So what’s really our best 17?

[Rooster36]

The young guns have proven themselves yet again against good opposition. Savala in particular has been a bit of a revelation in the last month or so.

If everyone was to be available, my best 17 would be.

1. Tedesco
2. Toups
3. Smith
4. Toia
5. Marky Mark
6. Savala
7. Walker
8. Leniu
9. Watson
10. Collins (toss up with Nat B)
11. Angus
12. Wong
13. Radley

14. Brandon Smith (toss up with ZDC)
15. Steep
16. Losalu
17. Foketi

I really wanted to put Sandon in at 14, however his defence isn’t as strong as either Smith or ZDC.

Nat Butcher……if he were to be in the team, it would be to replace Collins. Nat’s probably been more effective this year than Lindsay TBH.

Steep, Foketi and Losalu give us great energy from the bench.

I’d love to hear the thoughts of my fellow Chookpenners.

I’ve heard a rumour Brandon will play for souffs

[Rooster36]

First poor performance together and the love will turn sour very quickly till the next game. The Chookpen is very much a week to week proposition when it comes to praising players

Yes big dog and the egg will come out crying followed by redneck Rocky crying how woke they are

[Bates]

The young guns have proven themselves yet again against good opposition. Savala in particular has been a bit of a revelation in the last month or so.

If everyone was to be available, my best 17 would be.

1. Tedesco
2. Toups
3. Smith
4. Toia
5. Marky Mark
6. Savala
7. Walker
8. Leniu
9. Watson
10. Collins (toss up with Nat B)
11. Angus
12. Wong
13. Radley

14. Brandon Smith (toss up with ZDC)
15. Steep
16. Losalu
17. Foketi

I really wanted to put Sandon in at 14, however his defence isn’t as strong as either Smith or ZDC.

Nat Butcher……if he were to be in the team, it would be to replace Collins. Nat’s probably been more effective this year than Lindsay TBH.

Steep, Foketi and Losalu give us great energy from the bench.

I’d love to hear the thoughts of my fellow Chookpenners.

Whyte in for Collins.
Loela Bench utility. This kid is going to be a star!

Collins, N Butcher, E Butcher, S Smith to NSW Cup and encouraged to find new clubs.

[Steakface]

1. Tedesco
2. Tupou
3. B Smith
4. Toia
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Savala
7. Walker
8. Whyte
9. Watson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Wong
13. Radley

14. S Smith
15. Leniu
16. N Butcher
17. Steep

18. Foketi

Would be my choice. Although I also think with Collins, Radley, Butch and Steep all in the 17 maybe could be better balanced with another power running forward in Foketi or Losalu. I just really struggle to leave Steep out because I think his defensive technique is elite.

This is my 17 too.

My only question mark is the Savala v Smith selection. I have a gut feeling that with another 12 months of the right guidance under Cronk, and with forming a strong combo with Walker, Sandon Smith could well be a much better half than Savala. Having said that, I think Sandon will only achieve his potential if he has a strong structure around him - maybe at the Storm or another strong club. If he ends up at the Knights, Tits, Tigers etc I can't seem him progressing.

Nat Butcher is too good to keep out, and is part of the leadership group. I'd prefer to see him as a starting 8. or 10. really, as he is more a big minutes grinder than an impact player. Maybe needs a few more KG's and make it a permanent move.

[Inflictor]

1. Tedesco
2. Tupou
3. B Smith
4. Toia
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Savala
7. Walker
8. Whyte
9. Watson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Wong
13. Radley

14. S Smith
15. Leniu
16. N Butcher
17. Steep

18. Foketi

Would be my choice. Although I also think with Collins, Radley, Butch and Steep all in the 17 maybe could be better balanced with another power running forward in Foketi or Losalu. I just really struggle to leave Steep out because I think his defensive technique is elite.

