2019 Squad

[Rarefrith]

So are the Boas brothers going to be our first choice half backs then or are we bringing anyone else in? Who will play in the halves before they arrive etc?

[jamescolin]

I would like to know who the goal kicker will be for next season

[marklaspalmas]

13 minutes ago, jamescolin said:

I would like to know who the goal kicker will be for next season

Watson Boas 

[jamescolin]

If Newman is available then that will make a lot of difference for me. How good is Watson Boas at goal kicking?

[The Phantom Horseman]

22 minutes ago, jamescolin said:

I would like to know who the goal kicker will be for next season

 

7 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said:

Watson Boas 

It will actually be an interesting decision between Ase and Watson. Watson was the goal kicker in the recent PNG international games against England Knights but Ase didn't play in the 1st test and was sub in the 2nd.

For PNG Hunters, Ase has been the regular kicker over the last couple of seasons, kicking 87 goals in 2017 and 47 last year, but his conversion rate dropped from 80% in 2017 to 68% last year.

Watson didn't kick any goals for Hunters in 2016 or 2017 but kicked 17 last year at 85%.

[marklaspalmas]

23 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

 

It will actually be an interesting decision between Ase and Watson. Watson was the goal kicker in the recent PNG international games against England Knights but Ase didn't play in the 1st test and was sub in the 2nd.

For PNG Hunters, Ase has been the regular kicker over the last couple of seasons, kicking 87 goals in 2017 and 47 last year, but his conversion rate dropped from 80% in 2017 to 68% last year.

Watson didn't kick any goals for Hunters in 2016 or 2017 but kicked 17 last year at 85%.

Good info. Thanks.

If we see WB as our first choice (only?) scrum-half, where to do we see AB? Folks have said full-back but I think that might be wishful thinking. Perhaps interchange AHB with Maskill?

[tms]

17 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

Good info. Thanks.

If we see WB as our first choice (only?) scrum-half, where to do we see AB? Folks have said full-back but I think that might be wishful thinking. Perhaps interchange AHB with Maskill?

in the past

AB has played six and one

WB has played seven and nine

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

21 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

Good info. Thanks.

If we see WB as our first choice (only?) scrum-half, where to do we see AB? Folks have said full-back but I think that might be wishful thinking. Perhaps interchange AHB with Maskill?

Guess the positions that those rumoured to have been signed on 1st team contracts following the reserves trial (can) play may well have a bearing too.

[marklaspalmas]

37 minutes ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

Guess the positions that those rumoured to have been signed on 1st team contracts following the reserves trial (can) play may well have a bearing too.

I don't want to come across all cynical, and I'd love to be shown up for the know-nowt that I am, but are we really hoping for lads unattached to other clubs, basically 'off-the-street', to slot straight into a top level Championship first team?

A few handy looking lads who are worth a much closer look in the Reserves would be fair enough, but surely we are stretching it here? Given that Darley, Punchard, Hartley and Beckett have never played first team rugby and Whylie and Maskill have done less than 10 games each as a professional?

[chris g]

Perhaps some of those 'amateur' trialist's were professionals from other clubs who had not achieved contracts elsewhere? The secrecy will only confuse.

[The Phantom Horseman]

44 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said:

I don't want to come across all cynical, and I'd love to be shown up for the know-nowt that I am, but are we really hoping for lads unattached to other clubs, basically 'off-the-street', to slot straight into a top level Championship first team?

 

Agree with the general point, but Josh Hardcastle went from being a pre-season trialist to being one of our starting 13 on opening day in 2017.

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

1 hour ago, marklaspalmas said:

I don't want to come across all cynical, and I'd love to be shown up for the know-nowt that I am, but are we really hoping for lads unattached to other clubs, basically 'off-the-street', to slot straight into a top level Championship first team?

A few handy looking lads who are worth a much closer look in the Reserves would be fair enough, but surely we are stretching it here? Given that Darley, Punchard, Hartley and Beckett have never played first team rugby and Whylie and Maskill have done less than 10 games each as a professional?

But that's where we're currently at, and I would have used Josh H as an example if TPH hadn't already beaten me to it. If 1st team contracts have been given out following the trials then those players are clearly judged good enough to be in there. Also I've no idea who these players supposedly signed are so who's to say that they haven't been attached to pro clubs previously?

