Sharks Pathways 2023 (Newtown, De La Salle, Flegg, SG Ball, etc.)

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when hynes returns and trindall possibly goes back to hb for the jets what happens there?

does atkinson bump gagan out to the wing and then plays centre? mansour bumps rodwell well out?

newtown obviously have their own contracted players, are they an automated selection over sharks players?
Nicho will need to come back through the Jets first
 

BurgoShark

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newtown obviously have their own contracted players, are they an automated selection over sharks players?
No, sharks players will take priority (I’m pretty sure).

Neither has been the case in the past under Matterson. He always had a small core group of Jets players he would find a spot in the 17 for. Guys like Tamou, Evans, Dillon, Rennie, Willy Williams, Lolo, Talakai were all picked ahead of Sharks players quite often.

This year with a new coach who has just come out of the Sharks system we might see a bit more of a development focus. It’s worth noting though that the most successful Cup teams do tend to have a good core of veterans on Cup-only contracts (and a few guys like Berrell on top 30 but always playing Cup).

E.g. I can’t see Billy Mags dropping out of the 17 entirely, but JC could take his 13 jumper.
 
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bort

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Brotherly love stops at the GIO Stadium gate for the Purus
Author Margie McDonald

The texts and phone calls have slowed to a crawl, signalling the intensity around twin brothers Niwhai and Hohepa Puru facing each other in round three of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup on Sunday (19 March).

Being on opposing sides hasn’t happened since their U16s representative days, when Hohepa was named in the NSW side to play against Niwhai in a Pasifika U16s team.

But this is where the 21-year-old former Penrith Panthers juniors find themselves.

“It is a bit weird I will say,” Niwhai told nswrl.com.au

At GIO Stadium on Sunday, the Canberra Raiders with Hohepa at lock will host the Newtown Jets with Niwhai at halfback.

“I thought that when he did sign with Canberra that this day would come – we would have to oppose each other.

“So I’ll take it as just another game and he’s just a player in the opposing line. If I let him get into my head he’s already won,” Niwhai said.

“We’ve basically been hand-in-hand together in the Panthers Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup teams so it is a bit weird this year.

“I’ll spot him out. I know all middles try to find me as a half so he’ll be coming for me.

“He’s a solid defender too so I won’t be surprised when he gets me.”

The Puru twins have always been close, so when they signed with different clubs for 2023 it was a moment in time.

“I miss him heaps. It’s huge to not have him around but it’s the nature of the game,” Niwhai said.

So phone calls and text messages were a daily occurrence – until this week.

“I speak to him every day and usually we don’t talk too much about footy. But this week I asked him if he was keen and he said he was up for the challenge – and there hasn’t been much since,” Niwhai.

“I really like his game because he’s such a good ball runner. Having him in the middle is a real treat for the Raiders because he’s an instinctive player,” he said, when asked what were Hohepa’s best qualities.

Niwhai is equally enjoying his time at the Jets under new coach George Ndaira. They are 2-0 to start The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup season.

“George lets us play footy and having him as a former Sharks (lower grade) coach means there’s quite a few players in our team from that system.

“So we’ve all gelled together well.”

And that’s the mantra for a large number of Purus travelling to GIO Stadium for the game.

“The whole family will be there, pretty much half dressed in blue and half in green,” Niwhai.

“At least some are going to go home happy.”
 

Sutty

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Just had a look at Hohepa Puru's stats at Canberra, he has been putting up some numbers. Playing close to 80 mins, averaging 207 metres and 44 tackles.
 

Sevshark

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Just had a look at Hohepa Puru's stats at Canberra, he has been putting up some numbers. Playing close to 80 mins, averaging 207 metres and 44 tackles.

Yeah he's a freak, probably the higher rated of the two brothers.
Would of loved to get both but we're obviously stacked at lock.
 

BurgoShark

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Haha I was speaking from Hohepa's perspective but apologise for not being clearer.
Yeah. He’s the full package. Not just a battering ram in the middle. He can use the ball at the line, before the line, throw an offload etc.
 

Sevshark

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Yeah. He’s the full package. Not just a battering ram in the middle. He can use the ball at the line, before the line, throw an offload etc.

Agreed, he'll be in first grade sooner than later.
Wouldn't know anything about his contract situation Burgo? Only thing I can see is that he was on a T&T but you'd think Canberra would be trying to get him locked up.
 

BurgoShark

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Agreed, he'll be in first grade sooner than later.
Wouldn't know anything about his contract situation Burgo? Only thing I can see is that he was on a T&T but you'd think Canberra would be trying to get him locked up.
Nah - that's the only thing I have seen too. T&T.
 

bort

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Three rounds in still writing Kayla!

Hiroti try has Sharks 4-0 up (actually, checked score immediate after writing this and it’s 8-6)
 

Sevshark

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Three rounds in still writing Kayla!

Hiroti try has Sharks 4-0 up (actually, checked score immediate after writing this and it’s 8-4)

I'm starting to think it's an in-joke at this point.
 
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