Re: St George Illawarra Dragons : Sun Feb 18, 2018 7:04 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Taylor out is a blow, but we have good cover at prop, chance for one of the young kids.

I was mocked a bit pre season when I said Masi will put pressure on Gree this season, be interesting who Radders picks for bench prop against Cas on Saturday.

In fact tough to pick the 17, a few young lads pushing the more established players.

Assuming no more injuries and that Minichiello is still out along with Taylor and Houghton:

Shaul
Faraimo
Connor
Griffin
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Watts
Hadley
Paea
Manu
Washbrook
Bowden

Green
Masi
Fash
Abdull

Centre's tricky - Griffin's started the season well IMO but not so good against St George, so not sure whether he'll get the nod over Carlos. Several of the younger players pushing for a bench spot. Wouldn't risk Mini unless he's 100%.

Re: St George Illawarra Dragons : Sun Feb 18, 2018 10:20 pm  

Masi whilst has potential but still doesn't offer what Green does and they are slightly different props in any case, given the amount of stick he gets it's clear that Radford values him a lot and he's in the first 17 pretty much all the time even when everyone is fit (66 appearances 2015-17).

Brad Fash is still my pick of the younger squad players, despite being undersize compared to most forwards (Is he the lightest forward in SL at 97kg?) he is fearless, he gets stuck in and does a great job, currently filling the role that Thompson was providing.

Griffin is a tough one, he was absolutely dreadful in defence against SGI but seemed to be excellent in making yards but Connor surely has cemented his place and can we leave CT out to allow Griffin in. There's also Logan who I think needs to be given a chance at some point.
IF CT is to leave the club after this year then we need to be considering who is the replacement, it would be brilliant if we could have another home grown talent in the backs.

What are people's thoughts on Faraimo, can't say he's stood out thus far, hasn't come in to take the ball up as much as I thought he might and certainly less dynamic than I expected, Talanoa is well ahead.

Re: St George Illawarra Dragons : Sun Feb 18, 2018 10:44 pm  

Schoey’s appraisal:

Re: St George Illawarra Dragons : Mon Feb 19, 2018 7:44 am  

A brilliant performance to end an unforgettable trip away. It may have only have been a friendly but all of the squad gave it everything they had got

Great support from the faithful as well. Good to see a game in such a famous stadium as the ANZ but disappointed so few Aussies turned out. 19k in an 82k stadium felt odd. But I do bear in mind that a friendly against an English team isnt top drawer over here and the ground is quite far away from both the centre and the suburbs.

Re: St George Illawarra Dragons : Mon Feb 19, 2018 5:15 pm  

knockersbumpMKII wrote:

What are people's thoughts on Faraimo, can't say he's stood out thus far, hasn't come in to take the ball up as much as I thought he might and certainly less dynamic than I expected,

Thought Bureta showed a nice couple of touches on Saturday.
Settling in nicely to his new surroundings.

Talanoa is well ahead.

So would you still be happy to let him go or have you finally realised he does a pretty good job for us?