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Teams named for trials.

The following players not playing in any grade,

Kiraz, Montoya, Dykes, Woods, Young, Todd, Latu, DSF.

Thompson playing All Stars.

In spite of 9 players not being available we have named some good sides and a couple of forwards must have gone close to making the NRL.
 
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The last 2 seasons we have run out of steam after SOO and the run into the finals.

We need to bank wins before SOO, them have the depth to rest and rehab players after SOO.

Ideally the team at the back end of the season includes a few guys that got a chance late in the season, and were too good to drop.And the majoity of our key players close to 100% fit and healthy.

This season we have the depth and Cirro needs to use it smartly.

Running out of steam 3 seasons in a row would be extremely bad squad management.
 
Hi SAQ
Ok first half, pleased to see Sua doing well.

Burto hamstring is hopefully just a niggle.

We should start resting key players 10 mins into the second half.

Players to rest are Critter, Galvin, Xerri, Kiks, Hayward?, Tracey.
 
We looked great with Galvin and Burton combing. Found plenty of space on the left. O’Sullivan added some variety but I want to see more of what Galvin and Burton can do together. Hope they get a long run injury free this year.

Very impressed with the teams defensive effort. Almost everybody did very well. Newcastle were terrible and certainly didn’t give us much of a challenge. But our defence will get us to the finals. Maybe all the way to a GF.

I really like our left side with Critta. Hope that stays that way. Maybe even put Kiraz on that side too. Gives Burton such an easy job. Just pass early or run.

Galvin on the left running to the line putting Preston and Xeri into gaps is ideal. Our attack might really go to the next level.

Add O’Sullivan to give us that more traditional style late in the game should help. Can’t wait to add Woods.
 
I think Critta playing on the left side was to help young Sua.

I was happy with tbe no try decision for the Knights try. If they start allowing obstructions becuase a defensive player is off side, it is a real can om worms.

This week confirmed my week 1 suspicon that tne Knights and Dragons were ordinary in week 1.

We also know trails count fo4 nothing NRL week 1.

Hopefully Burto and Thompson are right for Vegas.

O'Sullivan seems to be as good as Sexton on better.

I think Hayward went ok in the trial and is probably on less money than Marhoney wanted. The Cowa were prepared to pay good money for a hooker. Nothing personal from eithet side, just business.
 
Beretta said:
how long is burton out for?
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We don't know, 0-4 weeks.

If guys like Burton and Thompson miss Vegas, they are almost certain to be right for round 2.

So far, I haven't been overly impressed with the Dragona, but our games against the Cows and Knights are not much of a yardstick.

If the club thinks that we can win in Vegas without Burton and Thompson, i would leave them at home.

A long distance flignt can complicate injury recovery and some fresh troops for round 2 mignt be handy.

Our pack would need to stand up to the Dragons pack without Thompson - King, Hughes, Hayes, Toups, Curran and AJ can get the job done.

O'Sullivian can get the job done in the halves, add a hooker to the bench and shift Hayward if there are injury/HIA issues. Fitzgibbon can cover centre and 5/8.
 
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Hounddog said:
I think Critta playing on the left side was to help young Sua.

I was happy with tbe no try decision for the Knights try. If they start allowing obstructions becuase a defensive player is off side, it is a real can om worms.

This week confirmed my week 1 suspicon that tne Knights and Dragons were ordinary in week 1.

We also know trails count fo4 nothing NRL week 1.

Hopefully Burto and Thompson are right for Vegas.

O'Sullivan seems to be as good as Sexton on better.

I think Hayward went ok in the trial and is probably on less money than Marhoney wanted. The Cowa were prepared to pay good money for a hooker. Nothing personal from eithet side, just business.
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Agree O'Sullivan looks like a good buy . Has a bit of initiative in him . Galvin went ok but just seems predictable with his passes .. He did take the line few times which was good . He is still very young .
Should get there .
 
Cirro has officaly announced the following playeys going to Vegas.

21. Hughes
22. Sua
23. AJ
24. Cocherane
25. Readon
26. Toy

It will ge a great experience for these guys and they are all likely to play
NRL this year.
 
We can take a pretty good guess at the other 20 players.

1. Tracey
2 Kiraz
3. Citter
4. Xerri.
5 Montoya
6. Burton
7. Galvin
8. King
9. Hayward
10 Thompson
11 Kiks
12 Preston
13. Salmon

14. Turpin
15. Mann
16. Hayes
17. Toups.

18. O'Sullivan
19. Tuala.

20. Curran.
 
If we are at full strenght, and Woods was fit he might be 18.

And if Latu was fit, he might be 20.

I see Curran not making the 6 man bench.

IMO Turpin and Salmon are playing to shore up the defence, and Turpin might start to dial up the defensive intensity.

I have changed by opinion on Salmon, he is the best option for 13 for now.

If they are fit enough Kiraz and Montoya will play, otherwise Sua and Toy are in the mix.

We need to handle the large Dragon team on a narrow ground, it should be a tight low scoring game at least for 60 mins.
 
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Rest of the squad.

26. Woods
27. Latu
28. Rinakama
29. Todd
30. DFS
31. Matamua
32. Spinks.
33. Fitzgibbon
34. Baker.
35. GCKT
36. Young
37. Roque
28. Zyron.
39. Underhill
40. Teaupa
41. Dykes
42. Hopoi

Hopefully we are not going to need to use 42 players, but all 42 could do a job at NRL level.

I accidentally left Dykes and Hopoi out, that is how good our depth is.

IMO Hopoi playing 13 in the trial was no accident.

Hopoi, Matamua, Latu and Todd are candidates to replace Mann.
 
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If i repeated the exercise for all NRL clubs, most clubs have a strong 42 man squad.

Some clubs have a stronger top 17, but the Dogs top 30 has to be in tne top 4-5. Our coaching, fitness and cohesion hopefully makes us a top 4 team.

But i don't think fans can assume any NRL gsme is going to be easy.

The Titians and Tigers are examples of clubs with a dangerous amount of talent.

So far, i have some questions about the quality of the Newcastle squad, but it is early days. Most other clubs seem to have the talent and might be hard to beat on their day.

Our depth should mean that we are never easy to beat.
 
Thompson now out until round 10, Hughes is the best available replacement or Curran if we want more work rate.

This is why depth is important...
 
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