Predicted Round 1 team

[bort]

Hooker is possibly the most demanding position in the game. I don't think Brailey playing 80 (which he did most games) was a problem in itself, but there are two common threads when discussing Brailey and his minutes:

1. There were a few examples of games last season where people pointed out some "lazy" plays in defence
2. Quite a few posters have been critical of his attacking output

Most people seem to agree that he can handle 80 minutes, but there is some suggestion that we may see more attacking output and less of the fatigue-related misses if he gets a rest. The alternative view of course is that if he is surrounded by better defenders and guys who are playing appropriate minutes, he won't be getting worn down.

As far as attacking output goes, I personally believe that his influence on the team is greater than just "doing stuff that shows up on stats sheets". There is a very important control/organising factor which goes unnoticed by many, and the team plays better when he is out there even if he isn't taking scoots or setting up line breaks.

The other big factor with Brailey is that his worst game of the year was the final game. Recency bias is a real thing.

I agree he should be better now he will get more assistance in the middle, could still be some value to a quick breather too.

I definitely agree he does a lot of good work that doesn't show as stats, or even that obvious to watch.

Be an interesting year for him, thought he looked good in last trial.

 

[Wiz]

Rudolph hasn't played any trials, struggles with his minutes and is a sus defender. Tolman aleviates the last 2 points and provides even less impact coming from a bench position where Rudolf might find a new lease.

Wilton is a better second rower than Talakai and has more endurance

We need to start asking ourselves why Rudolf should be guaranteed a starting position in the 13

I won’t just Disagree I’ll tell you why -
Rudolph provides more impact then Tolman and has been under shtty coaching his whole first grade career, this year under Steve price and Fitz could be a different story. Tolman is getting on and that’s an understatement

Talakai has shown he is a better player currently then Wilton

 

[Rob]

So far every single forward has looked 10x better than last year, I think Rudolph will be the exception I think he will be 20x the player he was last year.

 

[Super Impose]

So far every single forward has looked 10x better than last year, I think Rudolph will be the exception I think he will be 20x the player he was last year.

Big call this - hope you are right ..

 

[Born&bred]

I don't like BHU starting, he is more suited to come off the bench imo. With what we've got for round 1, Tolman has to be one starting prop, the question is who is the other. I can't think of of anyone other than Rudolf atm...

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Hooker is possibly the most demanding position in the game. I don't think Brailey playing 80 (which he did most games) was a problem in itself, but there are two common threads when discussing Brailey and his minutes:

1. There were a few examples of games last season where people pointed out some "lazy" plays in defence
2. Quite a few posters have been critical of his attacking output

Most people seem to agree that he can handle 80 minutes, but there is some suggestion that we may see more attacking output and less of the fatigue-related misses if he gets a rest. The alternative view of course is that if he is surrounded by better defenders and guys who are playing appropriate minutes, he won't be getting worn down.

As far as attacking output goes, I personally believe that his influence on the team is greater than just "doing stuff that shows up on stats sheets". There is a very important control/organising factor which goes unnoticed by many, and the team plays better when he is out there even if he isn't taking scoots or setting up line breaks.

The other big factor with Brailey is that his worst game of the year was the final game. Recency bias is a real thing.

Thank you @burgess1978, really appreciate it.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Mate I have no idea. Maybe he can, we'll find out soon enough. I think he played a couple of 80 min games last year from memory but I'd like to see him play 80 more consistently.

Thank you @Chad. I always found him a bit small but punching above his weight. I hope a couple of people pull a Kennedy this year.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I hope a couple of people pull a Kennedy this year.

This made me remember that song from the 80s 'glad I'm not a Kennedy'.

 

[BurgoShark]

I won’t just Disagree I’ll tell you why -
Rudolph provides more impact then Tolman and has been under shtty coaching his whole first grade career, this year under Steve price and Fitz could be a different story. Tolman is getting on and that’s an understatement

Talakai has shown he is a better player currently then Wilton

You need Tolman types and Rudolf types in the team mate. There is a role for each of them. Pick them both. The issue with Rudolf last year is that he is an impact guy who was trying to play a workhorse role. It didn’t suit him. He’ll bring that impact again this year, but only if there are enough other blokes in the team doing the workhorse roles.

Wilton is quite easily a better back rower than Talakai…

Talakai hits hard and runs hard, but has the lowest work rate in defence, and misses more tackles than any other Sharks forward. That screams to me “not a back rower” - unless you are talking about playing him in a Kikau type role in a rotation.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Talakai hits hard and runs hard, but has the lowest work rate in defence, and misses more tackles than any other Sharks forward. That screams to me “not a back rower” - unless you are talking about playing him in a Kikau type role in a rotation.

Won’t work as you don’t have those free interchanges Kikau was afforded every 5 minutes anymore.

 

[Super Impose]

Won’t work as you don’t have those free interchanges Kikau was afforded every 5 minutes anymore.

Kikau even practiced this in the trial last week with unlimited interchange .
Have to prepare himself I guess ..

 

[Wiz]

You need Tolman types and Rudolf types in the team mate. There is a role for each of them. Pick them both. The issue with Rudolf last year is that he is an impact guy who was trying to play a workhorse role. It didn’t suit him. He’ll bring that impact again this year, but only if there are enough other blokes in the team doing the workhorse roles.

