lol thats pretty funny. Well, I rate O'Sullivan pretty highly for what he is. Watching him closely last year he was exceptional filling in for Cleary. You wouldnt call him a fringe first grader, as Magic does, based off that. Its not like he was being carried by the juggernaut that is Penrith. He was genuinely driving them around as much as Edwards or Koroisau were. I dont mind that they dont have a "superstar" in the spine. The gap between your best player of those four positions and your worst is something no one ever talks about but its quite important. I also liked what I saw from Milford in the world cup. Be interesting to see if Bennett can milk the last ounce of quality out of him. We'll see, as I've been saying for months, I think theyre going to surprise a lot of people.
Someone please let me know if they have seen a better season prediction for the Dolphins on here I would like to read it.
It did end up pretty good, even nailed the Nikorima selections. Tom Gilbert was probs their biggest loss imo.
They were always going to struggle with depth. Lesson needs to be learned for the future that all new clubs should be given at a minimum 2yrs notice. I appreciate they already had reserve grade and junior grade affiliations but it's not the same when those sides have no direct feed into an NRL system. If you allow a club to pack their under 18 and Under 21 sides with talent 2yrs prior to their First Grade sides inclusion into the top grade you set them up for a much better shot at immediate and long term success. If they're serious about a Perth side they need to be setting them up with Under 16, U18 and U21 sides now. If you're a youngster it would have to be a tempting proposition knowing there'd be plenty of opportunities to get a crack in First Grade at an expansion club.
I don't like what Wayne seems to be planning with his backline tbh. He has this love for Bostock for some reason, and While Tesi has trialled well in the centres attacking wise (been a boob in defence), I'd much rather he played Avarillo there. And he's likely to play Herbie on the right, which means Isaako will get next to zero ball. Surely Tesi on the left sting, with Herbie inside him; and Avarillo and Isaako on the right is the best option they have...
I think Niu is a liability. Just totally switches off sometimes. I've got no idea on Bostock in the lower grades, but last year he just didn't seem to be ready physically as much as anything. Maybe after an off season hes put on a few kg and can make an impact
Yeah, he wasn't ready last year. Has the physicality now. Still reckon he's playing Herbie and Avarillo on the wrong sides of the field though. Unless Herbie has been given the choice to begin the year on the right seeing he's a marquee signing. I just see Avarillo better suited to get Isaako away, where Herbie can be Herbie anywhere on the field.
Herbie basically left Brisbane because he wanted to play right side or fullback. Herbie has also passed the ball more this year, than his entire Broncos career.
Dolphins have been offering Averillo up to NRL clubs the last 2 weeks, no one has bit. Looks like he'll end up in England.
How the Eels aren't jumping on him I don't know. If the money is right they are dumb to not try and grab him.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this happened, I predicted that Wayne would try Nikorima at fullback at some point throughout last season and he did… just because Wayne has always liked his fullback to ball play.
Averillo is definitely an NRL quality centre. Few clubs should be trying to get him. Could see him end up at the chooks next year.