The team that should be selected for rd 1 and why

[Briza]

MY STARTING TEAM ROUND 1:

1. Koula - huge talent, needs to be blooded, give him 3-4 games and see how he goes
2. Saab - height and speed are the two vital things we've been badly missing for years
3. Walker - currently the 3rd best 5/8, so it's last chance saloon, I'd give him 3 games max or he's out
4. Suli - could be better than Joey Luilua if he stays away from Maccas
5. Tuipulotu - size and speed
6. Schuster - huge talent needs to be given the 6 permanently
7. DCE - please, no slo mo sideways runs + predictable pass inside to Siro
8. Paseka - as Gus kept saying in late 2020 once he realises how big he is anything is possible
9. Cust - until Fainu is back
10. Taupau - with no AFB needs to re assert his no.1 position and get the big metres back
11. Siro - here's hoping his only runs aren't the predictable slow mo inside ball from DCE
12. Olakau-atu - time to unleash the still extremely untapped potential
13. Jake T - defence best in country, but needs to improve the slightly powder puff runs

BENCH:
14. Foran - 2 x 10-15 min bursts will benefit both his body and the team
15. Aloiai - the enforcer we need to replace AFB
16. Keppie - keep improving
17. Gosiewski - super versatility back row or centre if needed

FORWARD RESERVES:
18. Sipley - hopefully over the injuries and ready to resume the great potential shown in 2019
19. Davey - unknown in reality, if better than no. 19 could take the 17 or 12 jerseys
20. Boyle - injury cover
21. Fainu - straight to no. 9 when he's back
22. Saddler - needs time

BACK RESERVES:
22. Funa - many will disagree with no being in the 17, but does he look like a FB or winger from a top 4-6 team? No
23. Garrick - tries hard but is he a better winger than Saab or Parker? Again no. And goal kicking not good enough either
24. Harper - handy back up centre or FB
25. Parker - on advice from good replies here swapped out with Tuipulotu
26. Taufua - can't possibly be ahead of anyone else listed for a wing spot with no speed or height plus wanting in defence
27. Croker - even with Fainu out behind Cust and Foran for a dummy half spot
28. Ben T - need to see if he's ready for 1st grade

(not sure who else makes up the top 30, anyone know?)

THE GLARING ISSUES:
Aside from the obvious Tom T problem, we seem to have scarily thin forward reserves unless some of the unknown names in Sunday's trial are ready to come through. Feels like we are short a Shaun Lane (why did we let him go again?) And as for goal kicker, please tell me it's not back to DCE or Walker, can anyone else kick?

SUMMARY:
The biggest thing for me is to stop the safe old selections that will not get us into the 8 let alone higher. ie Jorge, Boyle, Croker etc. Des must resist the stubborn past. We must select big talent like Koula, Schuster, Olakau-atu. Just look at where Penrith have gone with Crichton, Staines etc. Plus Injury/stand down permitting, a spine of Tom T; Schuster; DCE; Fainu/Foran could be as good as any other team.

Love that 1-13 good young side.

 

[Jabuh]

1. Harper/funa depending on trial
2. Saab
3. Parker
4. Suli
5. Toupolutu
6. Foran
7. Dce (gk)
8. Paseka
9. Cust
10. Marty
11. Jetski
12. Siro
13. Jake
14. Schuster
15. Aloiai
16. Davey
17. Toff
18. Guac

Left out walker after he looked like a fish out of water in the allstars.
I'd have foran move into dummy half after 25 mins to bring schuster on and give cust a rest. Then put cust back on halfway through the second to allow foran an early start on his injury rehabilitation

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

1. Harper/funa depending on trial
2. Saab
3. Parker
4. Suli
5. Toupolutu
6. Foran
7. Dce (gk)
8. Paseka
9. Cust
10. Marty
11. Jetski
12. Siro
13. Jake
14. Schuster
15. Aloiai
16. Davey
17. Toff
18. Guac

Left out walker after he looked like a fish out of water in the allstars.
I'd have foran move into dummy half after 25 mins to bring schuster on and give cust a rest. Then put cust back on halfway through the second to allow foran an early start on his injury rehabilitation

Des will put Walker in you know that

 

[Jabuh]

Des will put Walker in you know that

Sadly i know you're right

 

[Luke_m]

I hope Des picks this team based on what I saw today Sironen runs sideways and has no impact at all !!


