How much have we really improved the roster?

[B-Train]

We have improved the roster immensely compared to last year. Have to also consider a few things;
- Elliot back from injury, basically missed all season
- Luke Thompson full off season under his belt and will be better for going through this season
- Having Flanno is basically a guaranteed 2 points. Not since El-Masri have we had a kicker of his caliber - now think about the game we have lost by small margins over the last couple years
- We have signed Leinu (spelling) from Panthers I believe - will add punch off the bench
- Finally we have a strike player in Cotric and we have a half that can get him the ball and use him

Agree that we may still be a year or so off the 8, but it's not easy going from absolutely abysmal to being ready for the finals however I would not be surprised to see this team in the top 8 come end of year.

Where did you hear we signed Leniu? I hope we're trying to get him. He's a freak. But I'd imagine Penrith would prioritise re-signing him, especially with Tamou leaving.

 

[Noeasyday]

- We have signed Leinu (spelling) from Panthers I believe - will add punch off the bench

Where did you hear this?

 

[GrogDog]

9 - 12 at this stage but if we get Burton and a hooker then top 8.

2022 should be Top 8 at the bare minimum.

 

[Dogna88]

Hmm..I'll finally have a crack at our round 1 side.

1. Averillo
2. Smith
3. Cotric
4. Hoppa
5. DWZ
6. Burton
7. Flanagan
8. Atoni
9. Wakeham
10. Hetherington
11. RFM
12. Elliott
13. Jackson

14. JMK
15. Napa
16. Waddell
17. Stimson

Burton is obviously key and it's a major advantage as it gives us two genuine ball running threats through the spine and a left footed kicking option.

Overall it's an improvement on last season and we've brought in a few players with ability that was previously lacking within the squad...a lot of improvement will also depend on conditioning and us actually being structurally sound for once so we can actually play football at a reasonable tempo.

Take out Smith

 

[Aristidiz]

Where did you hear we signed Leniu? I hope we're trying to get him. He's a freak. But I'd imagine Penrith would prioritise re-signing him, especially with Tamou leaving.

Mate I don't believe we have signed Spencer Leniu, he is signed with Penrith until 2022

 

[coach]

Still not the best team
I think peoples hopes will be broken, defiantly heading the right way tho
1-2 quality signings in key positions now tho will change things completely

 

[Aristidiz]

Still not the best team
I think peoples hopes will be broken, defiantly heading the right way tho
1-2 quality signings in key positions now tho will change things completely

On paper atm I agree a spine of:

1. Averillo
6. Lewis
7. Flanagan
9. Marshall-King

Doesn't quite cut it. Flanagan may be our Cleary one day, and Averillo a real xfactor out the back, but Lewis will never be Luai, and Marshall-King isn't worthy of tieing Api's shoelaces.

Which is why I think Burton is key, and Barrett seems to think he can turn Wakeham into a hooker.

 

[Blue&whiteAxe]

1. Avo
2. DWZ
3. Hopa
4. Cotric
5. ? Mansor (if we get him)/ Okanbour (if Smith stays then him)
6. ? Burton (if we get him) / Lewis
7. Flanno
8. Thommo
9. JMK
10. Hetherington
11. Elliott
12. RFM
13. Jacko

14. Napa
15. Atoni (formally Toomaga)
16. Ogden
17. Stimson / Waddell / C Smith / Katoa

 

[EXPLORER]

We are all applauding some of the recent signings such as:

Cotric
Flanagan
Hetherington
Waddell
Thompson

And guys coming back from long-term injuries:

Stimson
Elliot

But how much have we improved our roster realistically?

Say Flanagan goes down with a long term injury, our halves pairing is back to Lewis and Wakeham (or a rookie Averillo).

We still have no hooker signed. And we are relying on Meaney to develop into a first grader at fullback. And our wingers are nothing to get excited about.

The biggest unknown is how much more Barrett and co. can get out of this team.

My prediction is a 9-12th finish.

