I had the opportunity to attend the club's season launch Monday night of last week as a guest of one of the sponsors.
First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in organising the night - it was a great evening.
I would also like to congratulated all the players and staff who were present. Every player I approached was polite and happy to have a chat.
Special thanks to our much maligned CEO who organised a special 'walk through' of the Centre of Excellence for me on the Tuesday.
A few observations from the night - I was particularly impressed with Api and Papi - absolute gentlemen and delightful to talk to, (as were Brooksy and Daine). They are going to be immense for the club.
Wonderful to catch up with some of the 'old timers' - Skando, Heighno, Steve Lavers and Pat Richards.
I had the opportunity to talk with Sheensy about the young fellers coming through.
He waxed lyrical about the Large brothers, Talyn Da Silver and the young half playing for Balmain that we got from the Warriors - I can't remember his name just at present - and suggested they represent the future spine of the club.
Interestingly, young Ashton Large who is currently playing at hooker, is doing so primarily because he just loves the contact. Hooker may not the position the club sees him in down the track. (Both he and Onitoni can handle fullback as well, and it may be in this position that we first see them when they crack the NRL).
King Robbie may be able to add more to this, but I understood Tim to say that Ashton is even fast than Onitoni Large.
The 'scariest' player there was undoubtedly Pole! I'm not sure whether he just never learnt to smile or has forgotten how to, but that is one dude I would not wish to upset!
Anyway, if any of you guys get the opportunity to attend one of these nights, I would highly recommend it.
First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in organising the night - it was a great evening.
I would also like to congratulated all the players and staff who were present. Every player I approached was polite and happy to have a chat.
Special thanks to our much maligned CEO who organised a special 'walk through' of the Centre of Excellence for me on the Tuesday.
A few observations from the night - I was particularly impressed with Api and Papi - absolute gentlemen and delightful to talk to, (as were Brooksy and Daine). They are going to be immense for the club.
Wonderful to catch up with some of the 'old timers' - Skando, Heighno, Steve Lavers and Pat Richards.
I had the opportunity to talk with Sheensy about the young fellers coming through.
He waxed lyrical about the Large brothers, Talyn Da Silver and the young half playing for Balmain that we got from the Warriors - I can't remember his name just at present - and suggested they represent the future spine of the club.
Interestingly, young Ashton Large who is currently playing at hooker, is doing so primarily because he just loves the contact. Hooker may not the position the club sees him in down the track. (Both he and Onitoni can handle fullback as well, and it may be in this position that we first see them when they crack the NRL).
King Robbie may be able to add more to this, but I understood Tim to say that Ashton is even fast than Onitoni Large.
The 'scariest' player there was undoubtedly Pole! I'm not sure whether he just never learnt to smile or has forgotten how to, but that is one dude I would not wish to upset!
Anyway, if any of you guys get the opportunity to attend one of these nights, I would highly recommend it.
