Round 1 hooker ? Halves? Backline? Forwards ?

[Johnny Brass]

I'm also on the tuka bandwagon over baker club, he looks harder to dominate in a tackle and poses an offloading threat.

[ism22]

I'm thinking...
1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Hutcho
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Watson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radley

14. Keighran
15. Nat Butcher
16. SST
17. Atoni

---

No science in it but Atoni, SST and Butcher didn't play during the trials so I'd say Robbo's seen enough from them that he's happy to include 'em without a trial.

Hutcho and Walker... I just think that's a nice, stable, tested pairing. Manu had his go and while it was fun, it's simply not necessary (i.e. we won't see a backline of Teddy, Toops, Smith, Momirovski, and Suaalii in order to accommodate Manu at #6 next week).

Watson... I think it's fair to say he's more skilful and versatile than Lam/Keighran/Marschke/Hutcho. He's our 'number 14' but IMO that guarantees him a starting spot whenever our starting half & hooker are out.

Whyte and Baker might get a run ahead of Atoni (and I've never seen Atoni play so who knows). However, I think we woulda seen Atoni during the trials if Robbo wanted to see how he combined with more experienced player. My thinking is that Robbo's seen enough of him to know he'll combine well without stars during an NRL game.

[Thirteen]

I'm also on the tuka bandwagon over baker club, he looks harder to dominate in a tackle and poses an offloading threat.

I think Fafita has skipped ahead of both based on his efforts in the trials. Three great prospects though. Plus hopefully May gets a contract. I like the very little I’ve seem of him. He just needs a visit to the barbers.

[Thirteen]

Sualli supposedly won’t be ready yet. Kevin will be there then. Whatever happened to Smith? Did he break wind at training again?

[Nicola Tesla]

I'm thinking...
1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Hutcho
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Watson
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radley

14. Keighran
15. Nat Butcher
16. SST
17. Atoni

---

No science in it but Atoni, SST and Butcher didn't play during the trials so I'd say Robbo's seen enough from them that he's happy to include 'em without a trial.

Hutcho and Walker... I just think that's a nice, stable, tested pairing. Manu had his go and while it was fun, it's simply not necessary (i.e. we won't see a backline of Teddy, Toops, Smith, Momirovski, and Suaalii in order to accommodate Manu at #6 next week).

Watson... I think it's fair to say he's more skilful and versatile than Lam/Keighran/Marschke/Hutcho. He's our 'number 14' but IMO that guarantees him a starting spot whenever our starting half & hooker are out.

Whyte and Baker might get a run ahead of Atoni (and I've never seen Atoni play so who knows). However, I think we woulda seen Atoni during the trials if Robbo wanted to see how he combined with more experienced player. My thinking is that Robbo's seen enough of him to know he'll combine well without stars during an NRL game.

Atoni is interesting... I would have expected him to play in the trials to at least understand the calls and work with other players under fatigue and the pressure of a game.. Is there a reason he didn't? I don't think he is any chance at all. Is he actually fit and ready for Rd1 in any grade?

[mightyrooster]

It's strange Atoni never got a trial game. He must be injured.

[Vasco]

Sualli supposedly won’t be ready yet. Kevin will be there then. Whatever happened to Smith? Did he break wind at training again?

Available for selection round 1.

[Headless Chook]

Manu's lack of a long kicking game is an issue. It puts too much pressure on Walker to do all the kicking so I would definitely prefer to see Hutchison pair with him until Keary is fit

[Thirteen]

Manu's lack of a long kicking game is an issue. It puts too much pressure on Walker to do all the kicking so I would definitely prefer to see Hutchison pair with him until Keary is fit

I agree. Can’t go in with one kicker. If we did and Walker goes down again, we are screwed.

[Waylander]

I doubt Lindsay will start. I'm not sure how long he's been back to full training, but he still will be a bit rusty, and I think will come off the bench for the first few games until he gets his match fitness and timing back. Butcher x 2 and Suaalli are also unlikely to be ready for Rnd 1.

I'd say we'll start with:

1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu
5. Smith/Naiqama
6. Hutch
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Watson
10. SST
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radley

14. Keighran
15. Collins
16. Baker/Whyte
17. Atoni

[Vasco]

Hutcho will play 5/8 if Keary is not ready.

I also think Marschke will play until Verills is back. Watson will be the no.14.

A bench of Collins, Baker, Watson and Keighran is pretty solid. Will be even stronger when the Butchers are back.

I thought Sitili was very quiet against the Tigers. I feel he is wasted on the fringes. Needs to be in the middle with his speed and footwork. He can go missing otherwise.

Some are concerned about our front row but I believe this position is pretty strong. It's second row where we are very thin.

[Thirteen]

I doubt Lindsay will start. I'm not sure how long he's been back to full training, but he still will be a bit rusty, and I think will come off the bench for the first few games until he gets his match fitness and timing back. Butcher x 2 and Suaalli are also unlikely to be ready for Rnd 1.

I'd say we'll start with:

1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu
5. Smith/Naiqama
6. Hutch
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Watson
10. SST
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radley

14. Keighran
15. Collins
16. Baker/Whyte
17. Atoni

Off the fence mate. Is it Smith or Naiqama or is it Baker or Whyte.

[Waylander]

Off the fence mate. Is it Smith or Naiqama or is it Baker or Whyte.

If Smith is fit (which I don't know, hence bracketing Naiqama), then I'd play him. I'd also prefer Baker over Whyte, but he tends to be used a prop these days and we don't need 3 on the bench. I still think Whyte is a bit raw though, so it's Baker for me.

[Noosa Rooster]

Hutcho will play 5/8 if Keary is not ready.

I also think Marschke will play until Verills is back. Watson will be the no.14.

A bench of Collins, Baker, Watson and Keighran is pretty solid. Will be even stronger when the Butchers are back.

I thought Sitili was very quiet against the Tigers. I feel he is wasted on the fringes. Needs to be in the middle with his speed and footwork. He can go missing otherwise.

Some are concerned about our front row but I believe this position is pretty strong. It's second row where we are very thin.

I think Marschke is on a development contract so not eligible to play until later in the year, which is a pity because I thought he was the pick of the Verills replacements last year.

[Mickie Lane]

We'll know in another 7 days.

We know these positions are certainties

1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu? maybe 5/8
5.
6.
7. Walker
8. JWH
9.
10. SST
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radley

14. Watson
15. Collins
16.
17.

Then you have Baker, Hutchison, Keighran, Atoni, Lam, Naiqama, B Smith, Lussick to choose from.
Im not sure of Watson & N Butchers fitness but if they're fit they're in the 17.
Outs Keary, Suaalii, E Butcher, Verrills, Marshke & the 3 other develpoment players