Opinions on next years team please....

[Ryan]

So, here is the nucleus of the DEFINATE starters. Can you guys fill the gaps with who you'd put in the team. I have put the nucleus of our DEFINATE starters for you.

01. Brett Stewart
02.
03. Steven Bell
04.
05. Chris Hicks
06.
07. Matt Orford
08. Brent Kite
09.
10. Daniel Heckenberg
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Steve Menzies
13. Ben Kennedy

14. Shayne Dunley
15. Kylie Leuleuai
16.
17.

Here's a list of potential players for their positions. Who do you think DES will go with?

02. Paul Stephenson / Michael Robertson / Ashley Alberts / Mitch Creary
04. Steve Matai / Ashley Alberts / Paul Stephenson
06. J P Cherry / Michael Witt / Michael Monaghan / Luke Williamson
09. Michael Monaghan / Matt Ballin / Luke Williamson
16. Jason King / George Rose / Mark Bryant / Kane Cleal / Mailangi Styles
17. Glenn Stewart / Luke Williamson / Adam Cuthbertson / Nathan Tutt

MY team would be:-

01. Brett Stewart
02. Paul Stephenson
03. Steven Bell
04. Ashley Alberts
05. Chris Hicks
06. Michael Monaghan
07. Matt Orford
08. Brent Kite
09. Luke Williamson
10. Jason King
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Steve Menzies
13. Ben Kennedy

14. Shayne Dunley
15. Kylie Leuleuai
16. Daniel Heckenberg
17. Mark Bryant

It was hark to leave out Matai, but he covers 2-5, so I'd say he'd get substantial time through injury OR drop in form.

I'd hope Matt Ballin can go to the next level, because he's a specialist Hooker. I'd then drop Williamson to the bench, Bryant to Premier League.

I'd include King in the starting line up for up to 4 games to show his worth. Other wise, it's Bryant straight back in.

You'd say one of our second rowers is going to go down at sometime. I'd be giving Cuthbertson a go this year for sure, and he should be 1st cab off the rank if a lock / 2nd rower drops somewhere.

I don't THINK Robertson has been bought to play 1st grade straight off the cusp.

If one of our props go, and if Bryant is already in the team, I'd give Styles a go for sure this year.

From what I have seen of George Rose, he isn't 1st grade standard yet. Like Curtis and Moorwood, I'd say he's been bought for Premier League. He's also VERY unfit, and if rumour is true, struggles for motivation, so this is a dangerous club for him.

I'd give Monaghan what he wants to begin with. I'm sure Orford will voice his opinion, if he thinks Monnas is playing his hand a bit too much. It would only take me 2-3 inept performances, befire I'd place him in Premier League. The problem is though, is that we haven't got anything better.

I'd place the captaincy with a Manly junior and/or someone that is going to be at the club a long time. Someone who knows how to go about things in the media. Someone who's shoulders don't slump when the going gets tough...i.e.

Anthony Watmough
Matt Orford
Brett Stewart

My choice would be Orford.

I'd give Matt Orford the goal kicking duties. No more Willow sometimes, Hicks some others etc etc.

I'd can Steve Roach, and make someone like possibly Jim Sedaris forwards coach. He played under Fulton & co. so would know what is expected / required to be a MANLY man.

I'd hire a fitness coach, who specialises in body mass, and have Rose, Heckenberg & espescially King train with them rigorously. Being an immobile player has no part in todays game anymore - and we have Bryant, King, Rose, Cleal, Curtis, Moorwood & Leuleuai who are all too immobile in my opinion.

I'd get in a councelor. Jason King saying he has been having personal problems, and it has affected his game isn't good enough. Michael Monaghan saying negotiations affected his game isn't good enough.

If I were Des Hasler, I'd stand up at the start of the year, and say WHOEVER (Kennedy to Cleal) isn't up to scratch, you'll be staying in Premier League. Anyone who's tarnishes the clubs name in the media will be in Premier League.

If I was Pat Wilson, I'd hold a conference with 50 RANDOM members, and ask them what the club could do to become a more family friendly club, and what ways we all could think to make the outlook on the club as positive.

Just a few ideas....

 

[Blunty]

01. Brett Stewart
02. Paul Stephenson
03. Steven Bell
04. Ashley Alberts
05. Chris Hicks
06. Michael Monaghan
07. Matt Orford
08. Brent Kite
09. Matt Ballin
10. Daniel Heckenberg
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Steve Menzies
13. Ben Kennedy

14. Shayne Dunley
15. Kylie Leuleuai
16. Mark Bryant/Cuthbertson (depends on development)
17. Jason King/George Rose (depends on off-season)

I agree with pretty much all you've said. Unfortunately we don't have another 5/8 option, but IMO Monaghan might slot in quite well if he can recapture some good form.

Rose would have been brought as a back-up front rower you would think, and IMO he has pretty decent ability and strength, and better leg drive than King. A bit of fitness and he may be a good inclusion.

I would pick Ballin, personally if he fairs up well in pre-season. I am over the whole 'make-shift hooker' of Williamson, poor service and his defense went out the window late in the year, for mine Willow only as a utility back-up.

Guys like Cuthbo, Cleal and Glenn Stewart waiting in the wings. Matai and Robertson as outside back replacements. Glenn Stewart needs to bulk up, and Cleal needs to work on his discipline and defense.

If King can build up his legs and improve leg drive he would be off the bench for mine, similar for Rose if he's fitness is up then chuck him in there.

Weaknesses:

- 5/8, Monaghan is un-tried there and him and Orford will need to create a good combination, hopefully developing Monaghans running and long passing game. (Witt as back-up I suppose)

- Centres, still as much as I like Flash he needs to improve his consistency. I feel he has what it takes to make it in the NRL. Week in week out he needs to perform though, not one off one on. Matai is only an average replacement in my mind, I would think about Robertson to wing and Steppa in the centres with any injury.

- Hooker, I hope Ballin turns out to be something special, but if not we lack in the starting rake role. Dunley is an awsome bench player and needs to stay there giving us one of the better benchs going around.

Round-up:

- All in all I think it will be an improved season on 2005. Top 6 is probably a must IMO, however this will require luck with injuries again, which inlcludes Kennedy on the field all year. Furthermore the combination of Monaghan and Orford must develop quickly, so to the one between Orford and Stewart at the back.

- Throughout out the season I would be giving Travis Burns plenty of games off the bench and starting in first grade to build his potential in raw ability. Furthermore guys like Innoxi Tapautootai, Sean Meaney, Tom Joseph and Aarom Groom should be getting groomed in Premier League every now and then to bring them along despite still being raw talents.

 

[Guest]

The roosters have made the premier League grand final and I assume that it will be telecast on TV.

It will give us an opprtunity to see what Rose is like. Hopefully crusher will also buy a few players from the flegg and PL teams playing on Sunday to bolster our depth for next year.

 

[Gary Ablett]

kite and Hecks as statrting props, with bryant and lulu on bench. Also a longshot for the 5/8 spot might be Clint Halden if he has fully recovered from injury. Very talented and creative player.