Preparing for 2019

[BigPapa]

1. Cotric
2. Croker
3. Wighton
4. Leilua
5. Rapana
6. Sezer
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Hodgson
10. Sutton
11. Whitehead
12. Tapine
13. J. Bateman

14. Havili
15. Soliola
16. Knight
17. Murchie

[Wiki Special]

1. Cotric
2. Croker
3. Wighton
4. Leilua
5. Rapana
6. Sezer
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Hodgson
10. Sutton
11. Whitehead
12. Tapine
13. J. Bateman

14. Havili
15. Soliola
16. Knight
17. Murchie

Sadly, this is probably the best we can hope for in 2019. Definitely a prop and a half off being a top 8 side unfortunately. We better be going hard for someone with some class on November 1 for 2020, otherwise all this cap drama will continue to suck the lives out of Raiders fans.

[LastRaider]

Be strong boys. We'll be better next year.


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I'm not confident we will be.

I'm settling in for another rebuild year.


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The problem is we don’t look like we are rebuilding


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[dubby]

Be strong boys. We'll be better next year.


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Seriously Dubs, how? Which positions have we upgraded?

Lets wait and see. Paulo and Boyd are replaced by Sutton and Bateman. Our incumbant props may have a higher level of impact, but also a liability in terms of mobility at a and b.

Austin again, a game breaker but also an inconsistent player that has cost us as many games as he's won. The lack of replacement for him is a concern, but I have a hunch we are well into a replacement for 2020.

We aren't going to win the comp this year or the next, lads.

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[edwahu]

The last two years we have had a top 4 capable squad who underachieved through poor coaching and attitude. Next year we will have a bottom 4 squad, but they could overachieve if they get the attitude right.

I'll have to go with that.

[LastRaider]

The last two years we have had a top 4 capable squad who underachieved through poor coaching and attitude. Next year we will have a bottom 4 squad, but they could overachieve if they get the attitude right.

I'll have to go with that.

I don’t we have been a top 4 capable team. We have always lacked discipline and defence


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[bonehead]

Be strong boys. We'll be better next year.


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I'm not confident we will be.

I'm settling in for another rebuild year.


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The problem is we don’t look like we are rebuilding


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of course we are, Guler, Murchie and Horsburgh all look like above average juniors who will be top squad, O'Hagan has come on nicely this year will be top squad.
Sutton is a 23yo prop.
Losing 2x fringe rep props and the former dally m 5/8th.
Looks like a rebuilding year to me.

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[edwahu]

The last two years we have had a top 4 capable squad who underachieved through poor coaching and attitude. Next year we will have a bottom 4 squad, but they could overachieve if they get the attitude right.

I'll have to go with that.

I don’t we have been a top 4 capable team. We have always lacked discipline and defence


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It was largely the same team that made the top 4 in 2016. Maybe more like a top 8 squad this year but we did have a very easy draw and with the right attitude we would've won a lot more games. As you said, discipline and defense are our biggest issues and both are fixable through coaching and mental application.

[SeeBee101]

1. Cotric
2. Oldfield
3. Croker
4. Leilua
5. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Sezer
8. Papalii
9. Hodgson
10. Sutton
11. J. Bateman
12. Tapine
13. Whitehead

14. Havili
15. Soliola
16. Knight
17. Guler

I seriously don't understand the hype about Murchie. He has been pretty average in the NSW Cup, not really setting the world alight. Guler on the other hand is a big boy with a big motor. We need size next year and his output this year has shown be has it in him.

Wighton should move to 5/8 if we don't seek a replacement for Williams as his passing and running game have improved a lot since we trialed him there 4 years ago. Move Cotric into fullback and have Wighton be his understudy to enhance his ball playing. Holmes reminds me that transitioning to FB takes time. Look at him now!

Other than that, it looks like a bottom 4/6 team to me...sigh....

[zim]

The Murchie "hype" would be because our defense is terrible and it's one of the hardest things to get right coming into firsts. He has had no issues at all with it in only his first 2 games.
I agree he doesn't really stand out as a dominating player in a lot of NSW cup games.

