PRE-SEASON CHALLENGE R2 - KNIGHTS V STORM - 1.45 Sat 24th - Churchill Park, Fiji

BTP said:
One-watched game last night and R. Jones through a few real hospital passes from dummy half, so his still working on nailing that and he broke the play down in attack by running wrong way. I was all for him at 14 but after re-watching if we use Cogger for 10-15mins each side that’ll be fine.

Brailey has 3 weeks to get Hamstring right for round 1. If it is he’s number 14 without a doubt.
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Thank you for saying that about Jones, I thought I was going mental when everyone was selecting him for round 1 and I was remembering those passes. I thought it might have been someone else sneaking in to dummy half, so I had another look. Some of his passes missed the mark by a long way. Others were OK. His best moment was about 5 to go in the first half when the sharks dummy half looked like he would go through and Jones came across and scythed him down. Not writing him off, but his service needs to be a lot better.
 
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Owey said:
Thank you for saying that about Jones, I thought I was going mental when everyone was selecting him for round 1 and I was remembering those passes. I thought it might have been someone else sneaking in to dummy half, so I had another look. Some of his passes missed the mark by a long way. Others were OK. His best moment was about 5 to go in the first half when the sharks dummy half looked like he would go through and Jones came across and scythed him down. Not writing him off, but his service needs to be a lot better.
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Good being able to have a re-watch of the game, see plenty that you miss in a live watch. He's undoubtedly a great talent and I only said yesterday i'd have him as 14 if Brailey out. But those few errors showed he still needs some work, but will get a go this yr I reckon. Cogs just might be a solid bet for 20mins and probably deserved for good pre-season. But having him press in CUP in 7 is only way we'll see if he should jump Gamble at any time.
 
Cogger at 14, he’s going straight into the halves when he comes on. I doubt anywhere else. And interchange with Gamble or Gamble slots in at hooker or 13. Elliott, can also slot in hooker.
 
Yeah don't think people need to stress about what happens if someone in a certain position goes down, plenty of versatility across the park to cover any and every position if needed.

Croker had a head knock last week, i dare say its just a precautionary rest for him.

Interesting to have so many outside backs from 18-27, looks to me that the winger spot is still up for grabs. You don't carry Jenkins, Armstrong & Moceidreke (3 wingers) if that wing spot is locked in for Tuala, still anyone's jersey at this rate.
 
mozza said:
Nice to to have depth. Cant remember the last time we had decent cover for pretty much every position if ever?
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Definitely feels different. I thought out of the fresh faces in the squad, Sharpe, Cartwright, Cogger, Armstrong, Pryce, R Jones, Su'a all put their hands up for either breaking into the NRL side, or getting a game at some point. Feels like our success this year completely hangs on the likes of Ponga/Hastings etc. staying fit, but it makes you feel a little better knowing there are capable guys in the outer squad that are trying to break the door in.
 
I always find it crazy how they switch the halves in rugby union around the 60 minute mark. I guess a halfback in union is more like a hooker in league, but they often swap the first five as well.

I think Cogger is on the bench here because it’s a trial and AOB wants to see all his options, I doubt we’d carry a half on the bench in round one.
 
Les Misérables said:
Hit and spin, offload. Rinse and repeat. Had good leg drive too. Big upper body, athletic. I can see why the club has persisted with him.

He's next prop up should there be any injuries, he'll get his shot.
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I’m optimistic that, over the next few years, we’re finally gonna see the fruits of all the work we’ve been told the club has been doing to reinforce the stocks of young forwards coming through. Since the Saifiti twins it’s literally just been Leo who’s come through for us and looked like he belongs at this level. But a few of the kids who played on the weekend looked better than forwards we’ve cycled through previously, and Bryan/Martin are supposed to be the best of the lot and they didn’t even play.

Adam Elliott has been a good signing and Hetherington should be a bit better this year, but it’s frustrating that we need to give fair pay checks to middle tier experienced forwards at other clubs to get a worthwhile pack together. Certain other clubs always seem to have a better and deeper set of young prospects.
 
I'd wager, in the next two years we'll have the likes of (in the forwards only) Sua, Cant, Bryan, McEwen, Hilliar, Hopwood pushing 1st grade forwards for an opportunity. If they keep on the trajectory they are on I think we'll have some explosive and talented forwards on the fringes happy to stay with a successful club.
 
I was actually pretty surprised at how well Cant played. Interesting style. Heaps of potential there to be a seriously good backrow. Nearly every carry he'd manage to beat an effective tackle from the defenders and poke a nose through. That's the stuff of offloads, great ruck speed-quick PLBs, tries close to the line etc.

He looked like a centre playing 1 man further in. Beau Scott like, without the extreme violence in defence. Man I loved that player
 
He looks like there’s a player there. What his position is is hard to say (that sort of slaloming through defenders and hitting your front is great at lock, that’s the Murray/Cotter style but you’ve got to be a tough little ****) but I would be happy seeing him in the top 30.
 
The more I think about it I’m starting to lean towards a Hastings Cogger halves. I love Gamble and what he’s brought to the team. But you can’t deny I think the superior kicking game with Cogger. I think that’s one thing we have lacked is a very good kicker. It’s so important in the game.

Gamble will still get a run over the year weather 14 or though injury he’s one of the first picked.
 
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