Circa 2017

[trewhella]

In 2011 a sense of dread never fully developed.
The forthcoming cargo that was landing was indeed valuable. Maloney and Sonny Bill was good but with the addition of Jennings, well you just new it was going to be a promising season.
A rookie coach seems to work at Bondi. The unfruitful seasons under two elder statesman of the game meant that a fresh face with some great energy proved a perfect fit.
Nick Politis deserved praise.
The recruitment was A1, the coaching appointment was bold.

Heading into 2017, how does this compare?
The recruitment this year, for a team that finished near last has been underwhelming. Take away Latrell Mitchell who has to be the greatest prospect in the game and you replace him with an average solid first grader who can kick goals in Michael Gordon. Take away the other "find" last year in Conner Watson and replace him with Luke Keary. Luke Keary is solid. But so is Connor Watson! Luke Keary has a running game primarily...but so does Connor. Luke has a below average kicking game and an average passing game. I actually think he may end up at hooker. He reminds of a younger Daniel Mortimer.
The coach has been great up until last year when the pressure was applied. I dont think he handled himself well under pressure. As they say, you dont know what somebody is truly made of until they face adversity. Time will tell.

I wonder if Nick is still engaged in a practical and emotional sense??
Perhaps he is training somebody to take over? Im not sure.

Whilst I would love to see the boys do well, success this year creates cognitive dissonance in my brain.

[theGman]

As long as they beat the Gummy Sharks comprehensively at least once i'll be happy.

[Waylander]

Trew,

I can't agree with your summary of our 2017 chances. I don't believe last years result was due to a lack of talent in the side, but more to do with the amount of talent on the side line - certainly for the first 2 months. We lost 1/3 of our matches (8) last year by 4 points or less. Some of those we scored more tries but lost on goal kicking. 5 of the 8 were in the period before we got the 'big 3' back on the field together. It doesn't take much imagination (or optimism) to see how that could have been much better.

We don't need wholesale changes, or a dramatic injection of big name talent to improve significantly in '17. With our best team on the field, a reliable goal kicker, and just a little bit of luck, we'll definitely be in the mix come September.

[eddie]

The coach has been great up until last year when the pressure was applied. I dont think he handled himself well under pressure. As they say, you dont know what somebody is truly made of until they face adversity. Time will tell.

No. no no no.
Trent is one cool cat.
He is the Daniel Ricciardo of the nrl.

I thought he did good last year, even after the Anzac day game.
I would've punched the game manager in the face and kicked McGregor in the nuts.

[Vasco]

At full strength we have a top 6 team.

Mitchell made a lot of errors last season. If we want to be a good side we can't afford that.

As he gets more experience and understands patience he will be a superstar.

Having an experienced campaigner at the back might help us. Gordon is a good support player up the middle, something we lacked last year.

How many games did we lose because of goal kicking last year? Nearly enough games to make the 8 despite a horror season!

[trewhella]

I love the chooks but it seems you guys have a thing called confirmation bias.

Red, white and blue rose coloured glasses.
Who will drop for us to rise??

[Waylander]

So are you going on record as saying we won't make the 8?

I'm happy to commit to us making it.

[zac]

I love the chooks but it seems you guys have a thing called confirmation bias.

Red, white and blue rose coloured glasses.
Who will drop for us to rise??

,,, maybe, but perhaps you've got a bit of a self-hate issue. Just joking, and i don't know you, but there are a lot of footy fans who are way more critical of their own team than they are of other teams.

[trewhella]

On record......vinyl.......no we wont.
Happy to admit defeat.............my money is that we wont.

[trewhella]

,,, maybe, but perhaps you've got a bit of a self-hate issue. Just joking, and i don't know you, but there are a lot of footy fans who are way more critical of their own team than they are of other teams.

absolute bullshit cause go back to my posts in 2002 and 2012.

[Tommy Smith]

On record......vinyl.......no we wont.
Happy to admit defeat.............my money is that we wont.

If our defence out wide holds firm then I'm optimistic about our season. But that's a huge 'IF'.

I just love the look of our forward pack. We have tremendous depth with the likes of Carter, Butcher, Knight and Tetevano perhaps not even making our top 17.

That sort of depth will take us a long way.

[trewhella]

If our defence out wide holds firm then I'm optimistic about our season. But that's a huge 'IF'.

I just love the look of our forward pack. We have tremendous depth with the likes of Carter, Butcher, Knight and Tetevano perhaps not even making our top 17.

That sort of depth will take us a long way.

spoken like a man too close to the action.

I like you Tommy.

Those players are not bankable.

[trewhella]

Trew,

I can't agree with your summary of our 2017 chances. I don't believe last years result was due to a lack of talent in the side, but more to do with the amount of talent on the side line - certainly for the first 2 months. We lost 1/3 of our matches (8) last year by 4 points or less. Some of those we scored more tries but lost on goal kicking. 5 of the 8 were in the period before we got the 'big 3' back on the field together. It doesn't take much imagination (or optimism) to see how that could have been much better.

We don't need wholesale changes, or a dramatic injection of big name talent to improve significantly in '17. With our best team on the field, a reliable goal kicker, and just a little bit of luck, we'll definitely be in the mix come September.

Perhaps,

or more to my view,......

maybe we lost some extraordinary players also.

[trewhella]

At full strength we have a top 6 team.

Mitchell made a lot of errors last season. If we want to be a good side we can't afford that.

As he gets more experience and understands patience he will be a superstar.

Having an experienced campaigner at the back might help us. Gordon is a good support player up the middle, something we lacked last year.

How many games did we lose because of goal kicking last year? Nearly enough games to make the 8 despite a horror season!

Too close Vasco, way too close.

[trewhella]

No. no no no.
Trent is one cool cat.
He is the Daniel Ricciardo of the nrl.

I thought he did good last year, even after the Anzac day game.
I would've punched the game manager in the face and kicked McGregor in the nuts.

Im pleased that you love him.
It will kill you to see him crack.