djdeep4172
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2014
- Messages
- 3,756
- Reaction score
- 7,104
The start of the 2024 season is just under a month away with a historic double header in Las Vegas.
But with teams to feature in trial games over the next three weekends, there’s still a bit to play out in terms of clubs figuring out their Round 1 line-ups.
The Bulldogs will give Blake Taaffe first crack at the fullback spot in the first trial against the Storm.
Meanwhile, Josh Schuster is set to play Manly’s first trial against the Roosters, but Tom and Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans will be rested.
SATURDAY MARCH 9
Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT
Predicted Eels team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Brendan Hands 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Wiremu Greig
Team Tips: Our predicted Eels Round 1 side is far too talented to not be playing finals after a disappointing 2023. The main question mark is who will start the season at hooker with a battle in two brewing between Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick. Shaun Lane is set for a big season after an injury-riddled 2023 campaign.
Predicted Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Josh Curran 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Kurt Mann
Team Tips: One of the more anticipated Round 1 line-ups will be the new-look Bulldogs. Stephen Crichton slots straight into the centres with another recruit in Blake Taaffe the likely fullback. The Daily Telegraph reported Taaffe will get first crack at the fullback spot in the club’s trial against the Storm. Former Warrior Josh Curran is expected to start at lock. The other fullback option Connor Tracey is pushing for a Round 1 spot but is only just back running after a recent ankle injury. Crichton and Viliame Kikau won’t play in the trial against the Storm. Much was made about the number of utilities the Bulldogs signed this off-season, and two of them in Kurt Mann and Jaeman Salmon will be in the running for a spot on the pine to start the season. Toby Sexton will be the Bulldogs halfback in Round 1 but if he has a slow start to the season, Drew Hutchison is waiting in the wings.
But with teams to feature in trial games over the next three weekends, there’s still a bit to play out in terms of clubs figuring out their Round 1 line-ups.
The Bulldogs will give Blake Taaffe first crack at the fullback spot in the first trial against the Storm.
Meanwhile, Josh Schuster is set to play Manly’s first trial against the Roosters, but Tom and Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans will be rested.
SATURDAY MARCH 9
Parramatta Eels vs. Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium, 5.30pm AEDT
Predicted Eels team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Brendan Hands 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Wiremu Greig
Team Tips: Our predicted Eels Round 1 side is far too talented to not be playing finals after a disappointing 2023. The main question mark is who will start the season at hooker with a battle in two brewing between Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick. Shaun Lane is set for a big season after an injury-riddled 2023 campaign.
Predicted Bulldogs team: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Liam Knight 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Josh Curran 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Kurt Mann
Team Tips: One of the more anticipated Round 1 line-ups will be the new-look Bulldogs. Stephen Crichton slots straight into the centres with another recruit in Blake Taaffe the likely fullback. The Daily Telegraph reported Taaffe will get first crack at the fullback spot in the club’s trial against the Storm. Former Warrior Josh Curran is expected to start at lock. The other fullback option Connor Tracey is pushing for a Round 1 spot but is only just back running after a recent ankle injury. Crichton and Viliame Kikau won’t play in the trial against the Storm. Much was made about the number of utilities the Bulldogs signed this off-season, and two of them in Kurt Mann and Jaeman Salmon will be in the running for a spot on the pine to start the season. Toby Sexton will be the Bulldogs halfback in Round 1 but if he has a slow start to the season, Drew Hutchison is waiting in the wings.