He's contracted for 2025,
Along with Naden, Staines and Toa (Toa even has 2026 on the books)
Disheartening.
Hopefully Luke L and Makasaini develope well (and quickly)
Along with Naden, Staines and Toa (Toa even has 2026 on the books)
Disheartening.
Hopefully Luke L and Makasaini develope well (and quickly)
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Absolutely terrible contract decisions … every player is literally signed at least one year too long … the old regime must have been seen as a soft touch by the Player Managers
Yep,
However.... we aren't afraid to let players go early.
Last year: Reily, Rua and Mansfield Webster were all top 30 contracts, shown the door.
Hoping we see something similar in the off season with the players mentioned.
Surely Benji has some pull and can get a few over like his cousin Haze Dunster (cup, depth), or some of the decent NZ backs (Rocco Berry, Ali Leautaua, etc) and didn't we try with Israel Leota, upcoming gun from QLD? Keep trying.
And this is just to improve the backs.
Forwards another discussion.
magpies forever
Well-known member
Hard decisions need to be made. Too any in the top 30 are not cutting it, either as depth / progression and are also stinking up State Cup reserve grade team to be competitive.
jrtiger
Well-known member
Feledy had his best game in any open age comp yesterday, and it wasn't even anything flashy. he just ran hard and straight and was rewarded for his efforts.
defensively there's still much to do, but I do hope that yesterday was a sign that he's turned a corner. he's always been a great talent, he just needs time in Cup to develop his game. not all players come into grade at 19 and put it all together.
as for his future prospects at WT, he's got some work to do. Turuva will take right centre for the foreseeable future and Makasini is getting closer in the rear view at a rapid rate. it's in his hands.
defensively there's still much to do, but I do hope that yesterday was a sign that he's turned a corner. he's always been a great talent, he just needs time in Cup to develop his game. not all players come into grade at 19 and put it all together.
as for his future prospects at WT, he's got some work to do. Turuva will take right centre for the foreseeable future and Makasini is getting closer in the rear view at a rapid rate. it's in his hands.
Magpies1969
Well-known member
I thought Reilly was fine in the NRL games he played. Maybe should have been retained.
Buttface
Well-known member
@Demps
I’m sure I was reading on here (a forumer said), at manly Feledy was made look good in the lower grades running off Fainu, so were a couple of others apparently. I remember him questioning our purchase of Feledy even though he was killing it, (scoring tries) in lower grades. The few times I seen him play he scored tries and looked good, but his NRL debut he looked small and overwhelmed in D. I liked him to Demps, but that debut was enough for me.
Yeah Tom I was looking at the roster thinking how we’ve been giving up top 30 spots and longer contracts to kids or fringeys just to get them to sign the line. But what baffles me is why anyone would want to lock themselves into a longer contract with wooden spooners, I get the top 30 guarantee you’d be all over that. I get why Bud did, but the Fainu’s I would’ve been going for a year less so I can re-assess where the club is at in a couple of years.
Anyway love big Sam Fainu. 💪
Feledy hits a hole very nicely, something that is a lost art among many centres.
As you say he’s still a little shaky defensively, but I see that regularly improving also.
I’ve only ever seen him play on the left so he’s currently competing with Olam and his attacking style is quite similar to Olam.
I believe he will definitely play NRL in some capacity, it’s still 50/50 depending on his development and improvement as to whether it’s as a fringe type of NRL player or as a regular.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Intersting that he had his “best” game last week… I mean …he is 19 and should be showing improvement right?
He has had nine months since his first grade debut … including another off season to work on his game, his strength and be coached up..…
The question is … should they keep him another year …hogging another Top 30 spot? Surely they must have an opinion whether he has “it” or not … I mean ..I’m not saying he has to be beating out Turiva and Olam next year … but how do they feel about him as a depth piece to play NRL if they are injured ? It would seem they don’t view him as that now … so how long they gunna hope for the best ?
hank37w
Well-known member
God our recruitment has been terrible and it seems like forever, we just hand out contracts and spend our allocated cap to make up the numbers just to be cap compliant, or at least that is what it seems like. 😢
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
They are now talking him as a potential Wallaby prospect
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I actually think he has been improving this season. His attack has been well up to NSW Cup level in recent games, just his 1-on-1 defence can at times be a bit sketchy. He knows how to finish and put his winger away. Good at yardage coming out from own line which is important for a centre these days.
If he can fix up his defensive deficiencies, I see a future for him.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
that’s a low bar in my view … different games ..different defence requirements ..
i think he played three games if memory serves ..including the Manly game with Feledy where they were both torn apart
the enforcer.
Active member
Feledy has the body shape of a nuggety 5/8th, not a flighty 3/4. maybe switch him around.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Ok nice … i havent seen him play this year ..but there has to be a pathway to an NRL player by now … defence can be worked on … I do have a problem if they aren’t sure he has it ..but they bring him back next year to “hope for the best”…
davey_farrell
Well-known member
me too, i thought those last few games he was good and threatening till he did his leg in the manly game
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
I gather the plan is to give the likes of Feledy, Kit, Tallyn, Faagutu, Jordan, Mason, Willett, Saukuru & Luke L as much time in NSW Cup this season to get them used to playing bigger bodies & higher quality comp. If their form & fitness warrants NRL this season then they'll get an opportunity.
I reckon over the coming weeks if not from this week, we may see Saukuru and/or Willett in Cup for the first time.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
Here is the highlights of the Manly game where both Feledy and Reilly played last year …not pretty ..
How long did Reilly play for?
How long did Reilly play for?
Feledy by his own admission was carrying a lot of puppy fat and clearly not ready for NRL at that time.
He stripped off a lot of excess weight in pre season, he is noticeably more confident and now playing with the high energy required for a shorter, smaller centre.
In saying this he is still powerfully built and noticeably strong upon impact.
The kid is a very good attacking player, but as I’ve said previously he’s only ever played as a left centre which means it would likely impact his strong fend if played on the right.
Tom Shines
Well-known member
He was 18 at the time ..which i appreciate is young to make your debut against a tough opponent …. I just hope he continues to improve ..and is not too far away from NRL consideration… they need to be confident about that happening next year
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