Roar_Power
Well-known member
Can't see Sezer or Matamua being on the bench in 2025; and where is Latu Fainu?
For Cup, need to aim higher than the likes of Sione Vaihu. The other names seem solid though.
For Cup, need to aim higher than the likes of Sione Vaihu. The other names seem solid though.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
If Sezer can be persuaded into becoming a utility next season, his experience and direction would be invaluable off the bench to relieve Api. No room for Simpkin currently and I think Sezer would be a better dummy-half than Sullivan.
Am hoping Matamua keeps getting reps & long minutes this season, then a big pre-season, next year could see him rocket!
Vaihu just on a NSW Cup contract is fine. I just think we'll prioritise home-grown players than recruits.
jrtiger
Well-known member
I think you're right. expose them to playing men this year and dealing with the week to week grind before springboarding into preseason 2025 and beyond. I'm hopeful we can see a change in the win-loss column towards the back end of the year.
Trouble is that's still confined to the same limited pool lacking talent .Matamua been on the books 3 years and doesn't look like making it
I want someone with an eagle eye for talent who looks beyond our borders
Eg:Storm lose Papenhausen and guess what they have a kid named Sua Faalogo WOW
this kids a star !
Admit weve come up with 2 Bula and Galvin
However we really lack quality depth
We can put a reasonable 13 on the park but our bench is weak and our reserve grade is way way below par
balmain boy
Well-known member
I first suggested we sign Faalogo about 3 years ago. He single handedly got a draw against Balmain in an SG Ball game, think he got 24 points including 2 field goals.
These are the sorts of juniors we need to target. X factor, players who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and with the talent and physical attributes to make a real difference.
Looking at our cubs squad there are still no backs with x factor, anyone who stands out from the pack.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Mason, Makasini ???
Have often mentioned that over the years....
If there's a player in Lower grades who's an out and out star - They're very easy to spot.
(Especially in the Spine)
Even the long term NRL Players usually stand out.
I think it's easy to forget how much fodder is in Lower Grades,
The percentage that go on from 20's to have an NRL career is alarming.
It maybe doesn't seem that way because we only pay attention to the few?
Even the ones that do kill it, Very few go on to have a decent 1st grade career....
Seen so many come through that would seem likely, to end up nowhere....
The Kid that won best and fairest in our 20's GF win (Mulcahy was his name, I think?)
He was the best player on ground, in the biggest game of the year for that whole comp...
Couldn't even get a 2nds contract the next year, Went back to Group 6 from memory?
balmain boy
Well-known member
Mason has a bit of something, but he's still so small and not as skilled as someone like Walsh. He already got injured after a few Cup games too. He's got to work on his body.
Makasini has something, but he's one where i'm not quite sure how he'll progress. Crichton? or Star Toa. Both were gun centres in the Aussie schoolboys side a few years back, with size and a bit of speed. One kicked on, the other is still at the same level once he was playing men every week.
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Totally agree BB we've got to look "outside the box " as the expression goes !
In response to the poster about recruiting and developing the Storm way, a lot of their players are older when they make their first grade debuts. Harry Grant was 22 from memory. Kamakamitha was 24. Examples only, but these guys have had years to develop their bodies, minds and games in reserve grade against men. And it shows not long after they debut as they contribute immediately and some go on to be stars not long after. Of course the Storm have the luxury to do this as they have a strong first grade squad. Whereas we are desperate for 18 to 20 year olds to be immediate stars when most of them would be best served having a couple of years in reserve grade with more coaching and debuting in their very early twenties.
Buttface
Well-known member
Not wrong, there should be a couple of outside backs and a forward or two positions up for grabs. If I were Benji I’d make it known too.
AceofSpades
Well-known member
Kepaoa & Lui-Toso out, Miller & Broederlow to start with Faagutu off the bench. Iverson Matai 18th man
king_sirro
Well-known member
AJ put suggests he will be in the NRL next week with Bateman and Papalii missing.
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Look like Kepaoa out means he will be somewhere in the 17 next week with potentially no Bateman and Ice. Good chance for Broederlow to show what he can do in Cup though. By all reports has been near best on ground each week in Flegg.
Would have to think any of the outside backs are a chance of playing in the backline next week if they put in a strong performance today.
I just don't know where we get any points and creativity from today with Ryan and Casey in the halves.
AceofSpades
Well-known member
We're currently up 12-0 at 20mins after tries to Sione Fainu & Alaimalo. Hopefully we can keep it up
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Probably the best half I have seen from them all season. Up 18 to 4. Miller and Sione Fainu have been fantastic. A lot to like from them. Curtis Wilson looking good at fullback. Only real problem has been ill discipline giving plenty of opportunities to Knights (which for the most part they have defended well).
Tigerstigerstigers
Well-known member
How’s Declan Casey playing ?
Tigers_Wests
Well-known member
Beautiful no look pass to send a barnstorming Jordan Miller over for a try a couple of minutes out from half time. Other than that, has been holding his own.