[marklaspalmas]

1 hour ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

But that's where we're currently at, and I would have used Josh H as an example if TPH hadn't already beaten me to it. If 1st team contracts have been given out following the trials then those players are clearly judged good enough to be in there. Also I've no idea who these players supposedly signed are so who's to say that they haven't been attached to pro clubs previously?

Quite. We don't know. There may be familiar names there, with pro experience. FIve have them have signed "first team contracts" but no names yet.

I'm saying it is asking an awful lot of a player, let alone a whole raft of them in the same squad. Hardcastle did brilliantly with a step up in training and attitude with some good players around him.

But Josh really is a bit of a one-off in this day and age. It really doesn't happen that much. Gareth Gale looked as if he might, but it didn't work out.

I remember Peter Fox signing Hughes & Bastian from the amateur game and them slotting right in.

[Lounge Room Lizard]

On 11/25/2018 at 7:10 PM, Notaek Rega said:

I like the way Halifax do business, investing money well on the "right" players, keeping the nucleus signed up each season and the reserves setup been used to it's full potential. I'd be on blower to their reserve coach, he certainly has an eye for a player...

Martin Gonzalez has no interest in First team Coaching anywhere and is happy what he does at Fax, alongside his day job. Has been at Fax a few years now. He is well known and respected within the game and has experience Coaching England U16s etc in the past. He is a top Bloke and also is a top talent spotter as can be seen by the lads that have gone from reserve Grade at Halifax to First team. Rich Marshall has taken alot of praise at the way Fax have often finished above expectations. But he would be the first to say alot of that is down to Gonzo and his player recruitment. Former Fax & Siddal player, Stevie Greenwood is also the Coach at Fax reserves and deserves praise for his work alongside Gonzo.

Its an area which will be vital for the new Coach at Fev. Its not just about the Head coach, but the work and relationship of the other Coaches and experienced players in helping the Head coach to do his job as best he can. Mr Carr will clearly have not too much knowledge on playing at Batley, Barrow, Bradford etc. The difficulties of playing away in Toulouse and Toronto and how Training needs to change around them games due to Travel etc. The input and knowledge from the other Coaches and Experienced players will go along way in how successful Mr Carr is especially in his first season.

[marklaspalmas]

Tansey/Hartley v Hardman

Whylie v Robinson

Teteh v Ulugia

Hardcastle v Taulapapa

ANO v Briscoe

A. Boas v Ridyard

W. Boas v Holmes/Thackeray

Wheeldon v Hock

Maskill v Carlile/Wildie

Delaney v Moore

Harrison v Walton

Davies v Farrell

Lockwood v Knowles

[distantdog]

Sorry to intrude o. Wholly Fev matters but l notice that in team selections. Harrison is often included instead of Day. After watching them for a few seasons, l believe that Harrison is nowhere near the quality of player that Day is at the moment. You really will be surprised at how good he is. Of all of the players who left us at the end of last season, Day would be one of only two who l think we will miss next season. 

[marklaspalmas]

15 minutes ago, distantdog said:

Sorry to intrude o. Wholly Fev matters but l notice that in team selections. Harrison is often included instead of Day. After watching them for a few seasons, l believe that Harrison is nowhere near the quality of player that Day is at the moment. You really will be surprised at how good he is. Of all of the players who left us at the end of last season, Day would be one of only two who l think we will miss next season. 

This isn't a team selection ^^ but fair comment. Just couldn't decide where to put him, Im sure he'll be in our XVII or XIII

[The Phantom Horseman]

5 minutes ago, distantdog said:

Sorry to intrude o. Wholly Fev matters but l notice that in team selections. Harrison is often included instead of Day. After watching them for a few seasons, l believe that Harrison is nowhere near the quality of player that Day is at the moment. You really will be surprised at how good he is. Of all of the players who left us at the end of last season, Day would be one of only two who l think we will miss next season. 

An interesting post.

I think part of that reason is that Harrison seems to have played more on the edge with Day more towards the middle (though I know he can play both roles). We have Johnny Davies firmly entrenched as the right edge 2nd row but have a vacancy on the left edge with Farrell and Walton having left the club.

