Pack to start 2012.

[Yak]

Essentially they're the same role under a Smith system so I don't see how it will really affect how he plays. If he was asked to play wide every second week I could see how that would be a problem. But Smith will most likely always have 2 of his big props on the field at once with either FPN or Cordner playing lock. The role will be same as the 8 and 10 only runs would be later in the set and he'd probably have a greater license to offload.

[Guest]

I'm confident FPN will have his biggest year yet. On his day he has the ability to be the most damaging player on the field. Unfortunately his best runs happen late in a dominant attacking set so that means he plays his best when the team is performing well. I've also heard that his attitude has turned around. Hopefully this means he loses the laziness in defence.

MRHK, I don't think we're short on props at all really. If Kennedy can stay fit for the majority of the year we'll have one of the best rotations in the comp. Despite all the back row talk JWH will most likely be used as a prop and should be starting. Arona, Bosden, FPN and Takairangi can all played the 3rd prop lock role very well. Smith mentioned Taka would be given this role at time throughout the year and I think he would offer a lot there. As well as that we have two of the best young props available in Kane Evans and Josh Ailaomai. Both these guys would be chosen on the bench in many other teams with weaker front row rotations. Add to that Isaac Liu who has impressed Smith massively so far in the pre season. We really have extremely good depth in all positions bar the halves. Can't wait to see if these guys have developed further since last season come trial time.

Good post Yak. I must say I do enjoy your way of analysing the team. My worry with the props is if Kennedy is injured will Kane Evans and Josh Ailaomai be ready to go? Its good that you rate them both so highly. I'm yet to see Kane Evans but obviously he is rated highly. I don't know anything about Isaac Lui either. I just hope Kennedy's ankles are good to go. He is one hell of a good young player.

[Cockadoodledoo]

8. Kennedy
9. Friend
10. FPN
11. Guerra
12. Aubusson
13. Hargreaves

14. Masoe
15. Tasi
16. Cordner
17. Dumbrell

Just on the uncommon selections

FPN - He's a senior player now and very popular amongst the playing group, time for him to step up and use his influence.I think he's been a victim of his own versatility, his ability to play anywhere in the forward pack and play many different roles has probably resulted in some inconsistent performances. I think he deserves the shot at a permanent and more senior role in the team.

Hargreaves - He struggles at time playing in tight not for a lack of trying though, he's got very good leg speed, late foot work and reads the game quite well. At lock he'll be able to run wide either side of the ruck whilst still doing the dirty work down the middle when it's needed. He's got a tremendous workrate that we haven't seen yet. Jack Gibson always said defend smartly, attack aggressively... this sums up JWH perfectly, if he does this imo he has the potential to be one of the best locks going round for the next 10 years.

Tasi - Still young, still inexperienced. Development and growth is all about taking small steps. Last year he played reserves and got half a dozen games, this year he'll play off the bench and start the odd game. Talent will never be this guys downfall but progressing too fast might be, there's no rush and there's no reason why he can't play long minutes off the bench. Starting is the next step after having a full season in first grade.

Dumbrell - Perfect impact player, great defence so we loose nothing there and a very good running game. Service games is also solid... He's just got more to his game than Mortimer or Mitchell.

Whilst I agree with what you say here for the most part I think FPN struggles even more when playing tight early in matches, largely due to the weight he has lost. It will depend on what changes have happened in the offseason, has he worked more on strength and putting on some weight or more on fitness and speed. I would play JWH in tight early and FPN more on the fringes but possibly swap later on in the second half when the defences are tiring more and FPN's speed and quick play the balls have more impact up the middle and then use JWH on a wider role. Other than that you have probably named the best pack possible which is a shame for Taka who will get his chance when injuries take their toll.

[theGman]

Does anyone think Bosden is likely to feature early in the season? Could be something special and there is also the forgotten man, Arona to consider. Good depth I just wish there was one more prop.

Absolutely. Very surprised he hasn't rated a mention by most on here. Bosden is highly regarded, possesses good ball skills and is capable of initiating 2nd phase play, something we dearly missed when Conn dropped out last year.
Barring injury Jack will surprise many. He's my bolter for 2012.

[Geohood]

Are you some kind of Twitter addict? Who give a ****?

It was on the main Roosters page which isn't hard to view. Calm down! Bad day?

[Gary Worthless]

I am struggling with the love for FPN in this thread. I cannot remember a single game in 2011 where he was in our top 3 forwards. FPN was MIA when he was really needed last year. I am hoping that Cordner, Bosden or Arona take his spot in 2012.

[Guest]

It was on the main Roosters page which isn't hard to view. Calm down! Bad day?

Same day as always man. But seriously what does those two wrestling on the beach have to do with who our pack should be to start 2012? You Gen - Y people are interested in the most mundane pieces of information.

[Guest]

I am struggling with the love for FPN in this thread. I cannot remember a single game in 2011 where he was in our top 3 forwards. FPN was MIA when he was really needed last year. I am hoping that Cordner, Bosden or Arona take his spot in 2012.

You are totally correct. I think the thing is with FPN is if he gets his act together he is damaging. However, as you point out if he performs as he did last year he will quickly find himself at Newtown. There are too many guys competing for his position. I just have a feeling that we might be in for something special from Frank. He was bloody good in 2010.

