Current forward pack next year

Frank McWilliams said:
Ok we are losing KPP, do we need to chase a replacement 2nd rower when we have McEwen, Manuleleua and ESL, if we don’t use Jones, Croker then why not rotate these three young guys with potential, play them off against each other for a regular right edge position.
Concentrate on getting a prop a weaker position
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Another loss this weekend and we should start doing that from next week... let's start to have a look at what they may offer!
 
jamesgould said:
Raiders are top four atm?
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Being the most open comp in years, like anyone in the 8 could give it a shake.

Wah's are firing on all cylinders.
Can't write off a Bennett team.
Cows are looking really good ATM.

And they are the darkhorses.

Sharks and Storm aren't exactly consistant.

Results say otherwise, but can't see the Dogs maintaining it.

Raiders are as good a chance as any to win it this year!
 
Most sides I look at and think their stuff isn't going to hold up against the Storm in a GF. The Raiders could absolutely bash them out of the contest if they were to make it that far.
 
The clock is ticking for Bellyache to turn Stefano Utoikamanu into the player they paid $800K for. At the moment that is low key one of the worst signings of the season. His baseline is "one of the worst starting props in the NRL" and a good game for him is one where he comes up with a handful of eye catching runs (which their spine will of course capitalise on at a high rate) but is still a bit gross in a lot of effort areas, complete slug who applies zero pressure from marker, lags behind teammates in line speed, etc etc etc. Very un-Melbourne like. By the eye test he's still Tigers Stefano.

If they can get him to turn it on and be that tackle busting wrecking ball three games straight in September/October, I reckon they'll be way too good for everyone else right now and win it in a canter. As it stands they may win the comp anyway of course.

It's definitely somewhat open but my predicted grand final is Storm vs Sharks.

Dogs, I just don't think they have the cattle to maintain the levels Ciraldo demands from them & to get the three wins in finals games.

Raiders, a bit unsophisticated and still have the habit of dishing up 30 mins of absolute dreck sometimes.

Warriors, the numbers would indicate they've benefited from a bit of good fortune & they will regress to the mean.

With Addin Fonua-Blake rounding into form, years of finals seasoning, and years of cohesion in their attack now, I think this is the year when the Sharks are a bit more of a serious customer in the big games. I'm not sure the Dogs would be able to keep them quiet in a big game for the full 80 and I definitely don't think the Raiders will.
 
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Defender1 said:
Another loss this weekend and we should start doing that from next week... let's start to have a look at what they may offer!
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I know we have seen mckewen already, but of the 3 boys in cup . Manulelua, esl, and him i actually think he has the lowest potential, im fine with losing kpp at his pricepoint, i see our backrow as being a position of strength for years to come.
And on your point i dont think we need to rush them into fg to see what theyve got, no need to play any of them before their time for the sake of it imo.
 
Wouldn’t mind something like this:

8. J Saifiti
9. Crossland
10. Frizell
11. Lucas
12. Bullemor
13. Elliott

14. Arthur
15. Jones/Croker
16. Pahulu
17. Kerr/Afoa/S Mitchell

18. Hetherington
19. Manuleleua
20. Bryan
21. McEwen
 
Their best player is a 31 year old prop though & they’re bedding in a young 7 next year. It has to be now & then it’s likely a little while before they can get close again.
 
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