NRL Squads 2014

[Alec]

That looks pretty good Pete, though I think it won't take long for Vaughan to make the starting side (maybe even round 1). He's one of the best young props coming through IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

Yeah, I should point out that a lot of the sides I'm picking are those I'd have around the early rounds - naturally as the season wears on I hope some of these younger more promising players can dislodge their more experienced players.

Will be interesting to see how Vaughan ends up, I didn't see a whole lot in him in his early days and his form surprised me last year, just a matter of whether he can go on with it and really revel in being a late bloomer. I'd have a few emerging props above him, but he's definitely in the conversation.

 

[Alec]

Dragons

1. Josh Dugan
2. Brett Morris
3. Charley Runciman
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Sam Williams
8. Ben Creagh
9. Mitch Rein
10. Dan Hunt
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Trent Merrin

14. Jack De Belin
15. Jack Stockwell
16. Bronson Harrison
17. Kyle Stanley/Craig Garvey

I reckon it will look something like that, though they've got some very similar players in terms of talent that could swap with some of the benchies (other than De Bellend who looks like he could be a class above).

I like their back line. Dugan is an absolute deadly player at NRL level. Morris and Nightingale are arguably the best winger combo in the comp. Runciman looks like he could be a great centre. Dunno about Beale, I never thought he was particularly great, and he has missed a whole year. They signed Dylan Farrell too, who might replace him.

Their halves are both unproven, though I am a fan of both. Still a huge improvement over last year. I hope Sam Williams gets a real shot, he wasn't great this year, but he really showed that he has what it takes in 2012, especially in the finals series, where it really mattered.

Not a big fan of their forward pack. Rein is a good hooker, but not in the same league as guys like Smith, Farah, Friend etc. (I'd say he's a bit above McCullough's league <.<). Hunt and Creagh are pretty solid, but not outstanding. Joel Thompson is a good signing.
Still, the only player that really stands out is Merrin. De Belin stands out amongst the benchies, and I think he'll be a starter in the near future.

Anyway, because of their pack, I don't think they'll make the 8, but they should be fairly close.

 

[Sproj]

1. Big Coote
2. Feldt Marker
3. Medi Tate
4. Scott Linnett
5. Antonio Winterbanderas
6. Piers Morgan
7. JT
8. Fake Aussie
9. Ray Of Sunshine
10. Great Scott
11. Terrific Sims
12. Dance Hall
13. Towelapolololo

14. Dunno
15. Sims v1.0
16. Michael Bolton
17. ??

 

[Big Pete]

There are a couple of squads heading into 2014 that are sort of fun to play around with and select for, the Dragons are definitely one of them.

Back three and halves pick themselves, everything else is up for grabs, which honestly doesn't bode well for them considering how important the pack is.

I agree with a lot of your selections Alec but I'm not crazy at playing Creagh at prop. I believe Price experimented with the selection part-way through this year when he didn't have any other options and it showed because he isn't cut out for the selection. For the time being, I'd keep him in the backrow alongside Thompson, if he doesn't perform, bench him and consider giving him the tap on the shoulder if things really turn out poorly.

It still leaves the question of who will play prop. There really isn't a good answer but I wouldn't be against giving Merrin that role and bringing de Belin into the starting team to become the defensive workhorse and give the Dragons a bit of resolve through the middle. I still think Trent has more to offer and it also provides the Saints with more impact off the bench with the option of bringing on either Joel Thompson or Tyson Frizzel, pending on who's in better touch.

That Harrison bench spot would be like a game of musical chairs and I'd stick with Garvey. Rein is at his best in limited spurts.

 

[Alec]

Yeah, that's probably the better option. They do really need to sign a quality front rower or even 2 to be potentially a damn good side though. It kind of reminds me of us in 2010 (I think?), where our main 2 were Kenny and Clinton.

 

[Manbush]

.

Backrow is a concern for the Raiders - they have two bright prospects in Papalii & Fensom...and that's it. Patrick Mago is looking like a good prospect on the horizen and I think Bateman will find his way to NRL later down the road, but Sticky can't just throw him in willy nilly like he did with all the Eels players, there needs to be balance.

Bateman would be well down the list due to his age at the moment (turned 18 this year, lol played u20s origin even before he played in the u20s comp) there are other potentials ahead of him in Setu, O'Donnell, Kennedy, 2 Pengai's and Tahakilu, Vaughan and Nichols started as back rowers as well so they're options in a worst case scenario, Brenko is probably destined for the back row but 2014 would be too early.

 

[Big Pete]

I was just talking about all the NYC talent coming through and I don't think the Pangai brothers will end up as backrows IF they hit first grade.

 

[Big Pete]

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote
2. Wayne Ulugia
3. Brent Tate
4. Kane Linnett
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Michael Morgan
8. Mat Scott
9. Cameron King
10. James Tamou
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Tariq Sims
13. Joel Rithmuller

14. Ray Thompson
15. Scott Bolton
16. Ashton Sims
17. Jason Taumalolo

Will be interesting to see how Coote goes from fullback. At one point, one of the more lethal players in the competition, his career hit a tailspin when he was diagnosed with osteitis pubis, which is this extremely painful groin condition which really hampers athletes. Maybe the Cowboys move may afford him a new lease on life, but it's going to be difficult on the team as they relied a lot on Bowen basically being a second five eigth, Coote's experience in that position may come into play but I don't think he offers what Mango did. If all else fails, they have Santo who was head and shoulders the Cows best prospect coming through NYC and could be a reasonable option.

