Round 1 Lineup

[pagey]

In attack he is. No question.

Most exciting definitely but the kid has a ways to go .

 

[Wolfie]

Yes but the competition is much higher on the right with Staggs, Coates and now Niu.

We dont seem to have any natural left centers, except perhaps Copley, but he may have started as a right center as well??

If Opacic came here he'd be below Staggs and then likely Coates (if Staggs left), however left center is wide open and Opacic can play that position... he's probably also smarter when it comes to transitioning to the left side and adapting his game

I daresay Opa may pop up at Parra's vacant left centre with Jennings being suspended

Possibly, although I'm not sure Arthur is confident in Blake's defence either so I could see him playing either side.

I don't think Staggs going to be here beyond 2021 anyway, so it's going to be a good opportunity for Tesi to show what he can do. Coates I think as well still has a long way to go. Still hope Copley can stay fit as we probably need somebody to bridge the gap to help these young guys out because it's a lot to ask them to perform week in week out at their age.

 

[McHunt]

It's not sour grapes at all. he certainly has the potential to be the best in the game ... but he isn't there yet. and he may not get there if he just wants to play "comfortable" footy.

one or 2 good runs a game makes good highlight reels ... it doesn't put you in the elite company.

Most exciting definitely but the kid has a ways to go .

For sure, but the Australian Head Coach thinks he's worth the cash, so that'll do me.

 

[Foordy]

For sure, but the Australian Head Coach thinks he's worth the cash, so that'll do me.

what does he know about managing salary caps?

 

[McHunt]

what does he know about managing salary caps?

No idea, but probably more than either of us.

 

[BroncsFan]

In attack he is. No question.

I think Foordy is suggesting that Lolo at minimum is ahead of Fifita in terms of best forward in the game.

I have Murray as the next best forward after Lolo.

I'd also have Crichton ahead of Fifita in terms of edge forwards. Kikau is probably also ahead of him.

Even a guy like Wade Graham, whilst not providing the physical attacking presence of Fifita, has a more complete game. He's a physical presence as an edge defender and also provides a point of difference in attack as a ball playing edge forward with a kicking game.

Not sure I have Wade Graham ahead of Fifita, but his game is far more rounded than Fifita's.

At the moment Fifita is a physical beast, but his game is just being bigger and faster, which is what he's been doing all his life.

Compare that to SBW when he came into the game. He was an enforcer in defence and had the offload game, but he also had the stock standard physical running on the edge.

At the moment I dont think Fifita runs lines all that well (stands flat in the line (ie. no decoy runs) and often gets it flat footed, wanting to do all his work after getting the ball). He does have an offload and I daresay Titans will look to give him a license to use it this year given they're paying him $1.25m and has to be the focal point of their attack. But his defence is a bit suspect given how physical his attacking game is.

Still has a fair bit to work on before he can be considered the best in the game

 

[lynx000]

I think Foordy is suggesting that Lolo at minimum is ahead of Fifita in terms of best forward in the game.

I have Murray as the next best forward after Lolo.

I'd also have Crichton ahead of Fifita in terms of edge forwards. Kikau is probably also ahead of him.

Even a guy like Wade Graham, whilst not providing the physical attacking presence of Fifita, has a more complete game. He's a physical presence as an edge defender and also provides a point of difference in attack as a ball playing edge forward with a kicking game.

Not sure I have Wade Graham ahead of Fifita, but his game is far more rounded than Fifita's.

At the moment Fifita is a physical beast, but his game is just being bigger and faster, which is what he's been doing all his life.

Compare that to SBW when he came into the game. He was an enforcer in defence and had the offload game, but he also had the stock standard physical running on the edge.

At the moment I dont think Fifita runs lines all that well (stands flat in the line (ie. no decoy runs) and often gets it flat footed, wanting to do all his work after getting the ball). He does have an offload and I daresay Titans will look to give him a license to use it this year given they're paying him $1.25m and has to be the focal point of their attack. But his defence is a bit suspect given how physical his attacking game is.

