You’ve GOT to be kidding me??? The curse of new signings for 2022.

Powell OUT!

I’m an “early adopter”.

Really bad luck for the bloke, but hopefully this means longstaff will be selected on the opening day.

Dammit. Was quite excited to see if he could add an attacking dimension to our loose position. Never mind, probably wasn’t down to start anyway.

If Powell selected Magoulias at 13, it meant that we were moving away from the current trend of playing an extra prop in the pack.



Sincerely hope that this set back does not mean that we will still play with a prop at lock.

1. Ratchford

2. Ashton

3. Mata’utia

4. King

5. Charnley

6. Widdop

7. Williams

8. Cooper

9. Clark

10.Mulhern

11.Currie

12.Holmes

13.Hughes



14.Philbin

15.Bullock

16.Matty Davis

17.Walker

Just a personal note on Magoulias - i'm going to be up front and say that i've never seen him play (other than the obligatory Wire signing announcement video) and heard very little about him from his time in Aus...but does anybody else think his body type looks more a kin to being in the south stand with a two pinter rather than a professional athlete? He seems to be rather on the portly side to me, judging from photos of him that i've seen since he's arrived. He may well be one of those players that just 'carries it well'

He was roundly tipped to take the 13 shirt on long term when Paul Gallen retired, and was very well thought of as a junior. It’s fair to say his development has stunted, and that includes being at a club that have had significant changes in the pack, with Prior leaving, Fafita being in the reserves for long periods and long term injuries to Graham for example.



It could be be a master stroke to give him 12 months to showcase his talents, but it remains to be seen. Realistically, aside from the occasional chip and chase, I’m not sure anyone can point to anything that will show that he is anything more than ‘another’ small forward with potential going alongside Davis, Robson, Longstaff etc.

He doesn't look out of shape at all and has massive quads. Some people gentically carry weight regardless. If you've been on the aussie forums he's highly rated buy shark fans and opposition fans who think the Sharks are stupid to let him go. I liked what i've seen of him and think he's clearly got alot of skill and talent. Be a shame if he does missthe first 7-8 games but hopefully will see what he can do as the season progresses. Not saying he's amazing but i like the look of what i've seen and think he will do well for us



But if he doesn't work out he's only here for a year

I’ve only seen the games available on YouTube, but he does seem to read a game well. If we are indeed going with a more skilful approach, then I like the look of him too. There aren’t many 13s around like that in SL. I’d also be happy with Currie there I think. Maybe that’s how Powell is going. Hughes and Holmes, with Currie locking?

Forgotten, would prefer him off the bench though.

I have been thinking about Currie at 13. I don’t know enough about the technicalities to have an informed opinion (but that has never stopped me) but it struck me that he should be able to play a similar role to Sculthorpe (P!). Is there any technical reason why he can’t?

I’m pretty sure he played there regularly at academy level? I think Walter Wizard would have more info about that. I think he’s a lot more creative than we’ve seen under Price. Even Sculthorpe would have looked like a simple, strong-running second row under Price.

Lock - now there's a term I've not seen for a while!



I agree that Currie at 13 could work well (although as Captain says - Im no expert on the attributes for a good 13).

I like ball playing creative 13's rather than props playing at 13.

Sculthorpe and Tewera Nikau spring to mind.

Philbin is not and will never be a 13. By contrast Ben Harrison was decent because he could play a bit rather than just 'take it up' as a prop.



So from my earlier 'I havent a clue who will be in the team' post Im now clear on 1 to 9.

2nd prop and the rest of the pack and subs are less clear.

I think Philbs will take 10 and probably Currie, Holmes and Hughes the rest of the pack.

The bench will partly depend on the opposition, but generally I expect Walker to be there with Clark, Bullock, Magoulis and Mulhern if everyone is fit. (Yes I know, 5 but I cant make my mind up).



Injuries will take their toll.

If a back is injured I can see Thewlis and Minikin being 1st port of call, with Wrench under consideration.

In the halves, then Ratch would step up, Dean in reserve.

If a forward is injured then one of the 5 above plus Davis (tough call on him missing the 17), Wrench, Lonstaff and Butler.



That covers it.



With the type of play I think Powell will promote, I hope it will mitigate our lack of depth in the prop department.

This is what I’m hoping for, too.



Of course, I’d love a Hill standard player to complement Cooper, but maybe that’s not as critical if we aren’t a Price type team.

Magoulias confirmed to miss the first 4-5 rounds so i'm expecting to see hughes at 13 from the start.

I thought that I read somewhere that Hughes was touch and go as to whether he'd make the first couple of rounds due to a hand injury / surgery?

Hi EW; it is funny you should ask this question as I was talking about BC with Rich Marshall on Wednesday and he was saying about when BC was coming through the Under 20s he played him at loose forward and stand off as he had fantastic hands and his ability meant he could cover virtually any position.



I would say that second row is his best position now though!!!

1. Ratchford

2. Ashton

3. Mata’utia

4. King

5. Charnley

6. Widdop

7. Williams

8. Cooper

9. Clark

10.bullock

11.Currie

12.Hughes

13.holmes

14.Philbin

15. Mulhern

16. Magoulis

17.Walker





Thewlis n longstaff should get ample game time and there will we will have competition for places too from others

Is Bullock injured or recovering from an op?



I see no J.Clark there, but with Magoulis out I can definately see him being in the 17.



Why Holmes at 13? I suppose if he played in his usual position it would mean a move for Currie and potentially Hughes.

I was going with the idea of all fully fit strongest 17.



Holmes at 13 would be similar to Harrison (minus size) ay 13 could be used to run the ball in buy also has the hands and brains to have moves and plays set around him. He hits gaps well so can see opportunities. It keeps Currie at second row with Hughes. I know that he has his knockers myself included but workrate and reliability are also needed in the team and he has that sprinkle a bit of Powelldust on and who knows



. I like longstaff and thewlis plus Dean and wrench but don't see the rush to get them in the team just because they are young and have been a shining light in what's been a dull few seasons. How will they compare with the "experianced" pros under a new regime if Powell can get our team playing and motivated will they stand out as much ? I think thewlis n longstaff would still be able to play and not see a drop in performance.



Magoulis, he has to earn his place in the team, not an experianced NRL player not really a big money signing a speculative on that could pay off, he could be starting loose with Holmes on the bench...



I was underwhelmed initially at the signings matautia and Harrison were 2 ones I was ok with, however IF Powell has the effect of improving players and getting the best out of the TEAM available then it is not as bad as I thought. An awful lot of the hope is based on the Powell effect, building a team, and improving key individuals then we could well be surprised, bullock Harrison are interesting pair Harrison has looked better than championship when I've seen him and is a very good speculative signing, I think that next season is when we will start to see the best of him now tho. How bullock turns out will be key I think if Powell can get him playing to his size and ability he will become our starting forward it's all .IFS and buts until the season starts and we see the 1st team selection.

Yes, I can see your logic there Dezzie.



We do seem to have decent players quite far down the playing roster which is good to see.

Lets hope Coops manages to stay injury free. The fact we could have Philbin, Bullock or Mulhern starting shows we've no 'Hill' type figure. I'm still disappointed we couldn't reach agreement to keep him.



Looking forward to the 1st match now, and not before time! Im usually chomping at the bit in early Jan, but last year just seemed to 'limp by'.

Things needed to be freshened up in the coaching department.

Still find it strange how sport appears to be different to most other professions where typically continuity is seen as a positive.

Quack Quack.

Spotted the injured players in the gym this morning going about their rehab. I see Toby King is part of the injured group now anyone know what the issue is