Is 2017 squad Better than 2016?

[maxta]

Hard to know till the season kicks on, but I think definately is better.
The value of a proven 5/8 is key.
The quality young signings, particularly in the forwards is positive and potentially a powerhouse pack to allow DCE and the dummy half a decent platform to play off.
The loss of Lyon and likely Snake/Matai is massive, but the fact is....in 2016 were all injured and only a shadow of themselves.
Uate will prove a great signing and Barrett, if he coaches without excuses including not picking players not up to standard due to reputation, has an opportunity to show why Bozo chased him for the gig.
A tough thing will be coming together as a team with so many new faces in 2 seasons but again....a simple game plan of big forwards earning dominance in the middle and a genuine spine could prove very competitive....really need a centre to own the spot from early days and think between Kelly/Parker this is possible.

 

[ManlyTragic]

No matai no lyon no snake no leadership

 

[manlyfan76]

For me it all comes down to Jake and Tom not getting injured. if either or both are out for any extended period then we is fuuked.

The other thing is will Barrett be able to coach how he wants?

 

[Eagles2nv]

I am optimistic about 2017. Blake green is the most critical signing as we really lacked a 5/8.

Injuries is the biggest issue, and if we can avoid them, it will give the team a chance to bond together. I am optimisitc we will do better next season.

Losing lyon, skivvy and snake in one hit will be a loss, but I can see guys like J Turbo really stepping up into the leadership roles. I also think Blake green will also step up as a leader.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Better

Will miss Lyon, but remember the other two didn't play many games this year.

All comes down to injuries, if we get a good run and can get mostly the same 17 we will be much better.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Too many new combinations. Unlike the halcyon years, no one on here can name with any surety what the starting line up will be.

 

[pjayz]

Better this year. We have a better draw, better depth in the forwards and halves, a genuine 5/8.

We have a coach who now has a full year under his belt, whilst the Turbos and AFB will be better. DCE will be better for having Green, and we have youth fighting for spots in the forward pack which can breed healthy competition.

The negative is losing the experience and class of Lyon - yes he wasn't at his peak anymore; however, that experience can't easily be quantified. It's that lack of experienced leadership that will stop Canberra from winning a comp - without it it is very hard to go all the way.

Walker, though disappointing in defence, should be better in the centres and if Kelly, Omar, Uate, or Parker can find consistent form then we will have genuine speed in the backline which is one area we struggled with last year.

The other thing to look at is which teams will really improve or slide next year. I think the Bulldogs will drop out of the 8 - they haven't addressed their halves issue. Titans will be a little better but still vulnerable, and I think the Broncos will slide. I think it will be between the Warriors (if Foran plays with his head screwed on), Parramatta, the Roosters and us fighting it out to take the spots of those teams on the slide.

 

[The Who]

This all comes down to when we compare the two squads. In 2016, before the season started, we were 'all' confident that we'd be top four. We had champions in Lyon, Matai and Snake, had recruited some big name players, and had budding champions like Liam Knight, who played a big role in getting the Under 20's into the GF.
If you'll recall, we were hot favourites to beat the Dogs in the first match.
After that match reality started to sink in.
This season very few of us are confident that we'll even make the top eight.
So, on paper I'd say we appear weaker than in 2016, when injuries did cruel us. I'm still disappointed that we sacked Buhrer and Knight, and wary of those hip-hop videos showing new signings scoring heaps of tries and looking like world-beaters. Very few ever live up to the hype.
The 2017 team will be a work in progress. How many of the projected top 17 were in our team just three years ago? DCE, Tafua... that's it, I think.

 

[Mr Manly 007]

Overall I'd say it's a much younger squad & in terms of size a much bigger squad.We don't have a lot of depth in the centres , but hopefully an opportunity left by some retired legends will provide one or 2 players with stardom.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Much better. We have a 5/8, A huge young pack still with some experienced forwards. The backline, provided Uate goes good, will be firing after combinations set. We've signed that many "potential players" that we are sure to have a few reach that. Some depth and mainly hopefully NO INJURIES!!! That's our greatest problem although we need a side that can at least put up a fight no matter what the circumstances.

Lyon is gone which is bad although as mentioned snake and Matai (along with like the whole 2016 squad) barely played. Although Blake green will add some much needed leadership, DCE will be able to redevelop his with green beside him and hopefully Myles can at least be slightly helpful this year

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

@The Who is right, no point comparing them just yet.

The 2017 squad certainly has the potential to exceed the 2016 squad - and we will all be mightily peeved if it doesn't.

I am quietly optimistic about our prospects, but it is a harsh fact that talented youngsters find it much easier to prosper in a strong team - rather than our situation, which is that we want the talented youngsters to be the strong team.

 

[pjayz]

but it is a harsh fact that talented youngsters find it much easier to prosper in a strong team - rather than our situation, which is that we want the talented youngsters to be the strong team.

