likely round 1 lineup

[fletch]

obviously have to wait to see how Fergo is after rolling his ankle tonight, it seems 15 of the 17 spots are pretty much set, its basically down to Robbo to decide on the last two bench spots.

I also think Moa may start on the bench and Napa will start so we have some experience off the bench to try and combat the Cowboys big boppers.

possible round 1 lineup

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Daniel Tupou
Michael Jennings
Blake Ferguson
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
James Maloney
Mitchell Pearce (c)
Jared Waerea-Hagreaves
Matt McIlwrick
Dylan Napa
Boyd Cordner
Aidan Guerra
Isaac Liu

Mitch Aubusson
Sam Moa
Kane Evans
Siosuia Taukeiaho

[Guest]

Great looking side but I think Martin Kennedy will get a nod on the bench ... how good would this team look with Friend at 9 ... WOW

[Salvatori Grubber]

Fletch has it. Kennedy was excellent, but was no better than Tak and Evans.

[Thirteen]

Kennedy should turn out to be a good depth signing. If he and Evans go well this year our depth will be excellent. It's a massive year for these 2 to show us if they are up for it.

[Guest]

Kennedy should turn out to be a good depth signing. If he and Evans go well this year our depth will be excellent. It's a massive year for these 2 to show us if they are up for it.

I agree there little fella but surely its way past your bed time?

[Thirteen]

I agree there little fella but surely its way past your bed time?

I'm in Perth for work. It's 3 hours behind here so not my bedtime yet.
Thanks Turk for not starting a new thread to bring this to my attention.
Maybe your recent ban has matured you. We can only hope.

[Guest]

Mcilwrick might struggle to make it attack looked better when Aubo was on Mcilwrick doesn't shirk defense though.

[Darkone]

obviously have to wait to see how Fergo is after rolling his ankle tonight, it seems 15 of the 17 spots are pretty much set, its basically down to Robbo to decide on the last two bench spots.

I also think Moa may start on the bench and Napa will start so we have some experience off the bench to try and combat the Cowboys big boppers.

possible round 1 lineup

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Daniel Tupou
Michael Jennings
Blake Ferguson
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
James Maloney
Mitchell Pearce (c)
Jared Waerea-Hagreaves
Matt McIlwrick
Dylan Napa
Boyd Cordner
Aidan Guerra
Isaac Liu

Mitch Aubusson
Sam Moa
Kane Evans
Siosuia Taukeiaho

Like

[Guest]

Back like picks itself:

1. RTS
2. Tupou
3. Jennings
4. Ferguson
5. SKD
6. Maloney
7. Pearce (c)

Forward pack is pretty straight forward:

8. JWH
9. McIllwrick
10. Moa
11. Cordner
12. Guerra
13. Liu

The Bench is the most difficult aspect to pick, with roughly 8 or 9 players fighting for four spots. In round 1 v the Cowboys and round 2 v the Rabbitohs, I would like to see Trent pick a big bench like...

14. Evans
15. Kennedy
16. Napa
17. Aubusson

Add in depth players such as Hastings, MacDonald, Elliot, Milne, Langi, Manu, Setu and Friend to come back. That is a scarily good squad.

[Yak]

It's an absolute credit to Robbo and the coaching staff that a bloke like Taukeahio played the way he did last night and isn't guaranteed a bench spot for round 1. You could say the same for Kennedy really. And probably even Willie Manu who looks to be a gem signing!

There was not a bad performer last night. Taukeahio played the FPN role better than FPN ever did in any game just about. There was multiple occasions where he took two hit ups in the same set.

Kennedy must have gone very close to 100m in around 25-30 minutes. He made over 20m every time he carried the ball back from the kickoff. Never got dominated. Can't recall a run he didn't make 10m at least. There's no more shuffle at the line it's just sprint and punch into them. His defence was first class too. Brilliant from marker, making multiple back to backs and shutting down any darts around dummy half. No penalties that I can recall. Didn't drop the pill. Saved a try with a diving collar tackle under the posts. Best all round game I've seen him play.

And Willie Manu excited me a lot. He looked like a big version of Jennings with the footwork he put on display. Created the Napa try with a great step and offload back inside. He'll be a very capable fill in throughout the season.

