OFFICIAL Pathways - KOE General Discussion

[balmain boy]

did we win again ?askin for all the page jumpers

I think they lost by 40 odd

 

[Merlot]

I think they lost by 40 odd

nice day 2 lose ,3degresse above average,40 is a bit high 4 any time.thnx

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I posted this in another thread by relevant here too ...

Just to put some context around our NRL last 20 min capitulation, woeful performance from NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg loss.

NRL, average age of our 17 on Saturday was 23. Arguably 4 of our worst performers/leaders were aged 30, 31, 33 & 26 - Bateman, Klemmer, Sezer & Doueihi. Disgraceful!

NSW Cup, average age of our 17 yesterday was 22. IMO Our worst performer was Reuben Porter aged 27, whilst 1st year player Alaimalo is 28.

Jersey Flegg, lost by a try against a top 6 team. We had 13 players in NRL & NSW Cup who are eligible for Flegg this year.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

This off season is make or break for Miller.
If he spends it at KFC it's time to cut the cord.

I don't believe there is a template for when players' mature. We need to demonstrate patience even if our NRL side is not doing well. This young man has had both Bellamy and Bennett chasing him so that is enough to suggest he has a lot to offer our NRL team. He needs to work hard but we need to develop him.

 

[Vicious]

I don't believe there is a template for when players' mature. We need to demonstrate patience even if our NRL side is not doing well. This young man has had both Bellamy and Bennett chasing him so that is enough to suggest he has a lot to offer our NRL team. He needs to work hard but we need to develop him.

I know it was rumoured the Dolphins were chasing him, but I find it very hard to believe as he is nothing like the players Bennett or Bellamy regularly chase.
They both only generally sign players who are extremely fit and not carrying any excess weight and players that play with high intensity levels.
Of course there is the odd player with freakish ability such as Latrell who are an exception to this rule.
If Bellamy is not happy with NAS’s fitness levels, he sure would not be happy with the physical condition young Jordan is currently in.
He has put in a few good efforts for our NSW Cup team, so he deserves another season to see if he can get himself into shape.

 

[jirskyr]

100%. That body shape speaks only of a lack of will & desire to do hard work.

I don't agree, not all blokes can get shredded and plenty of shredded guys are not necessarily powerful.

For example look at Latrell, he's always carrying a bit of fat but he's one of the strongest NRL players going around. And in these discussions I often think back to former player Scott Geddes who was always in amazing ripped physical condition, but an absolute non-event in translating that condition into effective power on-field.

The thing for Jordan Miller is not whether or not he ever loses his puppy fat, it's whether he can develop a motor that allows him to play sufficient minutes and not be a liability in defence. If he can do that, I don't care how he looks and body shape doesn't necessarily correlate with effectiveness as an NRL player.

 

[balmain boy]

I posted this in another thread by relevant here too ...

Just to put some context around our NRL last 20 min capitulation, woeful performance from NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg loss.

NRL, average age of our 17 on Saturday was 23. Arguably 4 of our worst performers/leaders were aged 30, 31, 33 & 26 - Bateman, Klemmer, Sezer & Doueihi. Disgraceful!

NSW Cup, average age of our 17 yesterday was 22. IMO Our worst performer was Reuben Porter aged 27, whilst 1st year player Alaimalo is 28.

Jersey Flegg, lost by a try against a top 6 team. We had 13 players in NRL & NSW Cup who are eligible for Flegg this year.

We're trying to compensate for a decade of poor roster and junior development by rushing kids too quickly. They aren't that good. They should not be playing NRL, or even NSW Cup yet. They need to be working hard and standing out in their age groups before promotion. We are damaging their careers by gifting them opportunities they haven't earned.

Galvin is the exception here. Latu next in line as possible exception. All other teens should wait another year or two.

Why isn't Mason paying Flegg? Miller could be busting out 50 mins in flegg against lesser athletes, to work on his engine. The Lauliliis could be developing against players in similar size to them rather than playing against men when they're not physically ready for that yet.

We are the worst club at development in the league, yet we're aiming to become a development club!!! It's just so alarming that we're trying to base our club around one of our greatest weaknesses.

