yeahcaz
Well-known member
Finally someone else gets it.Hard to see any other combo.
It will be interesting too because we have run with Pole, Twal, Bateman and Seyfarth in the 13 and we can't say these guys are known ball players.
Bird at 13 vs these guys at 13 is where the comparison should be. A lot comparing him to other centres and backrowers, but in the make-up of our side, he qualifies as the best 13 we have.
I'm still not buying Latu Fainu at 13. I think as a ball player he is superior to Bird, but the 13 also has to make some dirty hitups and make a lot of tackles. I don't think you play to Latus strengths by throwing him into the meat grinder each game.
I've said it before, the Galvin decision will decide what happens with Fainu. I'm comfortable that Galvin or Fainu will be a good partner to Luai.
If Galvin stays, Fainu (or possibly Galvin) will need to find a position that fits the team. This will play out in time. We don't need to worry about it in 2025.
It sounds crazy to preserve bird by playing him in the middle but I think he should be a carbon copy of what Mann has done for the bulldogs this year. Only really plays 35-40 mins a game. Contributes to the attack really well and makes his tackles. That’s birds ideal role for us. Asking him to play 80 in an edge position every week, it’s likely inevitable he will get a long term injury.
We have to hope that Latu is keen to stay around for one year extra in and out of first grade to see what Galvin decides on. We need to hear his intentions early and if he signs for another club for 2027, he should be released early and all eggs go into the Luai and Fanu basket