And to add that this depth Vincent Leuluai carved up in the 20s, barrelling blokes over and brutal in defence. Just needs to work on his ball control. Same goes for Setu. He was very good defensively and did his job in attack. Absolutely smashed a few of the Manly players with that left shoulder of his. But also made 3 errors.

More than anything we looked fit and organised last night. Execution could've been better. But every player knew there role to a tee and had the engine to back it up. There was times where Manly produced a decent defensive set and got the ball back in a workable position but every time that would happen our forwards would sense a momentum shift and absolutely smack the manly forwards for the next 5 tackles. Even our centres were intimidating in defence with Ferguson ragdolling Foran twice.

Our reads in defence were excellent also. Manly couldn't get near the ad line on their wide block plays. Ferguson and SKD in particular jammed in perfectly to shut them down multiple times. And our cover looked great anyway.

Didn't think McIllwrick did his chances any harm last night. He will start hooker with Aubbo on the bench. His service was very good. One beautiful 25m cut out which looked at first like it was going to no one and then hit Maloney on the chest. He's tough as nails in defence and won't let anyone down. Thought he ran when he should have. He didn't have the forward dominance that Aubs got in the second half. But in saying that Aubusson was great regardless. Put a bell ringer on in D. And constantly had his forwards receiving the ball at or after the ad line (pushed the line for forward passes a couple of times). Beautiful deft pass selection to look out the back and hit the flat right runner in Evans for his try, went through basically untouched Maubs sold it so well.

[Guest]

I think for our first game we need to take four forwards on the bench.

Its going to be a physical first game for us.

Going to be interesting to see how Mcllwrick goes for our team.

[fletch]

SYDNEY Roosters coach Trent Robinson has declared Blake Ferguson is ready to end his 22-month self-inflicted rugby league exile when the tricolours kick off their NRL premiership campaign in two weeks.

Ferguson enjoyed his first top grade hit-out in almost two years in the Roosters 36-6 win over Manly at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

The former NSW winger looked understandably rusty at times but carried the ball with vigour and defended strongly, enough to suggest to Robinson he is ready for the Roosters’ round one clash with North Queensland.

“He played almost the whole game bar the final couple of minutes because of a slight ankle complaint but he had some nice, physical carries and also his defence was quite physical too,” Robinson said.

“He had some nice combinations with Mitchell Pearce and Shaun Kenny-Dowall there so that was good and I’d say it was a good step up from his game with Wyong a fortnight ago and now he’s ready for the big one.”.

Ferguson played his first game since 2013 two weeks ago in a Roosters’ lower grade trial and Robinson said he was progressing as well as he had hoped.

“I think definitely after 18 months of not playing, it’s a big ask for him to get straight back into footy and I think he’s had two games where he’s done really well coming back into,” Robinson said.

“He’s always had class but it’s a matter of ‘is he going to combine well, is he going to run well, how is his timing?’ and all that so I think he’s had a fair start to his return.

“People will say his footy will get better as the year goes on but I think he’s really well-placed to start the season well.”

[Darkone]

Thanks for your review Yak

Seems those in fringe contention are desperate to make the team

Positive signs for Kennedy, he could be a pillar deep in the season

Manu will be what Moa was for us upon arrival from SL but with some X factor in the mix

& Maubs is Maubs, our versatile unshakeable rock

This trial looks to be confirmation that Robbo wants & will get the depth required for a robust season.

[Game Fowl]

I think for our first game we need to take four forwards on the bench.

Its going to be a physical first game for us.

Going to be interesting to see how Mcllwrick goes for our team.

This game will set the tone for the whole year.

Checked out the Cows side and they are solid every where with the inclusion of " the Polar Bear " forwards will be a challenge although we have a side to nullify them. I can not believe Greenie is toying with swapping Morgan out for Coote must be a smoke screen surely ! Thurston needs to be contained , no dumbies and take the time off him quickly , he loves to react to what the D sends at him.

I have already got my tickets this has the makings of one tough match.

[fletch]

not that the club would actually disclose any injuries this close to the start of the season but this was tweeted an hour ago.

"INJURY UPDATE | We've checked in with Medical Staff following last night's win and can gladly report there are no injuries"