Baby Blues in 2018
After thinking about the NSW spine last week it was asked of me, “what about the rest of the side?”
I thought about it and this is what I have come up with for a great NSW team in the year 2018.
At fullback we have James Tedesco. Now I know Hayne should still be running around but for arguments sake if Tedesco was to continue his development without any injury his chemistry with the Blues half and five eight could be something that starts a dynasty. There’s a young man killing it in the 20’s Matt Dufty. He is just 18 but is already proving to be quite a handful in the 20’s competition.
Alex Johnston and Jake Mamo are speedsters on the Wings. While South Sydney’s Johnston is in a great try scoring streak, now 11 tries in 10 games, the Holden Cup eligible player demands his spot in the team of the future. While not performing as brilliantly at the NRL level, Mamo is a personal favourite of mine and did very well in the Holden Cup origin game earlier in the year. Mamo is a competitive player with plenty of speed.
Dylan Walker and David Nofoaluma would make my centre pairings at this stage. Sadly Nofoaluma is currently injured but the young star seems to perform much better at left centre than other positions. Walker who has been sensational in the NRL was talked about heavily for Origin this year. Walker, like all these outside backs possesses great speed, additionally Walker who played five eighth in the Holden Cup has good hands.
Without any surprises my Holden Cup graduate halves for a future NSW team would be Brooks and Moses. Long time friends and current team mates, these two young stars are turning heads in the NRL. While Moses is currently playing fullback, once he fills out he is expected to go to the front line in the #6 jersey. You don’t need me telling you these two kids are any good, just watch and enjoy.
While prop is a mature position I’ll still name two players I think could make it in the future. Jake Trbojevic and Matthew Lodge have been the two most outstanding props since NYC Report has been alive. While Trbojevic has suffered a pretty ordinary ankle injury he is still only 20 years old, so he has plenty of time to add to his 1 solid NRL game. Lodge however is a busy front rower with hands that would see the Bulldogs ball playing forward pack.
I’ve found hooker the hardest position to pick. At the start of the year I would have picked Dragons Craig Garvey. Garvey is a solid hooker with good spark and a good kicking game. Unfortunately Garvey found himself in some pre season trouble and hasn’t worked his way up to NRL just yet. A blues hooker who has tasted some NRL this year is Kaysa Pritchard. Pritchard played well in the 20’s origin and showed quite an amount of mongrel which I love in a hooker. Moses told NRL.com that he thinks Pritchard is one of the best in his age.
Bryce Cartwright has to be the first picked in the second row surely. The kids was a super star in the Holden Cup, sometimes looking so bored playing with mere children he seemed to have the opposition on strings. Cartwright has come to first grade and is showing everyone why he was named the Holden Cup player of the year. His strong running, passing and offloading is a site to behold. Cartwright can also kick for goals which is always important in a close match like origin. With Cartwright I would currently select Parramatta’s Pauli Pauli. Pauli has been described as one of the most massive footballers in the NRL. He is certainly large and he is also can tackle, missing 0 tackles in Round 20 and 1 line break, he is one exciting prospect.
To finish of the side I would have to throw in another tiger. Curtis Sironen has amazing size and great hands. Another player that played five eight in the under 20’s, Sironen is now a regular in his NRL side and is barely thought about as a young player despite turning 21 tomorrow, happy birthday.
Now I’m aware there are some notable players left out of this squad so don’t stay quiet, let me know what changes you would make on Twitter @nycreport.com.au
Latest posts by Mitchell Delamotte (see all)
- 2014 Holden Cup Team of the Year - September 4, 2014
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