TRIAL 1 - NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V CANTERBURY BULLBOGS 21/2/2022

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Billy said:
If you look at that list as an order of merit after the off season;

Dom Young - very happy to see him in the starting side.
Jirah Momoisea - probably the biggest jump up the order of merit - he missed all last off season but came back in career best form - and it looks like he's smashed this off season.
Pheonix Crossland - clearly has trained well enough to make it hard to leave him out, which will be a headache for the coaches when everyone is fit.
Dylan Lucas - a few good trials and they'll have to give him a contract
Mac Baker - above Hodgson - on his form last year that is fair - he had an amazing year - but he must have kept it up in training.
Dylan Phythian - looks like he trained well enough to be pushing for selection.
Tim Johannsen - Must have trained well to make the list as a 19 year old prop.

Lower than expected;
Tex Hoy - way out of favour
Jacob Saifiti - maybe Klem had an outstanding off season to get back the starting spot
Hymel Hunt - Young must have out trained him
Ben Talty - I'm surprized he isn't in the top 5 or 6 reserves. He was good last year
Leo Thompson - Don't know what I expected from a rookie league player, but barely making the list isn't encouraging.
Jaron Purcell - I'd have liked to see him very close to selection after a good off season, but still only 20.
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I really don’t think that list is in order of merit
 
Just on sasagi I wouldn't be surprised if he was looking for opportunities elsewhere.

He's almost 21 and the club hasn't worked out what position he should be playing. Trying to reinvent himself as a lock when he's never played in the forwards seems a stretch.

And what's his pathway to first grade as a lock? Mann is in front of him, Crossland preferred as a utility as he can play some hooker, and then you've got Barnett who should be lock and might move back there if we sign another edge forward.
 
slotmachine said:
Just on sasagi I wouldn't be surprised if he was looking for opportunities elsewhere.

He's almost 21 and the club hasn't worked out what position he should be playing. Trying to reinvent himself as a lock when he's never played in the forwards seems a stretch.

And what's his pathway to first grade as a lock? Mann is in front of him, Crossland preferred as a utility as he can play some hooker, and then you've got Barnett who should be lock and might move back there if we sign another edge forward.
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If you can’t outplay any of those guys you’re not going to have a lot of options
 
Doesn't look like we are going to hear who is playing in this reserve grade trial.

I'd imagine most of the extended bench below the top 4 or 5 for the firstgrade game will start in the reserve grade game - but others like Camroux, Mapapalangi, Ticehurst, and I'd Imagine most of the Jersey Flegg squad will get some time.
 
Kickitoverhere said:
If you can’t outplay any of those guys you’re not going to have a lot of options
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That assumed O'Brien is making the right selections. Sassagi mightn't be able to 'out play' Mann at lock today, but what might he become in 2 years time? From the glimpses we've seen of him out wide he looks a special athlete.

I'll be blown away if fringe FG nuffies like Tuala are preventing the club from exploring the capacity of its best young talents by middle season. But after all this is O'Brien we're talking about, Mann is the first player selected on the team sheet each week outside of Ponga and Brailey
 
Anyone got their tickets? I bought my tickets from Ticketmaster last Monday and they’re still not ready to be printed yet it stated that it would be available at least three days before the event.
 
What is everyone's expectations from this trial? Looks like we are the only team that is naming a full strength team.

If we get done by the dogs tomorrow night it's going to be really depressing....we don't have depth and it's a big worry.
 
JOJO82 said:
What is everyone's expectations from this trial? Looks like we are the only team that is naming a full strength team.

If we get done by the dogs tomorrow night it's going to be really depressing....we don't have depth and it's a big worry.
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If last year is anything to go by, the top squad will mostly stay out and try out a few combinations till halftime, and then the only ones that keep playing are ones that think they need a run - we'll finish the game with guys we've never heard of in half the positions.
 
JOJO82 said:
What is everyone's expectations from this trial? Looks like we are the only team that is naming a full strength team.

If we get done by the dogs tomorrow night it's going to be really depressing....we don't have depth and it's a big worry.
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Couldn't care less about the score, but it would be nice if they look like they've met each other before and don't drop the ball every set.
 
Billy said:
If last year is anything to go by, the top squad will mostly stay out and try out a few combinations till halftime, and then the only ones that keep playing are ones that think they need a run - we'll finish the game with guys we've never heard of in half the positions.
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I totally expect the top squad to stay out the first half, my concern is if we are copping a belting where do we go. I know it's a trial and doesn't really mean anything come season proper but we look a little light with depth.

Really keen to see how the young guys go in the second half, hopefully we unearth some talent.
 
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Yes it’s just a trial and the result doesn’t matter, but it would be good to see some improvement on last year in terms of attitude and mental toughness, which was very hit and miss last season. I hope Joeys presence can help in that area, although a past champion like Bedsy has been trying his backside off for several years now to try and improve the club culture and pride in the jersey. That is where I will be looking for improvement this year . Yes there is a lack of depth, but in’ 88 Alan McMahon turned a bunch of unknowns and cast offs into a team other clubs hated playing , especially at home. We need to win most home games this year , and turn the stadium back into the fortress it once was
 
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