Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Or he has had too many coffees with Api and Benji and he is hyperactive and confused, just isn't showing the potential in the last 2 trials might have to send him back to reserve grade for a while.
LIVE GAME Preseason Challenge v Eels
- Thread starter Moh
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Live Game Discussion
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Our attack close to the opposition tryline will improve with Api and Romey in the side, well I'm hoping it does early in the last trial I was having deja vu horror from games of last season.
Halbrowne61
Well-known member
It has to coz that’s still a weakness.
Two parts, get into red zone, then convert.
hammertime
Well-known member
Yep. He needs to go back for a bit. Didn't deserve the captaincy from what I saw. Although, I didn't like doueihis look at him with the missed tackle when he could have made it back to help with a slight bit of effort. If you have leaders like that who just go for the glory plays, then people like TDS are going to struggle with their development.
If we had literally no dummy halves then we might be able to get one - but with TDS fit there's no way the NRL gives an exemption.
Rock Hopper Steve
Well-known member
Wonder if Doueihi was put at half for window shopping to pursue his dream, it was a good performance, but defense issues still remain, might have 2 heading for the exit depending on how bad Naden's knee is.
He was playing first grade… and that was a pitiful attempt.
tigerballs
Well-known member
So Paps rated well below is even less special. Anyway. who really cares about kick return metres. You want your fullback to be participating in sweeping backline moves. Kick return metres are for props and wingers.
tigerballs
Well-known member
He's one of those kids that was outstanding in his age group but not quite progressing to NRL level. I've always had my doubts. The lazy penalties he gave away on Friday to me demonstrates a lack of awareness and application. He has a very high opinion of himself that hasn't been earned. Hope is playing on desperation and commitment. That bloke is giving 110%
I agree. There were 3 pitiful attempts. Douhie, Naden and TDS. That’s not the argument. I just don’t understand how AD gave the look he did when he also played a part. He got beat, gave up, then tried again after the horse had bolted. If he didn’t give up in the first place I’m pretty sure that try doesn’t get scored. Now if someone that played no part in the play gave the look, that I would understand.
To be honest I think it's a bit weird how many people are turning on TDS after one average trial...
Hope came on after all the hard work had been done and we were dominating - of course he looked better running the footy.
Of course TDS wasn't great but stil, he was very good in reserve grade last year AND he had some good games in first grade last year too
To me it seems like TDS is at the stage of his career where he should be coming off the bench in first grade for 30 mins a game - it will benefit him and Api
Problem is, Latu is also pushing for that spot...
tigerballs
Well-known member
But it's not just one average trial. It's two poor trials and one, maybe two good NRL games. He's been below average any time he came on last season. Maybe 2 or 3 years down the track. Maybe. Never been a fan.
I think it's pretty clear you've never been a fan haha
Personally I thought he was pretty solid every game he played for us last year with a couple very nice moment, especially when we lost to South's
Just think it's a bit crazy to prefer a 27 year old who's never played NRL and has looked good ar the back end of two trial games against reserve graders over him.
The club rates TDS very highly and I think they're gonna stick with him for a few more seasons at least - Hope can be a good third string option for us this year if needed.
Anyway at least we have options. Before Api we didn't have any good hookers since Robbie!
tigerballs
Well-known member
Mate, I'm a bit old school but IMO it takes an outstanding talent to defy the physical requirements to play NRL. Paps being one, maybe Cam Murray as a 13 but there's not too many that make it in the NRL that don't physically look like anyone else at that level. It's a complicated algorithm but it seems to work. I think TDS is too small. Plus he's carrying some swagger which doesn't help against the big boys.
There's also the other end of the spectrum... Turbo and Latrell are possibly the two best fullbacks in the game, but are they if they only play half the season? Maybe they're the two best centres? Keep them on the field for the whole year. There's a particular type that makes NRL. How many Australian Schoolboys make the grade? Even u/20 SOO?
I'm not sure why you are hung up on Paps? I'm not saying 13th is nothing special therefore Bula is shit. Just that 13th for kick return metres is nothing special. No one should be saying look how awesome Bula is he because he is ranked 13th, which someone did.
I pretty much agree that Kick return metres shouldn't really matter. For a team it should matter but less so for an individual. It is specifically about what any one individual brings to the team and the team dynamics ensuring those strengths are utilised. Some fullbacks kick return metres is one of the main strengths they do bring (Edwards, CNK).
For most, as you say, it is what they bring to backline moves that is their strength. This is where Paps thrives with his speed creating indecision in defence and turning half chances into clean breaks. Similarly Trbojevic and Mitchell's power running sees them either trample defenders or suck enough in to free up the outside men. Others don't have the same running strengths but elite pass selection Boyd was excellent, Gutherson is pretty good.
Most good fullbacks have more than one attacking string to their bow running metres, speed, power, pass selection, support play, even a kicking game.
In defence people talk about their ability (or usually their inability) to clean up opposition breaks. The other trait that doesn't get spoken about enough is how well the fullback organises a defensive line.
Now I originally said I think Bula is somewhat over rated (which is why I think you keep mentioning Paps). This has nothing to do with him "only" being ranked 13th. As I've said multiple times his kick return metres is fine. I think he is over rated because I don't see any one facet he is particularly good. Now to be fair he is pretty good at most aspects of attack ( and a great cover defender but can't organise a defensive line at all). He just isn't exceptional at any one thing. Yes, he is young and can still refine his skills but I don't see him ever being elite. I think his ceiling is a Will Kennedy. Fine player not the elite fullback that I keep reading Bula is/will be.
TigerJunior4
Well-known member
Yeah I find it a little odd as well.
He had two average trial games and is still 19/20 years old. He’s still eligible for Flegg and tbh in my opinion I don’t think he actually played too terribly on either game.
He’s played well in first grade and should start the season with Api out.
Plus everyone talking about the cover tackle he missed. Yes it was a poor attempt but he shouldn’t have to make a cover tackle in the first place. It was AD that got beat and Naden failed to cover ADs missed attempt.
Betterdays22
Well-known member
Gee this is a bit harsh? has played a handful of NRL games and not looked out of place. Not easy for a kid to come into first grade in the middle and carve it up straight away.
Bigscreentv
Well-known member
He’s still very young and these two trials he’s been playing within himself. Most players are to avoid injury. I wouldn’t be worried - he’s a much better player than he’s shown the last 2 weeks. We just need to be patient with him and let him build confidence.
Totally understand but a teams structure should be evident throughout the club.
The only difference should be execution.
Bula, Api and Luai will be significant.
I hope they don't go in to confident