15 of them will be auto picks.
Only toss ups will be #14. Sandon/ZDC/Ioelu. Probably in that order.
And #17 whether Steep or Foketi. Sadly one misses out and I can't choose between them. But it wouldn't surprise if Ebutch trumps them both. He played a solid 80 minutes against the gummies.
Losalu too runs as hard as any front row we have and hasn't missed a tackle in NRL yet.
At full strength it is amazing the depth we have in the forwards.
But a loss of our 1 to 5 with injury and I think we are exposed. The depth of our young guys hasn't come through apart from Toia. Dom could be gone in a few weeks. Doesn't leave much.

[King Salvo]

You’ve said some dumb things on here but this would have to be one of the dumbest. Sandon will end up in the same category as your other favourite players like Hutch and Momo…..playing elsewhere

Really

Coach Robinson always spoke highly of the Mercurial Hutchinator and Paul Momirovski, who was also a valuable member of Penrith's winning premiership side in 2021 during their time at the Roosters.

Mmm so now you dish dirt on Coach Robinson even.

[King Salvo]

First poor performance together and the love will turn sour very quickly till the next game. The Chookpen is very much a week to week proposition when it comes to praising players

Always easy to play any sport from the couch or grandstand though - Not to worry Forest will be back in 2026 bigger and better - Back in Europe

[nayfo]

Really

Coach Robinson always spoke highly of the Mercurial Hutchinator and Paul Momirovski, who was also a valuable member of Penrith's winning premiership side in 2021 during their time at the Roosters.

Mmm so now you dish dirt on Coach Robinson even.

Mmm….He speaks highly of every player that plays in his team, it’s called leadership. If they were as good as you say though they would still be playing for the Roosters which they are not.

Not sure what you’re alluding to about dishing dirt on coach Robbo but whatever supports your narrative, so yeah sure why not!

[Vasco]

Foketi is a lock for the 17. Effective in the middle and on an edge. Super talent.

[Bondicigar]

I'd go with Walker and S Smith in the halves.
Walker will take over kicking and running the show when he comes back , which has been Hugos role in Walkers absence.
Walker is not coming back to play second fiddle to Savala Imo

[ism22]

On current form I'd say...

1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Billy
4. Toia
5. Albo
6. Savala
7. Walker
8. Leniu
9. Watson
10. Whyte
11. Crichton
12. Wong
13. Rads

14. Cassius / Sandon
15. Collins
16. Steep
17. Foketi

[Chook2]

I'd go with Walker and S Smith in the halves.
Walker will take over kicking and running the show when he comes back , which has been Hugos role in Walkers absence.
Walker is not coming back to play second fiddle to Savala Imo

Of course Walker is the main half

savala has shown twice as much talent then Sandon in less then a dozen games so I think he will be in front of Sandon! Plus less then half the mistakes Sandon has made

[BraveTheWorld]

1. Tedesco
2. Tupou
3. B Smith
4. Toia
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Savala
7. Walker
8. Whyte
9. Watson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Wong
13. Radley

14. S Smith
15. Leniu
16. N Butcher
17. Steep

18. Foketi

Would be my choice. Although I also think with Collins, Radley, Butch and Steep all in the 17 maybe could be better balanced with another power running forward in Foketi or Losalu. I just really struggle to leave Steep out because I think his defensive technique is elite.

This is the one for me. Hurts seeing Foketi out of the side, but his time will come.

[Bondicigar]

Of course Walker is the main half

savala has shown twice as much talent then Sandon in less then a dozen games so I think he will be in front of Sandon! Plus less then half the mistakes Sandon has made

It's nice to have options
Savalas roll will change significantly if Walker comes back and steers the ship taking over the bulk of kicking in general play. Walker predominantly played the right side when keary was 5/8 . Walker and Savala pairing means one has to change to the left edge . Walker for Savala could be looked at as a less disruptive change. Imo
either way I'm happy

[Waylander]

It's nice to have options
Savalas roll will change significantly if Walker comes back and steers the ship taking over the bulk of kicking in general play. Walker predominantly played the right side when keary was 5/8 . Walker and Savala pairing means one has to change to the left edge . Walker for Savala could be looked at as a less disruptive change. Imo
either way I'm happy

Savala was playing on the left for both of Toops tries last week. I don’t think playing there permanently would be an issue.