Who will be Ricky Stuart's pet project 2020?

[julian87]

Couldn't find the similar old thread to bump, sorry.

Stuart has a history of accelerating the career of a left field player so far in his Raiders coaching career. We've seen Allwood, Bateman, Priest etc in his time here. Last year I'd say that player was Simonsson. Signed as a bit of an unknown he was promoted to the top squad very quickly and actually started the trial at fullback in front of CNK. Hudson Young jumping Murchie in the queue is another example as well.

Do you think there will be a squad player outside the obvious Smith-Shields who Stuart will inject into the top 17 this season? And if so, pre trial, who do you think it might be?

[Peter]

Timoko. The kid looks good. Wouldn’t be surprised if he starts the year in #4.

[zim]

Hard to tell from 9s as defence is all over the place. Waiting to see the trial.

[Northern Raider]

There's a fair old queue in the forwards now so an outside back is most likely. Curtis Scott's availability will determine if there's a spot to fill. It will then be a case of HSS or Timoko getting an opportunity ahead of Oldfield. Oldy didn't really take any part in the Nines so indications are he's already penciled in should Scott be missing for the early rounds.

[greeneyed]

I don't think Timoko would be too big a shock. He showed he was a very good player in Flegg last year. He's not in the Allwood or Priest category.

[RedRaider]

I am hoping the old Halfback coach can turn the new halfback player into an NRL success in his first year.

[Green Blogger]

Watching the nines and hearing the stories out of the gym I think one of Stuart’s pet projects for this year is moving Murchie into the front row rotation.

[Seiffert82]

Yeah, both Timoko being next cab off the ranks for the outside backs and Murchie into the front row are very good odds. I like the look of Timoko a lot. Good combo of strength, speed and athleticism.

[Old School Green]

Yeah, both Timoko being next cab off the ranks for the outside backs and Murchie into the front row are very good odds. I like the look of Timoko a lot. Good combo of strength, speed and athleticism.

Needs bomb/kickoff catching though. For me he was the standout in a pretty dour field. Ahead of shields for a wing spot imo at this stage should the circumstances arise.
A few of those young blokes looked very out their depth but that’s to be expected with young players I suppose.

[Neeeegz]

Timoko definitely stood out, will need to get more involved in plays and he could be anything, good size and some speed too..
Hss and oldy are our other choices for firsts if Scotty don't play

[Seiffert82]

Yeah, both Timoko being next cab off the ranks for the outside backs and Murchie into the front row are very good odds. I like the look of Timoko a lot. Good combo of strength, speed and athleticism.

Needs bomb/kickoff catching though. For me he was the standout in a pretty dour field. Ahead of shields for a wing spot imo at this stage should the circumstances arise.
A few of those young blokes looked very out their depth but that’s to be expected with young players I suppose.

Yeah, almost impossible to take anything out of the 9s. I thought we looked OK as a unit in general play. Defended quite well, unless we gave up a repeat set (like all teams at the 9s) and we looked dangerous at times. Just a few too many errors and we couldn't defend the short kickoff for nuts.

Anyway, among all that, Timoko didn't do too much wrong against two decent sides. He looked like he belonged at that level.

[InFernos_Raiders]

It has to be C Scott.

[Seiffert82]

C Scott is certainly going to take up an inordinate amount of Stuart's time. I guess that's a pet project.

[simo]

Luke bateman to make a return

[zim]

The way his knee rehab is going I'd be impressed if he can put together a month of solid footy.

[greeneyed]

Hearing Luke Bateman could miss the first couple of months of the season. Knee problem turned out to be a fracture.

[Roy Rover]

A beefed up Jack Murchie playing a role in the middle.

Got dropped after a poor read in the back row.

Easier to defend in the middle.

[zim]

Hearing Luke Bateman could miss the first couple of months of the season. Knee problem turned out to be a fracture.

This is the only recovery our guys seem to have got wrong. Never ending.

[Love4Noa]

There's a few

Timoko will cover. Murchie has the earmarks of being a boomer - but Scott will flourish under Stuart. He'll repay the loyalty - watch and wait.

[Seiffert82]

If Scott gets through this thing I suspect he will work hard to prove his worth on the field.

Not sure if he's a legitimate project though. He was signed with the number 4 jersey in mind. He obviously already has the talent. It's on his head to lose that starting spot.