Round 1 hooker ? Halves? Backline? Forwards ?

[Nicola Tesla]

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

This is exactly what I see for Rd1 with what we know.
So much pends on Keary who looks very unlikely and whether Manu gets the 6? If Manu doesn't get the 6 then Hutch would be a cert!
And how close are Smith and Suaali?
I think Fafita will get a spot too based on trials.
No idea where Atoni is...I would have thought he would be a cert for trials if fit!



1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu? If Not then Keighran (who won't be a bench player I feel)
5. Naquaima/Smith/Suaali
6.Hutch or Manu
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Lam/Lussick/Watson?
10. SST
11. Crichton
12. Sitilli
13. Radley

14. Lam/Lussick/Watson
15. Collins
16. Fafifita (I think is a cert)
17.Baker /Whyte/Tapuha/Thomas/Atoni.... N Butcher is a cert if fit!

[Nicola Tesla]

This might answer some of the above!

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...53e1c7566632f4

"Roosters superstar Luke Keary has revealed he is in no doubt to make his return from injury in Round 1 against the Knights and is excited to partner young gun Sam Walker in the halves.

Keary missed the bulk of last season with an ACL injury, before an ankle complaint and bone bruising derailed his return in the 2022 pre-season, but he is confident his long lay-off will come to an end next week.

“Yeah it’s good I probably could have played last week,” Keary told reported on Tuesday."

[Waylander]

Great news!!

It's interesting though .... I think Keary should own the team, which is traditionally the role of the 7. I do however reckon he would form a very good combo with Gus on the left. There's no reason why the 7 can't play on the left, but no-one does it that way. It's one of the great mysteries to me, I think there are advantageous possibilities that could be made by playing outside the structure that every other team uses. A little unpredictability can't hurt.

[Thirteen]

Great news!!

It's interesting though .... I think Keary should own the team, which is traditionally the role of the 7. I do however reckon he would form a very good combo with Gus on the left. There's no reason why the 7 can't play on the left, but no-one does it that way. It's one of the great mysteries to me, I think there are advantageous possibilities that could be made by playing outside the structure that every other team uses. A little unpredictability can't hurt.

I don’t think that either should be confined to any one side of the field. And they won’t be.

[mightyrooster]

Well that’s great news. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen him in action and I’m looking forward to seeing how he and Walker combine.

[Mickie Lane]

So we nearly know the full make up of the team
Wing, Hooker & 3 bench spots up for grabs, if N Butcher is fit then 2 bench spots.
Hookers the puzzle, whos Robbo going to go with?

[fletch]

A bit more information on Keary from the NRL physio

Good to finally get clarification on Luke Keary’s injured offseason: - ankle cleanup (ongoing issue) mid ACL rehab - bone bruising (stress reaction) on navicular in foot before Xmas, took 3 weeks off feet to settle - back in full training for 2 weeks, expects to play in Round 1

https://twitter.com/nrlphysio/status...DRhdygk80pAAAA

[Johnny Brass]

Great news!!

It's interesting though .... I think Keary should own the team, which is traditionally the role of the 7. I do however reckon he would form a very good combo with Gus on the left. There's no reason why the 7 can't play on the left, but no-one does it that way. It's one of the great mysteries to me, I think there are advantageous possibilities that could be made by playing outside the structure that every other team uses. A little unpredictability can't hurt.

My guess would be that the majority are right footed and it would be preferable to kicking when receiving the ball from their left but in saying that Keary was dynamic for us playing on the left edge in the 6.

[Thirteen]

So we nearly know the full make up of the team
Wing, Hooker & 3 bench spots up for grabs, if N Butcher is fit then 2 bench spots.
Hookers the puzzle, whos Robbo going to go with?

You know your hookers, you tell us.

Manu of course.

[Vasco]

When does Frenzy Lune race again Vasco?

Not sure. That was it's day though.

I like Kyneton race 5 no.2 tomorrow.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Awesome to read that Keary will be back for rd 1. Glad we have also heard it from the man himself rather than speculation from a journo

[ChookMaster]

It’s been 2 years since keary and rads have played a game together.. been a long time but so excited to see that lethal combo click once again and teddy at the back.

[Johnny Brass]

Not sure. That was it's day though.

I like Kyneton race 5 no.2 tomorrow.

Bit stiff Vasco, got reshod at the barriers and forced to go 6 wide and just missed the chocolates.

[JB_Cloey]

What's happening with Billy Smith???

[Thirteen]

What's happening with Billy Smith???

He is out for 12 weeks after suffering a haircut.