OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

Re: game plans.

To me, Luai’s greatest strength is his ability to play "eyes-up footy," thriving on creativity and improvisation rather than a rigid game plan. Take Harry Grant for example—he’s somewhat stagnated at the Storm due to a lack of freedom to express his creativity. This doesn’t mean he won’t develop in other aspects of his game, but it highlights how creative players can be stifled.
You make some very interesting points but I was especially interested in what you said about Harry Grant.

Don't know what anyone else thinks but I find his play these days really boring and I didn't really think much about it until you mentioned him.
 
You make some very interesting points but I was especially interested in what you said about Harry Grant.

Don't know what anyone else thinks but I find his play these days really boring and I didn't really think much about it until you mentioned him.
@Lauren
I think Harry has struggled since smith and then Cheese left and Harry has had to be the main man. I reckon he has either been told to rein it in or he thinks he has to play boring football, (Cam Smith style), now that he is the main man.
I reckon Harry would love playing a less structured game, more “eyes-up” football.
Some people like to have fun while they play to win. Some people just like to win no matter what, or how boring or distasteful or whatever they have to do to just win, including bending the rules without being seen to intentionally break them of course.
I reckon Harry falls into the first group and has been pushed into the second group to early. But certainly his play his become a little less dynamic and more predictable.
Needs to come back to the Tigpies to learn a different side of playing hooker under Api and that’ll give TDS a little more time.
 
@Lauren
I think Harry has struggled since smith and then Cheese left and Harry has had to be the main man. I reckon he has either been told to rein it in or he thinks he has to play boring football, (Cam Smith style), now that he is the main man.
I reckon Harry would love playing a less structured game, more “eyes-up” football.
Some people like to have fun while they play to win. Some people just like to win no matter what, or how boring or distasteful or whatever they have to do to just win, including bending the rules without being seen to intentionally break them of course.
I reckon Harry falls into the first group and has been pushed into the second group to early. But certainly his play his become a little less dynamic and more predictable.
Needs to come back to the Tigpies to learn a different side of playing hooker under Api and that’ll give TDS a little more time.
Once on Wednesday last tackle 20 metres out he went himself right when Ponga and co were lined out left. Really a missed limited chance for Qld.
 
I was happy as anyone when Luai signed. I also massively overestimated the ability of the existing roster, particularly the forward pack. Luai will be great, but more signings and movement of deadwood are required otherwise look for another grim year
I somewhat agree with this statement, however having played a lot of footy through to under 20's in my youth, I can say that a good general can change a team. it's hard to explain. I've played in a game where we were down 12-4 at halftime and a player rocked up late, came on for the 2nd half and we won 28-12.. he was a halfback, he didnt score any points, just ordered the troops around the field.

I am riding this one, the Luai factor is huge!
 
Luai will not change the team by himself, but the club has to do things to set him up to play well. Forwards, defence coaches, edge players, no leaks, etc. It will take quite some time, but there has to be a belief that he is the man to change things around no matter how bad things get before they get good
I think many under estimate the power of the right player.
 
I think many under estimate the power of the right player.
He needs guys to buy in and go with him.
Api, Bula, Turuva, Doueihi, Galvin, Fainu brothers, Pole, Bateman, Olam are a good start. We need that many again to come through or preferably be brought to the club to be competitive and have him make the difference.
A couple of shit crazy props, a rep level back rower and centre and a very good winger at a minimum need to be purchased.
 
I wonder if Laui has contacted Stefo to try and keep him here.
Surely he wants as many good forwards as possible to help him.
 
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I was happy as anyone when Luai signed. I also massively overestimated the ability of the existing roster, particularly the forward pack. Luai will be great, but more signings and movement of deadwood are required otherwise look for another grim year
The forwards are a let down as they havent dominated games as I thought they may have given their combined experiences and talent. Thats not to say they havent done their job. We often enjoy good field position - and that is not from an over-abundance of penalties, our average set meters are pretty competitive every week - and that is not from kick return meters, and most weeks we are getting multiple forwards hitting 100m - we had 3 blokes crack 150m against Melbourne for example. The pack generally give the halves and the back 5 enough chances to score to stay in the contest.
We do need them to be more dominant in defence though thats for sure.
 
I wonder if Laui has contacted Stefo to try and keep him here.
Surely he wants as many good forwards as possible to help him.

I think he's staying Jonesy, hopefully another 2/3
year extension, something feasible for both parties.
He's already contracted 4 next year and doesn't want
to leave Sydney. I get the feeling that some members
on here are going to have to reconcile the fact that
he'll stay a tiger, and that they've said some pretty
foul shit about him since news broke that he's allowed
to explore his options haha. Personally, I'm neutral,
ideally if you lose him you have something lined
up already. Would be really bad to lose Blore for Olam
and Stef for NAS just like that. Would be concerning
 
You make some very interesting points but I was especially interested in what you said about Harry Grant.

Don't know what anyone else thinks but I find his play these days really boring and I didn't really think much about it until you mentioned him.
Ive noticed and said so for years. He is over rated to the shithouse and back.
Ben Hunt has kept him out of the QLD starting jersey for years.
Cheese kept him out of the starting hooker for Storm for a while as well, even though he was a SOO player at the time.
 
I think he's staying Jonesy, hopefully another 2/3
year extension, something feasible for both parties.
He's already contracted 4 next year and doesn't want
to leave Sydney. I get the feeling that some members
on here are going to have to reconcile the fact that
he'll stay a tiger, and that they've said some pretty
foul shit about him since news broke that he's allowed
to explore his options haha. Personally, I'm neutral,
ideally if you lose him you have something lined
up already. Would be really bad to lose Blore for Olam
and Stef for NAS just like that. Would be concerning
It's funny @Kaito I was a big fan of Stef until all the 'exploring options' stuff came out & his form & effort took a nosedive. My head & heart has almost accepted he's gone & it will be for the best as he rarely delivers $800k per year. If he stays or goes, I won't be excited either way which is a shame.
 
Unless we have 5-6 regular first graders coming next year/2026 along with Jerry and Tuv this place is still gonna suck shit. He cant do it all on his own with zero help in the forwards and backline. This place is cooked for years to come if Richo and Benji dont pull their finger out of their Hoppa and employ some addition first graders.

Gal
Bula
Fainus
Pole
Olam
Doohey
Api
handful of kids coming through

Scratch that, Jesus that's pathetic. Need 10-12 first grades coming, Cant think of anyone else in the current roster worth 10 cents.
 
It's funny @Kaito I was a big fan of Stef until all the 'exploring options' stuff came out & his form & effort took a nosedive. My head & heart has almost accepted he's gone & it will be for the best as he rarely delivers $800k per year. If he stays or goes, I won't be excited either way which is a shame.

You're not the only one bro trust me. He's left a bit
of a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths over this!
 
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