Round 1 team prediction

[Mark from Brisbane]

Well now the massive signing season is over ( 😂😂😂) I think we can start to talk about the selections for round 1 ( all subject to fitness of course ).

This one from Fox League

SEA EAGLES

Predicted Round 1 team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Siosiua Taukeiaho 17. Jazz Tevaga

Analysis: Tom Trbojevic is a lock at fullback when he returns from a shoulder injury in the trials, with Jason Saab back from an ankle injury on the wing and accompanied by Tommy Talau, who just edges out Lehi Hopoate. Toulutau Koula and Reuben Garrick will get first crack in the centres, but Hopoate will also be keeping them honest, while Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evansare certain starters in the halves. Taniela Paseka and Josh Aloiaiwill be the starting front row with Lachlan Croker at hooker. Haumole Olakau’atu will be joined by Ben Trbojevic in the second row full-time after Karl Lawton’s departure to the Cowboys, while Jake Trbojevicwill be the lock. Jake Simpkinwill edge Gordon Chan Kum Tongfor first crack at the utility role, but boom half Joey Walsh could also get a chance at some stage. Nathan Brown and recruits Jazz Tevaga and Siosiua Taukeiaho round out the bench.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Personally I’m still of the view Jake should be prop rotation but then not sure who fills in at Lock.

I’m hoping Navale might step up at some point.

And I would personally substitute young Hoppa for Talau , although Tommy really stepped up in 2024 so that’s a hard one.

 

[BOZO]

We have a favorable Dream Draw
We have the Premiership Window open for our elite players and we also have the squad capable for a top 4 finish
Have we invested in the right coach to get the job done ?
Other than a top 4 finish we will be going backwards

 

[The Wheel]

Hoppa will be there somewhere I reckon. A few not named like Bully, Gordie, Potato, Sipley, Arthur etc shows our depth isn’t too bad

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

Garrick in the 3/4 line will continue to be a failure. Tommy Talau has a much higher ceiling in that position which is obvious to most other than Seibs. and lets not even talk about defence. he's a great wing man which has been proven (although even in that position he's had the odd brain fade moment when an almost guaranteed try was on offer). young hoopa will be hard to keep out of this side by mid year.

 

[Disco]

My way too early prediction of what gets named barring injuries

1.Trbojevic
2.Saab
3.Garrick
4.Koula
5.Hopoate
6.Brooks
7.DCE
8.Paseka
9.Croker
10.Aloiai
11.Olakau'atu
12.Trbojevic
13.Trbojevic

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

18.Arthur

19.Taukiaho
20.Sipley
21.Simpkin

 

[BOZO]

Garrick in the 3/4 line will continue to be a failure. Tommy Talau has a much higher ceiling in that position which is obvious to most other than Seibs. and lets not even talk about defence. he's a great wing man which has been proven (although even in that position he's had the odd brain fade moment when an almost guaranteed try was on offer). young hoopa will be hard to keep out of this side by mid year.

We all have our favorites feathered friend
Garrick will become Manly's Gasnier
He will continue to progress and become the Prince of centers

 

[Phobia]

Round 1
1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Talau
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Jake
11. Olakau'atu
12. Ben
13. Tevaga
14. Arthur / GCKT
15. Taukeiaho
16. Bullemor
17. Brown

Round 27 - potentially
1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Hopoate (4/5 interchangeable)
5. Garrick
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. Jake
11. Olakau'atu
12. Ben
13. Navale
14. Tevaga
15. Aloiai
16. Bullemor
17. Patolo

Could see Zaidas getting the 14 by end of year too.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Hoppa will be there somewhere I reckon. A few not named like Bully, Gordie, Potato, Sipley, Arthur etc shows our depth isn’t too bad

I think Bully will feature BEFORE the two new ( old) guys

 

[The Wheel]

I think Bully will feature BEFORE the two new ( old) guys

Yeah very good off the bench, a few big question marks over Takiwhatshisname.

 

[IQofalimabean]

1 Turbo
2 Saab
3 Talau
4 Koula
5 Hopoate
6 Brooks
7 DCE
8 Paseka
9 Croker
10 Aloiai
11 Haumole
12 Ben
13 Jake
14 Garrick
15 Brown
16 Taukeiaho
17 Bullemor
18 Simione laiafi

If garrick wants to play center he can start from the bench.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Analysis: Tom Trbojevic is a lock at fullback when he returns from a shoulder injury in the trials,

Brilliant!. We've been looking for an answer to the lock position, and it was right under our nose...

 

[eaglebuzz]

What I'd like to see (but won't happen unfortunately):

Hoppa
Saab
Koula
Turbo
Garrick
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Jurbo
Olakau'atu
Burbo / anyone who stands up
Brown

Tevaga
Bullemor
Aloiai
Taukeiaho

 

[Rocky]

What it will be

1. Turbo
2. Talau
3. Garrick
4. Koula
5. Saab
6. Brooks
7. DCE
13. Jake
12. Burbo
11. Haumole
10. Aloiai
9. Croker
8. Paseka

14. Lehi
15. Bully
16. Tevaga
17. Brown

What it should be

1. Turbo
2. Garrick
3. Lehi
4. Koula
5. Talau
6. Brooks
7. DCE
13. Bullemor
12. Burbo
11. Haumole
10. Aloiai
9. Simpkin
8. Jake

14. Paseka
15. Brown
16. Tevaga
17. Navale

 

[Woodsie]

Can't help noticing that every man and his dog has aloiai as a starting prop.

seriously hoping that trial form sees Taukeiaho or Sipley step up and relegate him ...

 

[madmax]

Trbo
Saab
Garrick
Koula
Lehi
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Aloiai
Olakau’atu
Patolo
Talau
Res: Jake, Taukei’aho, Brown, Bullemore
The backline is a no brainer with Talau a must also but could become a great Lock!
No room for Brbo, Tevaga, Waddell, GKCT at this time.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

We all have our favorites feathered friend
Garrick will become Manly's Gasnier
He will continue to progress and become the Prince of centers

More chance i will wake up looking like Brad Pitt circa 2004 with a golden gun in my trousers than your prediction bozo. but we can all hope i guess.