National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Cowboys he believes Paul Green will pick for Round 1:
- Lachlan COOTE
- Kyle FELDT
- Justin O'NEILL
- Kane LINNETT
- Javid BOWEN or Kalyn PONGA
- Michael MORGAN
- Johnathan THURSTON
- Matthew SCOTT
- Jake GRANVILLE
- Scott BOLTON
- Ethan LOWE
- Gavin COOPER
- Jason TAUMALOLO
BENCH
- Ben HAMPTON
- Coen HESS
- John ASIATA
- Patrick KAUFUSI or Sam HOARE (Shaun FENSOM outside shot)
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- So who will replace Antonio Winterstein on the left wing? Funnily enough, it wouldn't be surprising at all for Green to pick Winterstein on Tuesday and both Javid Bowen and Kalyn Ponga in his 21 man squad... he doesn't have to then whittle it down to 19 til Friday (Cowboys play Saturday) and then he could still pick both Bowen and Ponga as his extra reserves! So we may not know until Saturday night if Bowen or Ponga have got the gig... and hey Winterstein may even end up playing!
- The rest of the starting team picks itself - with Bolton taking the starting prop gig from the departing James Tamou.
- Ben Hampton has beat out Ray Thompson for the utility spot on the bench - though look for him to play a more roving role than just dummy half when he comes on. This also means Jake Granville could play significantly more minutes this season as Green was obsessed with Rory Kostjasyn last season and the team never clicked around Granville as a result.
- John Asiata and Coen Hess are set in stone on the bench, meaning Patrick Kaufusi or Sam Hoare will likely get the final spot for Round 1. But they may only be keeping it warm for Shaun Fensom - who signed a 2 year deal with the Cowboys last week and could yet play against the Raiders in Round 1. In Canberra - Fensom played in the middle almost exclusively so Green can pick him on the bench as part of the prop rotation without a second thought. Beware SuperCoaches who want value from Kaufusi or Hoare as a result.
- Apart from Thompson - also look for Blake Leary to come into utility role contention should Hampton not work out.
Injured List:
Antonio Winterstein (Ankle - Opening Rounds), Shaun Hudson (Leg - Season), Josh Chudleigh (Knee - Season).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Raiders he believes Ricky Stuart will pick for Round 1:
UPDATE 28/2: It looks like Whitehead will play left centre alongside rookie Nick Cotric, with Jordan Turner set for the bench and Sia Soliola to play right backrow.
- Jack WIGHTON
- Jordan RAPANA
- Elliott WHITEHEAD
- Joseph LEILUA
- Nick COTRIC
- Blake AUSTIN
- Aidan SEZER
- Joseph TAPINE
- Josh HODGSON
- Shannon BOYD
- Josh PAPALII
- Sia SOLIOLA
- Luke BATEMAN
BENCH
- Adam CLYDSDALE
- Dunamis LUI
- Jeff LIMA
- Clay PRIEST
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- The club release Edrick Lee to the Sharks and Shaun Fensom to the Cowboys ahead of Round 1 - and funnily enough, that's when they needed them the most. Jarrod Croker is on the shelf until Round 4-6 and both Junior Paulo and Dave Taylor missing through suspension for at least one round.
- Nick Cotric is almost certain to get his chance on the left wing but there's some talk that Elliott Whitehead will end up playing left centre even if UK import Jordan Turner is named there. Luke Batemen would then start at lock with Sia Soliola on the right and Turner going to the bench. Brent Naden and Eddie Aiono are Cotric's biggest challengers for the wing spot with Lee gone. Kato Ottio won't return from a knee injury until midway through the season.
- With Paulo missing, Joseph Tapine or Jeff Lima will start at prop. Clay Priest is also likely if he's match fit (a broken ankle late last season cost him much of his off-season) with new buy Dunamis Lui also hoping to get a chance if Ricky Stuart decides not to carry Adam Clydsdale as his bench hooker (Kurt Baptiste ruptured his Achilles in the off-season).
- When Taylor and Paulo return - Priest and Lui are the men to make way and Clydsdale also likely to miss out.
- What happens when Croker returns is up to Cotric really... if he gets a chance in the first place.
