Pick Kevvie's round one team with odds

[Scorchie]

I was super happy Kobe got a start. Another year in QCup wouldn’t hurt tho - same with Riki and TC.

Maybe rotate the three

 

[theshed]

Something that has been on my mind is the lock position and specifically Kobe Hetherington. Kevie seemed set on having either flegler or carrigan in at lock and Kobe only really got his shot by defualt. We were down on troops due to suspension and injuries and he kinda just fell into the position.

He ended up doing a really good job in lock and by the end became one of the real finds of the season for us and one of my favourite players. Put on some good hits and really cuts guys in half, works hard and can ball play to an extent. He's probably not a big meter eater but the glue that holds the pack together. The type of mid range player who doesnt cost a fortune but contributes quite a bit.

I'm interested to see where kevie rates him amongst a fully fit 30 man squad. I feel like he either starts at lock or he's left out all together.

I like the way he's been developed too. Didnt debut until he was 22 but he didn't shit the bed like many of the guys who were blooded early.

Going to be interested to see where he fits into the squad this season

To Kev’s credit I think he rates him highly. The club gave him broncos rookie of the year in a season that saw Cobbo and Robati announce their arrival. Plus he has talked him up a few times in interviews and said something to the effect of turning him into “our version victor radley” - ie an aggressive ball playing lock.

So Kev definitely sees a big future for Hetherington at lock, it’s just whether or not Kev sees his time as now or if he’ll be slowly introduced

 

[M.B.88]

To Kev’s credit I think he rates him highly. The club gave him broncos rookie of the year in a season that saw Cobbo and Robati announce their arrival. Plus he has talked him up a few times in interviews and said something to the effect of turning him into “our version victor radley” - ie an aggressive ball playing lock.

So Kev definitely sees a big future for Hetherington at lock, it’s just whether or not Kev sees his time as now or if he’ll be slowly introduced

Not just Kev, but Ikin too based on his comments late last year. I think he even brought him up rather than being asked about him? Mentioned how much he like his style and that he is like a Radley type of player I think he said?

Most of the time those sort of statements come from a collective attitude towards a player, it's positioning, marketing to the fans almost. No chance he's said that out of his own personal opinion rather than that's what's been a consensus from roster meetings

 

[1910]

Something that has been on my mind is the lock position and specifically Kobe Hetherington. Kevie seemed set on having either flegler or carrigan in at lock and Kobe only really got his shot by defualt. We were down on troops due to suspension and injuries and he kinda just fell into the position.

He ended up doing a really good job in lock and by the end became one of the real finds of the season for us and one of my favourite players. Put on some good hits and really cuts guys in half, works hard and can ball play to an extent. He's probably not a big meter eater but the glue that holds the pack together. The type of mid range player who doesnt cost a fortune but contributes quite a bit.

I'm interested to see where kevie rates him amongst a fully fit 30 man squad. I feel like he either starts at lock or he's left out all together.

I like the way he's been developed too. Didnt debut until he was 22 but he didn't shit the bed like many of the guys who were blooded early.

Going to be interested to see where he fits into the squad this season

Hetherington was terrific, his attitude was and is great. He's played at Norths in ISC and Colts and then Souths and Valleys trying to get a run and never dropped his bundle- his dad and the fact he's had to work so hard are two things in his corner.

He started the last season so well for Souths and had to play NRL. The ball bounces for him because he puts himself there for it- He scored five tries in seven ISC games just reading the situation and being there.

He will develop into one of those players that you just find a spot for in the team. He will do the work and he's the type of player Kevvie loves- blue collar and honest.

Zac has gone back to the Dogs and I thought he was worth a development deal too. He's very similar in every way.

 

[Sproj]

I feel like the squad has so much better balance now:

X-Factor:
Staggs, Cobbo, Haas to an extent, Mam potentially though of course not yet, Niu at times - Obviously still lacking here at present but the kids progressing should result in having more of these guys in the future, Staggs is really the only bankable one at present and of course Haas but to a lesser extent

A-Grade:
Reynolds - there are only really three or four genuine halfbacks of a high quality in the entire game and we have one of the very best, Capewell, Haas, Staggs, obviously a number of the kids with potential to get here but they aren't yet

B-Grade:
Carrigan, Oates, Lee (probably pretty generous here), Farnworth, Flegler (A grade potential)

C-Grade:
Niu (probably C+ but his horrid defense brings him down here), James (more B grade if injury free), Jensen, Pereira, Riki (likely B-grade by end of season), Turpin, Paix (hopefully at B-grade at some point this season), Robati (massive potential), Kennedy (C- depending on which version of him is on the field), Hetherington (this is no slight in him, he's a defensive hitman and we need that so much, he's got a lot more in his kitbag too), Gamble (A grade in pestness), Walters, Kelly, etc

Journeymen with the ability to be above pay grade if they are at their best:
James, Jensen, Lee, Kennedy to an extent, Kelly, Walters - much better than previous seasons as we've had only unready kids or overpaid prima donnas

Kids with Upside:
Farnworth, Niu, Cobbo, Mariner, Piakura, Riki, Robati, Paix, Mam, Mozer, Willison, etc (don't want to name the younger ones as the Roosters will poach them)

The squad still isn't quite there yet but the balance looks so much better overall this year.

