TV Ted Ellery
Well-known member
Over the past few seasons, we have debuted numerous guys in first grade after a few games in cup or directly from flegg: Laulilii x 2, Mason, Galvin, Miller, Feledy, Matamua, Maksini, Pole, Da Silva Tumeth, Fainu x 2, Bula, Tavana and Kautoga. Most of those players were elevated prematurely and struggled to find their feet. Some were even found wanting when they were demoted to cup like K Laulilii, Matamua and Mason, highlighting the folly of bringing them into grade early.
The club should be commended for taking a more judicious approach to Andrews' development. He has been allowed to develop his skills in cup, and after a slowish start to the season, he now comfortably leads the comp for line break assists and try assists. His defence has also improved as he adapts to the physicality of playing against older guys.
When he does get his chance in first grade - most likely in the final rounds of this season - it will be as the best playmaker in cup, not an untested prodigy. I expect him to start next season in cup before transitioning to our starting 5/8 in first grade towards the end of year.
The club should be commended for taking a more judicious approach to Andrews' development. He has been allowed to develop his skills in cup, and after a slowish start to the season, he now comfortably leads the comp for line break assists and try assists. His defence has also improved as he adapts to the physicality of playing against older guys.
When he does get his chance in first grade - most likely in the final rounds of this season - it will be as the best playmaker in cup, not an untested prodigy. I expect him to start next season in cup before transitioning to our starting 5/8 in first grade towards the end of year.
Why would Andrews go into play NRL this year when they have Luai, AD, Madden & Latu? we have those 4 next year also, Only in 2028 when Luai and possibly Madden are gone it would be worth pushing him into nrl, why risk a player who is playing with alot of confidence only to potentially have a Makasiini highlight reel 2.0 and lose confidence?
TV Ted Ellery
Well-known member
I should clarify that if the season's on the line, Andrews won't debut. But if we're out of finals contention, 1 or 2 games at the end of the season is the perfect time to blood new players.
Andrews will have had a full season in Cup, unlike Makasini who was limited by school commitments to 3 games in Cup and 2 games in Flegg, not to mention he was coming off a fairly lacklustre season in Ball. Andrews is also 18 months older than Makasini. I am confident that Andrews will handle the step up to first grade better than Makasini, but regardless, I would introduce him slowly - a couple of games this year, and then start him in cup next year with a view to moving him into firsts on a permanent basis towards the end of the year.
He will have 2 full seasons IMO. When Romey goes next year he will be given the keys . Until then win a few comps in the lower grades , and develop your body. Because as good as he is , he has ADs issue of not using his shoulder to tackle and that’s not on in first grade. Much like AD had to learn , he’s a unit , and can whack a bloke . Took AD a long time to get that in his head . I hope it doesn’t take nearly as long for Javon
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Western Suburbs Magpies: Round 18 vs Dragons
1. Heath Mason
2. TBA
3. Fiohiva Fainga’a
4. Solomone Saukuru
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. Javon Andrews
8. Vaka Aho
9. Tristan Hope
10. Kit Laulilii
11. Ethan Roberts
12. Lachlan Broederlow
13. Mavrik Geyer
Interchange
14. Jared Haywood
15. Mitchell Taotua
16. Luke Jack
17. Peter Taateo
Reserves
18. Ieti Samuelu
19. Ben Stevanovic
20. Brenden Naicori
www.weststigers.com.au
1. Heath Mason
2. TBA
3. Fiohiva Fainga’a
4. Solomone Saukuru
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. Javon Andrews
8. Vaka Aho
9. Tristan Hope
10. Kit Laulilii
11. Ethan Roberts
12. Lachlan Broederlow
13. Mavrik Geyer
Interchange
14. Jared Haywood
15. Mitchell Taotua
16. Luke Jack
17. Peter Taateo
Reserves
18. Ieti Samuelu
19. Ben Stevanovic
20. Brenden Naicori
Western Suburbs Magpies - KOE NSW Cup: Round 18
