Recruitment and retention

[257Matt]

Of those of course I rate Fuller but he's not young anymore. This injury might be really bad for him. Of course it's bad but worse than it would be if he was 20. Also Keeley but don't really rate the rest of them.

Woolf agrees with you

Fuller signed the rest all moved on.

Keeley was Norths best player this year but he was always Dolphins allocated player.

 

[Equaliser]

Woolf agrees with you

Fuller signed the rest all moved on.

Keeley was Norths best player this year but he was always Dolphins allocated player.

Keeley was also MoM in the reserve grade GF, wasn't he? Like in the playoff between the QLD Cup and NSW Cup teams.

 

[257Matt]

Keeley was also MoM in the reserve grade GF, wasn't he? Like in the playoff between the QLD Cup and NSW Cup teams.

Yes he was. Keeley will go very close to being a permanent NRL player in 2025. He needed 2024 to get his confidence back after a run of injuries.

 

[Equaliser]

Yes he was. Keeley will go very close to being a permanent NRL player in 2025. He needed 2024 to get his confidence back after a run of injuries.

I think he'll be a permanent fixture in the 17 barring injury.

 

[mr_c]

I think he'll be a permanent fixture in the 17 barring injury.

taking place of who i do t see that yet

 

[257Matt]

taking place of who i do t see that yet

Depends what position or role Gilbert plays next year as Plath is a keeper at lock.

The second row options are Finefeuiaki, Lemuelu, Keeley and possibly Gilbert.

Kaufusi and Bromwich days in the second row are gone.

Lemuelu was a major disappointment in 2024.

Keeley will benefit from having an injury-free 2024 season.

 

[mr_c]

Depends what position or role Gilbert plays next year as Plath is a keeper at lock.

The second row options are Finefeuiaki, Lemuelu, Keeley and possibly Gilbert.

Kaufusi and Bromwich days in the second row are gone.

Lemuelu was a major disappointment in 2024.

Keeley will benefit from having an injury-free 2024 season.

AGAIN dont see it even not sure with fully fit gilbert will se see much of plath

 

[257Matt]

AGAIN dont see it even not sure with fully fit gilbert will se see much of plath

I reckon Plath is one of the first players chosen these days. He was given a chance and grabbed it. Apparently Plath, Gilbert and Herbie are the best trainers so this will count in Plath's favour when Woolf picks his 1-17 next year. Gilbert is also a second rower so he covers a few roles.

 

[Equaliser]

taking place of who i do t see that yet

6 forwards and 3 on the bench:

• Plath
• Gilbert
• JMK
• Flegler (fingers crossed)
• Saifiti
• Finefeuiaki
• Stone
• Kaufusi
• Nicholls
• Keeley/Lemuelu

There will barely be a single round where at least one forward isn't out injured. Flegler will miss at least the first half of the season right off the bat.

 

[Equaliser]

I reckon Plath is one of the first players chosen these days. He was given a chance and grabbed it. Apparently Plath, Gilbert and Herbie are the best trainers so this will count in Plath's favour when Woolf picks his 1-17 next year. Gilbert is also a second rower so he covers a few roles.

Only a question of whether Plath starts on the bench or not. I think he starts on the bench, comes on for JMK, goes to lock when JMK comes back on.

 

[257Matt]

Only a question of whether Plath starts on the bench or not. I think he starts on the bench, comes on for JMK, goes to lock when JMK comes back on.

This could be the case I do believe a lot will hinge on how players go in pre-season. We know Plath will shine with his fitness, work ethic and attitude.

A few players really slipped away last year and took their spots for granted. Woolf will need to show he's tough and won't take rubbish or he will head down the path of other failed Bennett successors.

Plath is a lock for top 17 spot and I still think he will be the lock with Gilbert playing edge or maybe off the bench before cementing his spot.

Lemuelu needs to have the best off season possible to keep his spot with the Finefeuiaki, Keeley, Gilbert and Kaufusi in the mix. He won't have it all his own way like last year. There won't be specialist edges on the bench unless there's a bucket load of injuries so a player like Lemuelu is top 13 or state cup especially when there's more flexible players like Gilbert if he comes back slowly, Plath if he doesn't win no.13, Donoghue, Kaufusi and Bromwich.

 

[mr_c]

keely n Donoghue will be reverve graders they werent that much of standouts in reserve grade the last few games yes keely was

 

[Josh]

keely n Donoghue will be reverve graders they werent that much of standouts in reserve grade the last few games yes keely was

Keeley will see a lot of NRL IMO.

 

[Josh]

This could be the case I do believe a lot will hinge on how players go in pre-season. We know Plath will shine with his fitness, work ethic and attitude.

A few players really slipped away last year and took their spots for granted. Woolf will need to show he's tough and won't take rubbish or he will head down the path of other failed Bennett successors.

Plath is a lock for top 17 spot and I still think he will be the lock with Gilbert playing edge or maybe off the bench before cementing his spot.

Lemuelu needs to have the best off season possible to keep his spot with the Finefeuiaki, Keeley, Gilbert and Kaufusi in the mix. He won't have it all his own way like last year. There won't be specialist edges on the bench unless there's a bucket load of injuries so a player like Lemuelu is top 13 or state cup especially when there's more flexible players like Gilbert if he comes back slowly, Plath if he doesn't win no.13, Donoghue, Kaufusi and Bromwich.

Lemuelu was in top form last year, signed an extension, has been very average since.

 

[257Matt]

Lemuelu was in top form last year, signed an extension, has been very average since.

Agree. He really needs the best off season and trial period to retain his position. Plath is too good to leave out of the 13.

 

[Equaliser]

Agree. He really needs the best off season and trial period to retain his position. Plath is too good to leave out of the 13.

Disagree. It's a game of 17 per team these days. Blokes starting on the bench routinely play more minutes that blokes in the starting 13. Doesn't matter if Plath starts on the bench or in the run on team, he'll play a lot of minutes.

 

[mr_c]

Lemuelu was in top form last year, signed an extension, has been very average since.

and his form is better than keleys ( he has looked average in cup side with a few games late in season he shone )

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

My question is. Can Plath play big minutes and cut down pressure on the interchange.

When I watch him, I think he has a massive motor. I wonder whether he can be a 60 minute and up player.

When you have an 80min hooker or forward. Whose effective drop off is negligible. The impact on the interchange and the rest of the forwards is massive.

 

[mr_c]

My question is. Can Plath play big minutes and cut down pressure on the interchange.

When I watch him, I think he has a massive motor. I wonder whether he can be a 60 minute and up player.

When you have an 80min hooker or forward. Whose effective drop off is negligible. The impact on the interchange and the rest of the forwards is massive.

thats my prob i think fin and him be of bencch

 

[Jetty]

My question is. Can Plath play big minutes and cut down pressure on the interchange.

When I watch him, I think he has a massive motor. I wonder whether he can be a 60 minute and up player.

When you have an 80min hooker or forward. Whose effective drop off is negligible. The impact on the interchange and the rest of the forwards is massive.

I think he can. His biggest strength is his motor. Just keeps going and going and going.
JMK goes good for 80min but I think if you cut it down to 60, he's going to be even better. It was just a question of someone to replace him. Donoghou and Graham weren't getting the job done. As soon as JMK, the drop in the whole team was obvious. With Plath, judging by the games he played at hooker last season, not the case.