Butcher wrote:Not sure on their contract status or, to be honest, their development. Someone on here will know well!
As it stands, we look something like (I'm putting Hood and Rourke in as they seem dead set. Heard from a recent ex-player Hood's staying - if I'm wrong he's done me!):
1 Jowitt 2 Johnstone 3 Hall 4 Pratt 5 Walmsley 6 Trueman 7 O Russell 8 Atoni 9 Hood 10 Rodwell 11 McMeeken 12 Storton 13 Pitts
The way I see it, we've got a proven player in every position to cover when injuries inevitably occur (Rourke, Booth, Russell, Lino, Smith, Cozza, Griffin/Scott, Bain) then another that wouldn't let anyone down if we're decimated.
Plus, a few players with one year left who I'm confident will do a good job for us in 2025, and will either tide us over for a year, or we'll find out they're up to SL for the long term (Walmsley, Hood, Pitts, Kay, Croft, Shaw, Cozza). Go in with fairly low expectations and it's an exciting time to be a Trin.
1 Jowitt 2 Walmsley 3 Pratt 4 Hall 5 Johnstone 6 Trueman 7 O Russell 8 Atoni 9 Hood 10 Rodwell 11 McMeeken 12 Storton 13 Pitts
14 Doyle 15 Uele 16 Vagana 17 Niketemo
18 Rourke 19 Delaney 20 Booth 21 Croft 22 M Russell 23 Lino 24 Lawford 25 Shaw 26 Smith 27 Cozza 28 Griffin 29 Scott 30 Bain
31 Brough 32 Lingard
Numbers only indicative of our squad obviously. I could see some of last year’s first team keeping their numbers for a season - players like Lino, Griffin, Cozza.
I think Walmsley will get the starting wing spot with Russell being used as an insurance policy in case Lachlan doesn't make it in SL
Don't think Griffin will start that often, I guess it depends on how Niketemo settles into playing in England. Cozza will probably be used in rotation with Pitts at LF I think Lino will initially be the starting half next season, but will have to be a lot more consistent in his performance Bain is the difficult one for me, he has clearly struggled for both form and fitness this season, you only have to look at some of his previous games especially for Scotland to realise that he's not really been the player we were hoping for. He has tried hard when selected, perhaps a bit too hard at times, a couple of times his frustration showed with silly penalties and sin binnings, Ste Mills in the recent podcast he took part in did say that we'd see a different Bain this season. I hope so, but if he can't get over his injuries, and the right Quota Player became available I would have no problems with the club releasing him from his contract. Even back to full fitness unless we have an injury crisis in the pack I don't see him as a starting player.
Last edited by Dr Dreadnought on Sat Oct 26, 2024 8:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
I’m not sure about Walmsley at SL level, maybe controversial but I think he’ll struggle to make an impact. This isn’t a dig at him because he’s done well during the season but I don’t see the level of physicality required for SL in him and while fast he’s not lightning quick. After starting the season as first choice I can see Russell or Rourke replacing him not many rounds into the new season. I genuinely hope I’m wrong because as I said, he’s been really good during our Championship campaign and seems a really nice, genuine fella/team mate.
The Avenger wrote:I’m not sure about Walmsley at SL level, maybe controversial but I think he’ll struggle to make an impact. This isn’t a dig at him because he’s done well during the season but I don’t see the level of physicality required for SL in him and while fast he’s not lightning quick. After starting the season as first choice I can see Russell or Rourke replacing him not many rounds into the new season. I genuinely hope I’m wrong because as I said, he’s been really good during our Championship campaign and seems a really nice, genuine fella/team mate.
I agree Avenger it's hard to judge how he's going to go in SL, however I think that Powell and his staff have put a lot of time and effort into improving him. He is clearly both physically and psychologically a much better player after just one season in a full time environment. Publicly at least he has accepted his lack of a regular starting birth with good grace, and has been willing to play in different positions giving his best efforts for the team As I've said I don't know if he can cut it at SL level but I think the work off the field that both he and the staff have done puts him in a stronger position to be successful, the Walmsley that we signed simply wouldn't have made it in the top flight.
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