General Your 2025 team

[MrFrankWhite]

You could be right bro. He’s still a high quality player, but needs to prove himself again. I still think he’s in the side, but playing middle, with no more than 40-50mins max.

My issue is if 2025 isnt a prem window, I cant see giving a soon-to-retire bloke preference over our future.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Yeah I don’t go by Stats for everything, Fish will not have the same impact as AFB imo.

I understand, he’s a different player. He’s more starchy in defence but lacks the offensive speed, footwork & offload game that afb has. But statically in regards to metres specifically, which is what people are concerned about, there’s minimal difference

 

[Inruin]

Maybe, I think they are very different players though. I'll be interested as to how Webby plays Fish, hopefully doesn't overdo it like he did with AFB (IMO).

I think AW had the initial thought to play a number of players less minutes than what they ended up doing but reverted to them playing longer minutes thinking that they were the best option to get a result. AFB is one example where he can play longer minutes, Egan is another. Sometimes less is more though. Its interesting that arguably two of our best wins came with AFB having either a reduced role or no role at all with the Panthers and Dolphins games. You obviously want that sweet spot with your best players but cant help think that the collective team unit should have been used more - that also develops those bench players more too. I do wonder if he is going to adapt more towards that this year.

 

[WA Warrior]

I understand, he’s a different player. He’s more starchy in defence but lacks the offensive speed, footwork & offload game that afb has. But statically in regards to metres specifically, which is what people are concerned about, there’s minimal difference

But there’s so many other top tier factors that AFB brings.
15th in all runs taken
10th run metres
2nd post contact metres
25th tackle breaks.
When you have a dominate player like that, it makes it easier for the rest of the players to roll on from there.
I think you are underestimating AFBs impact on how much we relied on him to make metres upfield.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

Keen to hear your thoughts

i like the backs (jury out on Berry but he could come good, short leash though) as you say Charnze has probably earned first crack at fullback. DWZ, RTS, CNK could get you 550m most weeks. even if yardage is a bit out of fashion, thats what the back-to-back-to-back-to-back champions do, and it compensates for not having a big kicking meters half. Think of it as doubling down on your strengths rather than trying to be a bit good at everything.

You could go in 10 different directions with the forwards - there's got to be some thought about Egan and his sub - is it worth starting Clark for 15 minutes of simple dishing and tackling then bring him back as a running middle later.

I wouldn't get too cute outside of that:

JFH (sub) Demetric
Barney (sub) Niukore
Tohu (sub) Walker (also spine cover for injury)

The edges are expected to play 80, that should be the goal for Halasima and Laban etc, if Katoa and Kikau and those types of big guys can do it.

Both Niukore and Barnett can pop onto the edge if injury.

Fake a few HIAs so always have fresh middles.

 

[Canonball]

.....
FORD
NIUKORE
CAPEWELL
VAIMAUGA

Healy
CLARK
BARNETT
WALKER

I like the thinking however arguments you've made against Tohu starting in the upcoming season probably also apply to Niukore as a second rower... which shows conditioning and injury status is a massive factor for both individuals ... if it were up to me both of those guys would be battling it out to start as front-rower interchange or, in Tohu's case, a starting 13... IMO if Tohu is fit he should be there as the starting 13... clearly was not anywhere near that level last year, the wrist injury and whatever else was going on hampered him enormously... otherwise he has the nous and the skill to be premier level again, that's a given I reckon... the only question is his fitness... for Niukore I buy the question of whether he is prepping for the front or second row, and I much rather have him training toward a front row option

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I like the thinking however arguments you've made against Tohu starting in the upcoming season probably also apply to Niukore as a second rower... which shows conditioning and injury status is a massive factor for both individuals ... if it were up to me both of those guys would be battling it out to start as front-rower interchange or, in Tohu's case, a starting 13... IMO if Tohu is fit he should be there as the starting 13... clearly was not anywhere near that level last year, the wrist injury and whatever else was going on hampered him enormously... otherwise he has the nous and the skill to be premier level again, that's a given I reckon... the only question is his fitness... for Niukore I buy the question of whether he is prepping for the front or second row, and I much rather have him training toward a front row option

Yeah I dont disagree with that call on Marata

 

[Ref]

Some great discussion on here.

