Ramrod
Reserve Grader
First half =
It was mainly for the younguns and newbies.
Not as cohesive in set plays and direction, as most of them may not be familiar with each other or have that bit of experience. In saying that, I thought they played alright and the scoreboard was not a true reflection of their efforts.
Only one regular NRL player was featured in the first half = Buhrer.
We didn't play too badly and I thought we were the better team even though by half time, we were behind 24-4? We lifted towards the end of the first half.
Noted newbies & younguns are:
1. Jack Littlejohn - Has class and skills. Showing the ball and got hit high for it but recovered to play very well. Kept defenders on the back-foot. He's exciting to watch. A real live wire. May not have room on the bench but will be great relief to Ballin or when we need to finish the job.
2. Mark O'Dare - This guy has speed to burn. Looks good with the carry returns.
3. Jesse Sene-Lefao - In the mould of Brent Kite. Can fill the role of another Prop. Very good performance. Always looking to get involved.
4. Jayden Hodges - quick off the mark and aggressive.
5. Ligi Sao - Another Prop that may be pushing for a spot.
6. Clinton Gutherson - skinny legs (like Stuart Davis) was good at reading in defence. Stopped two-on-one situation and prevented them from running away to score. Has the smarts.
7. Jake Trbojevic - Definite first grade material. I really like his defence and hit ups. I know they want to protect him and give him a bit of room to grow. However, he won't look out of place in first grade.
Second half =
We smashed our feeder club, the Parra Sea Eeews. The first grade boys came on and toyed with them. It's going to be another long year for them. What's the odds on the spoon this year? Might be worth a couple of bucks. Final score was 28-24, our favour.
Poor Parra fans walked out crying.
Old heads, newbies, etc.:
1. Choc was very good as usual. Had a wardrobe malfunction and had his shorts replaced on the field, drawing wolf-whistles from ...(hopefully not guys).
2. Snake - brilliant cover defence that stopped a try. I was thinking, let the other fella score because it's not worth risking injury as it's only a trial.
3. Taufua - awesome support and scored two. Almost scored a third but twisting around to ground the ball (and dropped) resulted in a popped shoulder?? He may be sidelined for a bit. Shame.
4. Justin Horo - Not sure with Justin but he dropped off a bit towards the last quarter of 2013. In this trial, he was OK but has not showed the form he had in last year's first three-quarters of the season. Early days?
5. Josh Starling - Looks like we have another Prop to start. I'd keep Kingy on the bench to ensure he can slowly ease back in and have Starling start.
6. Dunamis Lui - Another strong Prop and a couple of good runs.
7. Tony Satini - Good fast runs. Not sure if he was getting caught in defence? Can't see his side of the field.
8. Hiku - This guy is all class. I would want him in the 17. Nothing seems to faze him. Always like a smiling assassin.
9. DCE - Kicking two goals from the sidelines. What's going on? Has he been training his goal kicking? 🙂
10. Cheyse Blair - Quiet game?
11. Gifty = Thought he had a good solid game. Should be firing this season if healthy. Gifty and Choc = Two best second rowers in the game makes our pack the envy of others.
Props = It seems we don't need to buy new props. We already have some ready to go here. Starling, Lui, Hasson, Sao, Sene-Lafao, Trbojevic, Lawrence and King.
Injuries = Wingers Wolfie and Taufua. Replacements can be Gutherson and Hiku. Not too concerned here. Lots of fillers.
Still to come back = Killer, Skivvy, Kingy and Wolfie did not play. Just as well or Parra would have been annihilated.
BRING BACK Beaver for inspiration and experience!
On all accounts, we should have a good season. Go Manly!!
It was mainly for the younguns and newbies.
Not as cohesive in set plays and direction, as most of them may not be familiar with each other or have that bit of experience. In saying that, I thought they played alright and the scoreboard was not a true reflection of their efforts.
Only one regular NRL player was featured in the first half = Buhrer.
We didn't play too badly and I thought we were the better team even though by half time, we were behind 24-4? We lifted towards the end of the first half.
Noted newbies & younguns are:
1. Jack Littlejohn - Has class and skills. Showing the ball and got hit high for it but recovered to play very well. Kept defenders on the back-foot. He's exciting to watch. A real live wire. May not have room on the bench but will be great relief to Ballin or when we need to finish the job.
2. Mark O'Dare - This guy has speed to burn. Looks good with the carry returns.
3. Jesse Sene-Lefao - In the mould of Brent Kite. Can fill the role of another Prop. Very good performance. Always looking to get involved.
4. Jayden Hodges - quick off the mark and aggressive.
5. Ligi Sao - Another Prop that may be pushing for a spot.
6. Clinton Gutherson - skinny legs (like Stuart Davis) was good at reading in defence. Stopped two-on-one situation and prevented them from running away to score. Has the smarts.
7. Jake Trbojevic - Definite first grade material. I really like his defence and hit ups. I know they want to protect him and give him a bit of room to grow. However, he won't look out of place in first grade.
Second half =
We smashed our feeder club, the Parra Sea Eeews. The first grade boys came on and toyed with them. It's going to be another long year for them. What's the odds on the spoon this year? Might be worth a couple of bucks. Final score was 28-24, our favour.
Poor Parra fans walked out crying.
Old heads, newbies, etc.:
1. Choc was very good as usual. Had a wardrobe malfunction and had his shorts replaced on the field, drawing wolf-whistles from ...(hopefully not guys).
2. Snake - brilliant cover defence that stopped a try. I was thinking, let the other fella score because it's not worth risking injury as it's only a trial.
3. Taufua - awesome support and scored two. Almost scored a third but twisting around to ground the ball (and dropped) resulted in a popped shoulder?? He may be sidelined for a bit. Shame.
4. Justin Horo - Not sure with Justin but he dropped off a bit towards the last quarter of 2013. In this trial, he was OK but has not showed the form he had in last year's first three-quarters of the season. Early days?
5. Josh Starling - Looks like we have another Prop to start. I'd keep Kingy on the bench to ensure he can slowly ease back in and have Starling start.
6. Dunamis Lui - Another strong Prop and a couple of good runs.
7. Tony Satini - Good fast runs. Not sure if he was getting caught in defence? Can't see his side of the field.
8. Hiku - This guy is all class. I would want him in the 17. Nothing seems to faze him. Always like a smiling assassin.
9. DCE - Kicking two goals from the sidelines. What's going on? Has he been training his goal kicking? 🙂
10. Cheyse Blair - Quiet game?
11. Gifty = Thought he had a good solid game. Should be firing this season if healthy. Gifty and Choc = Two best second rowers in the game makes our pack the envy of others.
Props = It seems we don't need to buy new props. We already have some ready to go here. Starling, Lui, Hasson, Sao, Sene-Lafao, Trbojevic, Lawrence and King.
Injuries = Wingers Wolfie and Taufua. Replacements can be Gutherson and Hiku. Not too concerned here. Lots of fillers.
Still to come back = Killer, Skivvy, Kingy and Wolfie did not play. Just as well or Parra would have been annihilated.
BRING BACK Beaver for inspiration and experience!
On all accounts, we should have a good season. Go Manly!!
