Heamasi Makasini #303

I worry about players being blooded in too early.

He's doing fine. I don't think we should expect much more than what he's doing. But, he may have higher expectations from himself. He might feel like he needs to produce more line breaks, try assists etc based on all the early hype.

I hope Benji reassures him that he's doing well and his goal should just be to focus on basics and finish the season with above average performances. The freak moments will come, don't go looking for them.
 
tig_prmz said:
I worry about players being blooded in too early.

He's doing fine. I don't think we should expect much more than what he's doing. But, he may have higher expectations from himself. He might feel like he needs to produce more line breaks, try assists etc based on all the early hype.

I hope Benji reassures him that he's doing well and his goal should just be to focus on basics and finish the season with above average performances. The freak moments will come, don't go looking for them.
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I have no doubt at all that Benji would be in his ear reassuring him and pumping him up, he's only young and might need a cuddle now and then.

When it comes to man management Benji looks to excel in this area.
 
SeanT said:
I think he needs work also. Didn't watch much of today's game but the previous two for some reason. He doesn't palm the defenders. He runs to their outside shoulder and tries to bump them. If he puts his right hand out and fends it would make a huge difference. Not sure what's going on there.

May come back and leave Herbert in there. Just so glad Toa isn't back in. He's just so inconsistent it's not funny.
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I agree with your thoughts on Maka.
Doesn’t use his right arm to fend off when getting on the defenders outside shoulder.
And twice I’ve noticed when he has got through the front line he has swerved in field with the ball in his right hand, which is very unusual for a left side player.
I’m thinking when playing against boys in his junior years he would have just ran over the opposition.
Defensively he is slow to adjust and turn when someone puts a step on him.
He has a lot to learn in the next 2 years to fulfill his potential hopefully.
I wish him well because we sure will benefit if he does reach the heights that have been placed on him.
 
Oldman said:
I agree with your thoughts on Maka.
Doesn’t use his right arm to fend off when getting on the defenders outside shoulder.
And twice I’ve noticed when he has got through the front line he has swerved in field with the ball in his right hand, which is very unusual for a left side player.
I’m thinking when playing against boys in his junior years he would have just ran over the opposition.
Defensively he is slow to adjust and turn when someone puts a step on him.
He has a lot to learn in the next 2 years to fulfill his potential hopefully.
I wish him well because we sure will benefit if he does reach the heights that have been placed on him.
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You have up summed Maka's current defiencies well. I have noticed that he is susceptible to a late step from an opponent when defending and, also, he can easily be swung to the ground by defenders when trying to get on the outside. No swerve, no fend and without the necessary pace to get around an opposition defender. This was really obvious when Moses repeatedly took him down in the Parra game. No doubt he'll get better though, as he adjusts to the step up in first grade.
 
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EllisFan said:
6 out of 7 wins to start his first full season in FG, obviously including trials. Beg borrow steal, bring back Richo, what ever it takes to lock this kid up.

He’s 18.
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No salary cap in Union…

Very keen to see him back on the wing this week …needs more space and less defensive workload …also playing outside Luai and Taylan will help
 
Macca back to wing will help him , he looked slow and worn out in the centre but he also looked like he had no punch and was easy tackled , if Skelton was 0laying better I would have given Macca few games n reserves to build back up his confidence as it looked gone
 
stevied said:
You have up summed Maka's current defiencies well. I have noticed that he is susceptible to a late step from an opponent when defending and, also, he can easily be swung to the ground by defenders when trying to get on the outside. No swerve, no fend and without the necessary pace to get around an opposition defender. This was really obvious when Moses repeatedly took him down in the Parra game. No doubt he'll get better though, as he adjusts to the step up in first grade.
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Has had a few dropped balls in earlier games that would have dented his confidence, i notice he is hugging the ball in both arms when he runs, this makes him an easy target and loses his fend....he will get better.
 
TheEnz said:
Has had a few dropped balls in earlier games that would have dented his confidence, i notice he is hugging the ball in both arms when he runs, this makes him an easy target and loses his fend....he will get better.
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Ha-ha, like a running back in NFL!
 
tig_prmz said:
I worry about players being blooded in too early.

He's doing fine. I don't think we should expect much more than what he's doing. But, he may have higher expectations from himself. He might feel like he needs to produce more line breaks, try assists etc based on all the early hype.

I hope Benji reassures him that he's doing well and his goal should just be to focus on basics and finish the season with above average performances. The freak moments will come, don't go looking for them.
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I think the constant defence is what’s hurting him , that’s why he needs a break , remember he’s only a kid still , and we got players who can fill in for 2-3 games
 
bptiger 0 said:
I think the constant defence is what’s hurting him , that’s why he needs a break , remember he’s only a kid still , and we got players who can fill in for 2-3 games
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Hes also had a target on his back. Fisher-Harris and Junior Paulo have lined him up the last few weeks. Doesnt get much harder than that.

I got the sense he was taking less carries out of yardage on the weekend. Hopeful that was a direction from Benji
 
Betterdays22 said:
Hes also had a target on his back. Fisher-Harris and Junior Paulo have lined him up the last few weeks. Doesnt get much harder than that.

I got the sense he was taking less carries out of yardage on the weekend. Hopeful that was a direction from Benji
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Yep
Easy target for NRL defenders as with his hit ups his body position is too upright and front on.
Has to learn to protect himself with hip & Shoulder before he gets really smashed.
Again he has been a giant in the juniors and this is all new to him so let’s hope he’s a quick learner.
 
He hasn't look out of place as an 18 year old in arguably the most physically demanding era of footy ever.

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that's still incredibly impressive. Absolutely zero reason for any concern.
 
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