This is an issue for sure. That is why Kapow, Jake (even though he is young) and Myles need to stand up and lead. The problem is Myles didn't do this at all last year and I doubt he will next year. If we buy one or two key players for 2018 it needs to be someone with quality years ahead of them, yet quality years behind them.

 

[Ryan]

If you consider Matai (8 games), Stewart (11 games), Lawrence (9 games), Symonds (6 games) & Mateo (3 games) didn't really help us last season on a consistent basis as they were injured (or out of form), we have really lost (players underlined above still with us):

X Jamie Lyon > Brian Kelly
X Jamie Buhrer > Curtis Sironen
X Luke Burgess < Brenton Lawrence
X Blake Leary < Shaun Lane
X Siosaia Vave < Lloyd Perrett
X Brayden Wiliame < Akuila Uate
X Josh Starling < Frank Wintersein
X Tim Moltzen < Kevin Locke

And have also added quality in Blake Green, Jonathan Wright, Matthew Wright & Ohmar Shleimankel

The two line-ups (outside injury):
01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jorge Taufua
03. Brayden Wiliame vs Brian Kelly (upgrade)
04. Dylan Walker
05. Matthew Wright vs Akuila Uate (upgrade)
06. Jamie Lyon vs Blake Green (downgrade)
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Darcy Lussick
09. Matt Parcell OR Apisai Koroisou
10. Addin Fanua-Blake
11. Marty Taupau
12. Jamie Buhrer vs Curtis Sironen (downgrade)
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Frank Winterstein vs Lewis Brown (upgrade)
15. Josh Starling vs Brenton Lawrence (upgrade) or Lloyd Perrett
16. Siosaia Vave vs Nate Myles (downgrade)
17. Frank Winterstein vs Shaun Lane (upgrade)

 

[Deleted member 26876]

If you consider Matai (8 games), Stewart (11 games), Lawrence (9 games), Symonds (6 games) & Mateo (3 games) didn't really help us last season on a consistent basis as they were injured (or out of form), we have really lost (players underlined above still with us):

X Jamie Lyon > Brian Kelly
X Jamie Buhrer > Curtis Sironen
X Luke Burgess < Brenton Lawrence
X Blake Leary < Shaun Lane
X Siosaia Vave < Lloyd Perrett
X Brayden Wiliame < Akuila Uate
X Josh Starling < Frank Wintersein
X Tim Moltzen < Kevin Locke

And have also added quality in Blake Green, Jonathan Wright, Matthew Wright & Ohmar Shleimankel

The two line-ups (outside injury):
01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jorge Taufua
03. Brayden Wiliame vs Brian Kelly (upgrade)
04. Dylan Walker
05. Matthew Wright vs Akuila Uate (upgrade)
06. Jamie Lyon vs Blake Green (downgrade)
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Darcy Lussick
09. Matt Parcell OR Apisai Koroisou
10. Addin Fanua-Blake
11. Marty Taupau
12. Jamie Buhrer vs Curtis Sironen (downgrade)
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Frank Winterstein vs Lewis Brown (upgrade)
15. Josh Starling vs Brenton Lawrence (upgrade) or Lloyd Perrett
16. Siosaia Vave vs Nate Myles (downgrade)
17. Frank Winterstein vs Shaun Lane (upgrade)

I think Blake Green will be a better 5/8 than Lyon but it's debatable, Lyon is good no matter where you put him

I also believe Sironen (or another second row we've got) may prove to be a better second-row to jamie who was a little small but loved his leadership.

 

[castle eagle]

i'll let you know in about 9 months

 

[KOMORI]

Better

Will miss Lyon, but remember the other two didn't play many games this year.

All comes down to injuries, if we get a good run and can get mostly the same 17 we will be much better.

Killer was on one leg for most of the time he was on the field as well.

We will miss the leadership of Killer, Skivvy and Snake, but realistically between the three of them we got very few quality games last year, and those only came from two of them anyway.

Onwards and upwards I guess!

 

[pjayz]

i'll let you know in about 9 months

You're pregnant?

 

[The Royal Soup]

Hard to know till the season kicks on, but I think definately is better.
The value of a proven 5/8 is key.
The quality young signings, particularly in the forwards is positive and potentially a powerhouse pack to allow DCE and the dummy half a decent platform to play off.
The loss of Lyon and likely Snake/Matai is massive, but the fact is....in 2016 were all injured and only a shadow of themselves.
Uate will prove a great signing and Barrett, if he coaches without excuses including not picking players not up to standard due to reputation, has an opportunity to show why Bozo chased him for the gig.
A tough thing will be coming together as a team with so many new faces in 2 seasons but again....a simple game plan of big forwards earning dominance in the middle and a genuine spine could prove very competitive....really need a centre to own the spot from early days and think between Kelly/Parker this is possible.

We have the same **** coach so it wont matter which squad is better

 

[pjayz]

We have the same **** coach so it wont matter which squad is better

Bloody Cartwright....

 

[COMMANDER]

It's a stronger team. But that wouldn't be hard.