Potential Round One Side

MartinShark

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Hey guys, just figured I'd start the ball rolling early on how we think the side will run out next season.

1.Dugan (Would love Corey Allan though)
2.Katoa
3.Ferris
4.Ramien
5.Mulitalo
6.Moylan (Benji if he does end up with us)
7.Chad (sigh)
8.Tolman (If he doesn't sign then BHU)
9.Brailey
10.Woods
11.Talakai
12.Graham
13.Sorensen

14.Tracey
15.Rudolf
16.Fifita
17.BHU (If he's starting then sub in Pele/Vasquez)
 

bort

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According to what we know currently we have 26 players signed for next season, we only need 24 signed by Sunday so we are all sweet there.
Next timestamp is March 1st when we need to have 29 players signed I believe. We may not see any signings anytime soon if we can't get the players/deals we want.

Currently unsigned from 2020 squad is Sorensen, Milne, Hiroti, Ferris, Goodwin, Vasquez and King but he's retired from NRL now.

Out of those I reckon we definitely want to keep Ferris and Sorensen so that leaves just one roster spot we'd be likely to fill with a player from outside the current squad - the likes of Tolman, Marshall, Allan, Copely, Asiata and other names being thrown around. (Assuming we don't rush to fill spot 30 until season is underway and an opportunity or need arises)

If the last spot was Allan or Copely I guess you could leave Ferris out. Although I'd much prefer to keep Ferris over Copely and would even re-sign Hiroti rather than bring Copely in. I'd also be keen to keep Ferris even if we did sign Allan.
If we signed Benji we'd probably allow Trindall to leave if he could find something so that may leave another roster spot open.
Otherwise someone like a Tolman can come into that last spot.

So, based on your squad named... I wouldn't run Dugan at FB, I just think you are increasing the chances he misses significant volume of games too much and then will need Kennedy anyway. Run him at centre with (re-signed) Ferris as his backup.
Tolman is too far from being real atm for me to count it, start two of Woods/BHU/Rudolf. Sorensen also not technically in the side and previously has been a very late squad addition but I do think we will sign him, otherwise I guess stacked Jack comes back in.
I don't think Vasquez did enough to be re-signed (due to what roster space we have available) but I think if he doesn't find anything better put him back on Dev contract and maybe he ends up player 30. We have Pele, Williams and Billy Mags* who can come into the side.

And I guess we shouldn't sleep on Jensen as a fullback option or good enough to keep Hiroti unsigned. Jensen was in our bubble all year I think. He will be 20/21, over 100kg and has played a little NSW Cup and also trial for us start of this year. In senior chances at least think he has played mostly centre but we have a whole offseason to give him a crack at fullback and he has played there previously I believe.
Ferris is another that has the athleticism to be molded into a fullback, if we re-sign him. At the very least giving them some runs there pushes Kennedy to work harder in preseason.

*decent chance another roster spot opens up here
 

snowman

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Corey Allen
Ronaldo
James Roberts
Jesse Ramien
Katoa
Benji Marshall

Aiden Tolman
Blayke Brailey
Aaron Woods
Sifa
Wade
Tobias Frudolph

Connor Tracey/Cam Smith
Uele
Nikora
Asiata
 

CrazyMatt

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What I’m hoping for

1. Corey Allan/Niko Hynes (I know Hynes is probably out of reach since he just signed a new deal, but I’m hoping if we offer him the 1 jersey he’d seek a release, outrageously far fetched as Melbourne don’t lose too many, but I wanted to do a lineup that I hope for and this is what I hope happens. Realistically speaking it’ll probably be Kennedy again)
2. Ronaldo Mulitalo
3. Josh Dugan
4. Jesse Ramien
5. Sione Katoa
6. Matt Burton (I know I know, but I’m hoping for a miracle and we can knick him, it probably won’t be Benji so it’ll probably Tracey until Johnson’s ready to go)
7. Chad Townsend
8. Braden Hamlin-Uele
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Aaron Woods
11. Siosifa Talakai
12. Wade Graham (c)
13. Toby Rudolf

14. Royce Hunt
15. Andrew Fifita
16. Briton Nikora
17. Connor Tracey/Scott Sorenson

I really wanted to move Wade to lock and start Toby up front with Big Ham. But then I would have had to fit three props on the bench and I would of had to start Nikora, while I’m a Nikora fan, I don’t think he should be starting.
 

bort

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I'll leave your bold acquisitions out of this (although I'd be happy to see them)

Nikora I hate as a bench player, if he can't do his job for 80 he losses too much value, and he isn't very valuable as it is.