Injured List:
Junior Paulo (Suspended through Round 1), Dave Taylor (Likely Suspended through Round 2), Jarrod Croker (Knee - Round 4 on), Kato Ottio (Knee - Mid-Season), Kurt Baptiste (Achilles - Late Season).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Sea Eagles he believes Trent Barrett will pick for Round 1:
- Tom TRBOJEVIC
- Jorge TAUFUA
- Dylan WALKER
- Jono WRIGHT or Matt WRIGHT or Brian KELLY
- Akuila UATE
- Blake GREEN
- Daly CHERRY-EVANS
- Brenton LAWRENCE
- Api KOROISAU
- Martin TAUPAU
- Frank WINTERSTEIN
- Curtis SIRONEN
- Jake TRBOJEVIC
BENCH
- Lewis BROWN or Jackson HASTINGS
- Addin FONUA-BLAKE
- Jarrad KENNEDY
- Nate MYLES
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Trent Barrett must decide if Jono Wright is the right man for the centres... or does he give young Brian Kelly a chance? SuperCoaches are hoping for the latter... and maybe more than a few Manly fans too. That all said, Matt Wright would have got the spot if fit - and he still may be - for Round 1.
- Akuila Uate will get his chance to revive his career on the wing, with Brad Parker (and the Wright brothers and Kelly) his main rival. And jot this name name an NRL debut later this year - Tom Wright... and it might be at fullback if Tom Trbojevic ends up in the NSW team.
- The backrow is very open in terms of who might start - with Frank Winterstein and Curtis Sironen starting there in the final trial but Jarrad Kennedy very much in the frame.
- Nate Myles and Addin Fonua-Blake will be the bench props, with Brenton Lawrence and Martin Taupau starting.
- The utility spot on the bench comes down to Lewis Brown's Mr Fixit ability (he's also an under-rated dummy-half) vs Jackson Hasting's belief that he didn't come to Manly to play reserve grade... over to you Trent Barrett on this one.
- Darcy Lussick is the only long term injured player missing from Manly's best 17 - but he's not back til Round 4 on.
Injured List:
Brett Stewart and Steve Matai (Retired), Darcy Lussick (Wrist - Round 4 on), Matthew Wright (Hand - Opening Rounds).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Panthers he believes Anthony Griffin will pick for Round 1:
- Matt MOYLAN
- Dean WHARE
- Waqa BLAKE
- Tyrone PEACHEY
- Peta HIKU
- Te Maire MARTIN
- Nathan CLEARY
- James TAMOU
- Peter WALLACE
- Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD
- Bryce CARTWRIGHT
- Isaah YEO
- Trent MERRIN
BENCH
- Mitch REIN
- James FISHER-HARRIS
- Leilani LATU
- Moses LEOTA or Sitaleki AKAUOLA or Tim BROWNE
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Even with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Josh Mansour unavailable for Round 1 - the Panthers are still able to leave a talent like Dylan Edwards out of their backline. Normal first choice centres Whare and Hiku are returning from long-term injuries and will likely start on the wing - with Blake and Peachey's form at the back end of last season just too good to move them right now. Edwards however is ready to go if given the chance.
- The halves combo of Martin and Cleary has the potential to be great for a long long time - you'd watch the Panthers play for this pair alone!
- That leaves Matt Moylan in his best spot of fullback - but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be the #6 for NSW... but that argument is for another time.
- Up front - Tamou starts with RCG or Latu getting the #10 jersey alongside him - the other will make the bench. With Sam McKendry's knee injury (again, poor bloke) and Mitch Rein seemingly making the bench to backup Wallace at hooker - we have a three-way race for the final bench spot - Moses Leota v Sitaleki Akauola v Tim Browne.
- James Fisher-Harris will also be there on the bench - with Bryce Cartwright's move back into the pack and Griffin being a huge Isaah Yeo fan. As well as of course Trent Merrin at lock.
- The kid that impressed most in the pre-season - Corey Harawira-Narea will be seen in the top grade sooner rather than later but as a backrower - there's quite a bit of quality ahead of him.
