Anybody expecting any props to have breakout years this season? Is Evans safe?

[TheBigFella]

Seen a couple of big blokes who play prop & 2nd row coming through & was wondering who people think will have a breakout year? I'm really looking forward to watching Tetevano go around as I think that this bloke could be another SST.

[Tommy Smith]

Of the young props I think Liam Knight is the obvious candidate.

He's a very highly rated prospect and if he gets a good run with injury then I wouldn't be surprised if he usurps Evans whose spot must be in grave danger.

[Rooster_6]

I think the expectations on Liam Knight are excessively unfair. He's still a baby in prop years and he's only got one First Grade game under his belt. I put him in the same basket as Nat Butcher, if they can get a dozen games under their belt this year then they'll be in a good position to have break out seasons in 2018. I do agree with Tommy though that he is in competition with Evans this year for that last bench spot.

Zane Tetevano is an interesting one, he's 26 so entering what should be the peak of his career but hasn't played at the top level for almost 3 years. I imagine there will be a little bit of a re-introductory phase when he first comes back but if he can get through that I think he will prove to be a great addition to the side. A very powerful ball runner who has suprisingly good endurance levels given the nature of his play.

I think Kane Evans will retain his position for Round 1 but he will need to show something, this is his make or break year.

I think Robbo will look to JWH & Napa to play some big minutes this year and it wouldn't surprsie me if he shifts Guerra back to lock and pushes Isaac Liu into the front row to add some more stability & experience into the forward pack.

Our depth is promising but I definitely think we're a little short on experience.

[HEGtheROOSTER]

I would like to see Napa rise to the next level in 2017. His toughness is unquestioned, his ability showcased to full effect in the Souths game last year, but it would be good to see this type of dominant performance replicated more regularly next year. If not for his indiscretion at the Emerging Origin camp last year I believe he would have played Origin, so that is well and truly on the cards for 2017. Hopefully this will help spur him on as well....

[TheBigFella]

Zane Tetevano is an interesting one, he's 26 so entering what should be the peak of his career but hasn't played at the top level for almost 3 years. I imagine there will be a little bit of a re-introductory phase when he first comes back but if he can get through that I think he will prove to be a great addition to the side. A very powerful ball runner who has suprisingly good endurance levels given the nature of his play.

I thought that Tetevano was a real cut above the rest of the Wyong side & really made his mark as a hard runner and showed a deft hand with the offloading.

I hope Evans kicks on but am worried that he may have peaked & if he has it's questionable if it's really enough?

Do you think that Liu is better in the front row? I don't know..

Napa definitely needs more consistency & hopefully getting more game time & more experience he will make an awesome duo with JWH.

I'd love to Knight take off just to know that it will piss Manly fans off.

[Tommy Smith]

With our forward pack as a whole I'm encouraged by our tremendous depth.

It's something we didn't have last year and it's hugely important.

Jwh
Napa
Liu
Evans
Tetevano
Knight

Cordner
Guerra
Aubusson
Sst
Carter
Butcher

That's immense and is why I'm super confident we'll have a good year if we can fix up our ball control and our 3/4s defend adequately.

[John Corey]

Didn't we shop Evans in the off season? With no takers.

[Moose]

What R6 said. Also if Lindsay Collins shows what he can do in the lower grades look for him to get a contract extension.

[Mickie Lane]

With our forward pack as a whole I'm encouraged by our tremendous depth.

It's something we didn't have last year and it's hugely important.

Jwh
Napa
Liu
Evans
Tetevano
Knight

Cordner
Guerra
Aubusson
Sst
Carter
Butcher

That's immense and is why I'm super confident we'll have a good year if we can fix up our ball control and our 3/4s defend adequately.

Yes it appears by all those you have named that the side has more depth but a couple of those guys have to really step up & instead of being depth players they need to challenge JWH & Napa for starting spots. Because as it stands if JWH (especially) or Napa are out for long periods I dont feel any of those players mentioned could come into the side & do the job to the level of JWH or Napa.

[Rooster_6]

Chris Smith is an interesting and bit of an unknown one for me, wouldn't be surprised if he is there come Round 1. Had quite a few games where he was 18th man last year and probably would have seen more First Grade if not for injuries.

Seems to be a popular figure amongst the players and Robbo has spoken highly of him a few times publicly. Just following his social media he looks in awesome shape and the club havent made any secret about trying to develop his as a front rower.

At 23 he's in a pretty good position to have a break out year if he's good enough.

[Moose]

Chris Smith is an interesting and bit of an unknown one for me, wouldn't be surprised if he is there come Round 1. Had quite a few games where he was 18th man last year and probably would have seen more First Grade if not for injuries.

Seems to be a popular figure amongst the players and Robbo has spoken highly of him a few times publicly. Just following his social media he looks in awesome shape and the club havent made any secret about trying to develop his as a front rower.

At 23 he's in a pretty good position to have a break out year if he's good enough.

Just looking at his instagram he looks like he has definitely bulked up, he's not overly tall though, he could end up a sam moa type of prop?

[Rooster_6]

Just looking at his instagram he looks like he has definitely bulked up, he's not overly tall though, he could end up a sam moa type of prop?

He's a little bit rangier than Sam Moa was, closer to a Taukeiaho type build. Both he and SST come from backgrounds of having played Centre and second row in the juniors.

[Tommy Smith]

I wonder when Victor Radley comes into contention.

Not in 2017, but I have high hopes that he'll be a star for us and the successor to Aubo/Guerra on the opposite edge to Cordner come 2018 or 2019.

[The Axe]

Good pick of talent, Tommy. Boo is something special. Needs more time. 2019 perhaps

[Guest]

Women basher will be a stand out!!
Love the Coq already..