OFFICIAL Jersey Flegg Cup

[Needaname]

We tried playing ring-ins and part-timers in NSW Cup last year and I didn't like it.

Might as well get the young kids used to playing against men if you think you might call on them to the NRL side later in the year.

Otherwise, you have situations like Da Silva etc. where they go from playing SG Ball to NRL in the space of about a month. The rise is too rapid.

Maybe. But would age class be better for development with the occasional injection into the higher grades?
But I guess the other question is; why was the club compelled to play Da Silva in firsts last year?
Shouldn’t we have an in between hooker?
If Simpkin isn’t up to it, shouldn’t he be replaced with experience rather than bringing Da Silva up before his time?
I guess the jury is still out on whether he can handle it. But it begs the question why he is playing SG ball again this week, alongside with Kit.

 

[Needaname]

We tried playing ring-ins and part-timers in NSW Cup last year and I didn't like it.

Might as well get the young kids used to playing against men if you think you might call on them to the NRL side later in the year.

Otherwise, you have situations like Da Silva etc. where they go from playing SG Ball to NRL in the space of about a month. The rise is too rapid.

My thought is, would the team and individuals within be stronger if they all moved from Flegg to NSW cup together once of age?

 

[balmain boy]

Be great to see Large & Makasini in Flegg after their junior rep commitments. I think it needs NRL or NSWRL approval to play above their age group.

I'd say there's very little chance of this happening. Large, perhaps, seeing as he's trained with the nrl squad a bit in the offseason.

The fact the likes of Kit, TDS, Willett etc are still playing SG Ball suggests Betsey thinks players need to be eased in extremely slowly.

And this is where the current age limits for junior footy get tricky. You have 18-19 year olds playing sg ball and but then often deemed too young to play flegg because it's a comp for 20-21 year olds. When they're still at school it's fine to only play a 8 week tournament. When this is their life it's not enough.

For someone who's been injured like Miller, giving him game time at ball to blow out the cobwebs is fine. But really, unless this trial is being used as a final cut for squads (which has surely happened by now) then all the top 30 boys not in the squad for the Dragons trial should be playing in this match.

We'll see where things are come round one, whether TDS and Kit are playing Ball, Flegg, or Cup.

At best i'd think Large may get a few games of flegg towards the end of the season, but he's in year 11 this year i think? So will still have lots of study to be doing.

 

[balmain boy]

This is just Flegg-aged players, so aged 21 or younger in 2024.

1. Heath Mason
2. Luke Laulilii
3. Solomone Saukuru
4. Josh Feledy
5. Navren Willett
6. Lachlan Galvin
7. Latu Fainu
8. Samuela Fainu
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Chris Faagutu
11. Sione Latoa-Vaihu
12. Tony Sukkar
13. Justin Matamua

14. Iverson Matai
15. Kit Laulilii
16. Jordan Miller
17. Brandon Tumeth

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Interesting.
Not too many of them would be playing NRL.
In both of your opinions; would we be better off keeping that side together for a season of Flegg and play ring ins and part timers in Cup or should the majority of that side play up a grade?

I'm divided and happy to leave the decision-making to the likes of Betsey, Benji & Aaron Payne.

On one hand I see the benefit of these juniors coming up through the grades together and trying to maintain a consistent team week-to-week where possible in Flegg plus keep these guys used to a winning culture.

On the other hand, if a player is too good for their age group and physically ready to move up, why hold them back in Ball or Flegg when they can get used to playing against open-aged men in Cup or NRL.

However we have to careful which I'm sure Benji is as not too many 19yos (apart from the elite) excel at NRL.

IMO Da Silva & Latu Fainu are the only 2 we have who are ready for NRL this season. I'm reserving judgement on Galvin until I see him against the bigger bodies but he could be our 3rd.

Kit, Mason, Willett, Sukkar, Saukuru are at least a year away and Miller longer.

 

[a_dog]

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

Archie Duncombe has scored 5 tries in 3 matches for Macarthur Wests and is their captain.

Phoenix Godinet in Wests HM is a gun.

Keenan Lawandos in SG Ball Tigers is quite promising.

Solomone Saukuru is a big lump who has played plenty in the backrow and that's arguably his best posse.

 

[Camel2281]

Interesting.
Not too many of them would be playing NRL.
In both of your opinions; would we be better off keeping that side together for a season of Flegg and play ring ins and part timers in Cup or should the majority of that side play up a grade?

I am of the belief that they all play together in Flegg and build positive vibes, a winning culture and relationships like Penrith did

 

[Tiger Stripes]

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

What is your ideal size of a second rower?
Mine would bounce around the Kulikefu Finefuiaki type, 19 yrs, 190cm, 105kg
The Cowboys 2nd rowers are young, have height, size and speed.
We need to be on the lookout for these types and recruit, poach as necessary ASAP. IMO

 

[Vicious]

What is your ideal size of a second rower?
Mine would bounce around the Kulikefu Finefuiaki type, 19 yrs, 190cm, 105kg
The Cowboys 2nd rowers are young, have height, size and speed.
We need to be on the lookout for these types and recruit, poach as necessary ASAP. IMO

That is ideal, however there is nothing wrong with the Liam Martin, Hudson Young sized style of maniac either.

