2016 Strongest Line-Up

[dtmtrano]

I think it's fair to say that we should all move on from the disheartening defeat. Pondering and contemplating about it will do us no good. It's gonna be a long offseason but we can start by optimistically picturing out our strongest lineup. This how I believe it should unfold, considering we won't sign anyone big (or rather the fact that we don't really need to).

1. Boyd
2. Reed (slight defensive woes and I think being 28ish he won't be as dynamic as Copley in attack)
3. Copley
4. Kahu
5. Maranta (could go for Carlin Anderson for goal kicking options but I think hes quite overrated especially watching him in the State Championship... Or even we can opt for Vidot (lol) or Marmin Barba. Another option is to place Jordan drew or even Whitchurch as he can too go thru the same process as Oates.

6. Milford
7. Hunt
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Blair
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker
14. Oates
15. Thaiday
16. Gavet
17. Nikorima

Reserves:
Wallace
Ofahenguae

Hopefully you guys believe so too and I would like to see your picks so please share some thoughts.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

1. Boyd
2. Anderson
3. Reed
4. Copley
5. Kahu
6. Milf
7. Hunt
8. McGuire
9. McC
10. Blair
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. Nikorima
15. Joe O
16. Wallace
17. Gavet

The side essentially picks itself

 

[Sproj]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Oates doesn't get in? He's one of the first picked for me.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Also missing Thaiday.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Well spotted. I was rattled last night.

1. Boyd
2. Anderson/Copley
3. Reed < I am leaning towards Bennett throwing Reed a bone next year just for his defensive abilities, so I don't think Copley to centre will be on the cards.
4. Kahu
5. Oates
6. Milf
7. Hunt
8. McGuire
9. McC
10. Blair
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. Nikorima
15. Joe O
16. Wallace
17. Gavet/Thaiday <This one will be interesting to watch play out because Gavet is going to be up against it unseating Thaiday and I don't know if he will like being a perpetual reserve gradist. You could easily argue Gavet unseats Joe O as well but I think Joe O showed enough in the late part of this season that he has a lot to offer, so don't be surprised if he is well in the frame come the trials in Wayne's eyes.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

1. Boyd
2. Maranta
3. Reed
4. Kahu
5. Anderson
6. Milford
7. Hunt (c)
8. McGuire
9. McCullough
10. Blair
11. Glenn
12. Gillett
13. Parker

14. Nikorima
15. Thaiday
16. Wallace
17. Gavet

I love Oates, but I think we need specialist wingers next season, he played admirably all year, but the added pressure he puts us under with his lack of ability under the bomb and lack of quickness in defence is too much, we'll be a much more reliable team with Maranta on the left wing, not to mention the Reed & Maranta combination was probably our single best try scoring combination all season.

I also love Ofahengaue, and he's improved a lot since his debut, I think Ofa & Oates will both benefit ENORMOUSLY from playing big minutes in ISC, Ofa at Prop, Oates in the Second-Row. (I wouldn't be against Ofa getting the start over Gavet if he has a better pre-season)

 

[LittleDavey]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

The most exciting thing about next year for me, is that potentially the closest competitors are fading...

Cows are all a year older, and we can beat them and beat them well. We should have put them to the sword lastnight. They hold no fears for me, especially with the revenge factor.

Roosters losing Maloney and RTS will be hurting big time. They'll still be thereabouts (Hastings is a gun) but won't be the same.

Souths are gone. Manly are gone without Foran (they kept the wrong playmaker :laugh: Idiots!).

Storm will be thereabouts, especially with that Munster kid, **** me dead he's going to be a superstar - but Smith and Cronk were well down on their best this year and age has to be catching up to some extent.

Warriors have the potential to be VERY good. Shaun partnered with Luke and RTS, with their big bodies as well....they could well be electric. Consistency will be key for them, as always. If they can be consistent, they can easily make top 4 for mine.

Sharks are on the up. Panthers I think are also on the up, they were cruelled with injury this year. Eels are also putting together a very handy side and I expect them to be in the 8 next year also.

Bulldogs could be around again, although might struggle with the reduced interchange.

Raiders could lift again and I expect them to make the 8, they should have got there this year and can certainly shake it up - they had some very impressive games this year (their demolition of the Tits was amazing to watch).


What I'm saying, is that we are possibly going to be hot favourites from the start of the year. And probably deservedly so. Barring bad luck and injury, I see no reason we can't wipe the comp clean next year. Lastnight sucked, and I'm hurting bad today (even worse than losing Origins, wtf)....but we are on the verge of another dynasty.

Like the Roosters loss made our finals run - lastnight will be the catalyst for a remarkable 2016.

 

[Sproj]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Also missing Thaiday.

Meh.

 

[Sproj]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

It will be us v Panthers v Warriors next year.

 

[talanoa]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

watch this space for some late signings to be made. will update asap.
Wayne is concerned about the depth coming through so he is looking at the moment to sure this up.

 

[theshed]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Theres no point really speculating on a line up already because we all know the off season is full of surprises.

What I will say about 2016 though is, how exciting will it be watching Milford play with one more years experience under his belt. The kid is 21, in his first GF (first finals series??), in a position he's only played consistently for 1 year.

I think he played enormously last night. He was looking dangerous all night, his defensive effort was huge, and his errors were minimum for him. I was very impressed by his composure and with the way he was playing, and the confidence he was showing, I was expecting him to sink a goldpoint fuild goal. Though it wasnt to be.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

watch this space for some late signings to be made. will update asap.
Wayne is concerned about the depth coming through so he is looking at the moment to sure this up.

Any positions specifically? I'd say we could use another serviceable prop or 2, and maybe another centre and winger for depth.

 

[Sproj]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Well I'm guessing Hurrell may not be out of the realms of possibility.

 

[broncos4life]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

watch this space for some late signings to be made. will update asap.
Wayne is concerned about the depth coming through so he is looking at the moment to sure this up.

Thanks mate

Do you know what kind of positions he is concerned about?

 

[talanoa]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Any positions specifically? I'd say we could use another serviceable prop or 2, and maybe another centre and winger for depth.

front row is definitely one of the areas, and also the halves is the other. under milford and hunt there is absolutely nothing coming through and good cover is needed in case of injury to hunt or milford.

 

[theshed]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Marty Taupau has reportedly asked for a release. That would be awesome, though probably next to impossible with our cap.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Well we'll probably need a half for the first 3-4 weeks next season, depending on how hard Hunt gets hit with that spear tackle. I'd be fine with us signing someone like Patrick Templeman from Wynuum, he's a solid back-up half and fullback for how cheap he'd come.

 

[MrTickyM]

Re: Looking Ahead to 2016

Hunt will miss a few trial games, it's not an 8 week spear tackle. Do the world club challenge games get included in a suspension?