Injured List:
Josh Mansour (Knee - Mid-Season), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Knee - Round 4 on), Sam McKendry (Knee - Season).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Dragons he believes Paul McGregor will pick for Round 1:
- Josh DUGAN
- Nene MACDONALD
- Euan AITKEN
- Tim LAFAI
- Jason NIGHTINGALE
- Gareth WIDDOP
- Josh McCRONE
- Paul VAUGHAN
- Cameron McINNES
- Tariq SIMS
- Tyson FRIZELL
- Joel THOMPSON
- Jack DE BELIN
BENCH
- Leeson AH MAU
- Russell PACKER
- Jacob HOST
- Kurt MANN or Jai FIELD
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Josh McCrone will probably win the starting #7 jersey - but Dragons fans I get the feeling you may yet see Jai Field in the squad come Round 1. McCrone won't hold the starting job long (even if Field isn't the guy) and with McInnes wanting to play 80 minutes and McGregor not picking a genuine hooker on the bench for the Charity Shield (Siliva Havili was omitted) - there's a shot for Field to make the 17 and come on as an impact player. That also puts Kurt Mann into the mix for the 17 given his history in the halves. That all said, Havili could yet be the man in the #17 jumper but the injury to Will Matthews (who could cover hooker if he had to) opens this race back up.
- Tim Lafai looks to have won his centre spot back from Taane Milne - with the latter relegated to the bench during the pre-season. Matt Dufty is recovering from a knee injury - so Josh Dugan isn't moving from fullback anytime soon kids.
- Paul Vaughan and Tariq Sims started the Charity Shield - giving us an insight to how Leeson Ah Mau and Russell Packer will probably be used in 2017 - off the bench to spell those two starters and make an immediate impact with their head down butt up running styles.
- Jacob Host will be the backrow coverage on the bench, with Luciano Leilua not even making the Charity Shield squad - seemingly putting him down the depth chart for Round 1.
- Mose Masoe is a while off yet as he recovers from a knee injury, while Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa and Mann are the outside back coverage.
Injured List:
Will Matthews (Hip - Mid-Season), Matt Dufty (Knee - Round 4 on), Mose Masoe (Knee - Mid-Season).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Sharks he believes Shane Flanagan will pick for Round 1:
UPDATE 28/2: With Holmes likely out for the opener look for Lee to come onto the wing and Beale to play fullback.
- Gerard BEALE (Valentine HOLMES injured)
- Sosaia FEKI
- Jack BIRD
- Ricky LEUTELE
- Edrick LEE
- James MALONEY
- Chad TOWNSEND
- Andrew FIFITA
- Jayden BRAILEY
- Matt PRIOR
- Luke LEWIS
- Wade GRAHAM
- Paul GALLEN
BENCH
- Fa'amanu BROWN
- Jayson BUKUYA
- Chris HEIGHINGTON
- Sam TAGATAESE or Tony WILLIAMS
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Flanagan has pretty much confirmed Jayden Brailey has won the #9 jersey - meaning there's no room for Daniel Mortimer or Manaia Cherrington in the 17 - with Brown set to play in the utility role if Flanagan decides to go with only 3 forwards on the bench.
- The arrival of Tony Williams means that if he makes the bench - he will push one of Chris Heighington, Sam Tagataese or Jayson Bukuya out of the team if Flanagan runs with two hookers - which is a harsh call on any of the three. But if Flanagan truly backs young Brailey - this four will make up the bench.
- Edrick Lee will only play Round 1 if Holmes or Feki aren't right to go for the Broncos this Thursday. Luke Capewell has gone from being turned into a winger for the World Club Challenge (he's a backrower) to possibly missing out on even being the main backup on the flank. And given the depth in the pack - he's looking at a NSW Cup road early in the season.
- Jeremy Latimore was another pickup in the off-season and he will also miss out on a bench spot if everyone is fit. Joseph Paulo also misses out - but given he does - that's a sign of just how deep the Sharks are up front with the additions of Williams and Latimore to the squad.
