A very short list : Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:21 pm  

Well in thirty years of supporting Trinity this is definitely a first.

Normally I’d start a thread on how people think our new signings will go. Usually the list contains numerous players, this year so far it’s a grand total of one. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, just highly unusual.

So without further ado let’s comment on Mason Lino.

For me he’s a typical Trinity signing from the NRL and the sort we seem to do well with. Enough NRL experience to justify being called an ex NRL player but not enough to arrive with a reputation.

I’m pretty sure he isn’t another Ronnie Troutman but whether he’s good enough to replace Broughy most notably the first time we had him I don’t know.

Watched as much of him as I can and he seems good without being outstanding, though I will say right now I prefer him to Williams who to me was a backward step. That said Williams was a known quantity.

Tbh what I want to see from Lino is a kicking game near the line and a player who’s busy and gets at em. Miller has plenty of party tricks given the time and space so if Lino just plays the standard no7 I’ll be happy. The fact that he is quite nippy is a bonus.

He looks like an organiser from what I’ve seen so hopefully he is the player to replace the sorely missed Finn. He’s also got at least five years of top RL left in him, something neither Finn or Brough did.

So with the shortage of any other signing (Senior doesn’t count Imho) I thought I’d throw in some players who might break through and make a real difference. Not dertracting from others who may do the same these three just interest me.

1. B Walker. There is something about him, he looks confident, he has skill and he’s athletic. Some say LF but he’s a SO all day for me.

2. Lee Kershaw. Totally over shadowed by Johnstone and BJB but if you watch his highlight tape on YouTube he’s actually a very exciting player. When he broke through he was raw and a bit naive but he’s very strong, quite fast and insanely brave at times.

3. Adam Tangata. This may offend a few but in all fairness this lad has had no luck. He finally got his well earned shot at SL with Widnes only for them to go bust. Think he got three games. Then he joined us facing relegation, then he had to face the Covid season. He’s never had a proper dig at SL. He’s a big man, knows how to score for a prop, neck on the line I think he will go well this season. Against is that he was never NRL but then neither was JD.

Feel free to add, although Lino still remains our only signing to date.

Re: A very short list : Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:01 pm  

vastman wrote:

Well in thirty years of supporting Trinity this is definitely a first.

Normally I’d start a thread on how people think our new signings will go. Usually the list contains numerous players, this year so far it’s a grand total of one. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, just highly unusual.

So without further ado let’s comment on Mason Lino.

For me he’s a typical Trinity signing from the NRL and the sort we seem to do well with. Enough NRL experience to justify being called an ex NRL player but not enough to arrive with a reputation.

I’m pretty sure he isn’t another Ronnie Troutman but whether he’s good enough to replace Broughy most notably the first time we had him I don’t know.

Watched as much of him as I can and he seems good without being outstanding, though I will say right now I prefer him to Williams who to me was a backward step. That said Williams was a known quantity.

Tbh what I want to see from Lino is a kicking game near the line and a player who’s busy and gets at em. Miller has plenty of party tricks given the time and space so if Lino just plays the standard no7 I’ll be happy. The fact that he is quite nippy is a bonus.

He looks like an organiser from what I’ve seen so hopefully he is the player to replace the sorely missed Finn. He’s also got at least five years of top RL left in him, something neither Finn or Brough did.

So with the shortage of any other signing (Senior doesn’t count Imho) I thought I’d throw in some players who might break through and make a real difference. Not dertracting from others who may do the same these three just interest me.

1. B Walker. There is something about him, he looks confident, he has skill and he’s athletic. Some say LF but he’s a SO all day for me.

2. Lee Kershaw. Totally over shadowed by Johnstone and BJB but if you watch his highlight tape on YouTube he’s actually a very exciting player. When he broke through he was raw and a bit naive but he’s very strong, quite fast and insanely brave at times.

3. Adam Tangata. This may offend a few but in all fairness this lad has had no luck. He finally got his well earned shot at SL with Widnes only for them to go bust. Think he got three games. Then he joined us facing relegation, then he had to face the Covid season. He’s never had a proper dig at SL. He’s a big man, knows how to score for a prop, neck on the line I think he will go well this season. Against is that he was never NRL but then neither was JD.

Feel free to add, although Lino still remains our only signing to date.

I bet it`s been a good few years since we have had such a settled team, admittedly we may still bring another player in but I think that will be it.

