I did a blog on our Senior squad about 6-8 weeks ago on where each player is notionally ranked by BA in my opinion. But when I list our top two teams today I start to wonder if some players have dropped down the pecking order or conversely moved up the ladder so to speak.
When I list our top two teams what becomes obvious to me is that we have a lot of depth and a heap of players at a similar level, particularly those fringe players just out of the top 17. In the coming weeks (next 4 to 5 weeks) we may see our top 2 teams at full strength and in turn could see the below to teams hitting the park. Even though seeing our top two teams at full strength would be great to see what it will present is some very difficult selections for Wentworthville on who to drop to the Ron Massey Cup.
There are a number of questions which should be answered in the near future such as:
- Does Cayless drop senior players like Hasson, Robson, Ualesi and Folau to 3rd Grade (Ron Massey Cup) or select young up and coming guys like Morris, Niukore, Woods and Schulte for Wenty?
- Will we see Davis, M.Jennings or Auva'a replace Hoffman or Takarangi in the top team?
- Is De Gois close to returning or is his head injury very serious?
- Is Kaysa Pritchard or King the better option?
- Is Edwards a real or perceived massive loss?
- Is Terepo a better option on the bench over F.Pritchard, Brown or Vave?
- Is the club going to groom Dargan for first grade now that they are actively trying to buy an elite half?
- Will Scott retire at the end of this season?
As I currently see it this is our strongest senior squads on paper, but are they on form and do some of these players need to worry?
NRL: ISP:
1. French 1. Tuha
2. Radradra 2. Faraimo
3. M.Jennings 3. Davis
4. Takarangi 4. Auva'a
5. Hoffman 5. G. Jennings
6. Gutherson 6. Forgarty
7. Norman 7. Smith
8. Mannah 8. Alvaro
9. De Gois 9. King
10. Magati 10. O'Brien
11. Ma'u 11. Terepo
12. Moeroa 12. Gower
13. Scott 13. K.Pritchard
14. Edwards 14. Robson
15. F.Pritchard 15. Nelson
16. Brown 16. Twal
17. Vave 17. Tanginoa
Ron Massey Cup (3rd Grade):
Hassan
Folau
Morris
Niukore
Schulte
Ualesi
Woods
* None of these guys should be in 3rd Grade.
Replies
Good blog mate.
I dont see Dargan as being a long term or even short term answer, we will go for an established half.
Davis is not much chop imo, Auva is a bit off the pace apparently but i expect him in 1st grade, and i recon jennings will get a run too.
IDG head injuries are very serious ive heard
Yes i think Scott will retire seasons end, hes my fav eel but hes been a shadow of his former self these first 3 rounds but im expecting to see him still have a quality season
King needs 1st grade time before we can really access him imo
I believe yes terepo will come in, its just a matter of when, we need his energy up front, i recon he could be more valuable than FP atm on the park.
Hoffman is awefully small and his defence is a bit sus, im think Brads going to realise he needs more size and power there.
Browns quality, nobody will be replacing him in a hurry imo, weve bought him for 1st grade and hes looking very promising.
Weve bought vave for 1st grade too, he will be good imo, just needs some game time coming back from surgery
Thanks mate.
Very sad to hear that IDG's injury is very serious and from that I would assume he is heading down the track of being medically retired. Do you know if we are actively trying to buy another top line hooker for next year, if so who?
Scott is also one of my favourites but it is becoming obvious that he is at the end of the line, particularly in attack.
I'm unsure of King making a successful return to the NRL as from what I have seen his defence is suspect, but I hope I am wrong, especially that IDG is probably not going to return.
I do think we are missing Terepo's leg speed and I think he is one of our better bench impact players.
I just wonder if Davis was resigned to be our new NRL goal kicker at wing or centre?
From what I have seen so far I think Brown should be our starting 13 with Scott on the bench. Maybe when the game slows down a bit after the first 20 minutes it may suit Scott better to come on?
I also think Vave was brought to be in the top 17 to give us more size.
