Round 1 Team

slotmachine said:
Having watched the trial still think this is the side, although klem might start and fitz could be in trouble.
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Yeah I think Klem deserves his starting spot back, he was really good towards the back end of last year and looks to have carried that into this year with a strong trial performance.
 
Yeah after trial 1:

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dom Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Adam Clune

13. Kurt Mann
12. Mitchell Barnett
11. Tyson Frizell
10. Daniel Saifiti
9. Chris Randall
8. David Klemmer

14. Simi Sasagi (I know he didn’t play but wasn’t convinced Phoenix should take this spot)
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Jirah Momoisea
17. Brodie Jones
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Yeah after trial 1:

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dom Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Adam Clune

13. Kurt Mann
12. Mitchell Barnett
11. Tyson Frizell
10. Daniel Saifiti
9. Chris Randall
8. David Klemmer

14. Simi Sasagi (I know he didn’t play but wasn’t convinced Phoenix should take this spot)
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Jirah Momoisea
17. Brodie Jones
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I find it very hard to argue with this line up.
 
Depends how Eddie is travelling, but have definitely had Enari mentally pencilled in as the first drop replacement for positions 2-5.
 
Just saying it's highly unlikely a bloke who isn't fit enough to play in either trial and doesn't have a deal yet will be playing in round 1.
 
If Tuala plays any round then I hope it is left wing and only left wing, was fair to middling at centre but very strong at left wing especially those last series of games. Of course with injuries he might have to.
 
Post-trials, nothing has really changed.

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Enari Tuala
3. Bradman Best
4. Dane Gagai
5. Dom Young
6. Jake Clifford
7. Adam Clune
8. David Klemmer
9. Chris Randall
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Kurt Mann

14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
17. Jirah Momoisea

Fitzgibbon played pretty well today and ditto Barnett at prop but I think Barnett will be on the edge for round 1.
Klemmer earned the start though I'd back Jacob to win it back before too long.
It's a shame Sasagi didn't get a chance to show what he can do as I think Crossland is a bit of a wasted bench spot, especially if the plan is for Randall to play 80.
Thompson earning a top 30 contract and pushing for #17 is the only other change I can maybe see happening. Momoisea didn't do much to stake his claim.
 
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Enari Tuala
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Dom Young
6. Jake Clifford
7. Adam Clune
8. David Klemmer
9. Chris Randall
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Kurt Mann
Reserves
14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
17. Brodie Jones
18th man: Leo Thompson

Thompson for mine has really pushed his case for round 1 selection. Not sure what Brodie's issue is but if he's not right I'd have no issue with Thompson on the bench. Sausao Sue will be an interesting one to keep an eye on when his suspension ends. He was consistent and better than advertised last year so will push for that bench spot. It will be himself, Jones or Thompson.
I think Simi is a better for the 14 jersey but his status is unknown at this stage with injury or why he hasn't played trials.
Finally, it will be really interesting to see who gets the wing spots when Hymel returns. I was inpressed with Young, he looks fitter and has a strong carry. Tuala is very skillful and a good finisher. So AOB has a decision to make.
 
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TheBatman said:
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Enari Tuala
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Dom Young
6. Jake Clifford
7. Adam Clune
8. David Klemmer
9. Chris Randall
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Kurt Mann
Reserves
14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
17. Brodie Jones
18th man: Leo Thompson

Thompson for mine has really pushed his case for round 1 selection. Not sure what Brodie's issue is but if he's not right I'd have no issue with Thompson on the bench. Sausao Sue will be an interesting one to keep an eye on when his suspension ends. He was consistent and better than advertised last year so will push for that bench spot. It will be himself, Jones or Thompson.
I think Simi is a better for the 14 jersey but his status is unknown at this stage with injury or why he hasn't played trials.
Finally, it will be really interesting to see who gets the wing spots when Hymel returns. I was inpressed with Young, he looks fitter and has a strong carry. Tuala is very skillful and a good finisher. So AOB has a decision to make.
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Thompson can't play... unless his contract is upgraded.

Jones should be right week 1 or 2.
 
Thompson wasn't as impressive against a better side in Melbourne as he was against the dogs, but he still went alright, he is probably a year away from really demanding selection I think but if we need to play him It wouldn't be the worst.
 
1-7, Ponga, Tuala, Gagai, Best, Hunt, Clifford, Clune (assuming Lee not ready and Hunt fit otherwise Young)
8-13 Dan, Randall, Klem, Momoisea, Frizell, Barnett (Klem deserves start as does Barnett at his best position)
14-17 Mann, JSaf, Saulo, Fitz (Mann is better cover 1-7, Saulo until Sue available, Fitz until Jones is ok)
Just missed Crossland, 7 in reserves, Sasagi play some reserves in a position, Croker could soon be bench player.
 
Crossland has proved he can handle hooker in the trials.
In the first trial he was trying to do too much with mixing up the passes and keeping the defence guessing, but they clearly told him to cut down on that for the second trial, and I thought he got the mix right. He still did a few runs, switched the play a few times and did some very good kicks from dummy half, but mostly he concentrated on getting the ball to the right runner.
It wouldn't surprize me if him and Randall end up playing 50/50 at hooker and lock - both are capable of playing both positions.
 
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