Also, Harrison had an outstanding game against us down that left edge at the Mount last season, so it's likely that's the position he's been earmarked for. Will be interesting to see if Day is asked to play as one of the middles or whether he and Harrison might be in competition for that edge role.

 

[distantdog]

14 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

An interesting post.

I think part of that reason is that Harrison seems to have played more on the edge with Day more towards the middle (though I know he can play both roles). We have Johnny Davies firmly entrenched as the right edge 2nd row but have a vacancy on the left edge with Farrell and Walton having left the club.

Also, Harrison had an outstanding game against us down that left edge at the Mount last season, so it's likely that's the position he's been earmarked for. Will be interesting to see if Day is asked to play as one of the middles or whether he and Harrison might be in competition for that edge role.

 

I think if that is the case, then Day will be selected ahead of Harrison currently. I think Harrison is still a work in progress, whereas Day is pretty much the complete back rower. 

Still, anything could happen. Your new coach certainly has a few decent back rowers to select from.

[The Phantom Horseman]

1 hour ago, marklaspalmas said:

Tansey/Hartley v Hardman

 

Whylie v Robinson

 

Teteh v Ulugia

 

Hardcastle v Taulapapa

 

ANO v Briscoe

 

A. Boas v Ridyard

 

W. Boas v Holmes/Thackeray

 

Wheeldon v Hock

 

Maskill v Carlile/Wildie

 

Delaney v Moore

 

Harrison v Walton

 

Davies v Farrell

 

Lockwood v Knowles

 

 

 

Slotting the maximum 4 DR players into the current line-up gives it a very different look though. Could be something like:
Golding
Briscoe/Hanley
Teteh
Newman
Whylie
A Boas
W Boas
Wheeldon
Maskill
Delaney
Hardcastle
Davies
Lockwood

subs
Corey Johnson
3 of Cooper/Bussey/Day/Harrison/Bailey

Leeds have 34 in their 1st-team squad at the moment, the issue for us could be that their strength in depth is with their middles (Holroyd, Dupree both have numbers in the 30s and Mustapha isn't even in the 1st team squad), and all the 4 included might be only 1 injury away from a 1st team place, but the line-up above doesn't look bad for a team on a vastly-reduced budget.

[marklaspalmas]

5 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Slotting the maximum 4 DR players into the current line-up gives it a very different look though. Could be something like:
Golding
Briscoe/Hanley
Teteh
Newman
Whylie
A Boas
W Boas
Wheeldon
Maskill
Delaney
Hardcastle
Davies
Lockwood

subs
Corey Johnson
3 of Cooper/Bussey/Day/Harrison/Bailey

Leeds have 34 in their 1st-team squad at the moment, the issue for us could be that their strength in depth is with their middles (Holroyd, Dupree both have numbers in the 30s and Mustapha isn't even in the 1st team squad), and all the 4 included might be only 1 injury away from a 1st team place, but the line-up above doesn't look bad for a team on a vastly-reduced budget.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.  What you're saying essentially is that provided we get four top quality players every week from outside our squad in our 17, then we look ok.

[The Phantom Horseman]

12 hours ago, marklaspalmas said:

 What you're saying essentially is that provided we get four top quality players every week from outside our squad in our 17, then we look ok.

Fair point. I think what is highlighted is that there are 2 or 3 positions where we look to be lacking unless we get help on DR, specifically outside backs and a 2nd hooker.

[marklaspalmas]

1 hour ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Fair point. I think what is highlighted is that there are 2 or 3 positions where we look to be lacking unless we get help on DR, specifically outside backs and a 2nd hooker.

Agreed. A fullback is top priority. Another hooker. Outside backs. Sorted.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Not sure how soon we are going to be seeing Brett Delaney playing for us...interview on YouTube says he won't be making his planned swansong for Leeds in their Boxing Day friendly because his eye injury is still not sorted, still got double vision, says that from being told it could be 6 weeks recovery specialists are now saying 6 to 12 months until  he gets the full vision back (the injury happened in July).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L3jYN_2__A&feature=youtu.be&a=

[TJ]

I think we may see a fair bit of Mclelland on DR at 6 with Boas at 9.