*Official* 2007 NRL Thread

[Simon]

Hunt actually played halfback in the trials last year and went very well apparently.

 

[Craig]

Hunt actually played halfback in the trials last year and went very well apparently.

Ah right, thought so.

 

[Blewy]

Wests Tigers
Prediction: 5th
Strongest Team: 1 Brett Hodgson 2 Shannon McDonnell 3 Dean Collis 4 Paul Whatuira 5 Daniel Fitzhenry 6 Benji Marshall 7 John Morris 8 Chris Heighington 9 Robbie Farah 10 Ryan O’Hara 11 Ben Galea 12 Dene Halatau 13 Liam Fulton – Reserves: 14 Todd Payten 15 Keith Galloway 16 Bryce Gibbs 17 Taniela Tuiaki
Strengths: Still have a lot of players left from the premiership winning side of 2006, these guys still have a certain arrogance about them that makes team’s lift when they play them. Last years disappointments will spur them onto a much better 2007 too I think. Benji is back from injury and after a long lay off you would hope he’s fit a ready to go, their campaign once again rests on his shoulders. With the exception of Fitzhenry their backline has speed to burn, they are all clever players who are also natural try scorers, they also have one of the best goalkickers in the business and like the Bulldogs this will get them home in some close games they might otherwise have lost.
Weaknesses: They have no halfback, Scott Prince played most of last season without a heart but he still organised the team well, in John Morris they have a utility player who is really the best option in a squad without a recognised number 7. I also think they may be lacking a top line prop forward, they have lost Skando and Laffranchi without replacing them. Injuries were a problem last year and you’d think they are in trouble if it happens again, they have an impressive 17 man team but the next lot of players look some way off being first grade standard.
Key Player: Benji Marshall, we saw with Brisbane last year you can win the comp with a poor halfback if you have a brilliant five eighth, this situation is exactly the same for the Tigers who have one of the best in Marshall. This year he’s going to need to step up and become more of a ball player than a ball runner, we will still see some breathtaking moments I’m sure, but they will be less frequent. In the best interests of the team he has to become the leader and develop his game to the point he may play halfback at some stage. He’s good enough to step up and do this for the team and the Tigers will go well because of it.
Look Out For: Luke Harlen, former Penrith and Sharks lower grade prop who is another who was expected to make it big a couple of years ago. Injuries have hampered his progress but a move to the Tigers to play under Tim Sheens will see him finally become a first grader. The Tigers look a bit light on for props so this is a perfect chance for him to stamp his class on the Telsta Premiership.
Top Tryscorer: Paul Whatuira

Oh thats Harsh on Fitzy Simon... Speed is about the only thing he has got

I agree with the concern in the front-row... but keep an eye on Sam Moa, Ben Teo and Jarrad Saffy all are young and expected to to well and im expecting Big Keith Galloway to step up also....

As for Morris, im also a little concerned but from all reports he had a really good game against the Roosters the other night, and that was without Benji by his side...

 

[Simon]

Galloway is just another Josh Perry or Dane Carlaw, started his career with a bang and is now nothing more than a cat. He's still young so he can turn it around but since the Hopoate incident he's produced very little...

 

[Simon]

Raiders today announced Alan Tongue as captain for 2007, was an obvious choice really, what a gun.

Panthers have become another team to adopt a rotation policy, Priddis, Puletua and Gower will share the captaincy this year.

 

[Johnners]

The Latest RLW suggests that Brian Smith will be giving Jarred Mullen a fair portion of playing time at Halfback this year for a number of reasons, namely, A) To help Johns get through the season fitness wise, B) To further groom Mullen as the man to lead the Knights around the paddock once Joey retires.

 

[Craig]

Read in the paper today about some club preparing to offer (a rival of the Bulldogs) Sonny Bill Williams a ten year deal worth $6m (obv. 600k a year)

And I thought football was bad...

 

[Simon]

It's so obviously Souths, who else is that desperate?

 

[Craig]

It's so obviously Souths, who else is that desperate?

They were showing Lote Tuquiri around their training ground yeasterday apparently. How is it they stay under the salary cap?

 

[Simon]

They were showing Lote Tuquiri around their training ground yeasterday apparently. How is it they stay under the salary cap?

by paying two players a quarter of their cap and have a whole bunch of duds other than that...

 

[Simon]

Anyway I'd be surprised if Tuqiri doesn't end up back in Brisbane, The Broncos are likely to lose Tate to union as well as Berrigan and Civoniceva going to the ESL we will have a lot of room under the cap... If we can put together a reasonable package i think he'll come back...

 

[Johnners]

Anyway I'd be surprised if Tuqiri doesn't end up back in Brisbane, The Broncos are likely to lose Tate to union as well as Berrigan and Civoniceva going to the ESL we will have a lot of room under the cap... If we can put together a reasonable package i think he'll come back...

Lockyer has said in today's courier that he wishes to finish his career in the ESL as well

 

[Simon]

Lockyer has said in today's courier that he wishes to finish his career in the ESL as well

locky still has three years to run on his contract, so it wont be until 2010...

 

[Johnners]

what.... your name changed... how

 

[Simon]

what.... your name changed... how

James was kind enough to do that for me, everyone calls me Simon anyway, it was a logical step, plus i'd had "broncoman" from nearly five years, i might go back to it in 2012.

 

[Johnners]

haha fair enough... was a shock that was all

 

[Simon]

it'll take some getting used to...

anyway, it seems fox sports have finally got something right, for those of us lucky enough to have digital we get to choose which 7.30 game on saturday we watch live. Thats good for the times when your team is playing Souths or the Raiders who are generally given the 9.20 game, i think its a great move...

 

[Mister Wright]

it'll take some getting used to...

anyway, it seems fox sports have finally got something right, for those of us lucky enough to have digital we get to choose which 7.30 game on saturday we watch live. Thats good for the times when your team is playing Souths or the Raiders who are generally given the 9.20 game, i think its a great move...

Yeah, that's a fantastic move...Happy to see that implemented.

 

[Craig]

it'll take some getting used to...

anyway, it seems fox sports have finally got something right, for those of us lucky enough to have digital we get to choose which 7.30 game on saturday we watch live. Thats good for the times when your team is playing Souths or the Raiders who are generally given the 9.20 game, i think its a great move...

Good idea.

Anyway one guy on the Storm bench is by the name of 'Pale Ale' and yes his nickname is Cooper's. Has to be the most bogan name I have ever heard of.

 

[chaminda_00]

I doubt Tuqiri will go back to league, considering he would get more money then Giteau to stay in Union. Looks like his just trying to test the resolve of some League clubs. I doubt any will be able to fit him under the cap, if they have to match the money Rugby might pay. He would have to take half cut on his wages to comeback pretty much.