I have seen little of Lino in fairness, but I have talked with a couple of Newcastle fans that seem to rate him and say all the right things about him, My hope however in the main is that he can hit the ground running and that he gives us a good kicking game, both long and short.

Fully agree on Brad Walker, the lad was thrown into a side half way through the game and looked as though he had been playing there for years. He just seems to have a natural confidence and more than anything almost a calmness of just taking his time with the ball when he gets it in his hands, a skill that is often overlooked but very few possess, especially at such a young age as well.

Re: A very short list : Tue Jan 19, 2021 7:18 pm  

Mason lino......
Looking forward to seeing him in action hooing he can bring what we have been missing although like many on here not really seen much of him other than highlights.hope he gets chance to settle and learn about his surroundings and teammates .

Breakthroughs

Brad walker.....looks a very accomplished player good hands and off loads and rugby brain think his biggest issue is whats his best postion is he loose or a 6

Yusef aydyn.....this lad could really thireve with some good game time this year strong altletic and a great engine

And one im looking forward to see return..
Joe arundal.....whist not necessarily been a better sl round playef than billy or reece feel he is probally a better gifted centre thzn those fedl that run of games atalomg side tommy woild hzve big benifits points wise

Re: A very short list : Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:08 pm  

I THINK MASON Could be a very good signing for us .exactly the player we need

Re: A very short list : Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:32 pm  

Jack Croft for me. I thought his form dipped after his first couple of games but really came back well towards the end of last season. He’s not going to displace Reece or Bill just yet, but I hope he’s given some game time or even a loan spell in the Championship. Looks like he’s got the making of a decent player.

As for Kershaw, reminds me a lot of David Jones from the 90s. Doesn’t have the flair of Johnstone or BJB, but would run through a brick wall.

Re: A very short list : Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:56 pm  

Kershaw reminds me of Kirmond, in the respect of winger moving to 2nd row. Just looks an obvious move to me, quick, strong, will run through walls and has wakey at heart.

Re: A very short list : Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:06 am  

Mable_Syrup wrote:

Kershaw reminds me of Kirmond, in the respect of winger moving to 2nd row. Just looks an obvious move to me, quick, strong, will run through walls and has wakey at heart.

Like others say he will run through a brick wall but lacks any real class. My main issue with Kershaw is he can produce some shockers under the high ball and kicks. Also seems to be prone to a few knock ons. Honestly I don’t see what the fuss is about with him but if he does get a shot I want him to do well.

[PopTart]

Re: A very short list : Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:46 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Like others say he will run through a brick wall but lacks any real class. My main issue with Kershaw is he can produce some shockers under the high ball and kicks. Also seems to be prone to a few knock ons. Honestly I don’t see what the fuss is about with him but if he does get a shot I want him to do well.

The fuss with Kershaw is that he breaks tackles clearing his line.
It's valuable to a team and exciting to supporters.

Re: A very short list : Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:15 am  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

Jack Croft for me. I thought his form dipped after his first couple of games but really came back well towards the end of last season. He’s not going to displace Reece or Bill just yet, but I hope he’s given some game time or even a loan spell in the Championship. Looks like he’s got the making of a decent player.

As for Kershaw, reminds me a lot of David Jones from the 90s. Doesn’t have the flair of Johnstone or BJB, but would run through a brick wall.

Yeah I didn’t name Croft because the players in those positions already are so strong. It would take both to be injured as I suspect Arundel is first reserve.

I get what you mean but although a fan favourite Jones was a poor winger in that he could never actually score. Kershaw is very similar except he can score so he’s a much better player.

He was great fun to watch was Jones but you couldn’t help thinking that had he just occasions elected to go around rather than through the opposition player he’d have been a super star.

Re: A very short list : Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:22 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Like others say he will run through a brick wall but lacks any real class. My main issue with Kershaw is he can produce some shockers under the high ball and kicks. Also seems to be prone to a few knock ons. Honestly I don’t see what the fuss is about with him but if he does get a shot I want him to do well.

I don’t think there is a fuss, that was my point. Due to the quality of wingers we’ve had in recent years we have clearly become spoilt. Yet had Kershaw appeared pre Johnstone I’ll tell you one he’d already be a bit if a terrace hero.

The high ball is a skill that comes with experience, can’t say I’ve noticed issues with knock ons. Can’t honestly see any huge issues, he’s just a bit green, he’s only played 5 games?

He’s no TJ, we will be lucky to get another one of those in forty years but he still a decent prospect. Players do improve with age.