2020 Top 30 Squad

The way Dureau, Kostjasyn and Todd Lowrie have moved players to different positions to try out their skill sets over the last few years should be very useful for Obi next year if he wants to be flexible with our style of play.
Best and To'a have both played every number from 1 to 5 and don't seem to have a preferred position.
Sasagi has played everywhere - all the spine positions - most of the backline, and a bit of lock.
Tex Hoy has played every number from 1 to 7. He plays some better than others, but can do it all.
Beau Fermor can play centre or second row on either side of the field.
Chris Randall can play any spine position.
Watson, Sione and Mann can also play 3 or 4 positions.
Crossland, Lino and Searle can all play 6 or 7 equally well.

The new coach will have a lot of flexibility to move players around if he chooses, or he could decide to find the best position for each of those players and be more structured.
 
I wonder if those lower grade coaches moved player about under instructions from Brown re his thing for players covering multi positions rather than those that specialised.
 
Frank McWilliams said:
I wonder if those lower grade coaches moved player about under instructions from Brown re his thing for players covering multi positions rather than those that specialised.
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I don't know if it was Brown or someone like Pezet or Canavan, or just a group decision, but clearly our lower grades haven't been focused on winning games for the last few years as much as they have been focused on developing individual players. We used 16 under 20s players in reserve grade this year, which made it hard for both under 20s and reserve grade to win games, but gave a lot of young guys good experience. Guys get moved to many different positions to see how they go.
 
Billy said:
I don't know if it was Brown or someone like Pezet or Canavan, or just a group decision, but clearly our lower grades haven't been focused on winning games for the last few years as much as they have been focused on developing individual players. We used 16 under 20s players in reserve grade this year, which made it hard for both under 20s and reserve grade to win games, but gave a lot of young guys good experience. Guys get moved to many different positions to see how they go.
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Winning comps in lower grades is always a good indication things are going well, but to me the ultimate yardstick is how many guys are on a course to first grade. Our development seems on a good track at the moment even though results were seemingly underwhelming.

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https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/...stone-as-knights-roster-all-but-done/?cs=7580
-Obrien to start at the Knights in the next few weeks.
-The top 30 squad is almost complete with only 3 vacancies currently, Could go up to 5 with Levi and Gavett expected to leave in the off season.
-Brodie Jones has been re-signed for atleast one more year.
-Crossland, Toa and Best promoted to top 30.
-Matt Croker, Luke Huth, and Tex Hoy will be 3 of the 6 development players.
-Knights are not looking to sign many players, An outside back is on their list but it won't be rushed because they need to free up some funds first.
-Doesn't look like their will be many recruits for 2020.
 
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krustykraz said:
https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/...stone-as-knights-roster-all-but-done/?cs=7580
-Obrien to start at the Knights in the next few weeks.
-The top 30 squad is almost complete with only 3 vacancies currently, Could go up to 5 with Levi and Gavett expected to leave in the off season.
-Crossland, Toa and Best promoted to top 30.
-Matt Croker, Luke Huth, and Tex Hoy will be 3 of the 6 development players.
-Knights are not looking to sign many players, An outside back is on their list but it won't be rushed because they need to free up some funds first.
-Doesn't look like their will be many recruits for 2020.
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I assume this article is speculation, Coach to start in next few weeks but someone has promoted 3 to top 30.
Nothing wrong from my opinion with that decision they are good young players. Vacancies allow us to sign up some providing cap available. Even if lose Levi and Gavet may not free up much.
 
Frank McWilliams said:
I assume this article is speculation, Coach to start in next few weeks but someone has promoted 3 to top 30.
Nothing wrong from my opinion with that decision they are good young players. Vacancies allow us to sign up some providing cap available. Even if lose Levi and Gavet may not free up much.
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I think Obi has already been making decisions.
 
If we are signing an outside back we should be looking at someone who doesn't miss games.
SKD was our most durable back - never missed a game - while Moga, Toa, Best, Lee and even Ponga are week to week propositions. We need someone who gets on the field every week more than we need another strike weapon.
 
Matt Croker and Brandon Russell must have been neck and neck for that development spot.
They are completely different players, but both are middle forwards with big motors and a high workrate - just Croker is a smart and skilful prop with good vision and offloads, try assists etc, while Russell is a human wrecking ball who might not even know how to pass for all I've seen.
Both can put in 60 or even 80 minutes at under 20s level and have been known to run 200 metres at that level. Both are too old for under 20s now.
 
