2024 Round 1 v Knights: Teams and Previews *Teams p1

[Botman]

Look i could go either way on Guler/Saulo... either will be out as soon as Hors is available so i wouldnt argue too much on that.

But its for reasons that others have spoken about in other threads... to me Saulo is a worker and i think with Smithies and Puru we've got the middle third workload covered. So i went with the guy i think can give us more impact in limited minutes. But i wouldnt die in a ditch over it.

re Puru, i am comfortable with playing some minutes at hooker. I know most arent and i get that. Perfectly reasonable to be unsure if he can do that. Im ok with it and i'd rather give it a try and if i have to fail out to Levi/Starling/Trev, then ill cross that bridge when i get to it, but initially i want to give Puru that chance.

[BadnMean]

Team i would name if it were my decision:
1. Rapana 2. Cotric 3. Timoko 4. Schiller 5. Savage RH. Strange LH. Fogarty 8. Mariota 9. Woolford 10. Tapine 11. Young 12. Hosking 13. Smithies

14. Puru 15. Papalii 16. Mooney 17. Guler

Notes: I think Chevy probably does need a little more time, not long though! I think he should be pushing into the team mid year. Schiller just a place holder. Ive got Cotric and Savage narrowly ahead of Asomua, ive got a short leash on that. Strange at RH is a must ASAP. Hosking is just a better footballer than EW in 2024. Valuing talent and upside on my bench over tried and true bums. Woolford over Levi would be based on larger sample size of years of footy over the 2 trials.

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Team i expect Stuart to name
1. Rapana 2. Cotric 3. Timoko 4. Schiller 5. Hopoate RH. Weekes LH. Fogarty 8. Papalii 9. Levi 10. Tapine 11. Young 12. Whitehead 13. Smithies

14. Starling 15. Hosking 16. Mariota 17. Saulo


Notes: I think Stuart will give Chevy a bit more time and im OK with that now. Have a funny feeling we're not done with Hoppa yet. Levi will get the nod and based on trials that's a reasonable call so ill not complain about that too much (until he brings the stink in games that matter). I **** hate the bench im anticipating Stuart to go with but it is what it is, as is the EW situation.

Your 2nd team is close. I'd still be amxaed if Guler isn't there.

And I think Hoppa is nowhere near. Xav for that spot. I can't see how Hoppa can stink the trials and still claim a spot because his sister got married one time.

[Green Machine 2011]

Fair call.

I’d be happy with a 4 prop rotation like most sides despite our depth there. Let the boys fight for it.

Taps and Horse to start.

Paps and Ata to come on.

That’s a helluva punch.

Hosking is an upgrade on Whitehead but Whitehead will play (and can still produce a few moments and leadership).

I still think we almost need to run with 2 hookers based on our stock, but would prefer an 80 min hooker and Puru at 14

[Off]

No real point getting foxtel re connected then?

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[Botman]

Agreed... if we've got Taps/Papa/Hors/Ata with Mooney next cab off the ranks for the front row rotation... that's for my mind, a very good and well balanced unit... between suspensions,injuries and rep footy there should be enough minutes to sustain that rotation and if we run into extra trouble, Saulo and Guler are there to just get the job done.

[Green Machine 2011]

Good call. The upside of Mooney is something we may have mishandled as a club but based on the eye test I still have it as:

Taps 1
Paps/Horse (take a pick) 2 and 3
Ata 4
Saulo 5
Mooney/Guler 6/7

Paps is on the way out so need to consider that and Mooney is hopefully considered the next in line

Good to have depth in a key position but seems like inflation at the cause of depth in other positions.

[zim]

Accounting for suspensions:

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Xavier Savage
3. James Schiller
4. Mathew Timoko
5. Nick Cotric
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling
15. Zac Hosking
16. Trey Mooney
17. Josh Papali'i

[tommyhud9]

Account for suspensions:

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Xavier Savage
3. James Schiller
4. Mathew Timoko
5. Nick Cotric
6. Kaeo Weeks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling
15. Zac Hosking
16. Trey Mooney
17. Josh Papali'i

Think this will be close to the mark, assuming Strange is suspended, otherwise he is a walk-up start imo.

Think Papa will start over Mariota but will probably play similar mins either way.

