs cover, but if this was not needed, he would come on the back 20mins of each half and tear through the middle of tiring oppositions. An explosive bench could be:

14 Koula
15 Tevaga
16 Paseka
17 Bullemor

18 Brown / Navale / Patolo / Lodge / Chee Kam / Sipley

Starting 13:

08 Taukeiaho
09 Simpkin
10 Aloiai
11 Ola'akautu
12 Trbojevic
13 Trbojevic

01 Trbojevic
02 Saab
03 Garrick
04 Talau
05 Hopoate
06 Brooks
07 Cherry-Evans

 

[Sheikheagle]

This is why I would have Koula on the bench.

He would provide backs cover, but if this was not needed, he would come on the back 20mins of each half and tear through the middle of tiring oppositions. An explosive bench could be:

14 Koula
15 Tevaga
16 Paseka
17 Bullemor

18 Brown / Navale / Patolo / Lodge / Chee Kam / Sipley

Starting 13:

08 Taukeiaho
09 Simpkin
10 Aloiai
11 Ola'akautu
12 Trbojevic
13 Trbojevic

01 Trbojevic
02 Saab
03 Garrick
04 Talau
05 Hopoate
06 Brooks
07 Cherry-Evans

Great side. Paseka off the bench is a great option. Means you have one of your best props on the field for the bulk of the game

 

[Dion Johnson]

This is why I would have Koula on the bench.

He would provide backs cover, but if this was not needed, he would come on the back 20mins of each half and tear through the middle of tiring oppositions. An explosive bench could be:

14 Koula
15 Tevaga
16 Paseka
17 Bullemor

18 Brown / Navale / Patolo / Lodge / Chee Kam / Sipley

Starting 13:

08 Taukeiaho
09 Simpkin
10 Aloiai
11 Ola'akautu
12 Trbojevic
13 Trbojevic

01 Trbojevic
02 Saab
03 Garrick
04 Talau
05 Hopoate
06 Brooks
07 Cherry-Evans

I would have Tent starting the game, he is the best front rower and is crucial for establishing dominance and setting the tone early.

He plays a key role in the physical battles up front, providing powerful runs and solid defense that gains momentum.

In my view having your best front rower on the field from the start is about gaining an early advantage, securing territory, and setting a platform for the rest of the game.

 

[Pete W]

I would have Tent starting the game, he is the best front rower and is crucial for establishing dominance and setting the tone early.

He plays a key role in the physical battles up front, providing powerful runs and solid defense that gains momentum.

In my view having your best front rower on the field from the start is about gaining an early advantage, securing territory, and setting a platform for the rest of the game.

But Nella doesn't really assert dominance in the first 20 - in fact, rarely does any individual front rower. During the opening exchanges, dominance is gained through collective aggression, high energy and line speed, and quick play-the-balls. It is always during Nella's second stint, when the ruck is a little more open, that he becomes damaging to the opposition.

A fit Taukeiaho and Aloiai are perfectly suited to the opening 20mins. When the dust settles, guys like Paseka and Bullemor become highly effective. Whilst I agree that he is our best prop, I think we should look tactically at the 80min as a whole, learn from past failed campaigns, where more often than not, we are beaten in the last 20 of each half, and rearrange our line up slightly to better utilise everyone's strengths. For the first time, I believe we actually have the luxury of using Nella from the bench, and it would be game-changing.