No sign of Tempest, but Dotoi has been carving up in a strong team. Some brilliant individal tries due to his acceleration, speed and elusiveness. The team are 3 from 3 and will play again in the round of 16 knockout later on today.
I really like what I'm hearing with Faagutu. Strong ball runner, good leg drive, an area where the club has lacked with middles for a while. With a season of development in lower grades already has debuted in QLD Cup, and a full pre-season under his belt, I see him making an appearance in FG next season or '24.
I'm assuming Faagutu may be training with the FG team in the off season as he's not been selected for SG Ball so far?
Development contract or not be should be training with first grade full time from day one
100 percent I would expect to see him training with first grade. I can see a similar progression to Matamua from this year I reckon.
He's already ahead of Matamua despite being younger.
I think Faagutu has potential to be similar to a taumalolo type player as he has similar size but with ball skills. Could be a reach but I think he could reach that level
Agreed, but still expect the club not to rush him into 1st grade. SG Ball eligible, but should play a bit of Flegg, mostly spending his time with experience in NSW Cup and then a chance to make debut in 2nd half of the year.
I guess the only other issue is where would he play if Hastings is to be lock
As long as he is used as a lock, he is one of the most talented juniors to come out of SEQ since Chris MCKenna but is not at the same level when playing at prop which he was forced to do this year
I hope they don't see him and then try and push him to prop because of his size as it'll be a waste of skill and talent
He isn’t that big really given the videos / images you see him in. A bit like a John Asiata mould.
Either way I just hope we use him properly so we don't lose him to another team anytime soon. His market value would probably be high after being named Australian Schoolboy and starting for them too.
We're full of props across all junior grades. There's absolutely no need to turn him into one. He's a lock/second row and I'm sure that's where we'll play him
I certainly hope so cos the kid is good enough
You need to post this on the panthers forum 🤣
