2019 Rd 3 V Knights: Teams and Previews *Teams p1*

[BVRaider]

1. Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Leilua
5. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Sezer
8. Soliola
9. Hodgson
10. Papalii
11. Murchie
12. Whitehead
13. Bateman

14. Havili
15. Horsburgh
16. Sutton
17. Hunt

[Johno]

We need to get rid of Tapine, if he's not injured he's suspended. It's his 4th season for the club and he still can't stay on the field for more than a few games at a time.

Brutal but fair comment

[Raiders_Pat]

We need to get rid of Tapine, if he's not injured he's suspended. It's his 4th season for the club and he still can't stay on the field for more than a few games at a time.

Brutal but fair comment

Can't agree with this. He does need to improve his discipline but I would hate to see him go.

[Timbo]

He’s a fantastic footballer but with his injury and judiciary record we do well to get 15 games out of him each season. He’s on a lot of money too.

[Sezer's Palace]

Tapine has played 25, 22 and 16 games per season for his years in Canberra.

How is this even a discussion?

[BadnMean]

Tapine has played 25, 22 and 16 games per season for his years in Canberra.

How is this even a discussion?

We lost a game where several players went poorly. So it was the guy not on the fields fault. You know, the one just coming into his prime, who is international class but who had a broken bone and a visit to the judiciary (he's a forward) last season. Forwards should be put in the end of season review if the DON'T end up at the judiciary once a year.

[BVRaider]

It's got nothing to do with the Melbourne game, we're discussing team selection for the Knights game and Tapine isn't available for selection because he's injured again. His footballing ability has never been in question but for the money he's on and for us to reach our ceiling as a team this season he needs to be on the field for 80 minutes consistently.

[greeneyed]

He’s a fantastic footballer but with his injury and judiciary record we do well to get 15 games out of him each season. He’s on a lot of money too.

He played 16 games in 2018. But in 2016 he played 25 games and in 2017 he played 22 games.

[-PJ-]

With Tapine out ??
I'll go.
1. CHuNK
2. Nick
3. Croker
4. BJ
5. Rapa..loving the scar champ.
6. Jack
7. Sezer
8. Papa
9. Hodgo
10. Sia
11. Bateman..the pom
12. Whitey
13. Red Horse

14. S Havili
15. Guler
16. Sutton
17. Lui.

~ I want Papa and Sia to start this week, get on top real early.
~ JBateman will handle an edge just fine, he s played a lot of test footy there.

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders John Bateman ready to live life on the edge

John Bateman is prepared to live life on the edge having declared the Canberra Raiders have the forward depth to cover a hole left by international back-rower Joe Tapine (thumb injury).

"I played there last year and I’ve played there with England as well. I know how to play there… it’s pretty simple to be fair," Bateman said. "It’s probably my more natural position. I’ve probably played there in the past couple of years more than I have anywhere else. I’m comfortable there and I enjoy playing there.

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/ ... 516ui.html

[greeneyed]

Josh Papalii says Canberra Raiders pack can match the benchmark

Star forward Josh Papalii says the Canberra Raiders pack can match it with the best of them but knows those words will mean little unless they prove it with an 80-minute shift.

"With the forward pack we have, we can match a lot of forward packs. We definitely don’t have the size this year but we’re definitely accounting for that with our skill. It’s tough going in the middle, but like I said before the season, I’m going to put my hand up to play anywhere for the team.

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/ ... 5171j.html

[LimeGreenMachine]

He’s a fantastic footballer but with his injury and judiciary record we do well to get 15 games out of him each season. He’s on a lot of money too.

He played 16 games in 2018. But in 2016 he played 25 games and in 2017 he played 22 games.

Let them make up whatever they want. It's their agenda.

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[-PJ-]

Josh Papalii says Canberra Raiders pack can match the benchmark

Star forward Josh Papalii says the Canberra Raiders pack can match it with the best of them but knows those words will mean little unless they prove it with an 80-minute shift.

"With the forward pack we have, we can match a lot of forward packs. We definitely don’t have the size this year but we’re definitely accounting for that with our skill. It’s tough going in the middle, but like I said before the season, I’m going to put my hand up to play anywhere for the team.

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/ ... 5171j.html

Papa loves this club...

[greeneyed]

Sia Soliola urges Canberra Raiders fans to be patient

Canberra veteran Sia Soliola believes the only way is up for the Raiders after they went down fighting to perennial heavyweights Melbourne on Friday night in the nation's capital.

"It's really disappointing - not the result we wanted but as expected Melbourne played really well," Soliola said. "They really tested us around the ruck and for us being a new squad we couldn't get any momentum. I thought we still tried for the full 80 and that was one of the more pleasing parts about it."

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/03/24/sol ... e-patient/

[Timbo]

I am saying that with his judiciary record and his niggling injuries it’s likely to get worse.

I don’t not think he’s an absolute gun, but he there is cause for concern there.

[BVRaider]

These concerns were raised after we signed him to a long term extension and they're already proving to be right, he's a myth at this point.

[Lucky]

I hope everyone is prepared for a Ponga ****fest of the highest order....

[gerg]

Is Tapine this year's scapegoat?

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[The Nickman]

Is Tapine this year's scapegoat?

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Haha I just read this! These comments are outrageous! Tarps is an out and out superstar!

