- Mar 4, 2008
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from all the reports i've seen, his pretty much locked in as their 6
2023 Predicted Line-Ups
- Thread starter Big Pete
- Start date
from all the reports i've seen, his pretty much locked in as their 6
- Jun 13, 2019
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falling into the trap thinking 6 is more important then 1 in the modern game.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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- Thread starter
- #39
Not at all, if anything I hope this thread doesn't get too bogged down in Broncos discussion.
I can see them chopping and changing throughout. It really depends on whether Nicoll-Klokstad is done and whether TMM has another gear in him. He was good for the Broncos when they needed a replacement, but as he showed towards the end of his stint he is limited in the role. They also have Luke Metcalf as an option and Tuaupiki who was the best fullback in QCup if they upgrade him from a T&T deal.
The only thing Webster has confirmed so far is that Barnett & Niukore will be in the backrow. Walker will also be the 14 and will likely shift to the centres as a back-up option.
Also no word on Curran's status as he faces another hearing on February 1st after he was charged with assault.
- Jun 13, 2019
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I think TMMs effect at the end was limited alot by Staggs drop off which he was one of the best players to take advantage of using Cobbo, given his lack of actual playing time there I see a proper player that could be a genuine late bloomer.
It takes a proper strong mentality of a person to come back from the hand he was dealt with, and anything I have learned watching professional sports it's that type of player that just keeps getting better.
- Jun 13, 2019
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I don't think it's the best idea, Warriors have a huge problem with signing Aussie based players that will inevitably leave, I said it when they signed Walsh I knew 100% at the time that he wouldn't stay long because no Aussie ever does.
Covid really ruined the clubs chances of Gus rebuilding their youth model to make a proper system.
- Mar 4, 2008
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- 41,901
could be a bit different if that player is of Polynesian heritage
- Jun 13, 2019
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Only if they have Family in the country, Fiji isn't Polynesian though but he might have close family in the country no idea, that said Walsh is half Māori on his mums side and that didn't change his situation.
We are talking about kids here though that are starting their careers it's a huge ask.
- Mar 4, 2008
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- 41,901
Walsh is a little bit different because his child was living in Australia.
- Jun 13, 2019
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That was probably a by product of the fact he was living in QLD because of Warriors not going back to NZ in covid times, but I don't recall many Aussie players staying there long term anyway, It's a pretty huge commitment.
The nature of a first grade player is someone tight with their family as they are usually the ones that drives their career, you take it away and they can feel lost especially at a young age.
theshed
Just a Game
- Aug 28, 2010
- 15,618
- 36,378
I think there are a number of updates you may want to consider:
Titans: Marzhew has signed with the nights
Knights: by all reports Ponga will start the season at 6. Miller likely at 1
Dragons: Amone must be no chance of playing
Dolphins: in my personal opinion Isaako will get first crack at a wing (probably in place of Bostock who is only on a dev deal).Wayne will know this Dolphins team will struggle for points and Isaako’s goal kicking will be valuable.
Tigers: Klemmer and Stains
Broncos: obviously Martin once official
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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I think you're right about the Dolphins, I know the Bostock selection was influenced by my belief that the Dolphins need to blood as many players as possible to get that mixture right. I wasn't necessarily basing the lists on what I expected to see Round 1, in fact, the only gimmick is that I couldn't use external sources.
It was self-indulgent but it was also to encourage others to chime in with suggestions.
With the Titans, Knights, Dragons, Tigers, Dolphins - what positions do you have locked in come 1?
I'd be curious to see some 17s, especially with trials only two weeks away to see what positions are up for grabs.
theshed
Just a Game
- Aug 28, 2010
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The most interesting to me is the Dolphins. There are a few players locked in but the majority of the squad are journeymen or young players. I won’t question Wayne’s ability to make the pieces fit for one season while they blood young guys and finally score a marquee or two in time for 2024.
That being said, outside of the guys who are locked in the rest of the squad is entirely up for grabs and it will depend on what Wayne thinks is best. I personally think Wane is fairly risk adverse and will try to squeeze as much out of the journeymen as he can rather than rely too heavily on youth. They have picked up quite a few handy young players (though truth be told I’m not super familiar with all of them) but as I said I think the Isaakos and Lees of the squad will get first look in.
Locked in:
JMK, the Bromwichs, Kafusi, Aitkin, Gilbert, Hamiso, Nicholls
likely:
Milford, Nikorima, Sos, Edrick Lee, Brenko Lee, , Wallace,
Your line up is pretty spot I would say but I’ll make the following prediction:
1. Tabuai-Fidow 2. E Lee 3. B Lee 4. Aitken 5. Isaako 6. Milford 7. O’Sullivan 8. J Bromwich 9. Marshall-King 10. Nicholls 11. Kaufusi 12. K Bromwich 13. Gilbert
14. Nikorima 15. Wallace 16. Ese Ese 17. Lemuelu
It’s not a bad team now I look at it, considering they had 1 year to throw it together. There are less inspiring rosters in the comp, that’s for sure
- Sep 6, 2013
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In terms of first 17s, it would be interesting to do a power ranking purely on paper. I'd imagine it is something like:
Top Tier
1. Penrith
2. Sydney
3. North Queensland
Much of a Muchness
4. Cronulla
5. Melbourne
6. South Sydney
7. Parramatta
8. Brisbane
9. Canterbury
10. Wests
11. Canberra
12. St George
Also Rans
13. Newcastle
14. Gold Coast
15. The
16. Manly
17. New Zealand
Top Tier
1. Penrith
2. Sydney
3. North Queensland
Much of a Muchness
4. Cronulla
5. Melbourne
6. South Sydney
7. Parramatta
8. Brisbane
9. Canterbury
10. Wests
11. Canberra
12. St George
Also Rans
13. Newcastle
14. Gold Coast
15. The
16. Manly
17. New Zealand
- Sep 6, 2013
- 56,884
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I think I'm most interested in Wests and Canterbury this season, they've bought well. I also wonder what Bankstown will do with their fullback position. Now Crichton is confirmed for '24 and there is no way Penrith will let him go early and rightly so, what do they do. Will their current fullback hang around? Likely so I guess as who else will want him but I'm going to plug Turuva again, I'd love him at the Broncs but that won't happen, so if I were the Dogs, I'd be asking for a one year loan deal and give him his shot.
- Aug 25, 2018
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Not wanting to piss on your optimism - and I'm sure we're capable of pulling one out of the hat - but purely on paper?
Melbourne v Brisbane spines:
1. Papenhuyzen v Walsh
6. Munster v Mam
7. Hughes v Reynolds
9. Grant v Walters
In fairness, we can match or challenge them everywhere else.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
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See, I'm not so sure about that. Yes, once Bennett has settled on a 17 he loathes to change it and he's very deliberate about when and how he'll blood his younger players. However when it comes to that Round 1 team, he's not afraid to go left field, especially on the wing. I mean how many Broncos seasons began with a Steve Irwin, Leon Bott, Darius Boyd, Reece Robinson, Greg Eden, Tautau Moga etc. coming from virtually nowhere to grab a spot in the backline?
Then of course there was Karmichael Hunt and Kerrod Walters who were two of his most surprising selections.
So I'm curious to see who that bolter will be. Whether it's Te Whare or if they upgrade one of their development players early. It's not like they don't have the space in the top squad, they still have 3 spots that need to be filled. My guess is that one of those 3 players will be in the Round 1 team.