So top 30 squad

1 Bradman Best
2 Star Toa
3 Pheonix Crossland
4 Brodie Jones
5 Connor Watson
6 Kalyn Ponga
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 Tautau Moga
9 Edrick Lee
10 Mason Lino
11 Hymel Hunt
12 Kurt Mann
13 Aiden Guerra
14 Daniel Saifiti
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Herman Eseése
17 Josh King
18 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
19 Mitch Barnett
20 Sione Mataútia
21 Tim Glasby
22 David Klemmer
23 Pasami Saulo
24 Jayden Brailey
25
26
27
28
29
30

Development contracts
Matt Croker
Beau Fermor? (might be in the top squad, off contract or continue on development contract)
Luke Huth
Simi Sasagi? (might be top squad or development contract)
Chris Randall? (might be top squad or off contract)
Jirah Momoisea? (might be top squad or development contract.
Tex Hoy


Not Known
Danny Levi
James Gavet
 
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What positions are most up for grabs? I think second row, lock and wing

I’d like to see toa start but unsure if he’s ready for a full season
 
Billy said:
So top 30 squad

1 Bradman Best
2 Star Toa
3 Pheonix Crossland
4 Brodie Jones
5 Connor Watson
6 Kalyn Ponga
7 Mitchell Pearce
8 Tautau Moga
9 Edrick Lee
10 Mason Lino
11 Hymel Hunt
12 Kurt Mann
13 Aiden Guerra
14 Daniel Saifiti
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Herman Eseése
17 Josh King
18 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
19 Mitch Barnett
20 Sione Mataútia
21 Tim Glasby
22 David Klemmer
23 Pasami Saulo
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Development contracts
Matt Croker
Beau Fermor? (might be in the top squad, off contract or continue on development contract)
Luke Huth
Simi Sasagi? (might be top squad or development contract)
Chris Randall? (might be top squad or off contract)
Jirah Momoisea? (might be top squad or development contract.
Tex Hoy


Not Known
Danny Levi
James Gavet
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Add Brailey and there should be one more. Maybe Fermor is in the 30.
 
Fullback - Ponga, Watson, Mann, Best, Toa, Hoy
Wing - Hunt, Lee, Hoy, Best, Toa
Centre - Hunt, Best, Toa, Moga, Sione
5/8 - Lino, Watson, Mann, Crossland, Sasagi, Hoy
half - Pearce, Lino, Crossland
Prop - Klemmer, DSaf, JSaf, Glasby, Eseese, King, Saulo, Momoisea, Croker
Hooker - Brailey, Watson, Randall, Huth
second row - Fitz, Barnett, Sione, Guerra, Fermor, Jones
lock - Glasby, Guerra, Eseese Jones, Sione

Hooker looks our weakest position if Levi is leaving
 
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Billy said:
Fullback - Ponga, Watson, Mann, Best, Toa, Hoy
Wing - Hunt, Lee, Hoy, Best, Toa
Centre - Hunt, Best, Toa, Moga, Sione
5/8 - Lino, Watson, Mann, Crossland, Sasagi, Hoy
half - Pearce, Lino, Crossland
Prop - Klemmer, DSaf, JSaf, Glasby, Eseese, King, Saulo, Momoisea, Croker
Hooker - Brailey, Watson, Randall, Huth
second row - Fitz, Barnett, Sione, Guerra, Fermor, Jones
lock - Glasby, Guerra, Eseese Jones, Sione

Hooker looks our weakest position if Levi is leaving
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Is that in any order of what you would choose billy. Like if ponga went down you’d chose Watson over hoy, toa etc
 
Agree back row is weakest position but they only need the spine to play well. Think some variety with front row would be great.
 
Rob said:
Is that in any order of what you would choose billy. Like if ponga went down you’d chose Watson over hoy, toa etc
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Probably where I see them in those positions on 2019 form, but I expect a lot of changes after 3 months of pre season.
Hoy is last at fullback because they have said he is not in the top 30 - just a development contract.
 
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Hooker
we have a young guy who looks good but doesn't seem to have 80 minutes in him at this stage
an injury prone guy who has gone pretty well in his 10 or so lifetime games at hooker

no one else in the top 30
Randall was our best hooker in reserve grade and warmed up with the firstgrade team in the last 3 or 4 games, so I suspect he is going to be top 30, but no firstgrade experience.

Huth - very skilled dummy half but a little guy who needs at least a year in reserve grade to prove he can tackle seniors.

In short - 1 injury and we are looking to debut someone. 2 injuries and we are probably asking Kurt Mann if he fancies playing hooker again.
 
Rob said:
Agree back row is weakest position but they only need the spine to play well. Think some variety with front row would be great.
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I'd still love Matterson to provide some strike, but, as you say, if we don't get him, a bit more danger inside (5/8) and outside (Best? Toa?) Barnett and Fitz with structures provided by Obi will make those guys a whole lot more dangerous. A bit of an offloader wouldn't hurt.

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Billy said:
Hooker
we have a young guy who looks good but doesn't seem to have 80 minutes in him at this stage
an injury prone guy who has gone pretty well in his 10 or so lifetime games at hooker

no one else in the top 30
Randall was our best hooker in reserve grade and warmed up with the firstgrade team in the last 3 or 4 games, so I suspect he is going to be top 30, but no firstgrade experience.

Huth - very skilled dummy half but a little guy who needs at least a year in reserve grade to prove he can tackle seniors.

In short - 1 injury and we are looking to debut someone. 2 injuries and we are probably asking Kurt Mann if he fancies playing hooker again.
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We have Levi and Brailey, Who have 80 and 70 games each in nrl

not sure what you’re getting as we have Watson as well and Mann at a stretch
 
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