[Geohood]

Same day as always man. But seriously what does those two wrestling on the beach have to do with who our pack should be to start 2012? You Gen - Y people are interested in the most mundane pieces of information.

Mose is so awesome that even his own teammates are scared of him.. I think it's fitting to be in this thread! Mose to kill it this year.. argh can't wait for the season to start again.

[Guest]

I think a lot of you guys are overstating our forwards.

They are a long way from being one of the dominant packs in the comp.

For the most part, they played like cream puffs last year & that's the recent history so that's all that matters

[Guest]

Seriously man, are you the brother of Rooster Cogburn or what? Are you a relation of Dolphin perhaps? You are one negative mofo.

[Guest]

Did you watch much footy last year? Our forwards were dominated in most games and our backs were a disgrace.

[Yak]

Our forward pack gained a lot of valuable experience last season. Cordner, Arona, Tasi and Takairangi all debuted and were playing very consistently towards the end of the season. We were missing one of our best metre-eaters in Kennedy for the last 2/3 of the season. We lost Daniel Conn, a grand finalist, for the season. And Mose and Ryles were both playing through excruciating neck and back injuries. To add to this whenever Carney was partnering Pearce in the halves we only had 5 working forwards, with Captain Fantastic making 3 hit ups and 12 tackles a game in the back row. I think you'll find in the games we had 6 actual forwards on the field they performed very well as a unit and were not dominated whatsoever.

Considering the circumstances I would say our forward pack did well to finish the year so strongly.

It's called positivity Fred. Certainly wouldn't kill you mate.

[Ray Stehr]

I am struggling with the love for FPN in this thread. I cannot remember a single game in 2011 where he was in our top 3 forwards. FPN was MIA when he was really needed last year. I am hoping that Cordner, Bosden or Arona take his spot in 2012.

Agree. FPN is rubbish, He belongs in Newtown's pack. We have too many good forwards to consider him.

[Guest]

Fred is actually very close to the mark with his assesment (poor choice of words though).

Aside from Ryles and to some extent JWH - our pack just did not have the legs last year. Ryles and Myles were the only ones who consistantly came close to the 100m mark (ironically they are both gone). JWH matured toward the end of the season in terms of his workrate and in my opinion earned his starting spot this year.

Big Mose will never be a big minute player but he needs to lift his workrate in the time he gets on the field. Definately nowhere near starting, unless Smith is expecting a physical start to the game and wants to gain a mental advantage through some big shots.

Tasi is a very exciting prospect - having spoken to some players who shared the field with him, they are admant that his engine is his strongest point - an unusual trait for an islander. That being said, he hasn't earned the right to start - needs to solidify his bench position first.

Kennedy - in my opinion is the best prop we have at the club, by a mile. I'm praying that injuries don't hold him back. I'm sure most on here would agree that he is a lock for a starting position.

Maubs is the best backrower we have, and needs to go back to SKD's side ASAP. He will help SKD in defence, and in offence by creating another hole running option. Pearce missed him this year big time. Best hands of any of our forwards. Best defence as well (playing centres helped him read the game very well on that edge). One criticism i have is that he needs to put his hand up when the team is on the backfoot and take some no-frills hit ups.

Guerra proved that he can reap havoc on the edges. His form in 2011 has earnt him a starting spot for mine. I hope he has had a good off-season because last season i didn't think he was anywhere near his physical peak (from memory, injuries had a bit to do with that).

Cordner is still green, needs a full season coming off the bench(will get his opportunity to start through injuries later in the year). Didn't look out of place in first grade - but in my opinion with a little confidence, he can be a destructive player.

Taka is still a fringe bench player. Can create second phase plays or put a big hit on but drifts in and out of games too much. I hope he proves me wrong because physically, he is an imposing character but i have him starting in Newtown to star the year.

Arona - same as above - could be a fill in for injuries but i can't work out his role within the team.

FPN - the bloke must start in Newtown and be forced to work his way up. I keep reading that he COULD be one of the most damaging runners in the NRL. Well, anyone COULD be anything, but it amounts for jack unless they can prove it.FPN had a long time to prove that he can be a consistant player and has not delivered. I'm not writing him off yet, but to put his anywhere near the starting team just sends the wrong message to others. He did not put in last year - considering theat he is one of our more senior players just makes it worse.

Our one big hole in the squad is the lock position - which these days is essentially the 3rd prop. I don't know if anyone in the team can fit this role adequately. I'm hoping Bosden might surprise, otherwise Guerra or Maubs might get pulled in which takes away from their wide running game. I can see Smith starting FPN though and that is a big shame because i don't think his workrate is up to it.

One thing is for sure - unless we sort out that lock position, Friend will continue making 50 tackles a game taking away from his attacking game.



I think our supporters are overrating our pack for this coming season. They are still very green. Only JWH, Kennedy, Maubs and maybe Guerra are battle proven. The rest are very young and mostly unproven.

We just do not have the workers in our pack. Big hits and the occasional big run don't win you many games. Hard work up the middle does and it is something that i think our young, inexperienced pack is lacking big time.