Round 1 Team Prediction

Mr Wright · Feb 21, 2015

Chad said:
Spot on mate, good post. We have no idea how Houma and D Fifita will go with sustained minutes in defence, especially Houma.

D Fifita has shown glimpses of being relentless on D in the all stars game and in NSW Cup last year, but the week in week out grind of the NRL is a whole different ball park.

Give me the guy thats played over 100 FG games and excelled in the role in a GF winning team.

The Wild Man · Feb 21, 2015

Mr Wright said:
Size one of the most over rated factors on this forum. To me it doesnt matter how big you are as long as you are effective in your role. It looks 'cool' to have one of those giant ball busting props in the mould of D.Fifita/Houma making massive charges at the line. But those kind of players arent necessarily effective the whole time theyre on the field.

Prior has proven he can play direct through the middle and get necessary yards. He is also a terrific ruck defender when playing low minutes. Something i cant say for D.Fifita or Houma. I'd be inclined to have Prior over Taga in the team and have him, big Dave and Houma fight for a spot.

i think a lot of people forget theirs 2 sides to the game and a big barnstorming unfit/unexperienced prop is often the one leaking line breaks on the other side of the ball. Letting down all the good they may have created with ball in hand.

Chad said:
Spot on mate, good post. We have no idea how Houma and D Fifita will go with sustained minutes in defence, especially Houma.

I don't totally disagree with all either of you have to say, except I also agree with the general consensus here that what we DO need in that second prop (alongside Andrew Fifita) is a quality First tackle big man (think George Burgess) to get us on the front foot for Gallen on tackle 2 and set the tone for the march downfield. Gallen will be far better suited running 15 to 20m as second tackle at a defence already on the backfoot, than he is trying to bludgeon 10 to 12m as first tackle.

For all that he might be.... Prior isn't that player.

Also Prior did very well in the Nines against mixed First Graders and Lower Graders. Really enjoyed watching his game...offloads and all. Very good effort and one of our best forwards all day. However, a guy called David Fifita had a pretty fair game in the All Stars game playing alongside and against the best of the best in the competition. This might just be his break out season to match brother Andrew's 3 years ago.... AND he could fit yet the bill for that forward job description we are looking for, IF he is prepared to use his bulk as a ball runner.

Proud Shark · Feb 25, 2015

Few interesting notes from the sportal feed.

FLANAGAN: Ricky Leutele and Gerard Beale to start in the centres in Round 1 but Jack Bird just behind them. Feki on one wing but has a decision to make on the other winger. (Also said Jack Bird could be rookie of the year).

Flanagan: We're a front-rower short at the moment so hopefully we won't get any injuries.

Sutty · Feb 25, 2015

He loves Leutele. He's ok, but jeesh, I don't know if he demands a spot from Rd 1.

sharks2010 · Feb 25, 2015

Sutty said:
He loves Leutele. He's ok, but jeesh, I don't know if he demands a spot from Rd 1.

agreed, I just don't see it

Proud Shark · Feb 25, 2015

Sutty said:
He loves Leutele. He's ok, but jeesh, I don't know if he demands a spot from Rd 1.

To me it just says that feki and gagan are staying as wingers. With that the case I think Leutele and Beale are our number one choice, with bird and sami snapping at their heels. Im okay with this so long as players are picked based on performance unlike other years.

Jimako · Feb 25, 2015

Flanno did say the other wing spot was between Mitch & Val and that Gagan & Bird can play centre at some stage, especially Bird who is breathing down their necks and if he gets a shot they'll (leutelli & Beale) regret it because he'll take it with both hands. It sounds like he thinks highly of Bird & that Bird is hungry for the shot at firsts which is great.

Bigberm · Feb 26, 2015

Jimako:858988 said:
Flanno did say the other wing spot was between Mitch & Val and that Gagan & Bird can play centre at some stage, especially Bird who is breathing down their necks and if he gets a shot they'll (leutelli & Beale) regret it because he'll take it with both hands. It sounds like he thinks highly of Bird & that Bird is hungry for the shot at firsts which is great.