Feldt or Ulugia...I went with the latter because I think the Cowboys need to throw a bit of caution to the wind and bring a speedster into the side. It's a flip of the coin stuff, but ideally Ulugia.

Morgan > Lui because I just don't know if Lui has what it takes at the end of the day and has too much baggage. He might settle down but I think Morgan is around the same point in his career and his form towards the end of 2012 impressed me more than anything Lui has offered.

Time is slipping away from King but he could really make a name for himself up north. He was rated one of, if not THE best prospect to arrive out of the Dragons and injury has just crueled him at bad times and it's put his development back big time. As long as he can find consistensy, he'll be better than the likes of Moore or Kostjasyn.

Speaking of injuries, T. Sims has had no luck these past couple of years. If he can keep fit, he'll make a huge difference and really give the Cows some thrust on the right. Coops went backwards in 2013 and his remarkable 2012 may just be that, but I'd give him first chance given how good his combo with JT is.

Riethmuller locks the scrum to provide some defensive balance and basically due to a lack of a better option.

Taumalolo was the only benchy I'm satisfied with. The other three would get my first preference, but they wouldn't get a free pass. Ashton Sims in particular really needs a rocket.

 

[Broncoman]

My top Cowboys team for 2014

1: Lachlan Coote
2: Wayne Ulugia
3: Brent Tate
4: Kane Linnett
5: Antonio Winterstein
6: Jonathen Thurston (Captain)
7: Robert Lui
8: Matt Scott
9: Rory Kostjasyn
10: James Tamou
11: Tariq Sims
12: Gavin Cooper
13: Joel Reithmuller

14: Tariq Sims
15: Jason Taumalolo
16: Ashton Sims
17: Scott Bolten

The Cowboys would have to be the most frustrating team in the competition to go for they have plenty of talent and potential but rarely live up to it.

Backline - The signing of Lachlan Coote is a good one as Coote is a very capable fullback and can fill the hole left by the departure of favourite son Matty Bowen. The retirement of Ash Graham is easily dealt with. Ulugia mad a firing start to his career last year scoring 6 tries in 4 games while averaging 115 meters per game. The centre, other wing and five-eighth are easily served and in place. Imo when Robert Lui is focused he can add to the team and prove good value and I think he should get the halfback spot. Luckily for North Queensland if he goes down they have Mitch Morgan as a backup

Forwards - Like Matt Bowen in the backs the retirement of Dallas Johnson leaves a hole but it's filled with the emergence of Joel Reithmuller who I thought showed a lot of promise last year. The front-row pairing of Tamou and Scott is world class and is the heart and soul of the Cowboys forwards. The Tamou/Scott pairing last year was the only prop pairing that contributed 3000 running meters and 500 tackles. Don't rate the second rowers and hooker that highly but the signing of King gives them depth in one of the most important positions on the field.

Bench - Any bench with Tariq Sims and Jason Taumololo coming of is a force to be reckoned with. 2 lethal weapons coming out against a tiring defence is a challenge for any side.

Where I think they'll finish - The Cowboys do have plenty of talent but I don't think there is a lot of depth in the team in some departments and if Thurston, Coote, Lui, Tate or front rowers go down they can get themselves into some deep trouble. Paul Green did coach Wynnum Manly to 2 straight QLD cup titles and coached the Roosters under 20's to a semi-final appearance but whether how well he can handle the big league is to be asked but his experience will help indefinitely. They only won 5 games away from Townsville and need to improve on that if they are to be considered a legit comp heavyweight. I think the Cowboys will finish around 5-9th but if they miss the finals it will be a failure no matter what happens.

 

[Big Pete]

What do you see in Glenn Hall, Bman?

 

[Broncoman]

Not very much but they need someone who can fill in the position and it's best for any squad to remain as similar as possible to the squad the previous year. I thought of putting T-Sims/Taumololo as starters but they are gun players to have on the bench and one should remain there.

*Just moved T-Sims from the bench to the starting side

 

[Alec]

2 Tariqs would be great to have, but it's also kinda cheating.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Not very much but they need someone who can fill in the position and it's best for any squad to remain as similar as possible to the squad the previous year. I thought of putting T-Sims/Taumololo as starters but they are gun players to have on the bench and one should remain there.

*Just moved T-Sims from the bench to the starting side

It's about time Taumololo stood up to take hold of his NRL career, otherwise he'll only be remembered as Dave Taylor MKII.

 

[Sproj]

2 Tariqs would be great to have, but it's also kinda cheating.

Its The Prestige coming true!!

 

[rhino]

:takdir:

 

[Sproj]

The Ex-Broncos team:

1. Boyd
2. Tuquiri
3. Tate
4. Inglis (close enough ;p)
5. Winterstein
6. Hunt
7. Wallace
8. Anderson
9. Ballin
10. TLL
11. Taylor
12. TSims
13. Lui

fair starting side with a gun back line.

Someone do an ex-Melbourne or ex-Parra one.

 

[Cult]

4. Inglis (close enough ;p)

Swap inglis for Beale and Lui for Ashley Harrison.