 

[M.B.88]

Hmm. . Tyson Gamble has been over playing his hand a bit at training in his limited opportunities just not himself as the pressure to win that 6 jersey continues to plague his mind and defer his natural game

 

[theshed]

Hmm. . Tyson Gamble has been over playing his hand a bit at training in his limited opportunities just not himself as the pressure to win that 6 jersey continues to plague his mind and defer his natural game

Stop willing Billy Walters into existence please

 

[M.B.88]

Stop willing Billy Walters into existence please

He did get a run with Kelly though

 

[I bleed Maroon]

1. Beta
2. Sigma
3. Delta
4. Bravo
5. Foxtrot
6. Omega
7. Alpha (c)
8. Omicron
9. Starscream
10. Optimus Prime
11. Ironhide
12. Ratchet
13. Bumblebee

 

[turkeysnow]

He might light it up! He could be the perfect little trickster Sam Walker type that combines well with Adam's style.

However.

I love Gamble as a player. If he doesn't get the 6 first up, and we don't have a spot in that starting lineup, I'd love to see him sign on at the Dolphins (his home) and we get to see more of him in the NRL.

He's a top quality player in waiting, he just needs more time at the top

I think Gamble could be the perfect 14 for us if Billy gets the nod at 6. He is that bigger body and has so much energy. I feel he would fit well into that lock role from the bench when Hethero has a spell. We have Haas/Carrigan and Fleg (If he finds debut season form from bench) who can play decent min, throw in one of TC/Palasia/Kennedy/James and that rounds out our middles. Hethero could fill back in in the middle if injury or edge, capwell can cover centre, Billy can cover 9, Gamble 6. It could mean we carry a paix as well, who can spell Turpin or even push turpin into lock to just defend, but still give us that spark out of hok.

So what I am suggesting is:
6. Billy (can cover 9 if needed but 6)
9. Turpin
10. Carrigan (Fleg brings more impact from bench)
13. Hetherington

14. Gamble (6/13)
15. Fleg
16. James/TC/Palasia/Kennedy/Riki (only if pikaku ends up taking the edge spot)
17. Paix

 

[M.B.88]

I think Gamble could be the perfect 14 for us if Billy gets the nod at 6. He is that bigger body and has so much energy. I feel he would fit well into that lock role from the bench when Hethero has a spell. We have Haas/Carrigan and Fleg (If he finds debut season form from bench) who can play decent min, throw in one of TC/Palasia/Kennedy/James and that rounds out our middles. Hethero could fill back in in the middle if injury or edge, capwell can cover centre, Billy can cover 9, Gamble 6. It could mean we carry a paix as well, who can spell Turpin or even push turpin into lock to just defend, but still give us that spark out of hok.

So what I am suggesting is:
6. Billy (can cover 9 if needed but 6)
9. Turpin
10. Carrigan (Fleg brings more impact from bench)
13. Hetherington

14. Gamble (6/13)
15. Fleg
16. James/TC/Palasia/Kennedy/Riki (only if pikaku ends up taking the edge spot)
17. Paix

I'm into this...

However it leaves us pretty light in genuine forwards if we get any injuries / hia

 

[McHunt]

I think Gamble could be the perfect 14 for us if Billy gets the nod at 6. He is that bigger body and has so much energy. I feel he would fit well into that lock role from the bench when Hethero has a spell. We have Haas/Carrigan and Fleg (If he finds debut season form from bench) who can play decent min, throw in one of TC/Palasia/Kennedy/James and that rounds out our middles. Hethero could fill back in in the middle if injury or edge, capwell can cover centre, Billy can cover 9, Gamble 6. It could mean we carry a paix as well, who can spell Turpin or even push turpin into lock to just defend, but still give us that spark out of hok.

So what I am suggesting is:
6. Billy (can cover 9 if needed but 6)
9. Turpin
10. Carrigan (Fleg brings more impact from bench)
13. Hetherington

14. Gamble (6/13)
15. Fleg
16. James/TC/Palasia/Kennedy/Riki (only if pikaku ends up taking the edge spot)
17. Paix

Gamble or Paix, not both. In which case, Gamble in a heartbeat. Flegler is suspended week one.

