@AmericanHistoryX said:
okay crouching, welcome aboard. but for all the dummies - should we have bought daniella and where does davis stand in all this as others allude to?
Daniela was picked up for a good price as it seems and would be likely been have bought for depth due to recent struggles in the 3/4 line WT had with Collis not firing and injured.
Sheens and McDonnell are known for picking up players who they think they can mould who just can't find that little bit extra to hit 1st grade form. They believe they will be able to get them to that level. Always worth a shot if bought at the right price IMO.
Warren has had his eye on Daniela for several years dating back to the early 2000's, when Daniela had played representative honours alongside Shannon. MOST of Warren's pick ups have a history of junior rep honours.
Do not underestimate Daniela's pace guys. He is extremely quick…more so than you think.
His size is a concern for me which makes him a target in a crucial defensive position, but that's just my opinion...the same as Lui's. WT can't afford to HIDE players anymore.
Ayshford is CURRENTLY holding at 93kgs stable after this last offseason which is VERY impressive, and also is in excess of where most backs are in peak form during this stage of their career under Sheens. Also has been blessed with an offseason without surgery or injury for once. Sheens has BIG plans for him. Perhaps the classic movement from CENTRE -> 5/8TH -> LOCK is on the cards ala Fittler.
Davis, now this guy can play. I pointed this kid out to a few people at Concord Oval during a Magpies match about 3-4 years ago. It was a shame he was not inducted as a "full-time" footballer the year after he had recovered from his snapped ankle. This caused him a lot of down time, much in the same situation i fear for Tuiaki when these guys hold a lot of weight and pace combined. He also has had junior rep honours with NZ.
Lawrence has played much better out on the wing and fullback in his younger days, and if you watch any of Lawrence's tries, they will be scored out on the wing, many people don't notice this factor, Sheens has the centres and wingers switch on backline movements running inside lines. Lawrence ALSO had stints at 5/8th last season which went un-noticed by many people, look for this again in 2010.
Ryan also played pretty much all of his junior games in the centres and is more suited there than the wing. Same goes for Fitzhenry who always prefered centre to wing.
But as ANY player will tell you, they will be just happy to be named in the 17 whatever number jersey they are given.
Just about every single player i have watched and mentioned on this forum during their junior days has made it through to 1st grade, be it with WT or another club.
But every so often Sheens will pluck a player who i never thought would get selected before others. Players such as Dwyer, Lui still have me mistified as i STILL don't believe they are ready yet and there are others in front of them.
To sum it all up in a nutshell:
I think Davis is a gun player, but lacks "a bit of class" so to speak, but that could also be due to not playing alongside class players. Not to be misinterpreted please.
I think Daniela is below par, but may be able to be moulded. Should go well this year but IMO will NOT be able to lock down a consistent starting 17 spot.
Davis by 4 lengths.
Next time you watch a player....make sure you keep this thought in mind and your perceptions may change...
Does that player have class, or does he look good due to a class player around him.
P.S. Don't think that the best players are selected all the time guys. Sheens DOES have "his boys"..
