Matt Groat @ Dragons

[Tim Sheens]

The poor bustard, he was a lamb sent into the wolves, and damaged goods way before Potter arrived. I wish him all the best and hope he continues the resurgence he showed throughout the back two-thirds of last season.

 

[jirskyr]

Promise me we won't hear whinging a la Fifita if Groat makes a go of it at the Dragons.

 

[foreveratiger]

I think Sheens wrecked his confidence by putting him in 1st grade way before his time and Teo giving him a reminder what 1st grade is all about .

 

[tigerbenji]

I Liked Groat & i think he will improve big time, Good luck to the Kid.

 

[westTAHger]

hopefully he can reach his full potential, regardless of who he plays for.
I would like to see him rip into his opponents, and not give an inch when defending.
I'm sure he has mongrel/hard ass player in him, how long it takes to surface, will have to wait and see

 

[fergiefurr]

Agree with most on here that sheens threw him in way too early

He was still disappointing though, another guy who was 6'2 and 105kgs at 16 so was used to being the biggest, baddest dude around. When he came up against guys he's own size and more experienced he simply wasn't up to it. Even in the 20s I thought begovich regularly out played him. As said though it wasn't his fault, he simply wasn't ready

 

[batboy]

Most people that think Groat is something special obviously didn't see his game against the Raiders 20's when he came back last year…
- He was made to look stupid by kids, After 8-10 games of 1sts on the trot.
Yeah, He was thrown in too early... Yeah Te'o smashed him... But that's got nothing to do with why he wasn't used last year (although he seemed to go OK for a bit in Ressies)

He runs straight up and down, Is never on the Front foot (Therefore is smashed and driven back a lot)... Has no footwork what so ever, And has ordinary pace.
Until he fixes at least some of these things, He will never make a solid first grader!!
Begovich outplayed him constantly for us, It was a shame Begi didn't get thrown in at Kogarah that day, He could've been anything!!
Now that Groaty isn't 3 times bigger than everyone else he seems to struggle somewhat.
Yes, the dragons have signed him.... But they've also signed Willie Mataka, So it doesn't mean he will see first grade. He is there for a back up... At best!!
I wish him well, He's a great kid.... But I wouldn't have him I front of anyone we have now!!

 

[fergiefurr]

It was said on here that begovich got offered a nsw cup contract after he finished in the 20s however knocked it back to pursue a business venture.

Good luck to him if that's the case, however I too thought he could have been a decent first grader.

 

[batboy]

That State Cup contract should have been a top 25 Contract,
As Groat has had for a couple years.. Had he made his debut that day instead of Groat, I believe It would have swayed him.
Same as any job, Any employee would get jaded when someone they're consistently out performing (And they're quite aware of it) gets all the glory!!

Heck at that time, We had guys like J.Schirnack, J.Roqiqa and later J.Grant in top 25!!

 

[happy_tiger]

That State Cup contract should have been a top 25 Contract,
As Groat has had for a couple years.. Had he made his debut that day instead of Groat, I believe It would have swayed him.
Same as any job, Any employee would get jaded when someone they're consistently out performing (And they're quite aware of it) gets all the glory!!

Heck at that time, We had guys like J.Schirnack, J.Roqiqa and later J.Grant in top 25!!

You'd still think that you would shop yourself around if you thought you were up to it and weren't getting a shot

I'm sure his dream would of been to play NRL