Injured List:
Valentine Holmes (Hamstring - Opening Rounds), Sosaia Feki (Knee - Opening Rounds), Tony Williams (Hamstring - Opening Rounds).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 24, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Bulldogs he believes Des Hasler will pick for Round 1:
- Will HOPOATE
- Brett MORRIS
- Josh MORRIS
- Brenko LEE
- Kerrod HOLLAND
- Josh REYNOLDS
- Moses MBYE
- Aiden TOLMAN
- Michael LICHAA
- James GRAHAM
- Josh JACKSON
- Greg EASTWOOD
- David KLEMMER
BENCH
- Sam KASIANO
- Raymon FAITALA-MARINER
- Danny FUALOLO
- Francis TUALAU
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- The Bulldogs look settled heading into Round 1 with the only question mark over whether or not to pick backup hooker Craig Garvey on the bench. Michael Lichaa is capable of playing the 80 minutes but Garvey was impressive last season and the Bulldogs might choose to go with an injection of something different around the ruck mid-game.
- Marcelo Montoya will keep pressure on Kerrod Holland and Brenko Lee for a spot on the right wing but the latter pair will get first crack on that edge.
- Moses Mbye copped a knock on his arm in the final trial but should be fine for Round 1 - Matt Frawley and Josh Cleeland have been groomed as the backup halves.
- Danny Fualolo and Francis Tualau have a great opportunity as the season begins as the Dogs bench props - and though Hasler likes playing Graham and Tolman for 60mins a game, the pair are set to get their chance. Raymond Faitala-Mariner will be the bench backrower and could even start some games if Greg Eastwood is used off the bench.
Injured List:
Moses Mbye (Arm - Opening Rounds), Richie Kennar (Foot - Opening Rounds), Adam Elliott (TBA).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 24, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Wests Tigers he believes Jason Taylor will pick for Round 1:
- James TEDESCO
- David NOFOALUMA
- Jamal IDRIS
- Kevin NAIQAMA
- Moses SULI or Jordan RANKIN
- Mitchell MOSES
- Luke BROOKS
- Aaron WOODS
- Matt McILWRICK
- Tim GRANT
- Suaso SUE
- Chris LAWRENCE
- Elijah TAYLOR
BENCH
- Matt BALLIN
- Josh ALOIAI
- Ava SEUMANUFAGAI
- Joel EDWARDS or Michael CHEE KAM
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Matt Ballin is on track to be available for Round 1 but expect him to be named on the bench with Matt McIlwrick starting the the #9. Youngster Jacob Liddle (shoulder) won't be right for the opening rounds.
- Rookie Moses Suli has the edge on Jordan Rankin for the left wing spot with Kevin Naiqama assuming the centre spot that Tim Simona's impending suspension opens up. Justin Hunt and Watson Heleta are the other options.
- Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses didn't play the final trial but will both be fit, leaving Jack Littlejohn as their main backup in the halves.
- Suauso Sue started in the second row in the final trial and Josh Aloiai came off the bench - so expect to see this in Round 1. Ava Seumanufagai backs up Aaron Woods and Tim Grant off the bench (along with Sue once Aloiai comes into the action) but it probably leaves the Tigers looking at either Joel Edwards or Michael Chee Kam for the last bench spot.
- Esan Marsters and JJ Felise could also make the final 17 but look to be behind Edwards and Chee Kam at this point.
Injured List:
Luke Brooks (Hamstring - Opening Rounds), Mitchell Moses (Foot - Opening Rounds), Matt Ballin (Knee - Opening Rounds), Jacob Liddle (Shoulder - Opening Rounds), Kyle Lovett (Suspended through Round 3), Tim Simona (Provisionally suspended indefinitely).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 23, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Roosters he believes Trent Robinson will pick for Round 1:
- Michael GORDON
- Daniel TUPOU
- Latrell MITCHELL
- Blake FERGUSON
- Shaun KENNY-DOWALL
- Luke KEARY
- Mitchell PEARCE
- Jared WAEREA-HARGREAVES
- Jake FRIEND
- Dylan NAPA
- Boyd CORDNER
- Mitchell AUBUSSON
- Aidan GUERRA
BENCH
- Isaac LIU
- Kane EVANS
- Paul CARTER
- Connor WATSON
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Probably as settled a 17 heading into the first Team List Tuesday of the year that there is. Mind you Team List Tuesday is changing to a 21 man Squad each Tuesday (then cut to 19 man some 24 hours before each team's game)... but this will almost certainly be the 17 Trent Robinson throws into action on the Gold Coast.
