Santa
State of Origin Rep
- Jun 30, 2020
- 6,846
- 12,675
Roosters practising their dodgey wrestling techniques...
Scorchie
NRL Captain
Contributor
- Mar 16, 2008
- 4,183
- 5,204
To be fair I don't recall many of us having an issue with it at the time. Hoffman was meant to be the next big thing, Vidot had some good touches and Barba was meant to be a star. Hunt was clearly coming good and Reed looked good.
Copley probably the only question mark at the time...
Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,044
- 33,061
There weren't many people that were fans of Hoffman at that time. He wasn't wanted in the spine, mainly due to the fact that he was a one trick pony and there was a lot of dislike about Hook caving to his demands for a spine spot. We all wanted him on the wing where he proved to be a really good finisher.
Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,053
- 25,574
The biggest issue with the backline was Jack Reed on the wing. Reed was not a popular figure on the forum and fans were not happy to see the compromise - they wanted young Kahu on the wing.
Interestingly, I don't remember too many members pushing for Oates on the wing. Huge was the most vocal member and time proved him right.
Copley was actually relatively popular at the time. He was in career best form and many thought he had found his position in the centres. I still recall making the point that a Copley highlights reel would look more impressive than a Reed, only for Freaky to blow my spot.
Yeah, fans were not happy about having Hoffman in the spine, especially when he started posing with Bulldogs players at the World Cup when he was still contracted with the club. In hindsight, fans should have been happy to let him go. Still, Hoffman didn't last long at fullback and they eventually relented to Hodges who in an ideal world, would have been the fullback post Hunt, but his body couldn't handle it.
Barba also sticks out. He really struggled at the Broncos and had it been anyone else he would have been public enemy #1. However, 2012 bought him a lot of patience and I think 2016 ultimately redeemed that patience, and called into question the Boyd vs. Barba argument that was prevalent at the time.
Ten years, it certainly flies by.
Interestingly, I don't remember too many members pushing for Oates on the wing. Huge was the most vocal member and time proved him right.
Copley was actually relatively popular at the time. He was in career best form and many thought he had found his position in the centres. I still recall making the point that a Copley highlights reel would look more impressive than a Reed, only for Freaky to blow my spot.
Yeah, fans were not happy about having Hoffman in the spine, especially when he started posing with Bulldogs players at the World Cup when he was still contracted with the club. In hindsight, fans should have been happy to let him go. Still, Hoffman didn't last long at fullback and they eventually relented to Hodges who in an ideal world, would have been the fullback post Hunt, but his body couldn't handle it.
Barba also sticks out. He really struggled at the Broncos and had it been anyone else he would have been public enemy #1. However, 2012 bought him a lot of patience and I think 2016 ultimately redeemed that patience, and called into question the Boyd vs. Barba argument that was prevalent at the time.
Ten years, it certainly flies by.
Fitzy
NRL Captain
- Sep 10, 2018
- 4,122
- 5,830
Dobbo reporting Willison isn’t in the 17. That will piss me off big time. I will be so pissed if Kev picks Baker and Taupau over him. That’s a bog average selection decision if true. BOG AVERAGE.
Battler
State of Origin Rep
- Dec 4, 2013
- 7,118
- 6,951
Taupau deserve it on form. Baker, on the other hand, shouldn't be in the 17.
Trill Harrigan
QCup Player
- Apr 18, 2021
- 364
- 691
more biblical onanism talk from you this year please
hope everyone is well and looking fwd to this wknd
god bless us all
trill harrigan
Manofoneway
NRL Player
- May 22, 2022
- 2,182
- 5,195
Think Kevy has earned the right to pick whatever team he wants. Regardless of how they played in a trial.
GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
- 22,211
- 20,528
Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,044
- 33,061
Considering the occasion, Kevvie is probably favoring experience over youth. Taupau has done his job when selected.
Swordfish
QCup Player
- Aug 24, 2022
- 961
- 1,814
Is Dobbo already in LA? Not sure if the media folks would travel this early at CH9 expense. If they allowed him to travel this early, boy, he must be coming up(spewing) with a lot of b.s they’re able to sell quickly.
Anyways, my team for Vegas is
Backs:
Walsh
Arthurs
Oates
Staggs
Middles:
Mam
Adam
Piakura
Riki
Walters
Jensen
Haas
Patty
Interchange:
Smoothy
Koby
Tapau
Willison
To me, I didn’t see anything in the trail that Baker played warrants a place on the bench. Willison & Tapau looked dangerous and so they deserve their spots in 17. Kev is the man to decide though.
Sproj
Immortal
Senior Staff
- Sep 6, 2013
- 54,912
- 67,112
You going in with 16 men is bold. I too think we handle the Roosters comfortably and like the fact you want to try to level the playing field somewhat.
Swordfish
QCup Player
- Aug 24, 2022
- 961
- 1,814
. 
Galah
State of Origin Rep
- Mar 28, 2019
- 7,101
- 11,544
I would have willison over baker, he came through the ranks, let baker fight with Marty.
GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
- 22,211
- 20,528
Sproj
Immortal
Senior Staff
- Sep 6, 2013
- 54,912
- 67,112
That close up of the finger in the eye:
Scorchie
NRL Captain
Contributor
- Mar 16, 2008
- 4,183
- 5,204
I just can't imagine this - how close to a catastrophe was this?!
Bish
QCup Player
- May 11, 2023
- 635
- 1,826
And he played on didn’t he?
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