Barnett and Niukore are front row only for me though either could fill in at 13 to start the game if required.

Tohu has to be injury free and regained his mobility. Starts 13 if this is the case and can help cover the front row rotation.
If he is not able to be more effective than Clark or Ale then what is the point.

Capewell, Barnett, Fish and Egan are pretty much guaranteed to start.

I want Halasima and Demetric in the 17.
Provide the energy and X Factor.

Now just because we bought Boyd, Clark and Healey in the off season does not mean any of them get a free pass into the 17.

 

[BabylonPink]

Why? He lacks both lateral mobilty and speed, and isnt a great ball player as a 2nd rower. But as prop hes good in those areas

I think he's a pretty decent ball player. Watch him Vs panthers magic round, guy puts on a clinic. I think he the engine to go 60 and the workrate. If you look at my team list all starters are basically 60 to 80 minute forwards. When you need some leg speed and impact you can bring on Clark walker or niukore. 17. Is a luxury sub spot imo.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I think he's a pretty decent ball player. Watch him Vs panthers magic round, guy puts on a clinic. I think he the engine to go 60 and the workrate. If you look at my team list all starters are basically 60 to 80 minute forwards. When you need some leg speed and impact you can bring on Clark walker or niukore. 17. Is a luxury sub spot imo.

Ball playing rating is relative to position though.

 

[BabylonPink]

Ball playing rating is relative to position though.

He can put a guy through a gap with a shortball, he's not Tohu 5/8 Harris levels of good but much better than like Fish.

 

[BabylonPink]

And Imo. Walker can start , but Shouldn't week in week out. Guy will destroy his body. He's better coming on and fucking stuff up.

 

[Ref]

He can put a guy through a gap with a shortball, he's not Tohu 5/8 Harris levels of good but much better than like Fish.

A great off loading prop then.
He is a top echelon front rower now.
I am with Mr Frank White.

 

[BabylonPink]

A great off loading prop then.
He is a top echelon front rower now.
I am with Mr Frank White.

What?
Are you trying to say Barnett's not a 13 or a great 13?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

And Imo. Walker can start , but Shouldn't week in week out. Guy will destroy his body. He's better coming on and fucking stuff up.

100% with you on this

 

[BabylonPink]

100% with you on this

Well your options for starting lock imo. Should Tohu be out or w/e. Are
Clark
Walker
Barnett
Niukore
Fish
Ale
Probably one of Demetric or Laban/Halasima types.

I'd go Barnett personally.

 

[Worried2Death]

Well your options for starting lock imo. Should Tohu be out or w/e. Are
Clark
Walker
Barnett
Niukore
Fish
Ale
Probably one of Demetric or Laban/Halasima types.

I'd go Barnett personally.

Put like that there aren't many other options. I'd like to see Ale get a crack at 13, not sure he's the answer either though.

 

[Ref]

What?
Are you trying to say Barnett's not a 13 or a great 13?

He’s a prop.

 

[BabylonPink]

He’s a prop.

Prop , lock , meh same diff. More passing I guess.

 

[roguei]

To piggyback off another thread talking about how the Titans saw Byod as a bad 6, 7, and an alright 17, I think it's really interesting to compare Byod and CHT.

It looks like CNK (plays 6 for NZ) and TMM are not extending their contracts, for whatever reason. This leaves just Metcalf, Byod, and CHT for 2026, where Jet is obviously not going to step into first grade within one year.

I'm unsure what position Webby wants Byod to play, but I do find it interesting that Des saw him as a 17. From some previous stat analysis, I personally think CHT was our preferred 17, covering hooker and the halves, which Byod himself floated around last year.

Both CHT and Byod have signed for 2025 and 2026. CHT is 25, and Byod is 24. CHT is about 5 cm and 5 kg heavier.

Now, considering that, I do wonder if both of them are competing for the same spot or if one will happily move into the NSW grade, knowing there’s a spot freeing up next year if they can prove themselves in NSW grade.
I also just found it weird how similar those two are in experience. Also good to be putting ourselves in the iron sharpens iron style of team building now.