The Perth Spirit in 2016 let us start winning now. There was fair criticism in the resting policy in 2014 and this year we seemed to chop and changed the team about a lot.
What are the TWF aims for the Spirit?
Here is my opinion
'The Spirit to mirror the Force Game plan to improve Force players and PPL know the standard to get a call up. Help them with the Force game plan. Play winning rugby. Let us maximize the Future Force and Wider Training Group to have the best possible team to represent us.'
Even though the Vikings were runners-up to Brisbane they were the gold standard. Allan Alaalatoa as the understudy to Scott Sio and Jordan Smiler for Scott Fardy etc.
Let’s maximize and showcase the local WA players.
Should we have all the other eligible Force players go to a single Sydney franchise as a block like North Harbour Rays. Maximize our buck and keep the playing together
Here is my Perth Spirit squad 10 months early where 17 Super contracted players were allowed in 2014-15.
Tom Sexton, Harry Scoble, Anaru Rangi (1)
Pekahou Cowan, Tetra Faulkner/Guy Millar * depends on Wallaby selection
Ollie Hoskin, Joe Savage, Jermaine Ainsley, Kaisa Reedy (3)
Adam Coleman, Richie Arnold, Oscar Backhouse, Riley Winter (1)
Ross Haylett-Petty, Angus Cottrell, Matt Hodgson, Kane Koteka
Richard Hardwick, Auega Seumanatafu, Hayden Anderson, Adrian Hall
Pierre Roberts (4)
Ryan Louwrens , Justin Turner, Michael Ruru (1)
Luke Burton, AJ Alatimu (1)
Kyle Godwin, Davis Tavita, Ammon Matuauto, Maalonga Konelio (2)
Albert Nikoro, Onehunga Havili, Semisi Masirewa, Brad Lacey, Faamanatu Apineru, Dane Haylett-Petty, Byron Hutchinson (4)
Explanation about my “Captains Picks” –
1. The veterans have been here for ten years and are the face of WA rugby do not send them away. (Close with Nathan Charles but thought Sexton more of a priority
2. Nikoro and Masiwera chosen because of their residency status and keep them close to home
3. Sexton’s first year here in WA
4. McCalman the only guaranteed Wallaby, Faulkner a dark horse
The others that need to go East and I reckon this group would improve North Harbour Rays
Francois van Wyk
Chris Heiberg
Guy Millar* depending on Faulkner’s Wallaby prospect
Nathan Charles
Heath Tessman
Rory Walton
Chris Alcock
Bryard Stander
Ian Prior
Jono Lance
Ben Tapuai
Junior Rasolea
Marcel Brache
Luke Morahan