 

[Big Del]

I think Gamble could be the perfect 14 for us if Billy gets the nod at 6. He is that bigger body and has so much energy. I feel he would fit well into that lock role from the bench when Hethero has a spell. We have Haas/Carrigan and Fleg (If he finds debut season form from bench) who can play decent min, throw in one of TC/Palasia/Kennedy/James and that rounds out our middles. Hethero could fill back in in the middle if injury or edge, capwell can cover centre, Billy can cover 9, Gamble 6. It could mean we carry a paix as well, who can spell Turpin or even push turpin into lock to just defend, but still give us that spark out of hok.

So what I am suggesting is:
6. Billy (can cover 9 if needed but 6)
9. Turpin
10. Carrigan (Fleg brings more impact from bench)
13. Hetherington

14. Gamble (6/13)
15. Fleg
16. James/TC/Palasia/Kennedy/Riki (only if pikaku ends up taking the edge spot)
17. Paix

Can Gamble tackle and stop front rowers on our line ?
That will be the tell . He has the ball skills and timing to play lock but can he tackle like a lock ?

 

[turkeysnow]

That would be the thing developing that defence in the middle, maybe a little more size. But his energy is needed. Then I would say Paix or Turpin.

I know Fleg is out rd 1, but I feel his energy and impact best from the bench. Carrigan more of a plodder, good meters but no real aggression or impact.

So bench of:

14. Gamble (6/lock)
15. Fleg
16. TC/Jensen/Palasia/James
17. Kennedy/TC/Palasia/James/Jensen

 

[HarryAllan7]

I would still love to see Gamble as a hybrid 13 / bench forward and hope it's being seriously explored.

He would thrive with his big frame as a ball-playing middle - either as a starter or as an impact sub and would add another dimension to our attack / another kicking option (which is never a bad thing).

He's also so versatile - like a Michael Morgan style 14 - could cover lock, second row (at a pinch), halves, centres (if desperate) and probably even hooker (again, if desperate).

A link 13 who can facilitate attack in the centre of the field and link halves on both sides is so essential in today's game and we have a player in the perfect mould.

 

[BroncsFan]

I would still love to see Gamble as a hybrid 13 / bench forward and hope it's being seriously explored.

He would thrive with his big frame as a ball-playing middle - either as a starter or as an impact sub and would add another dimension to our attack / another kicking option (which is never a bad thing).

He's also so versatile - like a Michael Morgan style 14 - could cover lock, second row (at a pinch), halves, centres (if desperate) and probably even hooker (again, if desperate).

A link 13 who can facilitate attack in the centre of the field and link halves on both sides is so essential in today's game and we have a player in the perfect mould.

I dont disagree with any of that, but I would just flag that we no longer need a link man in the 13 jersey.

Reynolds is a first receiver halfback and we shouldn't be adding extra passes in there that would crowd him.

Get him the ball straight off the ruck (like he's been doing for souths) and let him create the space for the outside men... which is what his greatest strength is (outside of kicking)

 

[theshed]

I dont disagree with any of that, but I would just flag that we no longer need a link man in the 13 jersey.

Reynolds is a first receiver halfback and we shouldn't be adding extra passes in there that would crowd him.

Get him the ball straight off the ruck (like he's been doing for souths) and let him create the space for the outside men... which is what his greatest strength is (outside of kicking)

Murray plays that role at south’s, and also Benji when he’d come off the bench.

I can see Gamble doing alright in a similar role to what Benji did last year. The issue is we don’t have the luxury of an 80 minute hooker like south’s and therefor don’t have a bench spot to burn.

 

[theshed]

I would still love to see Gamble as a hybrid 13 / bench forward and hope it's being seriously explored.

He would thrive with his big frame as a ball-playing middle - either as a starter or as an impact sub and would add another dimension to our attack / another kicking option (which is never a bad thing).

He's also so versatile - like a Michael Morgan style 14 - could cover lock, second row (at a pinch), halves, centres (if desperate) and probably even hooker (again, if desperate).

A link 13 who can facilitate attack in the centre of the field and link halves on both sides is so essential in today's game and we have a player in the perfect mould.

For what it’s worth, Gamble said in an interview in October that Kev was planning on making him also train at “fullback and lock” over this pre-season. So going off that comment it has definitely been considered - however if the fullback thing is true it also shows that Kev is space cadet.

Gamble made some other comment about how he doesn’t know how he’d go making 30 tackles a game because he’s only used to making about 8.