2025 Centre Options - What is our best centre pairing?

[mtd#2]

I think Bird and Olam.

 

[Jolls]

I think Bird and Olam.

Perhaps I should have included Bird in the analysis. Tunnel vision on my part - all the news being he is here to play 13 (or edge) I failed to think outside of that. He is certainly another viable centre option.

I have nothing to go on but gut feel, but based on Benji as the coach I have been getting a Wade Graham type vibe when I look at Bird in Black White and Gold.

 

[sheer64]

Turbo and Latrell

 

[Magpies1969]

If AD is one of our Centres we are in.trouble. defence is poor and never passes.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

For whatever reason I still believe Doueihi is the 'best' option in the centres, IF it is not Jack Bird.

Doueihi just offers a physical presence out wide. To'a is probably next in line, but it's weirdly difficult to completely wipe Naden as an option.

I think Feledy needs to show improvement this year or he is in danger of just never getting there.

I'll still throw the option to play Latu Fainu in the centres out there.

Turuva is a significantly better winger than Luke Lualili'i & Staines- but is not a significantly better centre (at this stage) than the other options we have, which is why I want Turuva to stay on the wing.

When Api is off having a spell--------------who kicks the goals?
As an option Doueihi on the wing could be a possibility? Wouldn't have to pass the ball to often.
He kicks goals plus I think this would give him more chance to read the oppositions attack [ie. better defence reads for Doueihi]
Having said that I would rather he played elsewhere.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

There are no other options? That's it?

 

[happy_tiger]

When Api is off having a spell--------------who kicks the goals?
As an option Doueihi on the wing could be a possibility? Wouldn't have to pass the ball to often.
He kicks goals plus I think this would give him more chance to read the oppositions attack [ie. better defence reads for Doueihi]
Having said that I would rather he played elsewhere.

Doueihi would do a enactment of Nofa defensively on the wing

 

[851]

I still rate Naden higher than Doueihi, To'a and Faataape, even with his brain farts, he has more size, skill and pace than all of them, and with the arrival of more of his Penrith mates, I think if given a chance he will surprise a lot on here.
Personally I would be shopping/pushing To'a out, he has more years left on his contract, Naden only has next season

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

I still rate Naden higher than Doueihi, To'a and Faataape, even with his brain farts, he has more size, skill and pace than all of them, and with the arrival of more of his Penrith mates, I think if given a chance he will surprise a lot on here.
Personally I would be shopping/pushing To'a out, he has more years left on his contract, Naden only has next season

I'd give him a start along with Olam if fit. Naden is x factor and with feeds from Luai & Galvin maybe the beast within will improve.

 

[Demps]

Naden is such an enigma.

He is almost 29 and only played 72 first grade games.

I saw him carve up lower grades for the panthers and the knights (before playing first grade) and looks very much a first grader, physically... but just isn't.

I think he'd be a star in the UK however sadly has wasted his talents over the years.

 

[851]

Naden is such an enigma.

He is almost 29 and only played 72 first grade games.

I saw him carve up lower grades for the panthers and the knights (before playing first grade) and looks very much a first grader, physically... but just isn't.

I think he'd be a star in the UK however sadly has wasted his talents over the years.

He played in a grand final for Penrith, maybe with Romey coming, he will have Api, Staines and May as well, he can be of value for us, he has it in him

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Doueihi is a nowhere man. Positions he’s played the most in (fullback and 5/8) are not options. It’s really centre or bust. And even centre he’s fighting tooth and nail for a spot.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

He played in a grand final for Penrith, maybe with Romey coming, he will have Api, Staines and May as well, he can be of value for us, he has it in him

At 29, I doubt he has anything he hasn’t already shown us. Hard to believe he’s still even apart of our squad. He’s totally irrelevant.

 

[boonboon]

Olam and ToA for me without doubt

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Naden is such an enigma.

He is almost 29 and only played 72 first grade games.

I saw him carve up lower grades for the panthers and the knights (before playing first grade) and looks very much a first grader, physically... but just isn't.

I think he'd be a star in the UK however sadly has wasted his talents over the years.

Spot on @Demps can't see Naden offering much more than we've already seen at 29. Same with Doeuihi. Good backups at best mainly due to their defensive frailties.

 

[Tigerwould]

1. Bulla
2. Turuva
3. Skelton - right centre
4. Olam - right centre
5. Lualilii left wing.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

1. Bulla
2. Turuva
3. Skelton - right centre
4. Olam - right centre
5. Lualilii left wing.

Yep I like it TW - Back to the days when centres followed each other from side to side, to the extent we should just concentrate on the right side of the field with Lachie setting them up - Meanwhile, Luai can do his thing by feeding Samuela & Terrell into space. Who'da thought eh? 🍺 🍺 🍺 🤪 🤪 🤪

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

Naden is such an enigma.

He is almost 29 and only played 72 first grade games.

I saw him carve up lower grades for the panthers and the knights (before playing first grade) and looks very much a first grader, physically... but just isn't.

I think he'd be a star in the UK however sadly has wasted his talents over the years.

I just don’t get why people still have faith in him, he hasn’t turned up for NRL level in years.

If for some reason he does turn up great but no one should be banking on him.

Hopefully signings like him are a thing of the past.

The training pic looked meh anyway, not like any of the other backs re muscle tone etc.

 

[CWWTF]

Naden is such an enigma.

He is almost 29 and only played 72 first grade games.

I saw him carve up lower grades for the panthers and the knights (before playing first grade) and looks very much a first grader, physically... but just isn't.

I think he'd be a star in the UK however sadly has wasted his talents over the years.

I agree with you. There was a game last year against the eels in KOE where Naden played at fullback and absolutely carved up. He kicked a 40/20, set up the winning try and looked like he was far too good for KOE and needed to be back in first grade. A week or two later he returned to first grade and had an absolute shocker this was the match against the dolphins where he was sin binned just before half time for a dumb high shot but also made plenty of other mistakes. I think he struggles with the added pressure of playing in firsts. He won the players player award for 2024 in KOE, but was arguably one of our worst any time he was given a chance at the NRL level in 2024 due to his brain farts.

 

[Vicious]

1. Bulla
2. Turuva
3. Skelton - right centre
4. Olam - right centre
5. Lualilii left wing.

Is Skelton smart enoug or a good enough defender to play in the centres ?
I hope I am wrong, but I think all who are wanting either Skelton or Turuva in the centres will find they are no better defenders than the likes of Doueihi or Naden.