Round 1 team prediction

[maxta]

Happened to be in the same hotel as the team in the mountains the last couple of days.Croker has his knee in a brace and likely won't be available for the first 3 weeks or so of the season.

Full leg brace too, so 3 weeks in sounds kind

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Sounds like Jazz Tevaga is a big change of playing dummy half.

Yes that’s certainly a possibility as well

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Happened to be in the same hotel as the team in the mountains the last couple of days.Croker has his knee in a brace and likely won't be available for the first 3 weeks or so of the season.

Any sign of Jason Saab up there? (He's fairly hard to miss)

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Any sign of Jason Saab up there? (He's fairly hard to miss)

Is he over his injuries yet , I thought I read last year he was doubtful for the season opener ( but that might have been someone else).

 

[Ohgeez]

Any sign of Jason Saab up there? (He's fairly hard to miss)

He was in a Facebook video manly posted yesterday playing golf with all the other players. You can also see him in ‘the manly way’ at 9:00 mins, although it’s just the back of his head

 

[sick_thing]

Any sign of Jason Saab up there? (He's fairly hard to miss)

He was there and looked fit! I didn't see him do anything active but no reason to think there was an issue.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Tevaga at 9 and Simpkin at 14 would be a very interesting combo.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

Garrick is a machine and set up Saab alot in 2024. He is super quick and can set up his outside man. Garrick is a footballer he killed it at wing and killed it at fullback. He will excel in his 2nd year at centre imho.

lotta rubes love there buddy. good for you. not sure the real numbers would back up that love but hey perhaps love is all you need.

 

[stoodamire]

I honestly can’t decide on our back 5 except for Turbo at fullback.

I feel having one of the backs on the bench is a waste of a spot and they would be better off in NSW cup getting reps in.

I’d much rather prefer a Burbo type of player on the bench who can cover centre and back row as all our centres can shift to the wing.

 

[BOZO]

Garrick is a machine and set up Saab alot in 2024. He is super quick and can set up his outside man. Garrick is a footballer he killed it at wing and killed it at fullback. He will excel in his 2nd year at centre imho.

We all have our favourites feathered friend ....
So Much Speed and So much Potential
The Best is Yet to Come for Garrick

 

[madmax]

lotta rubes love there buddy. good for you. not sure the real numbers would back up that love but hey perhaps love is all you need.

Numbers? I can’t see much wrong with his numbers! Not sure what people’s problem is with Garrick. Defence is no worse than most Centres. Accomplished goal kicker, accomplished try scorer, plenty of speed. Defence is reasonable. Not sure what your problem is with him.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Official , the Frog out for the first 4 rounds ( it’s says 3 but you know how it works )

https://twitter.com/x/status/1879740091041751505

 

[Eagles4Life]

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

14.Simpkin
15.Brown
16.Bullemor
17. Aloiai

18. Trbojevic

19. Sipley
20. Arthur
21. Waddell

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

14.Simpkin
15.Brown
16.Bullemor
17. Aloiai

18. Tevaga

19. Trbojevic
20.Sipley
21. Arthur

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

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

14.Simpkin
15.Brown
16.Bullemor
17. Aloiai

18. Trbojevic

19. Sipley
20. Arthur
21. Waddell

Yes that’ll probably what they go for , I very much doubt Simpkin or Gordie will be run on.

 

[madmax]

Yes that’ll probably what they go for , I very much doubt Simpkin or Gordie will be run on.

I think Simpkin is a shoe in to start! Remember 2024 whilst Croker was out with concussion, Simpkin was our 9 & the team was playing great footy. His service out of dummy half was so slick. Croker back in & the team appeared to go backwards. Simpkin’s defense is sound but dh service was great!

 

[Stewbojevic]

Has anyone picking Tevaga at 9 even seen him play in that position? He’s a fill in hooker off the bench at best. The Warriors had him playing prop last year.

As a 9 he has never worked out because he’s a tough player but lacks a good pass or the ability to sharply put forwards over the advantage line.

With Croker out it needs to be Simpkin starting. End of discussion.

If it’s not then we are going backwards.

Ps. I believe Jazz is a handy 14 that can play a role for us. But not as starting hooker.

 

[silvereagle]

Has anyone picking Tevaga at 9 even seen him play in that position? He’s a fill in hooker off the bench at best. The Warriors had him playing prop last year.

As a 9 he has never worked out because he’s a tough player but lacks a good pass or the ability to sharply put forwards over the advantage line.

With Croker out it needs to be Simpkin starting. End of discussion.

If it’s not then we are going backwards.

Ps. I believe Jazz is a handy 14 that can play a role for us. But not as starting hooker.

I think Seibold is a big fan of Jazz. Not so sure about Simkin. If you go back to late last year when Croker came back from injury, everyone thought Simkin would drop down to 14. But that was not the case and Seibold opted for Gordie at 14 instead. So am not sure if Simkin gets a start in a few weeks. I am also hearing Zordas (Muagututia?) impressing the right people at training....at 9.
We will get more clues in a few weeks in the trials.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I think Seibold is a big fan of Jazz. Not so sure about Simkin. If you go back to late last year when Croker came back from injury, everyone thought Simkin would drop down to 14. But that was not the case and Seibold opted for Gordie at 14 instead. So am not sure if Simkin gets a start in a few weeks. I am also hearing Zordas (Muagututia?) impressing the right people at training....at 9.
We will get more clues in a few weeks in the trials.

Simpkin is a Silvertails favourite but agree not sure he’s a Seibold favourite.

 

[Ohgeez]

I think Seibold is a big fan of Jazz. Not so sure about Simkin. If you go back to late last year when Croker came back from injury, everyone thought Simkin would drop down to 14. But that was not the case and Seibold opted for Gordie at 14 instead. So am not sure if Simkin gets a start in a few weeks. I am also hearing Zordas (Muagututia?) impressing the right people at training....at 9.
We will get more clues in a few weeks in the trials.

That’s good to hear about Zaidas he looks big & strong for a 9. Also looked crafty near the line in his highlights, A real threat at hooker will keep the defence honest opening up more room for Turbo to work with. Seen Dogs fans say he also played in the middle at times last year, could be the succession plan at 14 when Jazz leaves/retires

 

[Eagles4Life]

Has anyone picking Tevaga at 9 even seen him play in that position? He’s a fill in hooker off the bench at best. The Warriors had him playing prop last year.

As a 9 he has never worked out because he’s a tough player but lacks a good pass or the ability to sharply put forwards over the advantage line.

With Croker out it needs to be Simpkin starting. End of discussion.

If it’s not then we are going backwards.

Ps. I believe Jazz is a handy 14 that can play a role for us. But not as starting hooker.

It depends on how he is used at nine IMO. I think Tevaga would do an excellent job defensively for us as our starting nine for 20 minutes or so. I would then bring a fresh Simpkin in for the next 60 minutes, with Jazz going into our bench rotation. (predominantly as a middle). This would also mean we could potentially run a more mobile bench rotation of Bullemore, Brown, Aloiai/Patolo etc