I'm not writing this because im excited by a Facebook rumour. More to make a point about KPP.
If you are going to overpay for one of them I'd take Fafita as we have seen his ceiling and it is elite, but the risk is high.
KPP is a project player still and he shouldnt be, doesn't use his size, isn't bad, but not that much cheaper than David F when you think about it.
It depends on the squad make up.
Both are around the same age, one with 100 more games experience. On raw talent & cost Fafita wins but if we look at squad dynamics KPP offers us something interesting but do we want another project or known.
I mean if Sammy wants and is willing to play right it’s an easy choice but if he isn’t then we have an issue.
Fafita is a left side player & only wants to play that side. Having him with Luai probably the best half that finds a backrower in the comp is mouth watering. Downside is price & he has had far too many moments in which his head just isn’t in it. His body has played a part mixed with himself. Not many 20yr olds when they get the money thrown at him like he did are always in the right headspace. His prime years should be the next 4-5. His price tag is based on 5-10 impact games a year & his pure size/talent which is proven, issue is always consistency. Other aspect is he definitely would attract more $$$ if he clicked.
KPP can play on both sides is a year yonger and is a big project player. But he hasn’t shown anywhere near the upside of Fafita. Add to that we struggle to use our right edge currently & his asking price is more on potential rather than proven ability. Either the Knights don’t know how to use him or he isn’t a tackle buster/game breaker but he hasn’t been effective on the edge in his 20-30games, his ratios attack wise don’t offer us really more than Sammy or Seyfarth. Defensively he is ok, he has moments but all back rowers do but he looks to be improving. For his current price I just don’t understand why we would especially as we want proven upside players now given what we are building towards.
Then we have Sammy who is 21 and a left side player and his 2 brothers. He has 3-4 years on both players and is a progress player but is delivering for the most part on the left edge. He is for the most part consistent for a 21 yr old backrower that’s rare to find. He only has upside. Is playing long minutes as well, also has the islander connection. I haven’t seen him play right, he has played alot at prop in juniors and maybe that could be a future shift but why when we have Pole, May, Hunt rotations - plus he potentially doesn’t start which is a waste. If Latu is viewed to roam the left maybe moving Sammy to the left could work but the real question is do we need it.
Seyfarth as much as I haven’t been a fan of him as a starter v squad rotation player he is doing his job. Over the years he has moved all around the place and his effort can’t be questioned. Defensively he is solid and supports his outside players. He is agile and often 2nd/3rd man in slowing the ruck speed. He isn’t breaking the bank and somehow has a knack at times of playing a part in our scoring with some ball playing skills. He isn’t a tackle buster or massive threat but we have seen he can find a hole to run into if a half plays that side (which they rarely do). I do think he is a part of the reason for why our backs on the right are having more space due to his lines and ball playing. He also isn’t breaking the bank.
Anyway tried to take the raw emotion of the wow out of it as our focus is team first. Fafita probably doesn’t fit that, the other 3 in someway probably do but value is the main Q.
