BY DAN

Footy is back. And with that, team list Tuesday has returned.

If you missed it you can read what we think we have in store for the next few weeks here. While the team-list hasn’t answered those questions it certainly has provided some interesting fodder.

The notes you don’t play

Like jazz this team is all about you don’t play. There’s few of the big names, all presumably held back to just play the first half of the second trial (or playing all stars). It’s all the usual names. No Papa or Taps. No Huddo, Smell or Zac Hosking. No Fogarty or Rapa, Timoko or Kris. No surprises there.

There’s a few notable players staying home. Most notably Morgan Smithies isn’t playing. Consider my eyebrow raised. My vibe is that it suggests he’s front of mind to be part of the 17 in week one.

In the same vein I’m a little disappointed that Ata Mariota is playing. But I guess if Mooney and Puru aren’t, then someone has to.

Hookers galore

Sticky has named three, which would be upsetting if you were Adrian Trevilyan, the only rake at the club not named in this game. I assume that Levi being on the bench means he’s the clubhouse leader for round one, but we’ll get a better idea about that next week. After all, Zac and Tommy are lined up exactly as they have done for much of their time together.

Chevy and X

Is this the end of Xavier Savage, fullback? Chevy Stewart has been named at fullback, and X on the wing. It would be exceedingly strange for Savage to be the custodian in round one if you gave him so little time to work and learn in the position (but you know, so would be making Aidan Sezer play hooker randomly so….).

If it’s the end of X at fullback I don’t hate this. At the very least at winger he has a clear pathway to first grade and a defined role in the club. And if you watched any Cup footy last season it was clear that Stewart and X were a good partnership. One the prototypical fullback ball-player, the other faster than a shower beer.

Does that mean Chevy will start in round one? I still don’t think he’ll start the season there, but likely will end it there. That means we might be looking at other options as short term cover. Is it Jordan or Seb? If I have to choose from that brace, I hope it’s the former.

Simi on an edge

Given the paucity of depth in the backrow it makes a lot of sense that Simi Sasagi first hit out for the Milk will be there. The Raiders need to turn him into useful depth at the position.

An old school position battle

By gah it’s been a while. Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange will play in the halves. I’ve no idea who’s going to play what side (Weekes is named at six, Strange at seven, though that doesn’t necessarily equate to anything) but it’ll be interesting to see how they function together and separately.

Bert and Schiller in the centres, Nic on the wing

I’m not sure what to make of this other than to acknowledge that Nic Cotric isn’t a certain starter for round one. We’ve highlighted how important this year is for Cotric, in terms of his career and his place with the club. This just underscores that.

Similarly James Schiller and Albert Hopoate’s presence in the centres underscores how much depth was lost at the position in the off-season. Schiller seems the most likely to play there long-term. He’s already spent time there in Cup footy. Does it mean Hopoate is down the depth chart, or just standing aside because the club wants to look at X and Cotric for now? Only time will tell.

How fun! I can’t wait for Saturday.

Do me a favour and like the page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or share this on social media and I’ll tell you the story of truth, beauty, and a picture of you. Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.