Not sure I trust Mooney yet but hope to be proven wrong

[The Nickman]

Account for suspensions:

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Xavier Savage
3. James Schiller
4. Mathew Timoko
5. Nick Cotric
6. Kaeo Weeks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling
15. Zac Hosking
16. Trey Mooney
17. Josh Papali'i

I can handle this lineup (provided Strange is suspended), but a huge part of me fears Hopoate, Levi, and Weekes even if Strange skips a suspension.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Saulo or Guler instead of Mooney.

[Seiffert82]

Hopoate over Cotric? Come on, now.

That would be outrageous.

Weekes over Strange at 6 would also be outrageous. Strange couldn't have done any more to prove he belongs.

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[Northern Raider]

Agreed... if we've got Taps/Papa/Hors/Ata with Mooney next cab off the ranks for the front row rotation... that's for my mind, a very good and well balanced unit... between suspensions,injuries and rep footy there should be enough minutes to sustain that rotation and if we run into extra trouble, Saulo and Guler are there to just get the job done.

Top 3 pick themselves. Mariota seems to have climbed the depth chart enough to claim that 4th spot. From there it's more clouded. Most of us want Mooney elevated to that next spot. Think Ricky has Guler and Saulo ahead in that order.

[Botman]

I think particularly given the middle minutes Hors, Tapine and to a lesser extent Papalii gives us, add in Smithies who looks a worker type... we need some in that 4th slot who can come on and had a big impact, Ata and Mooney's game translates more to that role than Saulo or Guler imo
But yeah i expect Stuart has both those guys firmly ahead and in the FG mix

[LimeGreenMachine]

Strange will be available for Round 1. $1k fine, Grade 1: https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2024/02 ... n-strange/

[The Nickman]

Is that breaking news or your gut feeling?

[LimeGreenMachine]

Breaking news. Canberra Raiders posted it.

[The Nickman]

Ok great. I guess now we’ll see what the coach does here. A big part of me thinks he was planning to run with Weekes at 6 and he’ll do that regardless of the trials.

Really hope I’m wrong, but he’s nothing if not stubborn.

[LimeGreenMachine]

Hopefully we was genuinely in two minds what way to go and Strange in the weekend made his mind up. The confusing part for me , how they swapped sides Week 1 to Week 2. Is he moving Fogs to the left.

[zim]

Accounting for suspensions:

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Xavier Savage
3. James Schiller
4. Mathew Timoko
5. Nick Cotric
6. Kaeo Weekes
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling
15. Zac Hosking
16. Trey Mooney
17. Josh Papali'i

With Strange now getting a fine instead of being suspended I'd have him at 6 instead of Weekes.

[Dylan’s Raiders]

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Nick Cotric
3. Zac Hosking
4. Matt Timoko
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Danny Levi
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Hohepa Puru
15. Josh Papali’i
16. Trey Mooney
17. Pasami Saulo

Hosking at centre anyone? Otherwise Schiller in, Mooney out.

[zim]

I can see Ricky going with Hosking at centre.

[Botman]

Hmm interesting thought that one.
Never crossed my mind but i could see it

[LimeGreenMachine]

Did he slot in there on the weekend?
If he didn't then I think it's less likely to happen
Maybe a bench spot to cover both backs and forwards.

[Rick]

Did he slot in there on the weekend?
If he didn't then I think it's less likely to happen
Maybe a bench spot to cover both backs and forwards.

I also thought Hosking to centre but having him on the bench gives us really good backline cover. If they played him at centre and we had an injury we could end up with Smithies and Hosking is the centres.


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[Rickmando]

The future is bright.

How bright will mostly be determined by how long Rick clings to a lot of this veteran dead wood.

We’ve all been excited by the trials because we’ve seen some new faces trying some new things - instead of the same comfortable, unaccountable players that are making a cushy living being a starter under the Supreme Leader.

The results are secondary this year - 2024’s enjoyment will come from how much of the new generation we are able to see in first grade.

[Sthsea22]

I can see Ricky going with Hosking at centre.

I wouldn't mind it tbh until Kris is good to go

[Raiders_Pat]

People are saying Smithies was a standout today but I didn't notice him much.

He didn't do much on attack but I thought he was outstanding defensively. Cowboys were having a hard time making metres down the middle while Smithies was on and he was in just about every tackle. As soon as he went off our defence in the middle dropped off imo.

[Sthsea22]

Backline concerns:
We can almost guarantee that Savage will not be named at fullback.
Can Raps play at his age for 80mins at fullback?
Timoko is the only lock for mine with the other 4 positions anyone's guess.
Cotric looks bigger and he may play off the bench.

