Round 1 Team Prediction

[CrankyShark]

Now I want to start this post by saying the following is only a what if. Ok.

What if Blake Ashyford plays in the NRL like he did at the 9's - is he in your side? He looked to be a different player altogether at the 9's even taking into account he had a decent go at it last year.

Flanagan was talking him up big time in today's papers. From what I've read about Ayshford he was regarded as a talented bludger at the Tigers. It could be that he has finally pulled his finger out.

I'm guessing Flanagan picks,

Gordon
Feki
Beale
Ashyford
Brown

for the back five.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I don't mind Ayshford getting a gig but it will take more than a 9's tournament and a few good trial games to prove it after last year's effort. He needs to start the year in the reggies and play good footy for a prolonged period of time before being rewarded with a first grade spot.

 

[CrankyShark]

I don't mind Ayshford getting a gig but it will take more than a 9's tournament and a few good trial games to prove it after last year's effort. He needs to start the year in the reggies and play good footy for a prolonged period of time before being rewarded with a first grade spot.

I don't have a beef with Ayshford getting picked or even Brown. What matters is under performers are dropped and we make use of the depth we have.

 

[Sutty]

Ayshford getting fit is all well and good, but it doesn't mean his (complete lack of) defense at centre will suddenly improve. He can start in NSW Cup and work his way up, but jeesh, if he is picked Rd 1 I'll be real filthy.

 

[Napolean]

My number one lineup come RD1.

1. Gordon
2. Feki
3. Beale
4. Bird
5. Holmes
6.Barba
7. Robson
8. Fifita
9. Ennis
10. Gallen
11. Graham
12. Lewis
13. Heighington

14. Bukuya
15. Tupou
16. Arona
17. Ayshford (Played well as a utility last year-much better than the centres and seems to be in good form, even if it is only the nines)

 

[SDK]

Beale does not simply deserve a centre spot yet from what I've seen. Feki can only play wing. To back this up watch the pool match against roosters where he hogs it with a 2 man overlap. Just want best team out there and no need to rush the young guys particularly for round one as everyone under the age of 38 will get their chance if good enough in 2015.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

I dont care who gets picked as long as if they are ****, they dont get picked again.

Team selection on form and nothing else.

Ayshford came late in the pre-season last year didnt he? Then had to deal with Sharpe. He did look about 100x fitter last weekend. Doesnt add skill though

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

Beale does not simply deserve a centre spot yet from what I've seen. Feki can only play wing. To back this up watch the pool match against roosters where he hogs it with a 2 man overlap. Just want best team out there and no need to rush the young guys particularly for round one as everyone under the age of 38 will get their chance if good enough in 2015.

Why can Feki only play wing? He has 'only' played wing as a first grader basically. Was a centre and the Warriors.

 

[Paul C]

Holmes reminds me a lot of a young Darren Lockyer.... and he was fullback in his earlier years before shifting to five-eighth

Agree. He has a rare "game sense".

 

[Bigberm]

Beale does not simply deserve a centre spot yet from what I've seen. Feki can only play wing. To back this up watch the pool match against roosters where he hogs it with a 2 man overlap. Just want best team out there and no need to rush the young guys particularly for round one as everyone under the age of 38 will get their chance if good enough in 2015.

Agreed he was pretty average defensively I thought, still be a starting center nonetheless. Just glad of the depth we got with our outside backs, wouldn't make too many wholesale changes in our backs from last year IMO, I'd start Bird in reserves to see how he goes in nsw cup.
Exception would be Holmes a starting wing berth and Beale.
Backs for me
1 Gordon
2 Holmes
3 Beale
4 Leutele
5 Feki
6 Barba
7 Robbo
The pack pretty much picks itself

 

[Sutty]

Has there been any word on the Luke Lewis knee situation?

 

[Tatus]

Ayshford played good in last years 9's too. We all know how well that form carried into the season.

 

[Born&bred]

Beale does not simply deserve a centre spot yet from what I've seen. Feki can only play wing. To back this up watch the pool match against roosters where he hogs it with a 2 man overlap. Just want best team out there and no need to rush the young guys particularly for round one as everyone under the age of 38 will get their chance if good enough in 2015.

I don't get the Beale love just because he is a kiwi international.

I thought he was pus in the 9's and he's a known turnstile also.

 

[hamsy44]

According to a source at the tele Flanno has only picked 2 back line players for round - Holmes and Gordon - everyone else is going to go on trial form.

 

[HaroldBishop]

According to a source at the tele Flanno has only picked 2 back line players for round - Holmes and Gordon - everyone else is going to go on trial form.

I'm probably in the minority but I'm surprised Val is an automatic selection at this stage.

 

[Sir Chadley]

I'm probably in the minority but I'm surprised Val is an automatic selection at this stage.

I'm happy for him to be there Round 1. I think we need him. Again, it was only the nines but in that comp, he just showed he has something that we need. I know apart from the field goal conversion and setting up Bird he didn't do much else but I just think he belongs in first grade.

 

[ABshark]

I'm probably in the minority but I'm surprised Val is an automatic selection at this stage.

Me too. If that's true though my guess is its because they've been training with Val as the fullback in their set piece attacking sets and so he's become an important part of the attacking infrastructure. So not just that the two will swap, but actually that they have clearly defined roles.

On that note, I hope Price will bring something to the table with developing Val's ball playing game. The Dragons under Bennett played with a very limited halfback but a talented 6 and a ball playing 1 - pretty much what we've got now.

I'm not confident he will given how bad Saints' attack has been of late but one can hope.

 

[ABshark]

According to a source at the tele Flanno has only picked 2 back line players for round - Holmes and Gordon - everyone else is going to go on trial form.

Interesting. Published source Hamsy? Or someone you know? Not having a go, just interested.

I'd be stunned if Beale wasn't inked in too given what Flano has said and how much we're paying him.

 

[ABshark]

I don't get the Beale love just because he is a kiwi international.

I thought he was pus in the 9's and he's a known turnstile also.

Lots of people have said he was ordinary. I missed two games but I thought he looked good with ball in hand - quick and skillful. Was he bad in the Warriors and Roosters games?

I don't expect him to be in the Lyon/Matai/Hodges/Jennings/Morris/Croker class but he's a first grader. Hopefully in the same echelon as say Whare. Quick, good hands and strong enough in defence. My only fear is that he won't be as physical as we seem to like our centres - a bit like what happened to Dean Collis.

 

[The Wild Man]

Lots of people have said he was ordinary. I missed two games but I thought he looked good with ball in hand - quick and skillful. Was he bad in the Warriors and Roosters games?

I don't expect him to be in the Lyon/Matai/Hodges/Jennings/Morris/Croker class but he's a first grader. Hopefully in the same echelon as say Whare. Quick, good hands and strong enough in defence. My only fear is that he won't be as physical as we seem to like our centres - a bit like what happened to Dean Collis.

Personally I'd take Whare. Beale looks a little like a show pony to me but I'll be pleased to be
proved wrong.