I am so glad that I was able to go and see MAGS play before I did this preview because of how much I did see. First off I think I counted 11 players that are coming back next year and 2 other guys who were young enough to return as well. MAGS forwards is going to be key for this success and the way they approach the rucks and breakdowns, then letting the backs run wild. The Coaching staff is very strong at MAGS and so will be looking at getting back to the top again.
First thing for me that I saw was the physical play from the loose trio. The fact that you have 2 huge kids like Liston Tupou No.8 and Jesse Tuinukuafe Blind Side these two were just throwing everything they had into their tackles and that was something that has been missing from MAGS. Liston went looking for shots and stopping guys from getting over the advantage line, Jesse to me looked like he just wanted to punish guys on the field, which is also a fun thing to watch. I think with Jackson Meecham at Open Side I think that would put this loose forward trio in a very big advantage purely because of size and physicality.
Along with those two you have Locks Tyrone Stubbs who played last year and also Kyson Kingi who is another big unit in this pack. Both players are very hard working guys and it really pushes the rest of the boys to keep going. I like that these boys are very mobile around the park and get through a whole lot of work in the game. Line outs will also have a few options because Tyrone, Kyson and Jackson could all go up in the line outs and so you will have options. The front row with TJ Ailoi and Charlie Cobb in there does carry a lot of power and strength, they will need to keep that aggressive nature about themselves the whole game. Hooker Jovis Meredith has worked hard over the Summer and it looks like it is paying off for him and the team as a whole.
Cassius Cowley looked good at 1st 5/8 and was including everyone in the game, changing directions and controlling the pace. I was impressed that Cassius would have Liston and Jesse running a lot from off his inside and outside shoulder and targeting the 1st 5/8s forcing them to make tackles. Amasio Valence at Halfback made things easy as well for the movements buying time at the break downs and organizing at pace. Amasio and Cassius are going to have to study some more film and find those open spots down field or just behind the defencive line when that D line starts to creep up faster and catch them off guard.
The midfield was so strong in this game with Quinton Nicolas and Chris Vealia really going at the Grammar back line. The movement from these two was so good to watch because they were lining up in such strange places on the field but they were so calculated that when they executed they were breaking the line. Quinton is a very hard person to match up with because of his skills and body type. He is a very tall kid, lean body like a swimmer but is very quick off the mark and has a very good passing game, it’s kind of unfair. Then you have Chris who is a League boy that is signed with the Knights and he is just a pure attacking player that finds space, gaps and opportunity so easy. His outside speed is so quick and because he is ALSO a tall kid with long arms he beats players so easily. When you have two guys like that in your midfield with a 1st 5/8 like Cassius and a Fullback like Tama Anderson, you know these guys will be trouble.
Tama Anderson is always going to be a player that is going to force himself into the game and just flip it on it’s head. Tama can change the game for the good with just one break, one pass, a chip kick just everything he does. Tama lining up behind the 9 and 10 or 12 and 13 is always going to be a threat you have to account for every set piece because he’ll punish you. Levi Wilson on the wing was very good chasing down kicks and making his one on one tackles which is key on the wing. Levi is going to get plenty of opportunities this year to show his speed and footwork with all the playmakers around him.
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