Next year....what will Smith do?

[Guest]

The U20's this year who have shown 'it' to me are:

- Ryan Williamson - very raw, but could very well benefit from being thrown in the deep end, very big, fast, and aggressive

- Luke Towers - loads of pace, skill, plays with heart too, could make a great goalkicking winger or fullback

- Isaac Maliota - been our best prop consistently over the whole season, led the way with plenty of yards

- Sandor Earl - I criticized him earlier this year, but he has a lot of good stuff about him, wasn't really a shocker in FG anyway

- Jerome Leolahi - been Mr. Consistent, was good at lock and at five-eighth, is a talented but small ballplaying forward with good footwork and speed


Dane Cordner is apparently gone. Youngsters Boyd Cordner, Ethan Lowe, Jacob Miller, Cheyse Blair and new recruits Joseph Leilua and JP Du Plessis are all very talented but are probably still a year or two from away from first grade.

The others can all go, don't really rate any of them too highly. Brad Murray was a serious disappointment this year, and Samuela and Brunton both lost their form massively by the end of the year. As did Anthony Gelling, who looked very talented early on, and then faded away over the year.

[witty92]

Mack how do u know how good JP is? Are u just going by reports or have u seen him play

[Guest]

Going by reports on JP and Leilua. I have seen the rest play and they look very good. Miller wasn't a standout for the U20s but he is only young and he is a half, but he played very well for Schoolboys by all accounts, as did Blair.

[Guest]

Mack,what about Fine Moeakiola?
I think he is a good prospect and coould push for first grade selection down the track..

[Guest]

The U20's this year who have shown 'it' to me are:

- Ryan Williamson - very raw, but could very well benefit from being thrown in the deep end, very big, fast, and aggressive

- Luke Towers - loads of pace, skill, plays with heart too, could make a great goalkicking winger or fullback

- Isaac Maliota - been our best prop consistently over the whole season, led the way with plenty of yards

- Sandor Earl - I criticized him earlier this year, but he has a lot of good stuff about him, wasn't really a shocker in FG anyway

- Jerome Leolahi - been Mr. Consistent, was good at lock and at five-eighth, is a talented but small ballplaying forward with good footwork and speed


Dane Cordner is apparently gone. Youngsters Boyd Cordner, Ethan Lowe, Jacob Miller, Cheyse Blair and new recruits Joseph Leilua and JP Du Plessis are all very talented but are probably still a year or two from away from first grade.

The others can all go, don't really rate any of them too highly. Brad Murray was a serious disappointment this year, and Samuela and Brunton both lost their form massively by the end of the year. As did Anthony Gelling, who looked very talented early on, and then faded away over the year.

where is Dane Cordner going? I liked the look of him. Nice and tough

[Guest]

where is Dane Cordner going? I liked the look of him. Nice and tough

Mario said he is gone.

I liked the look of him too, one angry bugger.

[supermario]

Mario said he is gone.

I liked the look of him too, one angry bugger.

Thats the word i was given, he has not been re signed for 2010 with the Roosters

[Guest]

The U20's this year who have shown 'it' to me are:

- Ryan Williamson - very raw, but could very well benefit from being thrown in the deep end, very big, fast, and aggressive

- Luke Towers - loads of pace, skill, plays with heart too, could make a great goalkicking winger or fullback

- Isaac Maliota - been our best prop consistently over the whole season, led the way with plenty of yards

- Sandor Earl - I criticized him earlier this year, but he has a lot of good stuff about him, wasn't really a shocker in FG anyway

- Jerome Leolahi - been Mr. Consistent, was good at lock and at five-eighth, is a talented but small ballplaying forward with good footwork and speed


Dane Cordner is apparently gone. Youngsters Boyd Cordner, Ethan Lowe, Jacob Miller, Cheyse Blair and new recruits Joseph Leilua and JP Du Plessis are all very talented but are probably still a year or two from away from first grade.

The others can all go, don't really rate any of them too highly. Brad Murray was a serious disappointment this year, and Samuela and Brunton both lost their form massively by the end of the year. As did Anthony Gelling, who looked very talented early on, and then faded away over the year.

I'd put Jerome Leolahi in the group that fell out of form massively at the end of the year. Though with the other four, Earl, Williamson, Maliota and Towers I totally agree.

Sandor Earl - After his experiences in first grade, he came back down to the NYC and dominated his opposites. He was playing some really good footy and I really like the look of him now. It's always good when a young player proves you wrong and I certainly like Earl's chances of starting on the wing for us although I'm hearing rumours of a move to Manly.

Ryan Williamson - He will debut next season early in the season although I'd prefer if he started off in the NYC and progressively work his way into the NRL side. He is big, strong and very good in the air. I think his best position in NRL is wing.

Luke Towers - We all know about this kid. He is a dynamite all-rounder. Can kick goals, has a great running game, posesses vision, has an above average passing game and also has a very handy kicking game. He can be used as our utlity off the bench. He can play fullback, wing, in the halves and at hooker.

Isaac Maliota - I have been very impressed with this young kid. Gets through a lot of work and has a massive engine for a front rower. Played something like 76 minutes against the Cowboys mid-season and is very aggressive.

I'm expecting JP Du Plessis to really come along in 2011. I think next year will be used to develop his knowledge on the game. I'm not sure at the moment if he even knows there is a play the ball in league. But he will hit the NRL in 2011 and I have no doubts he will be successful. Leilua will be very handy and should play NRL by 2011. He is still relatively young and hasn't even played NYC yet but I'm anticipating he will dominate just like Boyd Cordner was doing before he got injured mid season.

Also heard Dane Cordner has not been offered a contract next season. If so, that a real loss. He is as tough as they come and it wouldn't do any harm if he came back for another year in our NYC.

Lydon, I am with you on Fine Moeakiola. I don't think Mack has seen him play but a few of us on here have been singing his praises. IMO he is the best winger we have at the club but has been plagued with injuries. If he can overcome these, he will most definitely feature in firsts.

[Guest]

Next year....what will Smith do?

Coach the Roosters I take it?
(Sorry I keep thinking that every time I see this thread)

[Guest]

could it be that dane cordner doesn't get on with smith or vice versa

[TheBigFella]

That's a real shock if he isn't offered a contract next season!!!

[TheLoneRooster]

could it be that dane cordner doesn't get on with smith or vice versa

That's what I was thinking although I have no idea as to the truth of the matter.
From all reports Dane played with heart, has some ability and is tough - isn't that reason alone to keep him at the Roosters alongside his brother?
We all know heart, ability and toughness seem to be missing from many of the current "first graders."
Fark me, I just don't get this club.

[BUDDY]

I'd hate to see Dane go but my bigger concern is if Boyd follows.
Of the two, I know which one I prefer.

[Guest]

Yeah, I liked the look of Dane. Had plenty of mongrel, played alot like Crocker.

Would have liked to see him thrown in the deep end, inject a bit of angry into our attack.

[Guest]

I just thought about why the Cordners left Newcastle and Smith came up. This is not a good thing but it would be good of Smith if he came to the club, had a meeting with the boys to clear up any hard feelings and then have it business as usual. We just can't afford to lose Boyd, he will be an instant star once he plays NRL.