FB - Morgan Harper
WG - Jason Saab
CE - Moses Suli
CE - Dylan Walker
WG - Tevita Funa (GK)
FE - Josh Schuster
HB - Daly Cherry-Evans
PR - Taniela Paseka
HK - Cade Cust/Crocker
PR - Martin Taupau
SR - Jack Gosiewski
SR - Andrew Davey
LK - Jake Trbojevic

Bench - Kieran Foran, Josh Aloiai, Sean Keppie, Haumole Olakau'atu

 

[Eagles4Life]

Close but no go on Parker at wing

1. Koula/Harper/Funa (Not happy with any of them really)
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Tuipulotu
6. Foran
7. DCE
8. Aloiai
9. Cust
10. Taupau
11. Siro
12. Olakau-atu
13. Jake T

BENCH:
14. Schuster
15. Aloiai
16. Keppie
17. Davey

What this team looks like after trial form today and injuries

1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Funa
6. Schuster
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Taupau
11. Davey
12. Olakau-atu
13. Jake T

BENCH:
14. Foran
15. Aloiai
16. Keppie
17. Gosiewski

18. Sironen

 

[sheridanstand78]

What this team looks like after trial form today and injuries

1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Funa
6. Schuster
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Taupau
11. Davey
12. Olakau-atu
13. Jake T

BENCH:
14. Foran
15. Aloiai
16. Keppie
17. Gosiewski

18. Sironen

This is a team I would go for, the only problem is our 9, it looked today that Cust has a big problem with his hand and Croker has done a hammy. If one or both are missing I think you will find that DCE will spend some time at 9 to cover the gap we have there. I think that Schuster has to be given a chance at 6 and Foran can either play half or come off the bench.

 

[robbiea]

1.Harper
2.Saab
3.Walker
4.Suli
5.Funa
6.Foz
7.Dce
8.Jake
9.Cust/Croker/Birt
10.Kapow
11.Olokatau
12.Jetski
13.Schuster

14.Paseka
15.Aloaia
16.Davey
17.Keppie

 

[manlyfan76]

Prop rotation of Kapow, Paseka, Aioli, Keppie looks good.
Back ups of Sipply, Boyle, Sadler etc.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

What I got from yesterday as far as the round 1 team.

Harper will be better than Funa at full back, so he’s our fill in for 1.

Davey & Aloaia go ok, good pick ups.

Sirronen seems to have lost ground , think he needs to be dropped which might encourage him to rediscover his form.

Suli is still lazy in defence but he and Walker will be the centre’s.

Schuster has a lot to learn but is bloody talented , I expect him to be 14 with maybe DCE going to hooker to give Croker a break.

Garrick might struggle to hold a spot, wingers could well be Volvo & Funa.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I just can understand why Sirro keeps stepping inside instead of trying to get his arms free and unload to someone outside. I would have expected the cia h to have rectified it by now and if he won’t listen then drop him.

 

[Woodsie]

Harper / Funa
Suli
Walker
Parker
Garrick
Foran
DCE
Jake
Davey
GoJetski
Paseka
Croker
Aloiai

Schuster
Kapow

I can't split Keppie, Boyle or Sipley yet ... wiser men can ..

Touipulto suffered from the Suli curse ... it wasn't too long ago our best defensive player Parker was also made to look like a useless mess outside him ... and I don't think Saab or Ken Irvine would look any better ... Suli on the wing for mine ... Saab I want to see play football before I anoint him ..

 

[TagMonster]

MY STARTING TEAM ROUND 1:

1. Koula - huge talent, needs to be blooded, give him 3-4 games and see how he goes
2. Saab - height and speed are the two vital things we've been badly missing for years
3. Walker - currently the 3rd best 5/8, so it's last chance saloon, I'd give him 3 games max or he's out
4. Suli - could be better than Joey Luilua if he stays away from Maccas
5. Tuipulotu - size and speed
6. Schuster - huge talent needs to be given the 6 permanently
7. DCE - please, no slo mo sideways runs + predictable pass inside to Siro
8. Paseka - as Gus kept saying in late 2020 once he realises how big he is anything is p
9. Cust - until Fainu is back
10. Taupau - with no AFB needs to re assert his no.1 position and get the big metres back
11. Siro - here's hoping his only runs aren't the predictable slow mo inside ball from DCE
12. Olakau-atu - time to unleash the still extremely untapped potential
13. Jake T - defence best in country, but needs to improve the slightly powder puff runs

BENCH:
14. Foran - 2 x 10-15 min bursts will benefit both his body and the team
15. Aloiai - the enforcer we need to replace AFB
16. Keppie - keep improving
17. Gosiewski - super versatility back row or centre if needed

FORWARD RESERVES:
18. Sipley - hopefully over the injuries and ready to resume the great potential shown in 2019
19. Davey - unknown in reality, if better than no. 19 could take the 17 or 12 jerseys
20. Boyle - injury cover
21. Fainu - straight to no. 9 when he's back
22. Saddler - needs time

BACK RESERVES:
22. Funa - many will disagree with no being in the 17, but does he look like a FB or winger from a top 4-6 team? No
23. Garrick - tries hard but is he a better winger than Saab or Parker? Again no. And goal kicking not good enough either
24. Harper - handy back up centre or FB
25. Parker - on advice from good replies here swapped out with Tuipulotu
26. Taufua - can't possibly be ahead of anyone else listed for a wing spot with no speed or height plus wanting in defence
27. Croker - even with Fainu out behind Cust and Foran for a dummy half spot
28. Ben T - need to see if he's ready for 1st grade

(not sure who else makes up the top 30, anyone know?)