--- imo catless woukd be stupid not to drop the players you mentioned... apart from ualesi none have really done anything and as far as I'm concerned robsons last game proved he is well past it
--- this is one I think is not thought out. Of course none of them would replace our centre wings -- the only one who has a shot is au'vauvawhi is not near nrl standard yet after a while out of the game
---- as far as de gois I've heard the same as snake I think his days are numbered --- besides that I've gone on record and been lambasted lol for my objections we move on haha
--- see above point as I have advocated Pritchard since he got the call. Personally though o actually feel that king is out best hooker... in BA we trust
---- is Edwards a perceived loss.... what are you smoking!!!! Edwards is a massive loss. He is really our only starting ball playing forward and impacts when he takes on the line!!!!
--- again with terepo what have you been smoking? Next you'll be saying we should round up toutai again! I know fritchard hasn't set the world on fire yet and vave is a hands down on terepo but I can't stand terepo... he's good for at least two drops a game which is unacceptable at this level
---- I think you've answered your own question re dargin---- we are looking for a half and if we don't find one gutho or French willl be that half.
--- as far as Scott retiring it would be a shame if he did but I think he's close. Put it this way if we win the Comp guaranteed he will. If we get real close it wouldn't surprise me if he went one more. Either way I think he is crucial to morale and should be hanging around the club in some role even if he does retire
Hahah lot of questions Dave and I'm sure there will be a lot of different responses... good blog
Thanks for your input BB. My blog was about asking questions as opposed to making personal statements and to encourage discussion for the regulars on the site. For your information my personal thoughts regarding my above questions to other 1eyedeels members are:
1. I would select the younger Wenty guys as they are our future.
2. I think Davis will replace Hoffman and/or Semi if Semi loses his Court case as Gutherson's goal kicking accuracy is not good enough (Davis to be our new goal kicker). I also think Auva'a (when his fitness and timing returns) is a good chance at replacing Takarangi if Taka's defensive decision making doesn't dramatically improve. If I was Hoffman I would be filthy at Taka running out of the line causing a staggered structure and missing his mark. When Taka sprints out of the line to make that big hit he only successfully makes that big tackle around 30 percent of the time, which in turn makes Hoffman's defensive job impossible. I just hope BA has done a lot of defensive work with Taka for this weekend as Maloney and Graham will carve up Taka if he has another poor game in defence. Cronulla would have done a lot of video work on Taka this week and he will be targeted in defence.
3. I prefer Kaysa over King. Of the Wenty games I saw last year Gorman was a better half and hooker then King at that level. Gorman is a lot faster then King and a bigger body, but Gorman's one on one tackling was average. Its not uncommon for senior players to go through the motions in the lower grades but when they play in the NRL they go to another level. Lets hope King goes to another level if he plays this weekend in first grade.
4. I believe Edwards is a massive, massive loss and is our best utility bench player in our squad. I would select Edwards in front of Scott, Brown, Vave, Terepo and Frank the Tank. That's how high I rate him.
5. I would find a place for Terepo on the bench as his leg speed, energy and impact is being missed. I just hope his ball handling improves.
6. I think the club has moved on from the possibility of grooming Dargan (re: pre-season) and that thought is now history.
7. I believe Scott should retire at the end of this season. Scott has been a wonderful whole hearted player with that steely edge everybody loves. Unfortunately the pace of the game has passed him and he struggles to run more then 60-70 metres a game. It is sad to watch such an elite player today who is a fraction of his former self, but age, fitness and form catches up to all of us. I wish him the best post footy.
As for Dargan, the fact he started in the trials says that he's already seen to be an NRL backup, or at least very close to it. As long as we need a backup left side half (and we always will) and as long as he is willing to sign with us on backup money (i.e. he might get a better offer elsewhere) then he will have a place in our squad. And if he becomes a legitimate top 17 option then we will re-sign him accordingly or some other club will. Until then he could have an entire career as a backup, like Luke Kelly and Josh McCrone.
I understand the importance of ISP and I follow the game very closely (trainspotter close).
Immediately!!!!! Waste of money, surely we have enough depth to get rid of these Parramatta imposters.
All 4 are second tier, none are top 25. Therefore, if we sack them then the club would have to go out and buy another 4 lesser players. Injuries, suspension and illness will always happen, therefore it is very hard to have your top 34 fit and available to play.
Thanks for this good thoughtful football blog. Blogs such as these are what makes 1EE the place for Parra fans. A breath of fresh air.
Agree with most of the comments.
I think we are missing Kenny big time.
Thanks mate. I think we are missing both Edwards and Terepo's energy and line speed off the bench in a big way. I can't wait for Edwards to return.
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