Don’t disagree,
I just want more from props than he has.
With all fairness to the kid, outplaying the likes of Twal, Hunt, Seyfarth etc. isn’t really something to write home about when looking across the comp.
2026 squad - still not good enough
- Thread starter BirchgroveTigers
- Start date
I just want more from props than he has.
With all fairness to the kid, outplaying the likes of Twal, Hunt, Seyfarth etc. isn’t really something to write home about when looking across the comp.
Glass half full perspective:
Taylan May is a game breaker.
Samuela can be that guy in the forwards if he continues on the trajectory from last year.
Douhei has a big boot on him and could be that kicker we need now he's been practising in the halves all pre season
Were we watching a different stone last year?
Tigerstigerstigers
Well-known member
What we need to remember with the Feinu boys is that due to age and injuries, they really have only been establishing themselves the last 2 seasons . I think we could be in for something special from this season. We have already seen glimpses from each of them .
I don't get it for young blokes. We've seen countless examples of young players being injury prone whilst their body is developing. Particularly if they are suddenly stacking on weight. Then later becoming good.
I do get it for older guys, sort of 25+. Some bodies just never adapt to the rigours of first grade. If after a few years at peak playing weight that are still constantly breaking down than questions should start being asked.
Odessa
Well-known member
Of course it is look at Craig Bellamy and his pre season camps and how he only takes mentally tough players or makes them tough
king_sirro
Well-known member
What? He will outplay May and Pole easily given the chance.
Tigerwould
Well-known member
I read somewhere that Maverick Geyer is training at 13. Based off last year’s performance I’d have Sione Fainu starting at 13. I thought Sione was great in the middle. He can fill in at 2nd row but is much more suited to the middle IMO.
I agree.
If he’s been training hard over the off season and comes into the 2026 season with the right attitude, his potential is untapped and has the ability to be among the top middle forwards in the game.
All 3 Fainu brothers can be elite if they continue to improve and we need them all to go to the next level during the 2026 season if we are to be successful.
IF the Fainu brothers, May brothers, Luai and Bula all improve and play close to the best of their ability, we will comfortably make the top 8.
It’s unlikely they will all perform close to their best and that’s the concern for us in 2026.
So says you.
What chance is he waiting for?
Played 24 games last season and didn’t outplay May in many (if any)
He’s also a year older than Fonua with more Footy behind him
- so he should be ahead of him.
Isn’t he the oldest Fainu around and last to debut? No one even mentioned him till his brothers came on.
He’s coming along, I have no problem with him in the side (I’ll say it again) but I don’t like him at prop. Even May I’d rather have at 13 than Prop. I like big, dominant Props with good leg speed…
Like the ones the good clubs have.
That is interesting as I’ve never seen Maverick really demonstrate any type of fluent passing game, but that’s not to say he doesn’t have one.
He is another important dominoe in us being successful in 2026 as we need players like him knocking the door down to demand a position in our top 17 if not top 13.
Is he even signed yet…
Talking about like he’s a prime Reuben Wiki or something.
You ‘top’ middle players in the game must be fairly broad brush - I don’t see him ever being in the top 12 (even 20)
Anyhow, hope he goes well this year - we need all the help in the guts we can get.
I think he’s only signed until the end of 2026 at the moment ?
He is a must re-signing, but it’s hard to put a value on him right now as he could be valued at anywhere between 400k and 600k. but possibly more than that if he reaches his potential in 2026.
wstigers11
Active member
He’s one of our good development stories. Played u20’s NSW and had big wraps, brother then went to jail and he really suffered from it. Got unfit, found himself playing off the bench in flegg. Once his brothers joined the club it really helped him he worked his way back and had a break out year last year, he was undroppable. Age is irrelevant here to his brothers, props develop at a slower pace & we took our time for once with his development and it’s paying off. I wouldn’t write him off at all.
Tigerwould
Well-known member
It will be interesting to see Geyer play 13 in the trials. I’d imagine he’ll be playing 13 in reserves and either Sione or Twal will start at 13 until our 14 comes on. Not sure who will give Api a break at dummy half.
wstigers11
Active member
Yep lack of options last year when Seyfarth was suspended kinda forced us to play Sione on the edge. Out and out middle for me, tried his guts out in 2nd row though for us.
twentyforty
Well-known member
I was getting really wound up about our top 8 prospects until your last sentence.
Then I remembered that we only just escaped from the bottom 4 and 3 of those bottom teams beat us. I just don’t think avoiding the spoon last season is such a massive step up the ladder.
I need to see something more positive.
wstigers11
Active member
Sorry batboy, you are way off the mark..
Are players written off now because of the age they debut? How many kids have debuted and gone on to do nothing. "He should be ahead of him" pfft come on man... Sione played lock, prop and off the bench, hes versatile. Pole and May have one position. The best forwards peak when they are 25-26.
I'll eat my words if Sione doesn't have an absolute stand out season this year... there are a few of them who should be ready to hit top gear actually, maybe 2026 is a year to be excited about.
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king_sirro
Well-known member
Minutes mate, minutes. Thats the chance he is waiting for. Benji had no idea under utilising him