 

[Needaname]

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

‘Where is the crying emoji?’

 

[Tiger in boots 🐅]

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

Disagree, I think some of these boys have a lot of potential and are not being used correctly in the game. It is a coaches responsibility to identify what each players skills are and capitalise on it. They seem to be just throwing players in a position just to field a team instead of nurturing the player to be ready for top grade. You can see the level of frustration each week on the players faces.

 

[Tucker]

Disagree, I think some of these boys have a lot of potential and are not being used correctly in the game. It is a coaches responsibility to identify what each players skills are and capitalise on it. They seem to be just throwing players in a position just to field a team instead of nurturing the player to be ready for top grade. You can see the level of frustration each week on the players faces.

Well if that’s true, then Betsey and co aren’t doing their jobs.
I thought the whole idea of our revamped pathways was to address the point you just made?

 

[pawsandclaws1]

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

That is a bit harsh on Sukkar. I think he is a tall rangy second row forward with potential.

 

[Tiger in boots 🐅]

Well if that’s true, then Betsey and co aren’t doing their jobs.
I thought the whole idea of our revamped pathways was to address the point you just made?

I hear you, but to be fair I think Betsey’s job might be to set up the right structure for the pathways and to provide an environment where our young talent and coaches can thrive. I think he is doing that very well. But coaching staff at that junior level is so vital and they need to be the right selection and preferably come with first grade experience in my opinion if possible as the players relate well. The reserve grade coach and first grade coach can’t be teaching players the basic in reading defence and when to inject themself in attack. Looking forward to watching the juniors and hopefully we see great results this year in 2024. Go the Tigers! PS: let us know when that hat comes out because I’m buying one!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[Vicious]

These squads show how paper thin our back row stocks are. Vaihu isn't really a backrower, Sukkar is far more of a prop than back rower. Tumeth too is a plodder.

Even at SG ball level there's no real standout backrowers at the club

We are no doubt lacking another proven quality back rower within our NRL squad.
Nearly all our rivals have at least one proven quality back rower outside of their top 13, we don’t.
In saying that we have not yet seen the best of the likes of Tumeth & Sukkar.
Tumeth plays tough and is an extremely reliable defender. All he needs to do is lift his energy and be much more involved and if he does that he can potentially become a similar style of player to the likes of Liam Martin and Hudson Young.
Sukkar has a big, tall lean frame and has good mobility to go with it. He seems to carry the ball quite strongly, but would like to see him become more aggressive and use his large frame to advantage more often.
I would not be writing any of them off just yet, they haven’t got this far through lack of talent.

 

[cktiger]

We are no doubt lacking another proven quality back rower within our NRL squad.
Nearly all our rivals have at least one proven quality back rower outside of their top 13, we don’t.
In saying that we have not yet seen the best of the likes of Tumeth & Sukkar.
Tumeth plays tough and is an extremely reliable defender. All he needs to do is lift his energy and be much more involved and if he does that he can potentially become a similar style of player to the likes of Liam Martin and Hudson Young.
Sukkar has a big, tall lean frame and has good mobility to go with it. He seems to carry the ball quite strongly, but would like to see him become more aggressive and use his large frame to advantage more often.
I would not be writing any of them off just yet, they haven’t got this far through lack of talent.

A few posters saying Tumuth won’t be here.

 

[Demps]

That is a bit harsh on Sukkar. I think he is a tall rangy second row forward with potential.

Sukkar said backrow is his preferred position and he's played em all coming through. Starting at centre.

I think he's one to watch and could prove to be the quite the player.

An uncovered gem.

 

[balmain boy]

Sukkar said backrow is his preferred position and he's played em all coming through. Starting at centre.

I think he's one to watch and could prove to be the quite the player.

An uncovered gem.

Everytime i've seen Sukkar play he just reminds me of Twal. Same size, skills, agility and work rate. I've never seen him break the line, he's a quiet, solid, worker type. Which is fine, but backrowers need to be able to contribute more in attack. Maybe he can lift his game to next level in flegg this year.

The main thing that sets him apart is his goalkicking.

 

[balmain boy]

Disagree, I think some of these boys have a lot of potential and are not being used correctly in the game. It is a coaches responsibility to identify what each players skills are and capitalise on it. They seem to be just throwing players in a position just to field a team instead of nurturing the player to be ready for top grade. You can see the level of frustration each week on the players faces.

Who's not been used correctly? The season hasn't even started yet.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Everytime i've seen Sukkar play he just reminds me of Twal. Same size, skills, agility and work rate. I've never seen him break the line, he's a quiet, solid, worker type. Which is fine, but backrowers need to be able to contribute more in attack. Maybe he can lift his game to next level in flegg this year.

The main thing that sets him apart is his goalkicking.

In his first trial with the NRL team the previous year, he made a clean break and demonstrated good pace to make a decent run. I think he may be a good player for WTs.