As far as where Murchie fits in next year; with John Bateman coming he probably takes a step back and has to wait for an injury/suspension like he did this year. Either in the 2nd row or the centres (with Bateman pushing out).
Guler should be getting a crack as bench prop at some point. Hopefully before the year is out.

[BigPapa]

Does anyone know how Stefano Hala has been progressing?

[Timbo]

What about if we put together a depth chart for next year.

I’ve used who I think are the best 17 obviously, and I’m using the rule that the number 1 for any given position can’t feature in any other positions depth.

Fullback

1-Cotric
2-Wighton
3-Abbey

Wing

1-Rapana
2-Croker
3-Oldfield
4-Abbey

Centre

1-Leilua
2-Wighton
3-Croker
4-Oldfield

Five-Eighth

1-Sezer
2-Hingano

Halfback

1-Williams
2-Hingano

Prop

1-Papalli
2-Sutton
3-Knight
4-Soliola
5-Lui
6-Guler

Hooker

1-Hodgson
2-Havili

Second-row

1-Whitehead
2-J.Bateman
3-Soliola
4-Murchie
5-L.Bateman

Lock

1-Tapine
2-Havili
3-L.Bateman

Even if you don’t agree with who I have where, it’s clear there are some pretty dire depth issues next year.

[edwahu]

Does anyone know how Stefano Hala has been progressing?

Decently from all reports. He is a bit behind the other development players though, he hasn't played senior Mounties yet, just Flegg. He has the raw material and a first grade frame though and could easily develop very quickly.

[Matt]

What about if we put together a depth chart for next year.

I’ve used who I think are the best 17 obviously, and I’m using the rule that the number 1 for any given position can’t feature in any other positions depth.

Fullback

1-Cotric
2-Wighton
3-Abbey

Wing

1-Rapana
2-Croker
3-Oldfield
4-Abbey

Centre

1-Leilua
2-Wighton
3-Croker
4-Oldfield

Five-Eighth

1-Sezer
2-Hingano

Halfback

1-Williams
2-Hingano

Prop

1-Papalli
2-Sutton
3-Knight
4-Soliola
5-Lui
6-Guler

Hooker

1-Hodgson
2-Havili

Second-row

1-Whitehead
2-J.Bateman
3-Soliola
4-Murchie
5-L.Bateman

Lock

1-Tapine
2-Havili
3-L.Bateman

Even if you don’t agree with who I have where, it’s clear there are some pretty dire depth issues next year.

I'm glad you have the depth note at the bottom, because you have stuffed your team at FB #1. If you swap Wighton and Cotric, it solves your depth already. That said, Cotric will remain outside Croker, whether anyone agrees or not.

Im not sure Papa will play prop, nor Tapine lock. I can see Papa staying in the 13 jersey and Tapine in the 11. These days its middles and edges, and I think both are seen as progressing in their current positions into next yr.

[edwahu]

Mulholland mentioned Tapine as been considered for middle. I think they might not have a choice.

[Green eyed Mick]

13. Tapine
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
8. Papa
9. Hodgo
10. Sutton

14. Havili
15. Lui
16. Sia
17. Bateman
18. Knight
19. Guler
20. Murchie

That's probably our strongest line-up.

Backs we're skinny but a FG quality winger gives us an extra fullback option (Cotric or Rapa) and an extra half (Wighton)

[LastRaider]

It’s just a disaster isn’t it all round. We are trying to find positives but there just really isn’t any. We can’t even play players in their best position at this stage, we are needing to put players in make shift positions. It’s just so dire! I even think now the bulldogs are in a better position then us.

It feels similar to the second last year of the Furner period. Things are going to continue to get worse before they get better


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[Matt]

Mulholland mentioned Tapine as been considered for middle. I think they might not have a choice.

Id be sad to see him return to the middle. He has been good on the edge

[Matt]

It’s just a disaster isn’t it all round. We are trying to find positives but there just really isn’t any. We can’t even play players in their best position at this stage, we are needing to put players in make shift positions. It’s just so dire! I even think now the bulldogs are in a better position then us.

