OFFICIAL Jersey Flegg Cup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cobarcats
  • Start date Start date
Just a quick wrap on our 32-28 loss to the Bulldogs yesterday.

It was 7 tries apiece but once again our goal kicking was poor with Tavana only converting 2/7.

It was clearly evident the losses of Lanyon (NSW Cup), Elihah Mataale & Iverson Matai were costly. Mataale has brought plenty of punch & strength in the middle as a starter the past 3 months and Matai has been a real attacking weapon, not to mention the energy and workrate of Lanyon.

My best player imo was Max Liles. From memory had a hand in most, if not every, try and was dangerous running the ball and organising our attack. Haywood was also slick at dummy half and our outside backs were all strong out of yardage with some good finishing from Max Taotuo & Tino Tavana again as well as young Corey Oates clone Jack Nicholas.

Leatigaga was a ball of energy & leg speed in the middle and Solomone Saukuru was also up there as one of our best continually breaking the first tackle in his runs & scoring a nice try with IQ and strength. It was good that Archie Duncombe got some solid minutes and didn't let anyone down with his workrate.

Lastly shout out to Leni Plati who brought great impact off the bench once again & scored a nice barge over late to give us a sniff.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Just a quick wrap on our 32-28 loss to the Bulldogs yesterday.

It was 7 tries apiece but once again our goal kicking was poor with Tavana only converting 2/7.

It was clearly evident the losses of Lanyon (NSW Cup), Elihah Mataale & Iverson Matai were costly. Mataale has brought plenty of punch & strength in the middle as a starter the past 3 months and Matai has been a real attacking weapon, not to mention the energy and workrate of Lanyon.

My best player imo was Max Liles. From memory had a hand in most, if not every, try and was dangerous running the ball and organising our attack. Haywood was also slick at dummy half and our outside backs were all strong out of yardage with some good finishing from Max Taotuo & Tino Tavana again as well as young Corey Oates clone Jack Nicholas.

Leatigaga was a ball of energy & leg speed in the middle and Solomone Saukuru was also up there as one of our best continually breaking the first tackle in his runs & scoring a nice try with IQ and strength. It was good that Archie Duncombe got some solid minutes and didn't let anyone down with his workrate.

Lastly shout out to Leni Plati who brought great impact off the bench once again & scored a nice barge over late to give us a sniff.
Click to expand...
BWG do you rate Haywood as much as Da Silva when he was coming through?
 
Bellend said:
My opinion is Da Silva was slightly ahead at current age period. BUT haywood if not rushed AND allowed to develop properly will be a very good intelligent first grader.
Click to expand...
I’m not 💯 convinced on Haywood just yet.
He’s still only 19 playing regularly and generally in the top 4-5 players at Jersey Flegg level, so that’s usually an indicator that the player is going places and hopefully for us that is correct.
However I find his dummy half play boring and predictable and his defence only average.
He’s very fit, hard working and has very good speed, so we could very well see a much improved player in 2026 after a good solid off season.
Max Liles is an interesting one as he’s got plenty of talent with ball in hand and has that tall wirey frame and explosive speed to go with it. His defence is his downfall, sometimes it’s very poor for someone with his size and athleticism. I’d like to see us keep him for another season in and around our NSW Cup team to see where his progress takes him.
I’ve said it before, but another rival club will snap up the Taotua twins if we don’t retain them, particularly Max.
 
Last edited:
Vicious said:
I’m not 💯 convinced on Haywood just yet.
He’s still only 19 playing regularly and generally in the top 4-5 players at Jersey Flegg level, so that’s usually an indicator that the player is going places and hopefully for us that is correct.
However I find his dummy half play boring and predictable and his defence only average.
He’s very fit, hard working and has very good speed, so we could very well see a much improved player in 2026 after a good solid off season.
Max Liles is an interesting one as he’s got plenty of talent with ball in hand and has that tall wirey frame and explosive speed to go with it. His defence is his downfall, sometimes it’s very poor for someone with his size and athleticism. I’d like to see us keep him for another season in and around our NSW Cup team to see where his progress takes him.
I’ve said it before, but another rival club will snap up the Taotua twins if we don’t retain them, particularly Max.
Click to expand...
It's hard to say on the Haywood v Da Silva at the same age debate @tigahhh and, really, it matters little. As long as Haywood keeps developing both in the intricacies of dummy half play and in defence where he can be found out at the moment particularly physically.

He just seems a kid that will soak up everything from Api. I'm looking forward to his progress and hopefully he is our JF captain next season with Tannous & Andrews in the halves and Deininger at fullback. That is mouth-watering for that team until they demand selection in NSW Cup.

I'm with you @Vicious I hope Max Liles stays around on a NSW contract next season as depth with the desire to eventually force his way into that team. And fingers crossed we secure the Taotua twins. The good thing is they have another year eligible for JF but I reckon Max may be looked at to progress to Cup next year.
 