THE GLARING ISSUES:
Aside from the obvious Tom T problem, we seem to have scarily thin forward reserves unless some of the unknown names in Sunday's trial are ready to come through. Feels like we are short a Shaun Lane (why did we let him go again?) And as for goal kicker, please tell me it's not back to DCE or Walker, can anyone else kick?

SUMMARY:
The biggest thing for me is to stop the safe old selections that will not get us into the 8 let alone higher. ie Jorge, Boyle, Croker etc. Des must resist the stubborn past. We must select big talent like Koula, Schuster, Olakau-atu. Just look at where Penrith have gone with Crichton, Staines etc. Plus Injury/stand down permitting, a spine of Tom T; Schuster; DCE; Fainu/Foran could be as good as any other tea

Based on injuries and form from Training and Trails I'd like to see the below. I suspect Harper will be replaced by Funa with Garrick on the wing. I also expect Foran in 6 with Croker at 9 and maybe Schuster getting the 17. Forwards will likely be the same old same resulting in our line bending in defence and not a lot of go forward in attack once the starting props have a breather.

1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Funa
6. Schuster
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Foran
10. Taupau
11. Siro
12. Olakau-atu
13. Jake T



BENCH:

14. Cust / Croker
15. Aloiai
16. Sipley
17. Gosiewski / Davey



FORWARD RESERVES:

18. Keppie
19. Davey / Gosiewski
20. Boyle
21. Fainu
22. Saddler



BACK RESERVES:

22. Tuipulotu
23. Garrick
24. Koula
25. Parker
26. Taufua
27. Croker / Cust
28. Ben T
29. Tom T
30. Someone I've missed

 

[Disco]

Who I suspect Des will pick

1.Harper
2.Garrick
3.Suli
4.Walker
5.Saab
6.Foran
7.DCE
8.Paseka
9.Croker
10.Taupau
11.Gosiewski
12.Sirronen
13.Trbojevic

14.Schuster (Foran to shift to hooker to spell Croker)
15.Davey
16.Keppie
17.Aloai

Personally I'd start Davey....and try to bring Olakua'atu in somewhere.

I'd be telling Garrick, Sirro, SuliCroker and Keppie that they have players breathing down their necks

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

Who I suspect Des will pick

1.Parker
2.Garrick
3.Suli
4.Walker
5.Saab
6.Foran
7.DCE
8.Paseka
9.Croker
10.Taupau
11.Gosiewski
12.Sirronen
13.Trbojevic

14.Schuster (Foran to shift to hooker to spell Croker)
15.Davey
16.Keppie
17.Aloai

Personally I'd start Davey....and try to bring Olakua'atu in somewhere.

I'd be telling Garrick, Sirro, SuliCroker and Keppie that they have players breathing down their necks

Is that Sir Bradley Parker aka hank Scorpio in the famous #1 jersey? You wanna put mr slow motion in fb? Say it ain't so Joe

The rest is spot on id say. Though my starters in the 2nd row would be Olakau'atu Davey Jake. Drop siro so he can learn how to pass to suli. See Davey passing to his outside men? Thats what we need

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

So many are choosing Haumole for a second row spot, but he's been a man of mystery this year so I just can't see it myself. Could happen I suppose, maybe he's had an outstanding off-season, but it's far more likely his name won't be read out.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Hank as fullback???

About as much chance as me heading to Hillsong this weekend and singing “ the lord cometh” with gusto!!!’

 

[Disco]

Is that Sir Bradley Parker aka hank Scorpio in the famous #1 jersey? You wanna put mr slow motion in fb? Say it ain't so Joe

The rest is spot on id say. Though my starters in the 2nd row would be Olakau'atu Davey Jake. Drop siro so he can learn how to pass to suli. See Davey passing to his outside men? Thats what we need

Bahaha whoops, Harper

Trying to work and procrastinate at tge same time

 

[Will on the hill]

My team

1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Funa
4. Walker
5. Suli
6. Foz
7. Chez
8. Paseka
9. Birt
10. Jurbo
11. Davey
12. Jetski
13. Olakau'atu

14. Schuster
15. Marty
16. Aloiai
17. Siro

My guess at Des's team
1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Suli
4. Walker
5. Garrick
6. Foz
7. Chez
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Marty
11. Siro
12. Jetski
13. Jurbo

14. Schuster
15. Aloiai
16. Keppie
17. Davey

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

My team

1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Funa
4. Walker
5. Suli
6. Foz
7. Chez
8. Paseka
9. Birt
10. Jurbo
11. Davey
12. Jetski
13. Olakau'atu

14. Schuster
15. Marty
16. Aloiai
17. Siro

My guess at Des's team
1. Harper
2. Saab
3. Suli
4. Walker
5. Garrick
6. Foz
7. Chez
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Marty
11. Siro
12. Jetski
13. Jurbo

14. Schuster
15. Aloiai
16. Keppie
17. Davey

Your “ Des Team” will be close , injury permitting.