Bench for 2025

[Mark from Brisbane]

Thank **** Seibs is choosing and not me ( difficult isn’t it )

 

[CRPSI eagle]

Think Seibs might go for rd1.
Simpkin
Bully
TKO
Brownie
Lehi in the run on, he's just to good leave out.
The unlucky Talau misses out.

Talau was one of our best in 2024 and you would leave Garrick in over Talau?? You need Spec Savers.
Garrick should not be in the 17!

 

[madmax]

Nothing wrong with carrying a back on the bench in the modern game with HIA's and injuries. I wouldn't be relying on Burbo covering the centres either when he was mostly poor there last year and should be focused on becoming a more consistent first grader as one of the few second rowers in the squad.

Ideally I'd have Talau in the centres with Koula but with Garrick a lock there, Talau is probably the best fit for the bench role. No way we should leave out Lehi although I am concerned that's what Seibold may end up doing due to experience and how short sighted we can be as a club.

Turbo
Saab
Koula
Garrick
Lehi
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Aloiai
Olakau'atu
Burbo
Jurbo

Talau (covering backs/Burbo)
Tevaga (covering hooker/lock)
Bullemor (covering middle)
Brown (covering middle)

With Taukeaiho, Lodge and hopefully Navale/Patolo emerging to put pressure on all the middles. Would be surprised if Brown made it through another season, Aloiai especially would need a good start to the year to hold his spot and if we can find a way to reduce Jake's minutes I'd be looking at that too.

Praying Simpkin starts the season well too so there aren't any changes once Croker is back.

Brbo does not make my 17. TKO everyday of the week. I don’t have faith in Brbo just yet. He’s not a back & has a lot to learn as a back rower.

 

[madmax]

Talau was one of our best in 2024 and you would leave Garrick in over Talau?? You need Spec Savers.
Garrick should not be in the 17!

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.

 

[Ryan]

08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Ethan Bullemor
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Tommy Talau
13. Caleb Navale

14. Jake Arthur
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Siosiua Taukeiaho
17. Jazz Tevaga

I'm building for speed in the modern game. Lot's of favorites left out there hey?

 

[Eagle 1]

Talau was one of our best in 2024 and you would leave Garrick in over Talau?? You need Spec Savers.
Garrick should not be in the 17!

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.

 

[nightster]

Don't we have a wonderful dilema .... I hope we don't have a run of bad injuries that make the selection easier bb.... how is Tent's AC injury?

 

[Seagles68]

Would be interesting on the actual stats but it feels like we have an outside back go Down quite often. If there isn’t a injury I’d just use him like Storm did with Faalago this year & have him sniffing around the middle the last 15 mins of a game

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what Seibs goes with 1st up. Good thing is we have more options than we've had for a while, so that's a good thing. I think the team could look a bit different in a few weeks.

 

[JakeyB789]

Brbo does not make my 17. TKO everyday of the week. I don’t have faith in Brbo just yet. He’s not a back & has a lot to learn as a back rower.

I’m with you but TKO is not an edge player and neither are Bully, Tevaga, Brown etc. I don’t rate Burbo but he’s marginally better than both Waddell and MCK, and those are the only left second row options we have to choose from.

We shouldn’t have let Lawton go (or S Fainu if we want to go there too)

 

[The '47ers]

Thank **** Seibs is choosing and not me ( difficult isn’t it )

You nailed it Mark, it's a great "problem" to have trying to fit them all in rather than scratching around trying to find a decent 17.

 

[King]

I’d like to see some stats on Josh Aloiai giving away penalties when starting compared to coming off the bench. I feel that when he comes off the bench he tries to bring too much energy and hasn’t got a feel for the game and ends up giving away silly penalties.

 

[R3]

14) Tevaga
15) Bullemor
16) Brown
17) TKO

Waste having a back on the bench. Burbo can cover the backline.

Not these days with HIA, always needing a backline sub for 10 minute stints at least.
But I still agree a utility will suffice.
In that case though, maybe Chee Kam is a better option, depending how his off-season went. Sounds like he’s driven to do the Manly jersey more justice this time, Let’s see 🤞

Talau, Hopoate, Chee-Kam or Arthur could all deputise that role during a long season

 

[Eagle 1]

Don't we have a wonderful dilema .... I hope we don't have a run of bad injuries that make the selection easier bb.... how is Tent's AC injury?

Seib's said about Tent's injury, nothing to worry about, he'll be fine. Won't play on Friday night but will be playing rd1 against the Cowboys.

 

[Kalvin]

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.

I agree re Garrick being in the side but gee I wish it was on the wing!!

 

[manly al]

Is going to be interesting .
Sure that selecting Tevaga as the starting 9 this week would indicate that he is going to be in a game day 17 [ all fit ] , probably bench with Simpkin starting .
Good case for Tevaga to start at 9 when there would be a bit more intensity but would think a specialist 9 from the start , maybe the best option .
Bully almost assured of a bench spot , best starting props likely Paseka and Taukeiaho so maybe Alioia or Sips on the bench also .
Then Brown or Waddell if the emphasis is on forward considerations .
Lehi or Talau for a wing spot and one reverting to the bench also surely a strong consideration .
Can Navale soon contribute more then Brown ?
More questions then answers at this stage so again , will be very interesting in the final make up for the season opener and all players available

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see what Seibs goes with 1st up. Good thing is we have more options than we've had for a while, so that's a good thing. I think the team could look a bit different in a few weeks.

More options, absolutely!
In fact I reckon the only certainties currently are Turbo, Brooks, DCE, Jake, Paseka, Haumole.

(Garrick and Bull probably too, but they will still be relieved when their names are read out)

 

[Kalvin]

Is going to be interesting .
Sure that selecting Tevaga as the starting 9 this week would indicate that he is going to be in a game day 17 [ all fit ] , probably bench with Simpkin starting .
Good case for Tevaga to start at 9 when there would be a bit more intensity but would think a specialist 9 from the start , maybe the best option .
Bully almost assured of a bench spot , best starting props likely Paseka and Taukeiaho so maybe Alioia or Sips on the bench also .
Then Brown or Waddell if the emphasis is on forward considerations .
Lehi or Talau for a wing spot and one reverting to the bench also surely a strong consideration .
Can Navale soon contribute more then Brown ?
More questions then answers at this stage so again , will be very interesting in the final make up for the season opener and all players available

The main reason I have Tevaga on the bench & simpkins currently starting is that when crocker is back i believe tevaga will be on the bench anyway (ahead of Simpkin) so he may as well start getting accustomed his bench role

 

[nightster]

Seib's said about Tent's injury, nothing to worry about, he'll be fine. Won't play on Friday night but will be playing rd1 against the Cowboys.

Yeah I know what he said then ... but I'm wondering how it is now

 

[Eagle 1]

Yeah I know what he said then ... but I'm wondering how it is now

We haven't heard anything else on this since Saturday. They said he was going for scans on the monday, not sure if that was cancelled. If there was anything different, we would of known by now.

 

[nightster]

Yeah I guess so, getting paranoid in my old age. Have such high hopes for him this season.