I have us finishing 13th.
I couldnt vote, 13th wasnt an option

 

[Matthew G]

Cotric is a very good signing, hes an origin player

Flanagan is a great signing, while the other signings are meh

 

[ramonesdog]

Flanagan is the most natural footballer we'll of had in the halves (bar the cripple) in what seems like an age. I'm pumped on Hetherington as well, he had some good moments this year for the Warriors

 

[Gezza]

We need someone other then Lewis I agree it would be disastrous we need that Burton signing

1.hoppa
2.averillo
3.cotric
4. Dwz
5. Meaney
6.wakeham( burton if early)
7.flanagan
8.napa
9.jmk
10. Thompson
11. Mariner
12.Elliot
13. Jackson
14. Katoa
15.hetherington
16. Toomaga
17.Stimson
Depth
Britt
Ogden
Waddell
Boyle
Lewis
C. Smith
Doorey
Not a bad 17 6-10 place l think, plenty of forward depth

 

[Killara DogStat]

Boyle for the 100 time was nit signed by Dogs. Fox sports journo mixed up Boyle for Wadell. Only signed 1 forward from Manly thank god.

 

[Kempsey Dog]

It's ok if we land Burton. Realistically we will be looking at 2022-2023 for the big picture with juniors being ready for first grade.
1. Averillo
2. ?
3. Cotric
4. Schoupp
5. ?
6. Burton
7. Flanagan
8. ?
9. ?
10. Thompson
11. Elliot
12. Waddell / Stimson / Doorey ?
13. Jackson
14. Topine
15. Hetherington
16. To'Omaga
17. Mariner
* Balancing the backrow is an issue we will need to sort out in 2021 to crowed with a couple sub par options... Jackson really stifles us ATM given our middle third options. Really still a long way to go in regards to balancing our roster

 

[bulldogsmyte]

between 7th to 10th pending if we get a good 5/8 to partner Flanno. If our halves get long term injuries and we're back to Lewis and Wakeham in the halves then its bottom 5 again.

 

[cookieman909]

Had more time to think.
Rd 1 Team

1. Averillo
2. ???
3. Cotric
4. Hoppa
5. ???
6. Burton/ Lewis
7. Flanno
8. Napa
9. ???
10. Ogden
11. Jacko
12. RFM
13. Elliot

14. Hethrington
15. Toomaga (Atoni)
16. Stimson
17. ???

Still some spots up for grabs. New signings or young blokes pushing for first grade.

 

[speedy2460]

1) Meaney... Safe under high ball. Good defence. Good ball return.
2) DWZ…Good finisher. Good ball return. Needs confidence boost.
3) Cotric…Will be a revelation.
4) Wakeham... Need for speed. Good runner and safe. No other centre option.
5) T.Katoa…Shortage of wingers. Young gun.
6) Averillo… Best option at 5/8.
7) Flanagan… No discussion needed.
8) Ogden… If fitter, will be a good choice.
9) JMK... Only real option
10) Napa... Needs to improve, but is a good starting option.
11) Jackson... Without Hopoate, he won’t have to do the tackling like he has.
12) Thompson… Great edge forward. Just needs ball at the right time.
13) Elliott… Good backrower. Wii improve this season.
14) RFM... Impact forward. Good player.
15) Waddell…Highly rated by the good judges. Will have an impact.
16) Atoni…Promising. Needs to lose weight and improve involvement.
17) Hetherington…Tough player. Will provide plenty of impact.

 

[diddly]

I believe the biggest difference from the last few years, regardless of player signings will be the quality of coaching - it wont have to be great to be significantly better which will improve the skill and fitness levels of all players.

Given that so many players are off contract at end of 2021, - squad potential for 2022 is looking good.

Halves pairing of Flanagan n Burton in 2021 if it happens, even just for kicking games would make a lot of difference.

ps - Wakeham may go ok as a 9 - good passing game but he is not a centre - his biggest weakness is his running game - quick between the ears, running not so much!

 

[Spoonman84]

4) Wakeham... Need for speed. Good runner and safe. No other centre option.

This is Brandon Wakeham below he is 5 ft 8 and 78kgs ringing wet and never played centre in his career.

Just wanted to make sure you knew who he was because by the way you just described him I doubt you do!

 

[Berries]

In saying that about Foran really believe that Flanno will have more of an impact then Foran ever had on our team IMO the structure and organising esp moving forward plus he could be an 85% goal kicker for us which will be important esp in those close games

Most of the Roosters knew where to stand or be though, I think Flanno is going to be in for the shock of his life playing with this mob and potentially Lewis