I believe Hunt expects to be out approx same amount of time as Johnson, although snowy has decided he will miss the full year, hopefully that's not the case
 

CrazyMatt

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I'll leave your bold acquisitions out of this (although I'd be happy to see them)

Nikora I hate as a bench player, if he can't do his job for 80 he losses too much value, and he isn't very valuable as it is.

I believe Hunt expects to be out approx same amount of time as Johnson, although snowy has decided he will miss the full year, hopefully that's not the case

I legit forgot about Hunts injury. Fine. Move Rudolf to prop, Wade to lock, Nikora into the starting side (unless we recruit somebody) and have a bench of Fifta, Woods, Sorenson and Tracey or Wilton. Done.
 

Blair

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Its ****** depressing that Moylan, one of our highest paid players, isn't in anyone's list. If only he could regain some of 2018s form and stay injury free... If only... Solves a lot of problems.
 

bort

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I thought we re signed ferris past next year?

Was given two years in 2018.
Got mentions earlier this year in being named in 21 despite being a dev contract player (exemption) but not tied to a new contract.
Jensen got a new contract a while back (at same time as Pele) you may also be thinking of.
 

Gards

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Its ****** depressing that Moylan, one of our highest paid players, isn't in anyone's list. If only he could regain some of 2018s form and stay injury free... If only... Solves a lot of problems.

and I want a gold plated toliet seat but it's just not on the cards baby

What I’m hoping for

1. Corey Allan/Niko Hynes (I know Hynes is probably out of reach since he just signed a new deal, but I’m hoping if we offer him the 1 jersey he’d seek a release, outrageously far fetched as Melbourne don’t lose too many, but I wanted to do a lineup that I hope for and this is what I hope happens. Realistically speaking it’ll probably be Kennedy again)
2. Ronaldo Mulitalo
3. Josh Dugan
4. Jesse Ramien
5. Sione Katoa
6. Matt Burton (I know I know, but I’m hoping for a miracle and we can knick him, it probably won’t be Benji so it’ll probably Tracey until Johnson’s ready to go)
7. Chad Townsend
8. Braden Hamlin-Uele
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Aaron Woods
11. Siosifa Talakai
12. Wade Graham (c)
13. Toby Rudolf

14. Royce Hunt
15. Andrew Fifita
16. Briton Nikora
17. Connor Tracey/Scott Sorenson

I really wanted to move Wade to lock and start Toby up front with Big Ham. But then I would have had to fit three props on the bench and I would of had to start Nikora, while I’m a Nikora fan, I don’t think he should be starting.

Niko Hynes has plenty of mistakes in his game and he isn't a great defender - actually bit surprised storm are sticking it out with him although they are banking on the potential and storms ability to turn a player into a star no doubt

still those errors and defense, could you imagine him in our system. doesn't excite me
 

Capital_Shark

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and I want a gold plated toliet seat but it's just not on the cards baby



Niko Hynes has plenty of mistakes in his game and he isn't a great defender - actually bit surprised storm are sticking it out with him although they are banking on the potential and storms ability to turn a player into a star no doubt

still those errors and defense, could you imagine him in our system. doesn't excite me


Fancy having patience & educating young players into your systems & improving them. Storm haven't brought an established star since 2006.
 

HaroldBishop

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Dale Finucane could be considered.

Brett Finch signed in 2009

But they haven’t signed a Million Dollar player for ages

Nah no way he was a 'star' when they brought him. Had played one game for Country at that stage.
 

MartinShark

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Nah no way he was a 'star' when they brought him. Had played one game for Country at that stage.

I mean, he was definitely a rep quality player his last season at the Bulldogs in 2014, but our Origin forward pack was pretty damn good that year

8.Woods
10.Tamou
13.Gal

With Merrin,Watmough Lewis and T-Rex on the bench (Tamou went to the bench for games 2-3 with Gal moving to Prop and G.Bird to lock)
 

Gumby

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My side for round 1

1. Dugan
2. Ronaldo
3. Ferris
4. Ramien
5. Katoa
6. Moylan
7. Chad
8. Tolman
9. Brailey
10. Woods
11. Talakai
12. Graham
13. Frudolph

14. Tracey
15. Fifita
16. Hamlin-Uele
17. Nikora
 
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