What's your strongest possible Canberra Raiders 2020 line up?

[Coastalraider]

Stick's Round 1 side with allowances for a smoke screen:

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Jarrod Croker (c)
14. Harley Smith-Shields
5. Nick Cotric
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Josh Hodgson (c)
16. Dunamis Lui
11. John Bateman
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Joseph Tapine

4. Michael Oldfield
15. Emre Guler
10. Sia Soliola
17. Corey Horsburgh

18. Sam Williams
19. Siliva Havili
20. Ryan Sutton
21. Jack Murchie

I have no background on HSS - but isnt he used to playing wider? Why did you prefer him at centre over oldbeard?

[-TW-]

Oldbeard was pretty junk in his few games at centre

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

[zim]

Stick's Round 1 side with allowances for a smoke screen:

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Jarrod Croker (c)
14. Harley Smith-Shields
5. Nick Cotric
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Josh Hodgson (c)
16. Dunamis Lui
11. John Bateman
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Joseph Tapine

4. Michael Oldfield
15. Emre Guler
10. Sia Soliola
17. Corey Horsburgh

18. Sam Williams
19. Siliva Havili
20. Ryan Sutton
21. Jack Murchie

I have no background on HSS - but isnt he used to playing wider? Why did you prefer him at centre over oldbeard?

HSS has played everywhere in the backline. He's got a higher ceiling. Oldfield would do a good job if he was picked, going for x-factor and the future over solid.
Getting HSS experience early will also help later in the season.

[greeneyed]

HSS' regular position is centre. He played some games on the wing for Mounties.

[Coastalraider]

OK, thanks for the update.

I knew there would be a background, that makes sense.

[Seiffert82]

I'd love to see HSS given a crack, but at this point I'd be moving Cotric to centre and Oldfield to wing.

[Danaman137]

I'd love to see HSS given a crack, but at this point I'd be moving Cotric to centre and Oldfield to wing.

That’s my thinking aswell, but I’ll be keeping a very close eye on young HSS in the trial match. Happy to have him line up at centre or winger if he’s earned it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Raiders_Pat]

If Smith-Shields goes well in the pre season and he's up for it, I think I'd like to see him given a crack at centre in round one. It's against the Titans so a bit less pressure and we've got Oldfield there as back up if it turns out he needs to spend a bit more time in Mounties. Better to roll the dice because there's a good chance he will handle it well and could possibly even put pressure on Scott to earn his spot back.

[zim]

Yeah if the titans line up similar to us he'd be up against Tyrone Peachy. Then games against the warriors and the dragons. Teams that aren't known for imposing centres. I'd back him to do well.

[Manbush]

HSS' regular position is centre. He played some games on the wing for Mounties.

His preferred position was fullback but the Raiders put him into centres due to his size.

[Ilanraiders]

Wat about J Bateman to centre, Tapine to 2nd row n Sutton to lock?

[Neeeegz]

Assuming Scott is suspended...
Cnk
Simmo
Croker c
Cotric
Oldfield
Wighton
Gwilly
Papa
Hodgson c
Horsburgh
Elliot.
Bateman
Tapine

Havilli
Sia
Sutton
Not lui.

[Matt]

Wat about J Bateman to centre, Tapine to 2nd row n Sutton to lock?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Bateman was THE BEST edge backrower in the NRL last year.

[Matt]

Im sure I made this comment last year when BJ went down. Ricky has to make a call on Cotric. Is he a centre or a winger? I still think he could be a world class centre. Right is his preferred edge. Rather than being mid season, and having this option 'ummed and arred' about, make a call, coz you now have 6wks to get him up to speed if centre the decision.

If the answer is no, IMO, you play Harley Smith-Shields. Physically he is very compariable to Cotric. He gives away 2cm and 3kgs. He was very good in the trials last year, and exceptional for Jersey Flegg last yr. Oldfield is a backup player, a very solid one, but thats what he is. Starting with a backup makes no sense to me. Starting with a guy you see as your future does. You could easily play them in a switching role too.

The other options are:
Timoko, who is a Jr Kiwi rep, and plays very similarly to BJ, and is also a right centre. I suspect he isnt ready yet though.
Valeri (spelling), the Jersey Flegg winger. Looks pretty good, but like Timoko, I suspect he isnt ready yet.
Leo Thompson could be the wildcard here. From NZ rugby. Played centre there, which usually translates to BR in league, but with BR and centre so similar these days, he could easily be a big bodied guy, which might be helpful in protecting Williams.

[greeneyed]

Cotric showed he is best at wing last year, not centre. I'm going HSS at centre, as I think he has huge potential and can quickly grow at first grade level given the chance. The old rugby league adage... don't weaken one position to cover another.