National Rugby League PremiershipBy W D Nicolson - February 26, 2017
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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
- 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.
Valentine Holmes (Hamstring - Opening Rounds), Sosaia Feki (Knee - Opening Rounds), Tony Williams (Hamstring - Opening Rounds).