Max Likes a lanky, fast & smart halfback or 5/8 with a big boot, he is a similar player to Hugo Savala who has made his mark with the Roosters NRL team this season.
I know we already have quite a few halves on our roster, but I really think we should be keeping him a bit longer, he has plenty of class.
Young fullback Logan Deininger continues to improve, he’s very elusive and could be one to rise further in 2026.
Young second rower Byron Laupepa rips and tears, looks promising.
Josese Lanyon continues to bring good quality and intelligent link play, but he’s not as big as I thought he was.
Ethan Roberts has been very quiet for the Roosters, but his size and power is vert clear to see. If we can somehow get him hitting top speed quickly when running the ball, he will become a quality NRL player very quickly,
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
Will be good to see how our new recruit Ethan Roberts goes for the Roosters against our boys in this game. Good opportunity for our backrowers to push their claims against him.
Click to expand...
He looked really average. Not even a standout at this level so far apart from one flukey flick pass.

Seems like a strange signing.

Their prop Kanaan gave us all sorts of trouble though.
 
Last edited:
Tiger_Pete said:
He looked really average. Not even a standout at this level so far bar one flukey flick pass.

Their prop Kanaan gave us all sorts of trouble though.
Click to expand...
Roberts produces a brilliant reverse flick pass to create a try late in the game.
But overall the does run the ball at half pace too often at the moment.
If we can get him hitting top speed he will become a quality player.
 
Last edited:
Vicious said:
Max Likes a lanky, fast & smart halfback or 5/8 with a big boot, he is a similar player to Hugo Savala who has made his mark with the Roosters NRL team this season.
I know we already have quite a few halves on our roster, but I really think we should be keeping him a bit longer, he has plenty of class.
Young fullback Logan Deininger continues to improve, he’s very elusive and could be one to rise further in 2026.
Young second rower Byron Laupepa rips and tears, looks promising.
Josese Lanyon continues to bring good quality and intelligent link play, but he’s not as big as I thought he was.
Ethan Roberts has been very quiet for the Roosters, but his size and power is vert clear to see. If we can somehow get him hitting top speed quickly when running the ball, he will become a quality NRL player very quickly,
Click to expand...
A deserved win to finish the season although we nearly collapsed again in the final 10 mins.

Agree with your points @Vicious . Thought our spine was outstanding today especially Max Liles (for a 2nd week in a row). His game management, running & passing game & huge kick is something we don't have in the club - I hope we manage to retain him. Deininger, Haywood, Lanyon (lock) and Heith Pritchard were also exceptional (best game Pritchard has had in U21s).

Tavana was brilliant on the wing AGAIN as was Jack Nicholas on the left wing - I call him a Corey Oates clone and looks to be another solid aerial prospect.

I was taken by Peter Taai today playing right centre in jersey 3. He was so strong post contact continually making extra 5+m in his carries and was good in defence. He's usually a lock/backrower but didn't look out of place at all at centre.

Both our backrowers Mitch Taotua & Byron Laupepa were very good too.

I kept as close eye on Ethan Roberts all game and he didn't seem to demand the ball or be aggressive in defence at all. Just stayed in his right edge lane very Tony Sukkar like.

Not a criticism as he's probably following structure and may be better suited to higher grades. Obviously possesses some good line running, strength and ball skills with that Nawaqanitawase-like flick pass to set up a try late.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
A deserved win to finish the season although we nearly collapsed again in the final 10 mins.

Agree with your points @Vicious . Thought our spine was outstanding today especially Max Liles (for a 2nd week in a row). His game management, running & passing game & huge kick is something we don't have in the club - I hope we manage to retain him. Deininger, Haywood, Lanyon (lock) and Heith Pritchard were also exceptional (best game Pritchard has had in U21s).

Tavana was brilliant on the wing AGAIN as was Jack Nicholas on the left wing - I call him a Corey Oates clone and looks to be another solid aerial prospect.

I was taken by Peter Taai today playing right centre in jersey 3. He was so strong post contact continually making extra 5+m in his carries and was good in defence. He's usually a lock/backrower but didn't look out of place at all at centre.

Both our backrowers Mitch Taotua & Byron Laupepa were very good too.

I kept as close eye on Ethan Roberts all game and he didn't seem to demand the ball or be aggressive in defence at all. Just stayed in his right edge lane very Tony Sukkar like.

Not a criticism as he's probably following structure and may be better suited to higher grades. Obviously possesses some good line running, strength and ball skills with that Nawaqanitawase-like flick pass to set up a try late.
Click to expand...
Lanyon was exceptional today. Very impressive.

Tavana with the usual highlight reel. Peter Taai at centre had me double checking the team list. But he did well. Increasing his utility value that's for sure. You wonder if he would have tasted more Flegg this year had he not had that sicking injury at the start of the year.

Yeah Roberts didn't go hunting for the ball, but they appeared to have lots of hogs on their team. A better game plan could have him brought into the game and that can open up opportunities for him to show some strength and brilliance. Would be nice if we can unlock him in 2026.

This Flegg side has been a pleasure to watch all year (even with their defensive collapses towards the ends of games)....well at least since Sultana took over anyway!
 
Their front row blew ours away. Big guys that could really bend the line compared to our powder puffs.
. Roberts was practically invisible all game. Very disappointing. Never went hunting for the ball, just stayed wide and got a cold out there. Saukuru still miles ahead of him.
Lanyon and likes were very good. No other standouts, and disappointing to see them clock off at both the start and end of both the first and second halves. A massive cultural problem at this club.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 604 (members: 10, guests: 594)
Back
Top