2019 Season. What young players will make an impact?

Was thinking it was getting boring on here (typical off season missing league blues).
I would love to know which young players people think will step up this year and get some solid game time. We have lewis retiring, Graham injuried to start the year and a few outside backs moving on.

Forwards:
I personally think these 2 guys will be seeing a lot more game time next year.
Braden Ulele: Young big and skillfull, i wouldn't be surprised if he got a bench spot early on in the year.
Jack Williams: Was looking good before his injury. I think he will be a regular throughout the year.

Outside Backs:
Bronson Xerri: A lot of expectations on him, but he is my smokey to start the year and get our rookie of the year award.
Katoa will most likely get some more time, but i will say i was a bit dissapointed with him, didnt think he offered much.
Isaac Lume Lume: He is another outside back I think will get some game time.


Spine:
Blake Brailey and Flanagan I would expect to both get some game time in 2019

What do you guys think?

outside backs: lumelume and xerri

forwards: josh carr & uele

spine: trindall

Brailey and xerri in 2019

Flanno jr Trindall, lumelume and Carr in Newtown 2019, but depends on form and work from training, give them a rub at first grade

I’m expecting more of the same for players that have debuted. JBrailey, Flanagan, Williams, etc.

Brailey to continue being his rough nut self, racking up the tackles and providing steady service.
Flanagan will be lucky to see firsts barring injury, not expecting him to make an impact with that game time.
Williams could prove to be a solid bench option, still growing and doesn’t look shook when on the field, could be one to watch.
Katoa could be anything at this stage. Hoping he can become a weapon, but wouldn’t be surprised if it went the other way.
Uele could the cream of the crop here. Has the body to become a weapon too. Just reminds me of Fifita too damn much.

With the players yet to debut,
I’m expecting Xerri to see some game time. He could emulate the impact Ramien made. Adjusting to first grade, making an impact and growing in confidence with every game.
Brailey will be in the same boat as Flanagan, might see firsts with some injuries, or might even push for a spot on form, also one to watch.

That’ll be it for first grade I think. Not to familiar with the young blokes, but I’ll be keen to hear how they’re progressing as the year goes on

Jack Williams was seriously impressive in his debut year - needs to be in the team, big future I feel

Gards said:

Jack Williams was seriously impressive in his debut year - needs to be in the team, big future I feel

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He's Gal's project. He'll get a fair crack at it.

I think Katoa will shine

Uele- will lock in Bench spot from about 1 mth in.

Of all of the players yet to debut Blayke Brailey is the most NRL ready and the most likely to win a spot considering that’s Segyaro will probably move on. Luke Jurd or Harry Smith will likely start for Newtown.

Jack Williams and Sione Katoa are the two most likely to shine IMO as they're probably the most likely to get a regular run in the seniors from round 1, I suppose you could add Blayke Brailey to that list as its looking increasingly unlikely Seggy is sticking around, even if Seggy does go, Flanno Jr might get the bench spot, who knows. Picking Williams and Katoa for big years regardless. I know Katoa is a bit hit and miss at the moment, but he'll get better. Apart from those two its hard to tell as the rest are unlikely to get a run unless injuries hit. Xerri looks good, but he'll have to bide his time with Dugan and Morris in front of him. Also a big fan of Uele, would like to see him get a fair shake.

If we don’t sign another fullback, I think Kennedy will be the find. I’m guessing he’ll get first crack at it, because Moylan and Dugan have found their places it seems and Flanno won’t want to mess with that I reckon.

When you have a good look at Kennedy, he ticks a lot of boxes.

I agree with you about Kennedy but I feel like we won't see him getting first crack and it'll be either Moylan/Duges/new recruit getting the gig.

I’d take Kennedy / Moylan / Chad over Moylan / Flanagan / Chad

Kennedy is already a better ball player than Val and is just as quick. Everything else I’d be ok with him learning on the job.

burgess1978 said:

I’d take Kennedy / Moylan / Chad over Moylan / Flanagan / Chad

Kennedy is already a better ball player than Val and is just as quick. Everything else I’d be ok with him learning on the job.

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Because I haven't seen Kennedy play...

When you say 'everything else' is that any of the following in particular: communication, positioning for kicks, positioning on try line, support play, handling, catching bombs, picking up grubbers, decision making (ie pass or take a tackle), discipline
or something else?

Just trying to figure out where his deficiencies will be.

burgess1978 said:

I’d take Kennedy / Moylan / Chad over Moylan / Flanagan / Chad

Kennedy is already a better ball player than Val and is just as quick. Everything else I’d be ok with him learning on the job.

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Yeah I would too, just not sure Flanno will.

I've seen a fair bit of Kennedy and I like what I see except for one thing. Size.

He needs to bulk up a bit in the off season - I agree with Burgess that he has all the skills and is fast and elusive but he needs to have some strength about him.

If he can spend some time in the gym and get stronger, I'd actually be happy with him starting at number one next year if we don't bring anyone else in.

I'm excited about Xerri but we do need to be patient with the kid. He's only had one or more games at NSW Cup so it's a big ask for him to play NRL next season.

I really hope Flanno doesn't put him on the wing - I'd rather he get game time in NSW Cup in the Centre than play him on the wing in firsts. Then if, sorry when, Dugan gets injured he can slot straight in.

bort said:

Because I haven't seen Kennedy play...

When you say 'everything else' is that any of the following in particular: communication, positioning for kicks, positioning on try line, support play, handling, catching bombs, picking up grubbers, decision making (ie pass or take a tackle), discipline
or something else?

Just trying to figure out where his deficiencies will be.

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No glaring deficiencies but he does have to get stronger physically. I think the main things for him will be defensive positioning and knowing when to take risks.

As a fullback I would hands down take Kennedy’s 2017 ISP season over Isaako’s 2016 ISC season. The only thing Isaako has over him is size.

Sounds like a good pre-season in the gym with the big boys will be important for him

burgess1978 said:

I’d take Kennedy / Moylan / Chad over Moylan / Flanagan / Chad

Kennedy is already a better ball player than Val and is just as quick. Everything else I’d be ok with him learning on the job.

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I was pleased to see he played a lot of basketball in high school. Always a good indicator of ball playing skills, and footwork. Mundine was a very good basketballer.

bort said:

Because I haven't seen Kennedy play...

When you say 'everything else' is that any of the following in particular: communication, positioning for kicks, positioning on try line, support play, handling, catching bombs, picking up grubbers, decision making (ie pass or take a tackle), discipline
or something else?

Just trying to figure out where his deficiencies will be.

Click to expand...

Tbh, Val had issues in just about all those areas. Not bitter, but on reflection his freakish natural talent covered up some fundamental deficiencies.