Wilton is quite easily a better back rower than Talakai…

Talakai hits hard and runs hard, but has the lowest work rate in defence, and misses more tackles than any other Sharks forward. That screams to me “not a back rower” - unless you are talking about playing him in a Kikau type role in a rotation.

I hear you - never said don’t want Tolman in the team just don’t think we benefit as much if he starts, Rudolph can have the ability to change a game in a good way (or bad) and set a better platform.

Talakai is like a Kikau type, with Wilton on the bench it’s a good mix. For me off what we’ve seen so far Talakai gives us more then Wilton, especially when Talakai is on.

 

[bort]

Fox really don't rate Katoa... and they must have good insider news on Wade too...

Predicted Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Luke Metcalf 15. Andrew Fifita 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Siosifa Talakai

 

[Sir Chadley]

Fox really don't rate Katoa... and they must have good insider news on Wade too...

Predicted Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Luke Metcalf 15. Andrew Fifita 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Siosifa Talakai

Where did you see this? I've looked at the Fox Sports website and can't find it.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Actually don't worry Bort, I found it. They have updated the team:

Predicted Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Dale Finucane 14. Luke Metcalf 15. Andrew Fifita 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Royce Hunt

And I also found this to go with it which tries to explain it all:

TEAM TIPS: Skipper Wade Graham has a fresh injury and will miss the first month of the season. Graham was only just back to full fitness after missing a chunk of last season due to repeated concussions but suffered a syndesmosis injury in the club’s final pre-season clash. A careless high tackle in the first trial against the Panthers cost playmaker Braydon Trindall his shot at partnering Nicho Hynes in the halves in Round 1. Trindall is suspended for the first two rounds which will see Matt Moylan wear the No. 6 jumper with Luke Metcalf coming off the bench. Versatile utility Siosifa Talakai suffered a head knock against the Panthers, but should be fit for Round 1, despite probably missing his side’s final trial. It’s a new era for the Sharks under rookie NRL coach Craig Fitzgibbon. He’ll have the handy additions of Hynes and Dale Finucane though to help make his first season in the Shire a success. Fitzgibbon has already confirmed that Hynes was signed as a half despite a breakout season at fullback last year for the Storm. Cameron McInnes will miss the first month of the season after undergoing a minor operation on the same knee that required reconstructive surgery last year. Finuncane will play lock, allowing prop Braden Hamlin-Uele into the starting side and Andrew Fifita a spot on the bench with Royce Hunt unlucky to miss out. Fitzgibbon recently hinted at a Ronaldo Mulitalo-Connor Tracey combination on an edge, while we’re tipping new recruit Matt Ikuvalu to beat Sione Katoa for a spot on the wing given he’s previously worked with Fitzgibbon at the Roosters. Blayke Brailey will be the hooker.

 

[BurgoShark]

I hear you - never said don’t want Tolman in the team just don’t think we benefit as much if he starts, Rudolph can have the ability to change a game in a good way (or bad) and set a better platform.

Talakai is like a Kikau type, with Wilton on the bench it’s a good mix. For me off what we’ve seen so far Talakai gives us more then Wilton, especially when Talakai is on.

I think this is a rotation discussion rather than a lineup one. We agree that Tolman, Rudolf, Wilton and Talakai all belong in there somewhere. It just depends on when you want to do your interchanges.

Are you saying you’d start with Talakai at left edge, replace him with Wilton after 20-ish, and then bring him back on for a 15-20 minute stint in the middle during the second half? I think that could work. Keeps Wilton a bit fresher and brings a bit of mongrel from the bench in the final 40.

I’m just not a fan of seeing Talakai playing more than 30 minutes in a row.

 

[Gumby]

I don’t see Metcalf being in the team for round 1

 

[bort]

Actually don't worry Bort, I found it. They have updated the team:

Predicted Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Dale Finucane 14. Luke Metcalf 15. Andrew Fifita 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Royce Hunt

As they should... when I saw it they still even had the note about Graham being injured haha

I don’t see Metcalf being in the team for round 1

In theory if Fitz wanted Trindall at 14 then Metcalf while he is suspended does make sense, but perhaps equally so Berrell who got way more trial time

 

[Capital_Shark]

Fox really don't rate Katoa... and they must have good insider news on Wade too...

Predicted Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Ronaldo Mulitalo 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Luke Metcalf 15. Andrew Fifita 16. Aiden Tolman 17. Siosifa Talakai

Ex-Rooster who scored 5 tries in a match, he must be better than the Sharks player.

NRL knowledge isn't a requirement to be a NRL journalist mate.

 

[Wiz]

I think this is a rotation discussion rather than a lineup one. We agree that Tolman, Rudolf, Wilton and Talakai all belong in there somewhere. It just depends on when you want to do your interchanges.

Are you saying you’d start with Talakai at left edge, replace him with Wilton after 20-ish, and then bring him back on for a 15-20 minute stint in the middle during the second half? I think that could work. Keeps Wilton a bit fresher and brings a bit of mongrel from the bench in the final 40.

I’m just not a fan of seeing Talakai playing more than 30 minutes in a row.

100% with everything you said