Force to bank on Matt’s Midas touch

[JediKnight]

What about Junior?

Stanners at 13 for me.

[inactive]

bench prob look at the ppl in front of him there top players most wallabies

[Shaun]

What about Diggers!!!

[JediKnight]

Drops the ball in contact & needs to learn to play WITHOUT gloves!!! Then, and only then, should he be considered for a place in the starting XV.

[Rodent]

Inforcer: Did you go down and watch? What did you think?

I thought O'Young looked pretty good, Cross was reasonably impressive although I would have like to see him breaking through a few tackles, had good hands though... One of the few on the day, Digby still appears to be struggling to hang on to the pill, perhaps some new gloves are in order?

I got some photo's and will post them once I resize etc.

[The InnFORCEr]

Digby certainly needs new gloves based on Saturday's performance.

Stapleton....wow is he fast, gotta get that ball to him just as quick.

Bam Bam, he's big, bloody big and can hold the ball. The Yarpies let him slip through!

Cannon appeared fairly trim for a hooker after Christmas celebrations!

Cross looked good as well, time will tell.

A good turn out for such a hot day and plenty of kids 500+ I would have thought.

Signing was well organised and hearing the senior players chating whist the game was on about various things was also well done.

Apart from that the Mt Barker free range chicken sausage sandwiches were excellent!

[Burgs]

Obviously wasn't there but re Cross, you never know what instructions players are under at trials, Mitch may have said, "Crossy, I know you can bust tackles, just focus on off loading because this will be a far easier defence than S14."
Great to be continuing to heear good things re Bam bam, he looks like he has grown again since the season portraits!
Sounds like Diggers may need to throw the bloody gloves away and learn to catch, not too flash for a Pro Winger, there isn't a great deal more to the position than catch, run, don't give away the penalty when tackled. Currently he can only consistently do the middle of those three. Also getting a bit tired of his chip and chase. Been watching the Yamaha and S14 footage, can't recall it actually working, normally into touch.
By the way they have been selecting Stapleton so regularly for the Gold fixtures he may want to watch his spot in the twenty two?
500+ is pretty outstanding I would have thought? Great signs for the future.

[Rodent]

After watching the intra club game on the weekend I was dissappointed to see Digby hasn't solved the catching the ball issue that plagued him last year.
I was impressed with Cross, need to see him in some serious contact though and would like to see him breaking a few more tackles ala Stirlo before I get too carried away with him.
O'Young looked good at 9, while there was worrying signs with Bam Bam going down with what looked like a head knock early on. It was a real pre-season affair though with more knock-ons and poor kicks than an English touring side. Having said that there were some nice moves strung together and the depth looks to be a real positive. Can't wait to see the boys up against Samoa thursday week.

[Rodent]

Yeah I was suprised by the turnout given the heat, but it was well organised.

Stapleton has some more toe than a roman sandle and really has bulked up since last season. So Digby should be looking over his shoulder.

I'm interested to see how they fare against Samoa, I thought one of the areas we really needed work on was pressure at the breakdown (both attack and defence), hopefully Bam Bam can provide a boost in that area.

The game should also test the boys ability to hold onto the pill in contact as the Samoans will be out to rattle some ribs I imagine.

[The InnFORCEr]

I am really looking forward to the second half of the Samoan game now the full squad can play.

[Shaun]

I spoke to Bam- Bam for a while after the hit-out, he said his head hurt; but was sure it would be perfect in the morning. He is a really good guy and takes interest in your life. Digby will be good this season don't anyone worry, although I do think his catching style is a problem as well as the way he enters contact with the ball in one hand. The only time a player should wear gloves is when it is raining. Can't wait til the trial game! What happened to those Blue light sabers that we were suppose to bring to the game???

[Shaun]

Cross- faultless is his appearance, did nothing wrong; but nothing spectacular

Junior- looked good- broke a couple of tackles, also has bulked up

Brett- lightning- can cover 100m in 10.27 seconds and has also bulked up (also a good bloke a talks to the fans a lot)

Bam- Bam- I reckon Bam- Bam could take on the entire Spears frontrow! For me he is the man for the job in 07
(also great bloke with the fans)

Digby- so much potential- He tried the chip and chase once and did'nt do it again- just catch the ball mate and you're there mate

Sare- the most underrated player in a backline- This kid played a vital role in 06 and really deserves some game time in 07

All in all the day was great!

Also any ideas to who will start at 10? Mackay had a ice pack round his knee...

[Burgs]

If MacKay is out then I would think it to between Jimmy Hilgendorf and Scotty Daruda, Jimmy for mine.
Otherwise Mitch may go against public perception and last minute Gits into #10 and leave Stanners at #12. Anything to gain an advantage, if the Highlanders have been training for Gits to be at #12 then maybe we get an edge for the first ten to twenty minutes.. Maybe I have just blown that edge

[Shaun]

I think Mitch will start Giteau at 12 and either Scotty or Hilgs at 10, that is if Mackay is injured. With a bit of Luck he will be good to go!

[Burgs]

Why'd you ask then?
As a while back, I would be playing them in pairs.
If small Gits at #12 then big MacKay at #10.
If big Stanners at #12 then small Jimmy at #10. (Assumably Gits would be either #9, injured or subbed in the second scenario)
Better balance that way between tackle/power and fleet of foot/passing.
I don't rate Daruda yet on '06 performance but happy to be proved wrong if he has improved in the off season.