2023 Preseason thread.

Sporting News says this is the predicted rd 1 side
1. Bailey Hodgson

2. Greg Marzhew

3. Bradman Best

4. Dane Gagai

5. Dom Young

6. Kalyn Ponga

7. Jackson Hastings

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Jayden Brailey

10. Daniel Saifiti

11. Tyson Frizell

12. Brodie Jones

13. Adam Elliott

14. Tyson Gamble

15. Leo Thompson

16. Jack Johns

17. Jack Hetherington
 
Les Misérables said:
Under normal circumstances Hodgson probably wouldn't start at fullback. But let's be honest, if we don't get Miller, it's either Hodgson or Gagai.

It may be the case that Gagai is still the better choice. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Hodgson get a run all considered
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My hope is, whoever starts at fullback, Hodgo starts the season in reggies and is so consistent over at least ten weeks without getting hurt, that it is a no brainer that he becomes the first grade custodian.
 
The recent training pics show a reduced squad.
It doesn't really show how many dropped back, but I think I see Rugless, Riley Jones, Mapapalangi, Vea'ila and I'm surprized to see Miles Martin still there.
They are probably keeping Martin in to get him ready for the future, being a unique sort of player and one I think we probably had to spend big to lure. Really mobile big forwards don't grow on trees.
 
Billy said:
The recent training pics show a reduced squad.
It doesn't really show how many dropped back, but I think I see Rugless, Riley Jones, Mapapalangi, Vea'ila and I'm surprized to see Miles Martin still there.
They are probably keeping Martin in to get him ready for the future, being a unique sort of player and one I think we probably had to spend big to lure. Really mobile big forwards don't grow on trees.
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So who is Miles Martin? That’s a new name to me.
 
Tomacles said:
So who is Miles Martin? That’s a new name to me.
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He's a kid from Bathurst who has been at Parramatta from a very young age, but joined us to play Ball in 2022. He played lock in most games of Ball and had an impressive try scoring record, including 4 tries in round 3 v Souths. He made the city under 18s rep side alongside Ferguson and Sharpe and had a decent game. He made several games of Flegg during the season, but they overlooked the 17 year old for some 21 year olds in the finals.
He is a 6'5" or 6'6" middle forward with a blonde mullet and is nicknamed sunshine. The big guy has a unique skillset in that he is fast and mobile and can step his way through the defensive line.
This photo of the latest training has Brad Best in the foreground and Miles Martin in the background.
dsc09962.jpg
 
Les Misérables said:
Billy - who would you say Miles Martin most resembles as a player and what sort of a player might he be for us in a couple years?
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I try not to do that, even though it seems a good shortcut.
When I say some 17 year old plays like X immortal, 3 years later I get 50 posts about how I claimed he was the next immortal.

But I think the big mobile lock forwards doing well recently are the guys they are trying to find a potential clone for. He would have to learn a lot of ball skills to get there, and keep his speed and step.
 
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Les Misérables said:
Billy - who would you say Miles Martin most resembles as a player and what sort of a player might he be for us in a couple years?
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He’s so young. Be u fair to put a “type” on him. He blew SG away in a few games, but was relatively quiet in Flegg. If he gets 1st grade preseasons under him for next two years that’ll help him heaps.

Think I read he’s secured at development contract already? That right @Billy ?
 
BTP said:
Think I read he’s secured at development contract already? That right @Billy ?
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He's not on this years list but I suspect we had to give him one for maybe 2024 as part of the package to get him here. He was already highly rated at Parra I think it was.
 
Billy said:
He's a kid from Bathurst who has been at Parramatta from a very young age, but joined us to play Ball in 2022. He played lock in most games of Ball and had an impressive try scoring record, including 4 tries in round 3 v Souths. He made the city under 18s rep side alongside Ferguson and Sharpe and had a decent game. He made several games of Flegg during the season, but they overlooked the 17 year old for some 21 year olds in the finals.
He is a 6'5" or 6'6" middle forward with a blonde mullet and is nicknamed sunshine. The big guy has a unique skillset in that he is fast and mobile and can step his way through the defensive line.
This photo of the latest training has Brad Best in the foreground and Miles Martin in the background.
dsc09962.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks, very informative!
 
Fantasy dollar value list.
If Ponga plays 26 games he'll be the buy of the year.
Jake Saifiti looks good value.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

NRL Fantasy prices revealed for 2023 season

For all of our Fantasy fanatics getting ready for the new season, the NRL has dropped the initial prices for the 2023 campaign.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au
 
Billy said:
Fantasy dollar value list.
If Ponga plays 26 games he'll be the buy of the year.
Jake Saifiti looks good value.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

NRL Fantasy prices revealed for 2023 season

For all of our Fantasy fanatics getting ready for the new season, the NRL has dropped the initial prices for the 2023 campaign.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au
Click to expand...
I wouldn't be going near Ponga with the position change, I would want to see how he adjusts first. Saf's could both be decent pick ups with extra minutes up for grabs with Klem moving on.
 
OnTilt said:
I wouldn't be going near Ponga with the position change, I would want to see how he adjusts first. Saf's could both be decent pick ups with extra minutes up for grabs with Klem moving on.
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I'm not so sure. He's very good value for a guy of his talent who will now be touching the ball twice as often as last year..
 
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