OFFICIAL Pathways - KOE General Discussion

[Bellend]

All they young blokes to stay in KOE cup for remainder of the season, then the off season weights and conditioning, then another season KOE cup then hopefully of mid-27 they cans start poking their heads into first grade and this includes Latu.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Over the past few seasons, we have debuted numerous guys in first grade after a few games in cup or directly from flegg: Laulilii x 2, Mason, Galvin, Miller, Feledy, Matamua, Maksini, Pole, Da Silva Tumeth, Fainu x 2, Bula, Tavana and Kautoga. Most of those players were elevated prematurely and struggled to find their feet. Some were even found wanting when they were demoted to cup like K Laulilii, Matamua and Mason, highlighting the folly of bringing them into grade early.

The club should be commended for taking a more judicious approach to Andrews' development. He has been allowed to develop his skills in cup, and after a slowish start to the season, he now comfortably leads the comp for line break assists and try assists. His defence has also improved as he adapts to the physicality of playing against older guys.

When he does get his chance in first grade - most likely in the final rounds of this season - it will be as the best playmaker in cup, not an untested prodigy. I expect him to start next season in cup before transitioning to our starting 5/8 in first grade towards the end of year.

 

[jstigers]

Over the past few seasons, we have debuted numerous guys in first grade after a few games in cup or directly from flegg: Laulilii x 2, Mason, Galvin, Miller, Feledy, Matamua, Maksini, Pole, Da Silva Tumeth, Fainu x 2, Bula, Tavana and Kautoga. Most of those players were elevated prematurely and struggled to find their feet. Some were even found wanting when they were demoted to cup like K Laulilii, Matamua and Mason, highlighting the folly of bringing them into grade early.

The club should be commended for taking a more judicious approach to Andrews' development. He has been allowed to develop his skills in cup, and after a slowish start to the season, he now comfortably leads the comp for line break assists and try assists. His defence has also improved as he adapts to the physicality of playing against older guys.

When he does get his chance in first grade - most likely in the final rounds of this season - it will be as the best playmaker in cup, not an untested prodigy. I expect him to start next season in cup before transitioning to our starting 5/8 in first grade towards the end of year.

Why would Andrews go into play NRL this year when they have Luai, AD, Madden & Latu? we have those 4 next year also, Only in 2028 when Luai and possibly Madden are gone it would be worth pushing him into nrl, why risk a player who is playing with alot of confidence only to potentially have a Makasiini highlight reel 2.0 and lose confidence?

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Why would Andrews go into play NRL this year when they have Luai, AD, Madden & Latu? we have those 4 next year also, Only in 2028 when Luai and possibly Madden are gone it would be worth pushing him into nrl, why risk a player who is playing with alot of confidence only to potentially have a Makasiini highlight reel 2.0 and lose confidence?

I should clarify that if the season's on the line, Andrews won't debut. But if we're out of finals contention, 1 or 2 games at the end of the season is the perfect time to blood new players.

Andrews will have had a full season in Cup, unlike Makasini who was limited by school commitments to 3 games in Cup and 2 games in Flegg, not to mention he was coming off a fairly lacklustre season in Ball. Andrews is also 18 months older than Makasini. I am confident that Andrews will handle the step up to first grade better than Makasini, but regardless, I would introduce him slowly - a couple of games this year, and then start him in cup next year with a view to moving him into firsts on a permanent basis towards the end of the year.

 

[Lestronge]

I should clarify that if the season's on the line, Andrews won't debut. But if we're out of finals contention, 1 or 2 games at the end of the season is the perfect time to blood new players.

Andrews will have had a full season in Cup, unlike Makasini who was limited by school commitments to 3 games in Cup and 2 games in Flegg, not to mention he was coming off a fairly lacklustre season in Ball. Andrews is also 18 months older than Makasini. I am confident that Andrews will handle the step up to first grade better than Makasini, but regardless, I would introduce him slowly - a couple of games this year, and then start him in cup next year with a view to moving him into firsts on a permanent basis towards the end of the year.

He will have 2 full seasons IMO. When Romey goes next year he will be given the keys . Until then win a few comps in the lower grades , and develop your body. Because as good as he is , he has ADs issue of not using his shoulder to tackle and that’s not on in first grade. Much like AD had to learn , he’s a unit , and can whack a bloke . Took AD a long time to get that in his head . I hope it doesn’t take nearly as long for Javon

 

[Bellend]

Heavy off season of weights and conditioning and at a minimal half a season in Koe cup, then start to blood the younger guys, you rush them they do not develop correctly an this is what we are guilty of.