Round 1 Team:
1 - Albert HOPOATE (Just think his ball carry is far ahead of Chevy and Savage at this stage, high ball is an issue with all 3)
2 - James SCHILLER (In front of Savage and gives us another ball carrier to take the load off the forwards)
3 - Zac HOSKINGS (We need someone defensive, and Zac ticks the box until Kris is back)
4 - Matt TIMOKO (Arguably our best back if not player, first picked every week)
5 - Jordan RAPANA (Work horse who will continue to give us his best)
6 - Ethan STRANGE (Gets the nod over Weekes at this stage, great ball runner and most importantly can tackle)
7 - Jamal FOGARTY (Let's hope he is 100%, if not than Weekes comes in at 6 and Strange back to 7)
8 - Josh PAPALI'I (Can see him playing the first 20-25mins than the last 15mins, Mariota will play the mins he is off)
9 - Dany LEVI (Veteran brain who should get the nod ahead of Woolford, would not be surprised if Zac gets the nod)
10 - Joseph TAPINE (BEAST)
11 - Hudson YOUNG (Walk up start)
12 - Elliott WHITEHEAD (Looked aggressive yesterday v the Cows and looks bigger, can see if off the bench also)
13 - Morgan SMITHIES (Looking forward to more game time, huge wraps and the NRL suits his style)

14 - Tom STARLING (Does what he does best off the bench, x factor)
15 - Emre GULER (Big body who runs all day)
16 - Pasami SAULO (Looked decent over the 2 preseason games, has the nod over Mooney and Hola at this stage)
17 - Ata MARIOTA (Mini Papa)

[NoMan]

I can see why Hosking at center might work, but Ponga is probably the worst player to do it against.

[Billy Walker]

The future is bright.

How bright will mostly be determined by how long Rick clings to a lot of this veteran dead wood.

We’ve all been excited by the trials because we’ve seen some new faces trying some new things - instead of the same comfortable, unaccountable players that are making a cushy living being a starter under the Supreme Leader.

The results are secondary this year - 2024’s enjoyment will come from how much of the new generation we are able to see in first grade.

Very much agree with you. There is a lot of talent he has to work with.

[Conor]

1 Rapana
2 Savage
3 Hosking / Schiller
4 Timoko
5 Cotric
6 Strange
7 Fogarty
8 Papa
9 Levi / Woolford
10 Tapine
11 Young
12 Whitehead
13 Smithies

14 Puru
15 Mariota
16 Mooney
17 Saulo / Hosking

Schiller played well in the trials, so not too concerned if he covers for Kris, but Hosking’s defence was very good yesterday, and for a one off game I’d be okay with him at centre. Think he’s got a big role sharing Whiteheads minutes this year.

Would love Trevilyan to cement 9 this year, hopefully if injury kept him out of the trials he can recover quickly.


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[Shiv]

$1000 fine for Strange - so he should be good to go.

[Sthsea22]

Latest Fox Sports predicted lineup released today.

NRL Team Tips Round 1

RAIDERS

Ricky Stuart has a huge decision to make regarding who wears the No.6 and Ethan Strange put his best foot forward to close out the pre-season trials. Kaeo Weekes will likely get first crack, but Strange’s performance could see him start in the centres, with Seb Kris suspended until Round 2. Jordan Rapana is set to start at fullback, with Xavier Savage on the wing. Young gun Chevy Stewart will bide his time in NSW Cup and potentially make his NRL debut at some point this season.

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Xavier Savage 3. Ethan Strange 4. Matt Timoko 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Emre Guler 17. Zac Hosking

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 1a5e5dfde8

Strange will be at 6 which puts Hosking at 3?

[NoMan]

So is TLT this week or next?

[Dylan’s Raiders]

So is TLT this week or next?

Both - TLT for roosters, rabbits, manly and broncos tomorrow. The rest will be TLT next week.

[dubby]

Accounting for suspensions:

1. Jordan Rapana
2. Xavier Savage
3. James Schiller
4. Mathew Timoko
5. Nick Cotric
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliot Whitehead
13. Morgan Smithies

14. Tom Starling
15. Zac Hosking
16. Trey Mooney
17. Josh Papali'i

I actually quiet like this side.

I can't wait for Kris to return and replace Schiller.

Schiller had a great game vs Eels, but was average vs NQ. I think that shows his level; good back up. I wouldn't even complain with Hosking at centre before Schiller.