Still has a fair bit to work on before he can be considered the best in the game

I think that is a really fair summary and pretty much on the money.

 

[BRONXFAN]

time for a new line up with a few more pieces of the puzzle known (or at least reported)

1. Jamayne Isaako
2. David Mead
3. Herbie Farnworth
4. Tesi Niu
5. Xavier Coates
6. Anthony Milford (Brodie Croft if Milford isn't fit for round 1)
7. Tom Dearden
8. Tevita Pangai Jnr
9. Jake Turpin
10. Matt Lodge
11. Alex Glenn (c)
12. Corey Oates
13. John Asiata

14. Corey Paix
15. Tom Flegler
16. Jordan Riki
17. Pat Carrigan

I know people don't rate our squad, but IMO it isn;t anywhere near as bad as they think ... there was a mass conspiracy against us from the NRL, COVID, Injuries and let's not forget their inside man Seibold, that resulted in our first ever spoon.

with a new coach, everyone will be playing for spots and contracts, not to mention that i'm sure last year doesn't sit well with the squad; i'd expect a much improved season from the boys finishing in the 6-8 region ... assuming we're not killed by injuries again

I dont mind that squad maybe just Oates for Riki, Oates can be the back up if anyone in the backline goes down

 

[McHunt]

I think Foordy is suggesting that Lolo at minimum is ahead of Fifita in terms of best forward in the game.

I have Murray as the next best forward after Lolo.

I'd also have Crichton ahead of Fifita in terms of edge forwards. Kikau is probably also ahead of him.

Even a guy like Wade Graham, whilst not providing the physical attacking presence of Fifita, has a more complete game. He's a physical presence as an edge defender and also provides a point of difference in attack as a ball playing edge forward with a kicking game.

Not sure I have Wade Graham ahead of Fifita, but his game is far more rounded than Fifita's.

At the moment Fifita is a physical beast, but his game is just being bigger and faster, which is what he's been doing all his life.

Compare that to SBW when he came into the game. He was an enforcer in defence and had the offload game, but he also had the stock standard physical running on the edge.

At the moment I dont think Fifita runs lines all that well (stands flat in the line (ie. no decoy runs) and often gets it flat footed, wanting to do all his work after getting the ball). He does have an offload and I daresay Titans will look to give him a license to use it this year given they're paying him $1.25m and has to be the focal point of their attack. But his defence is a bit suspect given how physical his attacking game is.

Still has a fair bit to work on before he can be considered the best in the game

In fairness, Fifita has been crueled by only playing 9 games in 2020, but he scored tries in 4 of them. Jason T played 16, in which he scored 2 tries. That's Fifita's value. He also did that in a team that was floundering, and almost always a near solo effort.

Meanwhile, Anthony Milford, our chief playmaker - who'd been given licence to do his own thing - only scored 1 try in 13 games.

 

[Sproj]

In terms of forwards, I’d rank them this way:

1. JT2
2. Kikau
3. Murray, Crichton, Cordner, Frizell when switched on, Saifiti, Tino, Bromwich, Fifita

So I have him top tier but under JT2 and Kikau. He still has a massive upside though does Fifita.

 

[Foordy]

In terms of forwards, I’d rank them this way:

1. JT2
2. Kikau
3. Murray, Crichton, Cordner, Frizell when switched on, Saifiti, Tino, Bromwich, Fifita

So I have him top tier but under JT2 and Kikau. He still has a massive upside though does Fifita.

I'd also have Jake Turbo ahead of Fifita

 

[PNG Broncos fan88]

No player under 20 has done what Fifita has done so far. The other experienced guys mentioned were barely noticed coming through.

Kid attracts at least 3 defenders every carry and has the speed and power to run 50m at full tilt shrugging off defenders and scoring tries.

Has not had a full season recently but once he gets going again, Lolo won't be at the top alone.
Kid is a freak, he'll be the games best player in the next couple of years.

Edit: His 2019 form was sublime, just imagine if he has halves and coach who have any semblance of a game plan with this hulk running amok.