It feels similar to the second last year of the Furner period. Things are going to continue to get worse before they get better


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The biggest thing for me, we are 2 decades on from our last premiership, and we are still searching for a half, even if we have had contenders...
Finch, took the money and ran.
Carney, ummm, lets go with, off field issues.
Campo, knee issues.
Sammy, on 3rd chance.
Milf, "homesick".
Austin, career inconsistency won out.
Sezer, probably on last chance.

[LastRaider]

It’s just a disaster isn’t it all round. We are trying to find positives but there just really isn’t any. We can’t even play players in their best position at this stage, we are needing to put players in make shift positions. It’s just so dire! I even think now the bulldogs are in a better position then us.

It feels similar to the second last year of the Furner period. Things are going to continue to get worse before they get better


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The biggest thing for me, we are 2 decades on from our last premiership, and we are still searching for a half, even if we have had contenders...
Finch, took the money and ran.
Carney, ummm, lets go with, off field issues.
Campo, knee issues.
Sammy, on 3rd chance.
Milf, "homesick".
Austin, career inconsistency won out.
Sezer, probably on last chance.

Yes very true and with the recent comments from Mulholland they don’t seam to think it’s important either. Wighton and BJ need to be released which would free up the $1m+ for a half.


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[Johno]

We struggle to sign first grade ready players and Roosters sign Morris, Creighton and the pommie established international winger.
After signing Tedesco and Cronk this year.

Probably with the Ferguson 4 million they are saving.
No wonder people are disillusioned

[edwahu]

Even the dogs look like they will sign Segeyaro and Oates.

[Seiffert82]

Austin, Boyd and Paulo are gone, so that's a good start. Now piss Leilua off and go from there.

All four were over rated and over paid for the past two seasons. Hopefully ditching these duds can see a huge shift in attitude.

On top of that, we can only hope that Jacky Boi finally grows up off the field and reaches his potential.

[Ruben Daley]

Mulholland mentioned Tapine as been considered for middle. I think they might not have a choice.

Id be sad to see him return to the middle. He has been good on the edge

Agreed. Similarly, while I know prop and lock is becoming a similar role nowadays, I’d be disappointed if our lack of prop depth forced Papa into the front row.

Our back row is the strongest area of our team and requires no changes.

[Dusty]

I’m not saying it’s the answer at all just throwing it out for debate.. Apparently Bevan French is looking for a club that will play him at 1.
I know we have no money and maybe there are better options within the squad. But if we were to land him what are the thoughts on this backline?

1. French
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Leilua
5. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Sezer


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[bonehead]

I’m not saying it’s the answer at all just throwing it out for debate.. Apparently Bevan French is looking for a club that will play him at 1.
I know we have no money and maybe there are better options within the squad. But if we were to land him what are the thoughts on this backline?

1. French
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Leilua
5. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Sezer


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I don't think he's a fullback dusty,

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[afgtnk]

Jack Wighton is not a five-eighth either, regardless of his ball playing at fullback. He never will be.

Being a first receiver and coordinating the attack on one side of the ruck is vastly different than receiving the ball out the back on sweep plays.

[Dusty]

I agree


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[Matt]

Pass on French.
Not sure Wighton will be a 5/8 either. Im happy with him at FB

[Timbo]

There’s enough to French that a change of scenery could do him a power of good.

But I don’t know if Ricky could get it out of him.

[LastRaider]

Is the club officially in rebuild now?


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[-PJ-]

Is the club officially in rebuild now?


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They'll be a thorough post season review to understand what happened in 2018.

The same happened last year to understand what happened in 2017.

Funnily enough the 2017 in depth season review didn't improve 2018 performances.....

[Dr Zaius]

Be strong boys. We'll be better next year.


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Seriously Dubs, how? Which positions have we upgraded?

Whoever replaces Austin and Paulo

[Leebola]

If we're not giving Cotric the No.1, give me French.

[Velda]

2018 review - the refs were rubbish and Hodgo was injured. Ok no worries, everything will be ok in 2019 then, everyone just carry on and change nothing! But make sure you come up with an excuse for 2019 that protects everyone’s jobs!