God I hope the players don’t ever read this forum. Tuxy was right, deadset muppets everywhere.


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[nemesis]

Is Tapine this year's scapegoat?

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Haha I just read this! These comments are outrageous! Tarps is an out and out superstar!

God I hope the players don’t ever read this forum. Tuxy was right, deadset muppets everywhere.

100%, been saying this for a while, this site used to be good but now it's rubbish

[The Nickman]

Quality quoting there too, nem


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[gerg]

Is Tapine this year's scapegoat?

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Haha I just read this! These comments are outrageous! Tarps is an out and out superstar!

God I hope the players don’t ever read this forum. Tuxy was right, deadset muppets everywhere.


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Short memories I guess??? He had a fantastic year last year despite missing a few games.

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[The Nickman]

He’s on the cusp of being elite tier player and people want to get rid of him because of a complete misconception that he doesn’t play many games?

That’ll deadset do me


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[BVRaider]

He's been on the cusp for a while now, time to start delivering. I'm sure he'll prove us wrong with a massive game next weekend though.

[julian87]

I’d like Bateman to start on the edge and then move into the middle after 30 mins or so for Murchie.

Would allow a bigger body up the guts for the initial Klemmer onslaught.

[LastRaider]

Josh Papalii says Canberra Raiders pack can match the benchmark

Star forward Josh Papalii says the Canberra Raiders pack can match it with the best of them but knows those words will mean little unless they prove it with an 80-minute shift.

"With the forward pack we have, we can match a lot of forward packs. We definitely don’t have the size this year but we’re definitely accounting for that with our skill. It’s tough going in the middle, but like I said before the season, I’m going to put my hand up to play anywhere for the team.

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/ ... 5171j.html

Your my favorite player Papa, but it was boys vs men against the Storm.


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[Ruben Daley]

Is Tapine this year's scapegoat?

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Haha I just read this! These comments are outrageous! Tarps is an out and out superstar!

God I hope the players don’t ever read this forum. Tuxy was right, deadset muppets everywhere.


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Short memories I guess??? He had a fantastic year last year despite missing a few games.

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The anti-Tarps chat is just sad.

[Sid]

1. CNK
2. Nic
3. Crokes
4. Joseph
5. Jordy
6. Jack
7. Sammy W
8. Lui
9. Hodgo
10. Papa
11. Young
12. Whitehead
13. Bateman

14. Havili
15. Sia
16. Sutton
17. Horsburgh

[Sydney_Raider]

Despite the speculation, deep down, I think we all know it will be Luke Bateman to 13 and John Bateman to replace Tapine.

[Matt]

We need to get rid of Tapine, if he's not injured he's suspended. It's his 4th season for the club and he still can't stay on the field for more than a few games at a time.

Woah up tiger...

Let's just remove his thumbs.

He can't keep breaking em if he has none...

The Angus Crichton theory. I like it

[Matt]

I’d like Bateman to start on the edge and then move into the middle after 30 mins or so for Murchie.

Would allow a bigger body up the guts for the initial Klemmer onslaught.

A few teams are doing this ATM.
Surgess does it.
Yeo does it - when HIAs dont rule him out.
Guerra did it a bit last yr.
Bronx have done it a bit in recent times with TPJ, Glenn, and Co.

[Matt]

Im pretty confident that Ricky will name Bateman on the edge to fill in for Tapine. Its worth noting this is the edge that has to stand up to Ponga's magic.

The question is, who goes to lock? TBH, I think this is the perfect chance to start Sia. Put him in the #13. Then he can play a good 50+ mins in the middle.

The next Q is who replaces him on the bench?
Guler would be my pick, but apparently his form for Mounties has been indifferent. Multiple 'rookies' on bench against experienced Knights middles is a worry.
JJ Collins has been in the 21 the last 2 weeks, could be him. Again, multiple 'rookies' on bench against experienced Knights middles is a worry.
The other Bateman is my worry, nice guy or not. Experienced player though.
However, maybe Hudson Young played himself onto the bench on the weekend - if so, Id like to see an interchange as per @julian87 's post above.

[Timbo]

Sia to start at lock is my call too.

If not, then I'd keep Bateman in 13 and bring in Murchie.

[Coastalraider]

Murchie for mine.

He had been named in the extended bench, he is a junior rep level player with a taste of first grade, and an edge backrower.

No need to change the whole show to cover the loss of Tarps - swing the young fella in, thats the only change needed. If he needs a spell we can shift Bateman there, but lets actually give him some time, the kid has shown great skill at the junior levels, lets not let another one slip through our grasp.

Any other outcome requires a new second rower in Bateman, new lock, and new bench player.

Keep it simple stupid.

[Rickmando]

Murchie for mine.

He had been named in the extended bench, he is a junior rep level player with a taste of first grade, and an edge backrower.

No need to change the whole show to cover the loss of Tarps - swing the young fella in, thats the only change needed. If he needs a spell we can shift Bateman there, but lets actually give him some time, the kid has shown great skill at the junior levels, lets not let another one slip through our grasp.

Any other outcome requires a new second rower in Bateman, new lock, and new bench player.

Keep it simple stupid.

This is very eloquently put. Continuity is an underrated aspect of squad performance. I’m sure Rick will do the right thing and keep the disruption to a minimum - he’s been around the block a few times (top 10 all time games coached)