Big Ava

[cunno]

Interesting points B&W haven't thought of a prop in those terms anyway it's halfway through the season let's see if he gets stuck in from here on.

 

[MightyTiger]

I have liked Ava as a player for a while. He has a good motor, makes good metres and doesn't get dominated in tackles. Plus his defence is generally very good.

I think he should be given a two year contract. The big bonus with him is he wouldn't be asking for massive coin.

He will only get better and watch for a massive improvement when he gets a starting spot.

 

[barra]

I totally agree that his current form is worthy of a contract and I am as happy as anyone that he is playing so well - def one of my favourites.

But my question is why he didn't seem intent on making a better impact during the smaller minutes he was playing? Was he not happy with it? Was he unable to provide impact? There certainly was a long period this season where he was barely worthy of a bench spot and he didn't even look interested, I found that most disappointing so Milky has a point I reckon.

Ava is an intelligent gentle giant type, and I think up until recently he got caught up trying to play a too cerebral game and didnt realise how big and powerful he is. His new form actually coincided with a game his father came to watch, and like most Poly boys with the big emphasis on family, went out there to put a show on for his old boy. I think it may have been a light bulb moment for him.

Even in his short stints he was doing alot of things well, often found his front so enabled good ruck speed, he was never shy of work, he just seemed to over think contact with ball in hand rather than testing if the defenders could deal with his power.

I think playing with Woods threw him off a little. The freakish success Woods has playing that cerebral angles and weight shift on contact had Ava overthinking.

People will laugh, but I see alot of Petero in Ava, on a few levels. People forget that the angry props come on early, they just catch the ball and hit it up with little sense of self preservation. The intelligent classier type of props dont usually peak until their mid to late 20's.

Okay, let's hope you're right B&W - and he continues to improve like he has, and continues to play with WT into his primer Petero years!

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

Funny how he peforms when he is due for a contract extension. Don't be fooled.

_Posted using RoarFEED Android 1.2.3_

I think its funnier that when our top prop has been out, and he finally started to get bigger minutes he has outplayed our most experienced prop. He stepped up to the plate big time for us.

You have knocked him all year Milky. I understand that you couldnt see this coming, but now its here, he is delivering consistantly, and the smart money is he is going to make a fool of your statements for a long time to come.

Exactly.

There were a lot who didnt see this coming. There is a whole thread of people who are on record as not rating the guy and wanting to release him.

Milky was told this would happen back then.

 

[Tiger_In_The_Gong]

Anyone looking for him to play like a beast, big impact and aggression have missed what this guy is about.

You build forward packs around guys like Ava.

 

[Masterton]

I was just having a peek at his stats. When he plays 40 minutes or more, he runs for over 130m.

Taylor has obviously wanted to play Woods and Taupau for longer periods, which can see Ava stuck on the bench. Considering he's probably bloody cheap, I'd give him 3 years.

 

[VanillaThunder]

He'd cost us next to nothing and has been outstanding when he's had to step up. Perhaps he could learn to embrace an impact role off the bench in the mean time, but he's our starting prop when Keef moves on.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

 

[Russell]

I totally agree that his current form is worthy of a contract and I am as happy as anyone that he is playing so well - def one of my favourites.

But my question is why he didn't seem intent on making a better impact during the smaller minutes he was playing? Was he not happy with it? Was he unable to provide impact? There certainly was a long period this season where he was barely worthy of a bench spot and he didn't even look interested, I found that most disappointing so Milky has a point I reckon.

Ava is an intelligent gentle giant type, and I think up until recently he got caught up trying to play a too cerebral game and didnt realise how big and powerful he is. His new form actually coincided with a game his father came to watch, and like most Poly boys with the big emphasis on family, went out there to put a show on for his old boy. I think it may have been a light bulb moment for him.

Even in his short stints he was doing alot of things well, often found his front so enabled good ruck speed, he was never shy of work, he just seemed to over think contact with ball in hand rather than testing if the defenders could deal with his power.

I think playing with Woods threw him off a little. The freakish success Woods has playing that cerebral angles and weight shift on contact had Ava overthinking.

People will laugh, but I see alot of Petero in Ava, on a few levels. People forget that the angry props come on early, they just catch the ball and hit it up with little sense of self preservation. The intelligent classier type of props dont usually peak until their mid to late 20's.

Good point B&W - I see him a bit like Tony Williams as well. Should be smashing through that defence but was a bit timid. Seems to have turned the corner now. Hope so as I think he could be brilliant.

Oh! no Newtown - negative post number 832.