If we are to go all the way in 2025 who is in our 17?

[DanielTurbo888]

I have noticed that many teams have recruited wisely this year whilst we remain largely unchanged. I believe we need young Hoppa out there for the entire 80 minutes. I would have Talau on the bench for extra depth and play him in the middle for 20 minutes. Tom at fullback, Garrick & Koula in the centres, Saab and Hopoate on the wing. DCE & Brooks. This is our best 1-7 and Talau providing some quality depth.

Our attack will take care of itself with these players but we need to shake things up a bit in our forwards and also our gameplans.

I would say that we are missing some mobility in the middle and we need to throw another promising young forward with a bit of leg speed on the bench.

So which forwards are going to compliment our elusive attack? And what role will Jake play this year to get the best value out of him?

 

[DanielTurbo888]

I believe it is time for Jake Simpkin to step up at the age of 23 and be our 80 minute hooker. Croker has had a good 120 games for us but he hasn't adapted to the modern game and doesn't seem to possess much creativity out of dummy half.

So Jake Simpkin slots straight in as an 80 minute 9 for me.

 

[JakeyB789]

I just can't fathom Garrick playing in the centres again after how this year panned out. Sure he might improve there but I don't think we can be taking such chances when we are supposedly in a premiership window with DCE potentially in his last year. When you also consider we have both Talau and Koula as more capable centres then I think it should be either the wing or nothing for Garrick

Turbo
Garrick/Lehi
Talau
Koula
Saab
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Jurbo
Olakau'atu
Burbo
Brown

Lehi/GCKT
Bullemor
2 of:
Taukeiaho/Tevaga/Aloiai/Sipley/Navale

More questions than answers with our team next year IMO. We seem to have a lot more depth than we've had in recent years but at the end of the day it comes down to what our best 17 is on game day and I'm not exactly sure what that looks like. I guess that's a job for Seibold and the coaching staff to work out through the pre season and trials

 

[Stewbojevic]

I agree with your analysis on what we need to go to the next level.

The question is whether Seibold can make the hard decisions such as leaving out Croker and moving Jake to prop considering how influential they are in the group off the field.

Left edge backrow is a big unknown at the moment. As well as who is our best hooker, who is left out of the backline, and what middle rotation do we go with.
For mine, this is the 17 that can take us into the top 4 if it stays fit:

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hopoate
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Jurbo
9. Simpkin
10. Paseka
11. Mole
12. Patolo/Burbo??
13. Navale
14. Tevaga/GCKT
15. Bullemor
16. Tauk
17. Brown/Aloiai

 

[Rocky]

I love an opportunity for a YART

1. Turbo
2. Hopoate
3. Talau
4. Koula
5. Garrick
6. Brooks
7. DCE.
13. Navale
12. Patolo
11. Haumole
10. Jake Trb
9. Simpkin
8. Aloiai

Bench

14. Jazz T
15. Brown
16. Paseka
17. Bullemor

We have debated it to death, and I love Saab, but I had to leave someone out. I believe we need to have Talau in there for some toughness when returning the ball. Anyway, we know there will be injuries, so it's probably a revolving door between positions 1-5.

Paseka and Brown are off the bench for mine for impact. I think both get a bit diluted when they start (especially Brown). I'd rather have Jake and Aloiai there to absorb the early minutes.

The Navale and Patolo part of it is a punt, but we need fresh mobile blood. No point trotting out the same old Jake at 13 stuff.

 

[double hoops]

Premiers. Is it just the teams standards manifested on a scoreboard? Best at the smaller parts of the game? Best defence in the comp. The best play the ball speed. The best at dominating the ruck speed of others. Time in possession. Mentally believing you are better, you find away even when your not at your best out in the field. If your Best in enough areas, the score board follows.


Last year Ray Rays tackle late in the storm game might have been the difference to this team making the top 8 and missing out again.

Team Standards aren't just seen in your top 17 especially over so many rounds, in a game with so many injuries.

 

[KNUCKLES]

1.Turbo
2.Saab
3.Talau
4.Koula
5.Garrick
6.Brooks
7.Cherry
8.Paseka
9.Croker
10.Trbojevic
11.Olakau'atu
12.Patolo
13.Taukeiaho

14.Hopoate
15.Tevaga
16.Brown
17.Bullemor

 

[Stewbojevic]

1.Turbo
2.Saab
3.Talau
4.Koula
5.Garrick
6.Brooks
7.Cherry
8.Paseka
9.Croker
10.Trbojevic
11.Olakau'atu
12.Patolo
13.Taukeiaho

14.Hopoate
15.Tevaga
16.Brown
17.Bullemor

I like this team. Question mark over Patolo and Taukeiaho, but if they play to their potential it works.

I also don’t think Croker is the answer. But he’ll likely be picked.

 

[The '47ers]

The question is whether Seibold can make the hard decisions such as leaving out Croker and moving Jake to prop considering how influential they are in the group off the field.

For the greater good of the team should always be first and foremost.

 

[Eagle thru 'n' thru]

1. Hoppa
2. Garrick
3. Turbo
4. Koula
5. Saab
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Simpkins
10. Jurbo
11. Olaka
12. Talau
13. Navale

14. GCKT
15. Patolo
16. Bullemor
17. Brown

With Talau, Navale, Bullemor and GCKT, the 17 looks much more quicker. You could swap Brown with Burbo.

14. GCKT
15. Burbo
16. Patolo
17. Bullemor

 

[CRPSI eagle]

I love an opportunity for a YART

1. Turbo
2. Hopoate
3. Talau
4. Koula
5. Garrick
6. Brooks
7. DCE.
13. Navale
12. Patolo
11. Haumole
10. Jake Trb
9. Simpkin
8. Aloiai

Bench

14. Jazz T
15. Brown
16. Paseka
17. Bullemor

We have debated it to death, and I love Saab, but I had to leave someone out. I believe we need to have Talau in there for some toughness when returning the ball. Anyway, we know there will be injuries, so it's probably a revolving door between positions 1-5.

Paseka and Brown are off the bench for mine for impact. I think both get a bit diluted when they start (especially Brown). I'd rather have Jake and Aloiai there to absorb the early minutes.

The Navale and Patolo part of it is a punt, but we need fresh mobile blood. No point trotting out the same old Jake at 13 stuff.

Looks good

 

[maxta]

The reasons we haven't recruited much is salary cap and no need
Only need to tweak key areas and stay uninjured to be in the contest
Will be Top 4 in 2025 and that opinion is of some far higher rated than mine

 

[madmax]

For mine there’s no room in the 17 for Brbo.
Trbo
Saab
Garrick
Koula
Hoppa
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Jrbo
Olakau’atu
Patolo
Talau
Res: Aloiai, Taukei’aho, Bully, Brown

 

[eaglebuzz]

I think that not only will Taukeiaho be in the 17, he will be one of our best forwards this year

 

[The '47ers]

I think that not only will Taukeiaho be in the 17, he will be one of our best forwards this year

Can kick the odd goal or two as well if needed.

 

[maxta]

I've been chattin
And I rate Burbo a big chance to lift as edge

 

[eaglebuzz]

I've been chattin
And I rate Burbo a big chance to lift as edge

Chattin?

 

[maxta]

Chattin?

Yes

 

[madmax]

Yes

To Brbo? Lol

 

[maxta]

To Brbo? Lol

I understand the doubt
All I will say...
Let's see