Experience over untried I guess. Where defensively Beale and leutele got nrl experience. Bird for all his promise needs to be tested at nsw cup level first, but his time will definitely come.

endevour shark · Feb 26, 2015

The Wild Man said:
I don't totally disagree with all either of you have to say, except I also agree with the general consensus here that what we DO need in that second prop (alongside Andrew Fifita) is a quality First tackle big man (think George Burgess) to get us on the front foot for Gallen on tackle 2 and set the tone for the march downfield. Gallen will be far better suited running 15 to 20m as second tackle at a defence already on the backfoot, than he is trying to bludgeon 10 to 12m as first tackle.

For all that he might be.... Prior isn't that player.

Also Prior did very well in the Nines against mixed First Graders and Lower Graders. Really enjoyed watching his game...offloads and all. Very good effort and one of our best forwards all day. However, a guy called David Fifita had a pretty fair game in the All Stars game playing alongside and against the best of the best in the competition. This might just be his break out season to match brother Andrew's 3 years ago.... AND he could fit yet the bill for that forward job description we are looking for, IF he is prepared to use his bulk as a ball runner.

Yep ya right:Yes:

Sutty · Feb 26, 2015

He's not right at all, in fact it's a complete load of rubbish. The modern game has outside backs taking up early hit ups coming out of their end, the main exception being on kick offs - The comment about Prior not being a "first tackle prop" is a fallacy - First tackle props are not real. If you think that's what George Burgess does than you need to watch some Souths games.

HaroldBishop · Feb 26, 2015

sharks2010 said:
agreed, I just don't see it

Me either. Imagine playing outside him, may as well not turn up.

hamsy44 · Feb 26, 2015

Sutty said:
He's not right at all, in fact it's a complete load of rubbish. The modern game has outside backs taking up early hit ups coming out of their end, the main exception being on kick offs - The comment about Prior not being a "first tackle prop" is a fallacy - First tackle props are not real. If you think that's what George Burgess does than you need to watch some Souths games.

9/10 Inglis or Johnston is the first souths player tackled

deano the p · Feb 26, 2015

I have been a big Leutele supporter as I liked the skill set he has and thought he would build on that and become a class centre. Sadly he hasn't done that he is still basically the same Ricky that was running out a few seasons ago.

I'm happy for Ricky to get the job round one until we know whether or not Bird will be able to handle it. However I'm disappointed at what seems to be a lack of experiment with Feki in the centres. I would have liked to see Feki in Leutele's spot so we could have Gagan and Holmes on the wings. Hopefully Gagan or Bird can force their way into Ricky's spot.

Sir Chadley · Feb 26, 2015

I think the reasoning behind Luetele is that he is a natural left centre wheras Bird, Gagan and Beale are all right centres. But I'm not sure these days if that's relevant, I have heard some footy commentators say class centres should be able to play either side.

I think when we had ET and Sparkles, ET was predominantly right centre but from memory I can remember a lot of times where they played on the same side. I remember McGaw making an initial bust and then offloading to ET in space.

Maybe someone with a better footy brain than me can explain this.

snowman · Feb 26, 2015

Beale is a left side player mate

Sir Chadley · Feb 26, 2015

snowman said:
Beale is a left side player mate

Cheers mate, thought he was right. In that case I'd have no issue with this backline:

Gordon
Feki
Beale
Bird
Holmes

SharkShocked · Feb 26, 2015

I wonder how long Letuele will have purchase on the spot for.

I don't think very long.

Feki however probably won't be replaced by anyone else any time soon.

Sutty · Feb 26, 2015

Chad said:
Cheers mate, thought he was right. In that case I'd have no issue with this backline:

Gordon
Feki
Beale
Bird
Holmes

Absolutely agree 100%.

It just makes too much sense. Beale, who weakest facet is his defense, will line up next to Robson on the left to compensate (Robson is, to his credit, a very solid defender). It also allows the option to defend Barba in the right centres if you are that way inclined, and play Bird on his inside.

But whatever, this is just the Cronulla Sharks, things are never easy.

Henchmann · Feb 26, 2015

I’d like to predict no injuries from round 1
please no injuries

Gards · Feb 27, 2015

Going purely on form (ignoring injuries current or past, incumbent status & reputations) and then trying to squeeze those 5 players in amongst the backline...
I think this is about the closets we can get to a gun backline with the players we have. Plenty of inexperience, massive upside - would love to see it.

1. Gordon
2. Gagan
3. Bird
4. Feki
5. Holmes

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