Latu Fainu #282

Adam Doobie said:
He's young enough that I think staying here for at least one more contract would be in his best interest. Halves don't normally develop until mid 20s, so he has heaps of time on his side. Until then, it's best that he just tries to string a 20+-game season together.
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He's a baby better for him to stay AD will be moved to lock next year and there is always the injury God's about
 
Odessa said:
He's a baby better for him to stay AD will be moved to lock next year and there is always the injury God's about
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Providing AD continues playing well and coming up with regular line break involvements while playing in the halves, I think the grand plan will be for him to transition to 13 or 14 in 2028.
I reckon we ideally want Latu to play that 14 role, mostly coming on to add his creativity and impact as a 13 for this year and next before then looking at a more permanent move back into the halves in 2028.
Obviously the teams success will have a big say in how and when this all happens
 
Versatility is the key. Yes you have freaks like Cleary that play like an experienced half at 20 but most number 7’s aren’t that their peak until they are in their mid 20’s. Jock Madden and Tanah Boyd are both about 25/26 this year. Mitch Moses, Nicho Hynes, Metcalf, Reynolds, Jahrome Hughes didn’t reach there peak till there mid 20’s.
 
In a purest sense, logic says, that in 2027, Madden, and Luai are the halves, Latu 13 and Douehi to the centres, albeit on a roving commision. I would like this because, as I've said before, I favour a more structured, traditional halfback supported by a creative, running 6. There's no doubt that Latu could handle the defense required of a lock, especially if he gets stronger. Douehi creates a conundrum. He is a dangerous runner, possesses some creative ability and his defense has improved but he is not a half, especially a 7. Of course, there are a lot of ifs. Will Madden establish himself, will Latu and Douehi stay injury free, and will Douehi keep his form if moved to the 3 position? We're very lucky to have so many options and to have so many players, including Latu, buying in. Go Tigers!
 
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Tigerwould said:
Love how Latu speaks about Benji. Hope Latu stays at the WTs for long time. Lots of players play multiple positions of their career look at Luke Lewis and Dylan Walker (who Latu refers to in the article).
With the speed of the game, HIA and other injuries..the mixed skills going between a play playing lock and a half will be needed at times.
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Back when Sheens was at his best for us one of his maxims was that every player should aim to be capable of playing 2 positions, made a lot of sense back then, helps out the squad if injuries hit.
 
How long is jocks contract. I can see if he keeps consistency he will get a good pay rise to play elsewhere.
Latu I hope will sign on for a few more years but still an unknown quantity for his ceiling so his pay packet will be hard to calculate
 
clontarfkid said:
He's on $500 k/yr...!!It's yr 3 of a 4 yr contract....
I'd like glimpses at a minimum,but prefer sustainable and consistent contributions to our results at those $$
Yep just aint seeing it
We mite have to make choices between him and Madden soon
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Latu is possibly a generational talent cruelled by injuries to date who could/should play for NSW and Australia and be a club legend.

Madden is a little Aussie battler doing his best and will play out his days as a journeyman mostly in Reggies, sometimes filling in for injuries in firsts, before finishing up in the UK and then returning for a last hurrah at Wyong as captain/coach and finally slipping into anonymity along with the esteemed likes of Jack Cogger, Tyson Gamble and Brandon Wakeman.

There is no choice to make between Latu and Madden
 
ShanghaiCharlie said:
Latu is possibly a generational talent cruelled by injuries to date who could/should play for NSW and Australia and be a club legend.

Madden is a little Aussie battler doing his best and will play out his days as a journeyman mostly in Reggies, sometimes filling in for injuries in firsts, before finishing up in the UK and then returning for a last hurrah at Wyong as captain/coach and finally slipping into anonymity along with the esteemed likes of Jack Cogger, Tyson Gamble and Brandon Wakeman.

There is no choice to make between Latu and Madden
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Yoyre absolutely correct..there is no choice to make at the moment
Madden..MOM..has the best short kicking game in the club..the best goalkicker in the club..and straightens the attack better than any other 7 in the club..which will be even more beneficial playing with Luai who needs a 7 like that
Thought he was a soft signing but has proved me wrong
Up to Latu to actually deliver and displace him
 
Some have mentioned Latu to hooker with Api out. Would that suit his game?

He's got great defence, deceptively strong, solid passing game... He has the attributes. Is it worth getting him to understudy Api, learn the trade and focus on a position we need depth and ultimately take over from Api. Or is that a Sheenius, square peg, round hole move?

I know his oldest brother was a gun number 9 too...
 
Tiger Tarl said:
Some have mentioned Latu to hooker with Api out. Would that suit his game?

He's got great defence, deceptively strong, solid passing game... He has the attributes. Is it worth getting him to understudy Api, learn the trade and focus on a position we need depth and ultimately take over from Api. Or is that a Sheenius, square peg, round hole move?

I know his oldest brother was a gun number 9 too...
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I'd be inclined to start this week with Latu at #9 as defensively he is stronger than Hope & may just be a circuit-breaker for us in the opening 20 mins.

Much to many on here's dismay, I'd bring Hope on at the 20-minute mark once the sting has gone out of the game, give Latu a rest and then bring Latu back on at lock 15 mins into 2nd half.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
I'd be inclined to start this week with Latu at #9 as defensively he is stronger than Hope & may just be a circuit-breaker for us in the opening 20 mins.

Much to many on here's dismay, I'd bring Hope on at the 20-minute mark once the sting has gone out of the game, give Latu a rest and then bring Latu back on at lock 15 mins into 2nd half.
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100%.

I dont want to see Hope again though. Shithouse. Nice story. But shithouse.
 
We have to get Latu into the main 13 squad. I can't see any other option. Ideally it would be at 6 but can't see that happening, maybe 7 with Madden into 14. But who kicks then? Goals and tactical. I believe Murray has a stronger case for 9. Our available players are certainly exposing some broader squad weaknesses and lack of depth.
 
magpies forever said:
We have to get Latu into the main 13 squad. I can't see any other option. Ideally it would be at 6 but can't see that happening, maybe 7 with Madden into 14. But who kicks then? Goals and tactical. I believe Murray has a stronger case for 9. Our available players are certainly exposing some broader squad weaknesses and lack of depth.
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Totally agree with everything you say, give Latu a go at 7
 
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