- Iongi - I told you he was rated as the best fullback yet to make their NRL debut at the start of 2024. By the end of 2024, some people who watch a lot of NSW Cuo actually rated Iongi better than NRL fullbacks at other clubs. He is a pretty well rounded player. Great support play and showed his ball playing.
- R Penisni - I thought he was solid. At 20 years old, like his brother Will, he came through the juniors with great attack but a great defender which is very rare for a young centre. Was very physical and confident in defence why I love to see.
- D Brown - he may have not been the main attraction on the highlight reels after the first try. But his balling playing in the middle in straightening the attack was brilliant as usual. Once his normal edge comes back of Will and JAC he will be more dangerous.
- Volkman - as I said in the rookie report, he will be way to good in NSW Cup. His attack is amazing. But he has a lot of work to do on his defence. He is a small body and then he has poor defensive reads as well. Keeps his legs planted in defence as well which is a big no no against shape.
- Guymer - bloke was leading the line speed and folding blokes. I really hope he gets a spot in the NRL side over Katauga (too ill-discipline espcially with Tuilagi on the other edge).
- Tuilagi - bloody good ball and hole runner but needs to fix his errors still. Not trying to push offloads etc. Still fixing that discipline up.
- Papalii - that great acceleration. Will be fighting for a 14 spot. But I recon Ryles will keep him in NSW Cup fullback spot to start the year.
- Tuivita - I was really impressed with him. Some great runs and found his front. Good motor for someone his size as well.
- Mataele - Nice atheltic forward. A season in cup and he will be even better. Just hope for no injuries this year.
- Smith - Can see why he easily over took Lussick. Will be fighting for the 14 spot and 9 spot alll year. Could see him overtaking Hands by the end of the year.
- Twiddle - Mini Teddy. Good passing and running game.
- Latu - The next backrower we need to groom. IMO. My prediction for break out player in cup. Runs and tackles hard.
- Lynn - was actually impressed. He played his role well. But still a long way to go for him defensively.
- T Brown - Him, Tiwddle, Nanva will spend most of the year in Flegg. He is a big and atheltic boy. Player of the year in flegg. Will be pushing hard in a stacked nsw cup squad.
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Replies
Agree with your summary EA. Thought Brown was OK overall and bloody good at times.
Really impressed with Iongi, Richie, Ryley, Volkanator, Papalii and Tuivati. There were others that went well also but those caught my eye.
I thought Ryley brought so much more energy to the dummy half role.
Yep, the tempo lifted when Riley came on
Definitely should be added to the top 30 in favour of lussick
We all support the Parra, the Parra, the Parra and that's the way we like it, we like it, we like it, and everywhere we follow, we follow, we follow, ohhhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhh
Great to see Brown apparently unhampered at all by that injury. He is going to have a massive season if he remains injury free.
Across the park we just look fitter and faster. Our backs look a bit bigger but in a good way - lean muscle. Our forwards look extremely fit
100%
Why did Brown have so much game time compared to other certain starters for round 1? Maybe Ryles was hoping he would carve up Newcastle reserves and they make an offer.
Volkman and Papalii were stand outs and Papalii could be an attacking 14 option if he can fit in at duumyhalf for 20mins. Penisini was also very good and our depth looks better then it has for years.
Riley Smith most likely bench spot if Ryles want specialised duumyhalf but he could overtake Hands by mid season. If Smith proves he can play 60-80mins with Papalii on bench it would be most dangerous hooker and utility combo we have had for years.
I would like to see Papalii get a chance at some stage in the backline. If Iongi gets injured, I will be a lot more confident then previous years when Sean Russell or Simmonson filled in at fullback. Papalii seems to have that attacking flare and excitement we have missed in the outside backs for a while and could really trouble tired defences late in the game.
I think that number 4 Jordan had a really strong game too.
He had a bad defensive misread for the first try. He went for Fletcher and got caught out (fletcher was impressive at 5/8). Other than that he was good, strong in his carries, jacked a bit of lateral mobility.
Carried for 200+ metres in the centres.
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