Class of 2014

[Big Pete]

Otherwise known as the rookie thread.

To be considered a rookie, per the NRL's definition, a player could have only played three games or less prior to this season. Those players include...

Brisbane Broncos
Jake Granville
Francis Molo*

Canberra Raiders
Matt Allwood
Shannon Boyd
Mitch Cornish
Jeremy Hawkins*
Brenko Lee
Kyle O'Donnell

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Damien Cook
Moses Mybe
Lloyd Perrett
Corey Thompson

Cronulla Sharks
Fa'amanu Brown
David Fifita*
Jacob Gagan
Valentine Holmes
Michael Lichaa
Penani Manumalealii*
Sione Masima*
Pat Politoni
Vitale Roqica
Tupou Sopoaga
Scott Sorensen

Gold Coast Titans
Caleb Binge*
Paul Carter
Tom Kingston
Cody Nelson

Manly Sea Eagles
Tyson Andrews
Clinton Gutherson*
Jayden Hodges*
Jack Littlejohn
Tony Saitini*
Jesse Sene-Lafeo

Melbourne Storm
Mitch Garbutt
Ben Hampton
Kurt Mann
Cameron Munster*
Young Tonumaipea

Newcastle Knights
Adam Clydesdale
Jake Mamo
Josh Mantellato*
Sione Mata'utia
Chanel Mata'utia
Matt Minto*
Joseph Tapine
Paterika Vaivai*

North Queensland Cowboys
John Asiata
Kyle Feldt
Sam Hoare
Ethan Lowe
Curtis Rona
Zac Santo*
Ben Spina*

Parramatta Eels
Kenny Edwards
Bureta Faraimo*
Manu Ma'u
Tepai Moeroa
Pauli Pauli

Penrith Panthers
Bryce Cartwright
Will Smith
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Isaah Yeo

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Kirisome Auva'a
Alex Johnston
Apisai Koroisau
Cameron McInnes
Nathaniel Neale*
Kyle Turner

St George Illawarra Dragons
Craig Garvey*
Shane Pumipi

Sydney Roosters
Brendan Elliott*
Kane Evans
Samisoni Langi*
Nene McDonald
Willis Meehan*

Warriors
David Fusitua
Charlie Gubb
Siliva Havili
Tuimoala Lolohea*
Sam Lousi*
Agnatius Paasi*
John Palavi*

West Tigers
Sitaleki Akauola
Luke Brooks
James Gavet
Jy Hitchcox*
Matt Lodge*
Joel Luani
Mitchell Moses
Kurtis Rowe

* denotes the player's eligibility for next season.

I'll throw this question out there, if you could name a 13 out of these players, who would make that side?

 

[Alec]

Some really promising rookies. Brooks and Carter probably the highlight IMO.

 

[Porthoz]

I'll give it a go:

1- Kyle Feldt
2- Alex Johnston
3- Brenko Lee
4- Kurt Mann
5- Jake Mamo
6- Mitch Cornish
7- Luke Brooks
8- Mitch Garbutt
9- Apisai Koroisau
10- Kane Evans
11- Manu Ma'u
12- Kyle Turner
13- Adam Clydesdale

14- Jake Granville
15- James Gavet
16- Jesse Sene-Lefao
17- Shannon Boyd

 

[Big Pete]

I'd probably go...

1. Alex Johnston
2. Corey Thompson
3. Kirisome Auva'a
4. Kurt Mann
5. Sione Mata'utia
6. Ben Hampton
7. Luke Brooks (c)
8. Jesse Sene-Lafeo
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. James Gavet
11. Kenny Edwards
12. Manu Ma'u
13. Paul Carter

 

[Socnorb]

Nice thread Pete. Mitchell Moses would be in my side. From what I've seen he is going to be very good.

 

[Harry Sack]

I'll give it a go:

1- Kyle Feldt
2- Alex Johnston
3- Brenko Lee
4- Kurt Mann
5- Jake Mamo
6- Mitch Cornish
7- Luke Brooks
8- Mitch Garbutt
9- Apisai Koroisau
10- Kane Evans
11- Manu Ma'u
12- Kyle Turner
13- Adam Clydesdale

14- Jake Granville
15- James Gavet
16- Jesse Sene-Lefao
17- Shannon Boyd

I'd go with this but I'd throw Hampton in for Cornish and Carter in the 13. Would likely be a different case if Sticky wasn't a moron. Luke Keary not eligible @Big Pete ?

 

[Alec]

I seriously haven't been impressed with either Hampton or Cornish.

 

[Ari Gold]

Pete's question was not who the best 13 of them would be, but who I would name. Were I putting a team together, this is what I'd want. Not necessarily the best performing team but the one that I think has the most potential.

1. Alex Johnston
2. Jake Mamo
3. Kirisome Auva'a
4. Curtis Rona
5. Kyle Feldt
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Gavet
9. Apisai Korisau
10. Kane Evans
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Kyle Turner
13. Paul Carter

 

[Unbreakable]

1. Jake Mamo
2. Alex Johnston
3. Kirisome Auva'a
4. Kurt Mann
5. Sione Mata'utia
6. Ben Hampton
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Gavet
9. Apisai Korisau
10. Shannon Boyd
11. Manu Ma'u
12. Kyle Turner
13. Paul Carter (c)

14. Jake Granville
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Kane Evans
17. Jesse Sene-Lafeo

 

[Big Pete]

I'd go with this but I'd throw Hampton in for Cornish and Carter in the 13. Would likely be a different case if Sticky wasn't a moron. Luke Keary not eligible @Big Pete ?

I actually had a look at Keary just incase last night. I thought he may have just gone over the 3 game limit, turns out he played 10 games last year.

The idea of the 13 was entirely up to interpretation. My 13 for instance was based on merit, I may do a potential 13 in a bit.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Pauli Pauli has really impressed me. In fact the 3 eels second rowers all have (Manu Ma'u and Kenny Edwards)

 

[Big Pete]

Round 25 Debutants
Tyler Randell - Newcastle Knights - Hooker - 1992
Asipeli Fine - West Tigers - Centre - 1992
Brendan Santi - West Tigers - Backrow - 1993
Kierran Moseley - Penrith Panthers - Hooker - 1994
Patrice Siolo - Cronulla Sharks - Backrow - 1994

Rookie
Sam Anderson - Penrith Panthers - Prop - 1991

Anderson played 3 games last year, enabling to qualify for the class of 2014.

 

[Big Pete]

My 13 based on potential

1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
2. Alex Johnston
3. Nene McDonald
4. Sione Mata'utia
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Matt Lodge
9. Michael Lichaa
10. Pauli Pauli
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Joseph Tapine

 

[Bucking Beads]

I really like Valentine Holmes. Looks a really good player. Has done well on the wing for the Sharks. I'd be tempted to put him at fullback next season though.