The Western Suburbs Magpies will travel to Croome Road Sporting Complex this Sunday to take on the St George-Illawarra Dragons at 1.00pm for Round 18 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
www.weststigers.com.au
TheEnz
Well-known member
Good to see Ethan Roberts backWestern Suburbs Magpies: Round 18 vs Dragons
1. Heath Mason
2. TBA
3. Fiohiva Fainga’a
4. Solomone Saukuru
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. Javon Andrews
8. Vaka Aho
9. Tristan Hope
10. Kit Laulilii
11. Ethan Roberts
12. Lachlan Broederlow
13. Mavrik Geyer
Interchange
14. Jared Haywood
15. Mitchell Taotua
16. Luke Jack
17. Peter Taateo
Reserves
18. Ieti Samuelu
19. Ben Stevanovic
20. Brenden Naicori
Western Suburbs Magpies - KOE NSW Cup: Round 18
The Western Suburbs Magpies will travel to Croome Road Sporting Complex this Sunday to take on the St George-Illawarra Dragons at 1.00pm for Round 18 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I wonder whether TBAs are Haze Dunster, Junior Tupou & Josh Schuster. Don't think it'll be Schuster with little reps with the squad and no game time since last year.
bythebeardofzeus
Well-known member
x2
wstigers11
Well-known member
Latu?
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
He's is the NRL 19-man squad so can't be named in NSW Cup.
Expect him to come into the Cup side on Sunday though if he doesn't get onto the field in NRL on Saturday. Same with Tavana and others who don't play NRL.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Bailey Hodges must be injured atm. Not named, has missed past couple and not named in Ron Massey.
weststigers
Well-known member
Can I guess it is to avoid media questions around Tupou (not official) and Schuster + Dunster.
These spots are bullseyes for each players preferred position.
These spots are bullseyes for each players preferred position.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Don't know what Saukuru needs to do to get a run in the NRL. This was a perfect week to blood him and give Masi a break. Can then gauge whether Saukuru can make the jump or not to NRL standard. Coming off contract, we are going to have to either extend him blindly or watch him go off elsewhere without knowing.
We are a club in the past that have given debuts left, right and centre. Yet I feel Saukuru couldn't have done more on the field to show he is ready for a chance...particularly with how many injuries we have and the fact Masi looks down on confidence atm.
#Unleash Solo!
We are a club in the past that have given debuts left, right and centre. Yet I feel Saukuru couldn't have done more on the field to show he is ready for a chance...particularly with how many injuries we have and the fact Masi looks down on confidence atm.
#Unleash Solo!
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Yeah it’s very disappointing TW as we think Solo could just explode at NRL level with his skill, size & speed.
Maybe Benji simply just has Tavana higher on the outside back pecking order & Mason on reserves list purely in case Bula goes down before gameday.
HUNT 101
Well-known member
Haywood should be ahead of Hope ... massive hog that bloke in critical momWestern Suburbs Magpies: Round 18 vs Dragons
1. Heath Mason
2. TBA
3. Fiohiva Fainga’a
4. Solomone Saukuru
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. Javon Andrews
8. Vaka Aho
9. Tristan Hope
10. Kit Laulilii
11. Ethan Roberts
12. Lachlan Broederlow
13. Mavrik Geyer
Interchange
14. Jared Haywood
15. Mitchell Taotua
16. Luke Jack
17. Peter Taateo
Reserves
18. Ieti Samuelu
19. Ben Stevanovic
20. Brenden Naicori
Western Suburbs Magpies - KOE NSW Cup: Round 18
The Western Suburbs Magpies will travel to Croome Road Sporting Complex this Sunday to take on the St George-Illawarra Dragons at 1.00pm for Round 18 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
weststigers
Well-known member
Is he predominantly centre or 2nd row?
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Last year he was 2nd row pretty much all season. But has been at centre or wing this year. I think his way in at our club would be through the outside backs.
Good yardage carry, lots of power, skillful, runs a great line. Defence is still the area of his game with a question mark on it.