- The main question mark is if Robinson wants Napa starting or making an impact from the bench. With no Sio Siua Taukeiaho until the second half of the season - Napa was selected on the bench for the final trial and along with Evans could form a dynamic duo being injected after 20 minutes. That shifts Liu to prop alongside JWH - allowing the backrow to settle with Cordner on the left and Aubusson or Guerra on the right (the other playing a roving role in the middle).
- Paul Carter probably has the edge on Ryan Matterson for the final bench spot given his ability to cover hooker but given Connor Watson can as well (and thus cover the whole backline) - Robinson could still spring a surprise on us next week as he's grooming Matterson for the backrow in the near future.
- There's no room for Dale Copley who has reportedly been shopped to every QLD team this off-season and Joseph Manu who was reportedly pushing Daniel Tupou for the left wing spot all summer.
Injured List:
Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Knee - Mid-to-Late Season), Nat Butcher (Shoulder - Round 4 on), Joseph Manu (Knee - Opening Rounds), Bernard Lewis (Groin - Opening Rounds).
National Rugby League Premiership
By W D Nicolson - February 23, 2017
NRL SuperCoach and NRL Fantasy pundits rejoice - your old mate The Postman is back with his take on the 17 Rabbitohs he believes Michael Maguire will pick for Round 1:
UPDATE 28/2: AIt's Siosifa Talakai v Braidon Burns for the final spot in the three-quarter line. If Talakai plays he'll play centre and Goodwin shifts to the wing, if Burns plays - Goodwin will play centre. Adam Reynolds is out for the first month with appendicitis. Picking Luke Kelly at halfback or John Sutton to five-eighth (moving Walker to halfback) most likely options for Maguire with Inglis to stay at fullback. The other option being mooted is picking Damien Cook at 7 but having Robbie Farah playing more first receiver.
- Greg INGLIS
- Alex JOHNSTON
- Hymel HUNT
- Siosifa TALAKAI or Braidon BURNS
- Bryson GOODWIN
- Cody WALKER
- Luke KELLY
- George BURGESS
- Robbie FARAH
- Dave TYRRELL
- John SUTTON
- Kyle TURNER
- Sam BURGESS
BENCH
- Damien COOK
- Thomas BURGESS
- Jason CLARK
- Angus CRICHTON or Zane MUSGROVE
The Postman's Squad Analysis:
- Aaron Gray is the only key player injured entering Round 1 - with Maguire set to give Talakai a chance to start in the centres with Bryson Goodwin shuffling to the wing. Braidon Burns is the only other possibility after coming across from Penrith's Under 20s but Talakai looks to have the inside running with Goodwin picked on the wing for the final trial and not at centre.
- Farah will be your starting hooker with Cook almost certainly a fixture on the bench... at least initially. If Farah thrives then Maguire may look to bring that extra prop into his rotation. But from Round 1 - expect both in the 17. With the Reynolds injury there's talk that Cook could be picked at 7 but that would just let Farah play more first receiver.
- Inglis will be at fullback as we all know, with Walker joining Reynolds in the halves. Luke Kelly the backup should anything happen to the halves (see Reynolds injury), with Inglis and Sutton also able to move into the 6 if needed.
- Up front - roll the dice on George or Thomas Burgess starting with the other to the bench. Tyrrell started at prop in the final trial so if Maguire wants to split the Burgess twins up then it'll be Tyrrell or Musgrove starting at prop. Robbie Rochow won't force his way into the starting backrow and must beat out Tyrrell, Crichton or Musgrove for a spot in the 17 with Clark seemingly cemented into a bench role. Crichton might be the unlucky one to miss out on a spot on the bench but he's next in line especially if Maguire chooses to run with a more athletic backrower on the bench ahead of Musgrove or Rochow.
Injured List:
Adam Reynolds (Appendicitis - Round 3 on), Aaron Gray (Knee - Round 8 on), Jack Gosiewski (Knee - Mid-Season), Connor Tracey (Knee - Most of Season). Brett Greinke (Ankle - Round 4 on).