 

[Vicious]

We're trying to compensate for a decade of poor roster and junior development by rushing kids too quickly. They aren't that good. They should not be playing NRL, or even NSW Cup yet. They need to be working hard and standing out in thei rage groups before promotion. We are damaging their careers by gifting them opportunities they haven't earned.

Galvin is the exception here. Latu next in line as possible exception. All other teens should wait another year or two.

Why isn't Mason paying Flegg? Miller could be busting out 50 mins in flegg against lesser athletes, to work on his engine. The Lauliliis could be developing against players in similar size to them rather than playing against men when they're not physically ready for that yet.

We are the worst club at development in the league, yet we're aiming to become a development club!!! It's just so alarming that we're trying to base our club around one of our greatest weaknesses.

💯 correct balmain boy.
As you say Galvin, Da Silva, Samuela and Latu Fainu are all exceptions, but the other youngsters were mistakenly placed in our top 30 way too early before they are close to being ready or earning it.
Our next crop which contains Onitoni Large, Heamasi Makasini, Phoenix Godinet and Christian Taupau-Moors are all closer to being genuine top 30 players than the others we have promoted.

 

[balmain boy]

💯 correct balmain boy.
As you say Galvin, Da Silva, Samuela and Latu Fainu are all exceptions, but the other youngsters were mistakenly placed in our top 30 way too early before they are close to being ready or earning it.
Our next crop which contains Onitoni Large, Heamasi Makasini, Phoenix Godinet and Christian Taupau-Moors are all closer to being genuine top 30 players than the others we have promoted.

They have the physical traits to give them an instant shot at first grade, only Large and Makasini should get early top 30 contracts, their potential requires it, Godinet and CTM should be 2 years away from NSW Cup.

 

[Bellend]

You are both correct Balmain Boy and Vicious in your opinions but still would not rush Large or Makasini give them the off season training with the first grade squad and come end of next season see how they are progressing.

 

[Tigrr2]

We're trying to compensate for a decade of poor roster and junior development by rushing kids too quickly. They aren't that good. They should not be playing NRL, or even NSW Cup yet. They need to be working hard and standing out in their age groups before promotion. We are damaging their careers by gifting them opportunities they haven't earned.

Galvin is the exception here. Latu next in line as possible exception. All other teens should wait another year or two.

Why isn't Mason paying Flegg? Miller could be busting out 50 mins in flegg against lesser athletes, to work on his engine. The Lauliliis could be developing against players in similar size to them rather than playing against men when they're not physically ready for that yet.

We are the worst club at development in the league, yet we're aiming to become a development club!!! It's just so alarming that we're trying to base our club around one of our greatest weaknesses.

Somebody send this post to Richo and Benji

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

You are both correct Balmain Boy and Vicious in your opinions but still would not rush Large or Makasini give them the off season training with the first grade squad and come end of next season see how they are progressing.

I think both Large & Makasini are still in school next year so really a Train & Trial should be all they get next season (maybe with a guaranteed Development deal in '26).

 

[The Chad]

This season has been about bringing through some players from the junior ranks. With a full off season in charge, I would assume that Richo is working on adding some pieces, removing some others, so that the overall balance of the squad is better, allowing some of our younger guys to play through KOE instead of launching straight into 1st grade.

Having a few players exposed early isn't a bad thing. Writing them off & discarding them based on what we see this year is a bad thing.

Earlier post said we are combatting years of poor roster management. True. And that isn't solved in 3 months. When the likes of Faataape, Porter etc are the bulk of our KOE team- then you have a more balanced roster, allowing the young players to earn their shot at 1st grade.

The key next year is to let TDS, Luke & Kit Lualili'i, Miller, Sukkar learn through the KOE & lower grades, while playing alongside fringe 1st grade players like Porter, Faataape, Naden, Sullivan & Seyfarth etc. Adding a couple more experienced depth pieces in the forwards wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Vicious]

I think both Large & Makasini are still in school next year so really a Train & Trial should be all they get next season (maybe with a guaranteed Development deal in '26).

