The Auckland Nines doesn’t just symbolise the start of the footy season, it symbolises the start of a lot of a few youngster’s careers, and a renewal of each club’s premiership hopes.
The two-day tournament answers a lot of questions about the upcoming seasons, but it asks a lot of questions as well.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Who replaces Jarrod Mullen?
Newcastle has a handful of youngsters capable of partnering Trent Hodkinson, though the Nines seems to have handed the Knights their answer. Neither Jack Cogger or Will Pearsall were included in Nathan Brown’s squad, giving young gun Brock Lamb free reign on the field. And he certainly took it. Despite not making the finals, Lamb put in a number of quality kicks, a few of which leading to tries. His commitment in his kick chase was also a strong asset for the Knights over the weekend, so expect the 20-year-old to don the number six jersey come Round 1.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Where does Kalyn Ponga and Gideon Gela-Mosby fit in?
He may be off to Newcastle in 2018, but that doesn’t mean Paul Green can’t utilise custodian Kalyn Ponga this year in the NRL. Ponga dummied, stepped and sprinted his way into the team of the tournament, where he was joined by teammate Gideon Gela-Mosby. Mosby set the record in the Holden Cup in 2015 for most tries in a season, crossing the line a whopping 39 times. The Cowboys have managed to keep their entire premiership-winning backline together, so begs the question – where do these two future superstars fit in? In short, they don’t. To make it harder for the duo, Javid Bowen appears to be ahead of the two if an injury occurs. Expect this pair to tear up the Queensland Cup in 2018.
PARRAMATTA EELS
What does the Eel’s forward pack look like in 2017?
Parramatta has gone on a massive shopping spree ahead of this season, shoring up their depth following a painful season for the club. The Eels will have one of the strongest engine rooms in the NRL, with Nathan Brown, Siosaia Vave and Suaia Matagi all joining the front-row stocks alongside Tim Mannah, Peni Terepo and Daniel Alvaro. Frank Pritchard is set to finish his career with the club, signing a one-year deal to join the back-row alongside Kenny Edwards, Beau Scott, Tepai Moeroa and Manu Ma’u. Matagi earnt a spot in the team of the tournament, while Nathan Brown had a strong showing in his maiden appearance in the blue and gold. Maybe the Nines hasn’t cleared the question up completely, but it has helped a few men put their hands up for a spot.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Who will be the next debutant at Penrith?
Ten members of the Panther’s Nines squad are yet to feature in the NRL, yet somehow they still managed to finish one conversion short of the trophy. Malakai Watene-Zellezniak put his name forward for a debut, with Josh Mansour set to sit out half the season with an ACL injury. Jed Cartwright also seems to be an outside chance for a debut this year, bulking up in the pre-season to mould himself from a centre into a back-rower. The depth of Penrith’s squad is a testament of how far the team can go this year.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
How will Aaron Gray’s injury affect the Rabbitohs?
Aaron Gray will miss up to eight weeks with a medial ligament tear, leaving the Bunnies one man short in the backline. Dane Nielsen filled in on the left wing in patches last year, but after some off-season drama, Nielsen appears to have slipped back in the pecking order. Rookies Robert Jennings and Braidon Burns look set to fight it out for the vacancy, though don’t be surprised to see Michael Maguire move either Angus Crichton or Kyle Turner from the back-row into the centres.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Have Jai Field and Matt Dufty proved themselves?
Wollongong juniors Matt Dufty and Jai Field both put in sizzling attacking displays, something St George have really lacked in recent years. But will Paul McGregor give them a go? Josh McCrone appears to be leading the pack for the halfback role, while it appears unlikely to see Josh Dugan be unseated from the fullback spot. But if the Red V are to reignite their attack, Dufty and Field have to be considered. Dugan’s strong form in the centres for the Kangaroos is just one reason why Dufty should be the custodian, and McCrone doesn’t offer the kind of change that Field does.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Could Connor Watson push past Luke Keary?
Luke Keary is a big signing for the Auckland Nines champions. A premiership-winning five-eighth, Mitchell Pearce has likened the former Rabbitoh to his previous halves partner in James Maloney. But when you look at how Connor Watson carried himself at the Nines, he simply has to be in the side. The player of the tournament, Watson produced a series of important plays, some match-winning, as the Dubbo junior looks to cement a first-grade spot. But despite his strong form, Luke Keary is too big a signing to miss out. Expect Watson to start the season as a bench utility, but come Round 26, who knows.
WESTS TIGERS
Can Matt McIllwrick finally nail down a gig?
Matt McIllwrick joins the Tigers in 2017, his fourth club in four years, as he looks to finally capture a regular first-grade role. Basing off his Nines stint, you’d have to say no. McIllwrick simply didn’t do enough to impress at the tournament, with Matt Ballin and Jacob Liddle expected to share the duties. But with Ballin tearing his ACL in two consecutive seasons and Liddle only featuring in one NRL match so far, you can never say never.
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