EWF 2010 team???

[James]

Harris and Sheehan play at 9 and 10 for Warringah, so they would definitely click very rapidly :-)

They would be a good pair to play on set piece ball because Harris could bring the ball to and hopefully over the line and then someone like JO'C could run the second phase.

[jakartanick]

Have heard rumors from good sources that JOC will be starting at 12 with Shep at 15. Only pre season will tell I suppose.

[BDAVEY]

Shehan and Andre will first pick for sure JOC, the Crossy should get us some penetration Sounds like Harris could be good off the bench if he is big may need him in Africa

[Burgs]

Well that seemed to stir up a few more response than normal for this time of year, big success

[James]

Yeah I'm getting a little bit pissed off with the lack of news at the moment. The only stuff that is coming out is very depressing too. Lets have some good news. Another Force signing would be interesting/good. Why can't they have player recruitment in October?

[brokendown gunfighter]

how many places left in the squad?
I think there is one coaching spot still up for grabs

[Burgs]

I think there are currently 29 players signed bg.
Would seem there are still a couple of openings available.

[inactive]

obviously one would be a hooker and i think another back, maybe a wing??

[blue]

What has happened to Ryan Tyrrel. I thought that he had is contract upgraded for 2010.

I thought that he was a better hooker than Whittaker.

[travelling_gerry]

Saw Ryan Tyrell on the GWN or WIN news last night being interviewed at the opening of a sports centre in Kal.

He looked to have chunked up.

[James]

What has happened to Ryan Tyrrel. I thought that he had is contract upgraded for 2010.

I thought that he was a better hooker than Whittaker.

As far as I know he's being offered an apprentice contract. Which I suppose is an upgrade from the academy. Internet says he's 110kgs and 26 this year which are fairly tidy stats.

Found this on the internet regarding the Force squad as of July:
Backs (16): Mark Bartholomeusz, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Sam Harris, Stefano Hunt, Dane Haylett-Petty, Mitchell Inman, James O'Connor*, Chris O'Young, Andre Pretorius, Haig Sare, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Swanepoel, Josh Tatupu, Justin Turner (A).

Forwards (16): Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Nic Henderson, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Kieran Longbottom, Filipe Manu (A), Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe, Richard Stanford, Ryan Tyrrell (A), Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes

Luke Jones is now on board too so 30 players and 3 apprentices assuming Jones has a full contract. Maybe room for one more hooker?

[jjk]

I think the Western Force team is shaping up well for 2010.
I think the team will look something like this -
15. J.O'Connor - Deans likes playing him as a 15.
14. C.Shepherd - can play fullback and JOC could move to 12.
13. R.Cross - I think he has been unlucky not to have played more tests this year.
12. M.Bartholomeusz - If he doesn't perform early Harris, Tatupu or JOC can replace him. He is 32 years old and may find Super 14 rugby a little difficult.
11. N.Cummins - will have a big season
10. A.Pretorius - watching him last year he seems to control a game well with his kicking game.
9. B.Sheehan - given sufficient game time I think he will show everyone how good he is.
8. R.Brown - has been very disappointing in the tests, needs to improve his form next year.
7. D.Pocock - future captain of the Force, very good player.
6. M.Hodgson - will have another big season, hopefully will get a run in a test on the tour.
5. N.Sharpe - hopefully he will be fit for the season opener.
4. T.Hockings - hopefully he will be consistent next year.
3. M.Dunning - I think he will play very well as a tight head prop
2. B.Whittaker - needs to lift next year and hopefully he can play well. The way he plays will be very important for the Force...
1. P.Cowan - back up hooker, hopefully that will work.

16. T.Fairbrother - good signing.
17. N.Henderson / K.Longbottom - not sure who to pick
18. B.McCalman - I think he will have a good season on the back of a very good Shute Shield season. I think he is a good player. I noticed David Dennis is unsigned, should the Force go for him or hold out in case a hooker becomes available.
19. R.Stanford
20. C.O'Young - its going to be a good tussle for the starting 9 jumper, I'd be happy with either starting.
21. S.Harris - can play 12 or 10 and will be able to change the way the Force play the game. I watched him play a few games for the Rats this year and I thought he went well.
22. H.Sare - I picked him just ahead of Haylett_petty because Sare can cover 13 as well.

It would have been good to have signed an experienced hooker but it doesn't look likely now. I think Fairbrother, McCalman, Sheehan and Harris are good signings (as well as the others) and I hope they all have good seasons.
Also in the Tooheys New Shute Shield I noticed in the Ken Catchpole player of the season points for best and fairest player Sheehan and Harris polled quite well in limited games they played. I think Sheehan played about 12 games and Harris played 15 and to poll so many points in so few games that is a good sign.

[Burgs]

Much will now hinge on Pek's opportunities at Hooker in the UK, hopefully he will get at least a half up there in his new secondary position.

[Sheikh]

It would seem odd to train him up as a hooker and then not bother to give him any game time. Maybe when England are behind by 50 points Deans can give Pek a run at hooker and he and Dunning some game time together

[James]

Perhaps they are also training him up as a hooker so that if he plays as a prop he can throw the ball in instead of TPN. I hope they can broadcast the midweek Wallabies games.