If we don’t have them in our top 30 by 2026 at the latest, another club will, so it’s either get them in our top 30 fast or lose them.
Unlike the 6 or so young players we currently have contracted to our top 30 for 2025 that would only attract minimal if any interest from other clubs, Large & Majasini will be in high demand and on the radar of almost every other NRL club if we don’t lock them up.

 

[balmain boy]

I think both Large & Makasini are still in school next year so really a Train & Trial should be all they get next season (maybe with a guaranteed Development deal in '26).

Yeah that's what makes it hard. Still being in school, and on scholarships at fancy super expensive private schools at that.
They need to make sure they have a solid grounding so finishing school is a priority. That they're also expected to play rugby takes even more of their time away.
Of course they could drop out of school and finish year 12 at Westfield SHS

 

[old_man_tiger]

Piling on Miller really doesn't make sense. A lot can change in the next couple of years.

I get the frustration but hammering a teenager, who would probably wipe any of these posters out in every fitness metric, makes you look stupid not him.

Blame the club that needs all these kids ready 3 years early but doesn't know how to get them there.

 

[Tiger in boots 🐅]

I don't agree, not all blokes can get shredded and plenty of shredded guys are not necessarily powerful.

For example look at Latrell, he's always carrying a bit of fat but he's one of the strongest NRL players going around. And in these discussions I often think back to former player Scott Geddes who was always in amazing ripped physical condition, but an absolute non-event in translating that condition into effective power on-field.

The thing for Jordan Miller is not whether or not he ever loses his puppy fat, it's whether he can develop a motor that allows him to play sufficient minutes and not be a liability in defence. If he can do that, I don't care how he looks and body shape doesn't necessarily correlate with effectiveness as an NRL player.

Yeah Agree with your comments. If you can’t last 6070min as a 1st grade forward then you should not be in the team.

 

[stephen]

I don't agree, not all blokes can get shredded and plenty of shredded guys are not necessarily powerful.

For example look at Latrell, he's always carrying a bit of fat but he's one of the strongest NRL players going around. And in these discussions I often think back to former player Scott Geddes who was always in amazing ripped physical condition, but an absolute non-event in translating that condition into effective power on-field.

The thing for Jordan Miller is not whether or not he ever loses his puppy fat, it's whether he can develop a motor that allows him to play sufficient minutes and not be a liability in defence. If he can do that, I don't care how he looks and body shape doesn't necessarily correlate with effectiveness as an NRL player.

Appreciate your thoughts, mate, and don't completely disagree. Get your point re Latrell. However, he's not in the front row, & much of the criticism of his fullback play earlier this season was that he saved himself for highlight efforts.
Some athletes can Absolutely carry a bit of condition, yet still be effective & explosive.
I'm not concerned, necessarily, with how Jordan looks, or if he carries a bit of puppy fat. Like you, I want him to develop his motor to allow him to contribute effectively & take the next steps towards becoming a 1st grader.
It's still my opinion,though, that the body shape is due to him not doing the hard work required.
I'll repeat, just my opinion.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

I know it was rumoured the Dolphins were chasing him, but I find it very hard to believe as he is nothing like the players Bennett or Bellamy regularly chase.
They both only generally sign players who are extremely fit and not carrying any excess weight and players that play with high intensity levels.
Of course there is the odd player with freakish ability such as Latrell who are an exception to this rule.
If Bellamy is not happy with NAS’s fitness levels, he sure would not be happy with the physical condition young Jordan is currently in.
He has put in a few good efforts for our NSW Cup team, so he deserves another season to see if he can get himself into shape.

Bellamy and Bennett would both see his potential. Bellamy has made a habit of turning average players into very well-performed NRL players. Miller has that size/mobility (for his size) which makes him a bit of a prize. I can't agree with your comment that he deserves another season. Players mature at different rates and we need to develop him which includes application to fitness. It may take more than another season. Gould often comments on this issue when in commentary.

 

[Bellend]

Miller, Mason, Luke & Kit Lualili'i, Sukkar are being rushed and that needs to be stopped, they all need work over the off season, and there deficient skills need to be properly managed, and this is the one thing that appears to be missing this year.