 

[pagey]

He will have a massive target on his back now, this year will be a telling one for him i think.

 

[Fernando]

No player under 20 has done what Fifita has done so far. The other experienced guys mentioned were barely noticed coming through.

Kid attracts at least 3 defenders every carry and has the speed and power to run 50m at full tilt shrugging off defenders and scoring tries.

Has not had a full season recently but once he gets going again, Lolo won't be at the top alone.
Kid is a freak, he'll be the games best player in the next couple of years.

Edit: His 2019 form was sublime, just imagine if he has halves and coach who have any semblance of a game plan with this hulk running amok.

Probably yeah. Funny how we had a Fifita/Sua backrow now we have Glenn and Oates.

 

[Huge]

It's not rocket science really. Young forwards being forced to play too many minutes. It blunts their effectiveness.

When Haas started to play 80 minutes I'm sure I stated it was stupid to use him that way and he was far too young for that level of involvement. I just cannot understand Seeplod doing that to him in the past.

I liked what Kennedy brought to the team last year and now that Haas is sidelined for a few games I'd have Lodge and Flegler(if fit) start us off before Kennedy and Carrigan relieves them. TPJ is wasted in the front row as far as I am concerned but I acknowledge he could do a great job there.

 

[Huge]

It's not sour grapes at all. he certainly has the potential to be the best in the game ... but he isn't there yet. and he may not get there if he just wants to play "comfortable" footy.

one or 2 good runs a game makes good highlight reels ... it doesn't put you in the elite company.

Seriously? Why do you keep the fake news thing going? I mean, when did Fifita ever say he wanted to play comfortable football? Isn't more likely someone else, probably not as articulate as yourself tried unsuccessfully to say Fifita 'wants to be comfortable in his role, comfortable with his decision, comfortable with his surrounds'?

 

[Huge]

I think Foordy is suggesting that Lolo at minimum is ahead of Fifita in terms of best forward in the game.

I have Murray as the next best forward after Lolo.

I'd also have Crichton ahead of Fifita in terms of edge forwards. Kikau is probably also ahead of him.

Even a guy like Wade Graham, whilst not providing the physical attacking presence of Fifita, has a more complete game. He's a physical presence as an edge defender and also provides a point of difference in attack as a ball playing edge forward with a kicking game.

Not sure I have Wade Graham ahead of Fifita, but his game is far more rounded than Fifita's.

At the moment Fifita is a physical beast, but his game is just being bigger and faster, which is what he's been doing all his life.

Compare that to SBW when he came into the game. He was an enforcer in defence and had the offload game, but he also had the stock standard physical running on the edge.

At the moment I dont think Fifita runs lines all that well (stands flat in the line (ie. no decoy runs) and often gets it flat footed, wanting to do all his work after getting the ball). He does have an offload and I daresay Titans will look to give him a license to use it this year given they're paying him $1.25m and has to be the focal point of their attack. But his defence is a bit suspect given how physical his attacking game is.

Still has a fair bit to work on before he can be considered the best in the game

I think you underestimate Holbrook if you believe Fifita will be his 'focal point of attack'. Sure, he'll use him plenty of times but I don't believe Holbrook is that kind of coach. He was working wonders last season especially in the second half of the season without Fifta and the Tits didn't fear anyone.

I just think we has increased his artillery with Fifita who isn't yet the best in the game and certainly doesn't have as well rounded a game as others but is definitely one of the competitions best.

 

[Kimlo]

Fifita wouldn't make my top 10 backrowers in the game. He's a lazy player and a poor defender.

That could all be Seibold though, he made everyone look absolutely awful, only Haas and Carrigan, and to a lesser extent Staggs managed to not look like plodders last year. IRC Fifita did look good but he only really did stuff against low tier teams, once again we were an absolute shit show so it's genuinely difficult to extrapolate player performance from that.

If he steps up his workrate and with good coaching he could be elite. He'll never be worth 1.25M though, as we saw last year he couldn't do shit for our team and a player on that salary should be carrying the team.