Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Canadian Club said:
Would be a great signing if true. Some people don't rate him based on some of his performances, but he would be much better suited here than at Newcastle. He has suffered more than anyone from the poor halves play and instability at Newcastle.

Attacking backrowers like KPP need a good quality half inside attracting defenders and giving good ball. The best backrowers have good halves inside of them. Katoa with Hughes, Olakua'atu with DCE, Martin with Cleary etc. Even Crichton has struggled this year with Keary now gone.

It also opens up Seyfarth to move back to the bench who can cover middle and edge, which also provides the front row depth that we need.
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I really hope so. At the moment our halves ar struggling to use our backrowers and get them running good attractive lines (Is it the halves fault? Is it out weak backrowers? is it Benji? - I don't know), but we have no idea how to use our backrowers, which I think is a large reason our attack is poor (We should have put the sharks away in that first half last week, and in both games against newcastle we had mountains of possession but couldn't score).
 
BBTF said:
I really hope so. At the moment our halves ar struggling to use our backrowers and get them running good attractive lines (Is it the halves fault? Is it out weak backrowers? is it Benji? - I don't know), but we have no idea how to use our backrowers, which I think is a large reason our attack is poor (We should have put the sharks away in that first half last week, and in both games against newcastle we had mountains of possession but couldn't score).
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It comes down to two things here. Both Galvin and Luai are run first halves. Their first instinct is to run rather than engage the line and create the gap for the second rower. They both like to skip across the field looking for lazy defenders or gaps for themselves.

The second is the backrower. Samuela does look to run that line ball but is still learning timing. He came through mainly playing front row so this is only his second full season of playing backrow exclusively. He's only 21 so he will get learn this as time goes on. He's still be great but he can elevate to a Olakau'atu with time. Seyfarth doesn't quite have the athleticism or explosiveness. He does occassionally run a good line, but usually he needs the half to make sure he is clean through without contact because he doesnt have the strength or athleticism to break tackles/the line effectively.

This is where Latu comes in, and personally why i've always been on the Latu over Galvin train. Galvin and Luai are runners, when they get the ball they look to skip across the line and try to find space for themselves. Whereas Latu likes to engage defenders by drawing them in, either creating the gap for the second rower to run the line ball or shifting the ball to take advantage of the numbers that he has created out wide. Perfect example is the Seyfarth try against Manly at Leichhardt last season. He gets the ball, squares up and engages his inside and outside man which creates a large gap in the line for Seyfarth to run through untouched.

In my opinion, thats why a halves combo of Latu and Luai has a greater chance of success. Greater balance of ball playing and ball running. Their success will be more based around what is put around them rather than their own abilities.
 
Canadian Club said:
It comes down to two things here. Both Galvin and Luai are run first halves. Their first instinct is to run rather than engage the line and create the gap for the second rower. They both like to skip across the field looking for lazy defenders or gaps for themselves.

The second is the backrower. Samuela does look to run that line ball but is still learning timing. He came through mainly playing front row so this is only his second full season of playing backrow exclusively. He's only 21 so he will get learn this as time goes on. He's still be great but he can elevate to a Olakau'atu with time. Seyfarth doesn't quite have the athleticism or explosiveness. He does occassionally run a good line, but usually he needs the half to make sure he is clean through without contact because he doesnt have the strength or athleticism to break tackles/the line effectively.

This is where Latu comes in, and personally why i've always been on the Latu over Galvin train. Galvin and Luai are runners, when they get the ball they look to skip across the line and try to find space for themselves. Whereas Latu likes to engage defenders by drawing them in, either creating the gap for the second rower to run the line ball or shifting the ball to take advantage of the numbers that he has created out wide. Perfect example is the Seyfarth try against Manly at Leichhardt last season. He gets the ball, squares up and engages his inside and outside man which creates a large gap in the line for Seyfarth to run through untouched.

In my opinion, thats why a halves combo of Latu and Luai has a greater chance of success. Greater balance of ball playing and ball running. Their success will be more based around what is put around them rather than their own abilities.
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Great explanation - I would add that with eyes up footy the backrowers need to be running lines that can be hit when the playmakers see something. Think the Kickau/Luai combination at the Riff.

As easy as it sounds the timing is often the issue - and why it has taken several rounds for Sam F to be coming good with Luai. It is simialar on the other side of the paddock with Galvin, but the edge relationship with Seyfarth is not developing. Too sideways and ball too early for the most part.

Definitely looking forward to seeing how well Latu comes on when his thumb heals!
 
BBTF said:
I really hope so. At the moment our halves ar struggling to use our backrowers and get them running good attractive lines (Is it the halves fault? Is it out weak backrowers? is it Benji? - I don't know), but we have no idea how to use our backrowers, which I think is a large reason our attack is poor (We should have put the sharks away in that first half last week, and in both games against newcastle we had mountains of possession but couldn't score).
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Is this just "gel" or as Siebold calls it attacking flow?

I feel we have gone from a horrible start/stop of the last 3 years to a kinda sorting things out movement this year.

Between backrow and halves they need to learn where to expect the ball and the halves need to learn who can be trusted to take a pass and score. I think we have this in us so much more this year...

Considering it's Galvin/Pole/Seyfarth who were counting on... were not doing badly. Luai/May being added to the mix will just make it better. ...

All I am saying is it takes time for a good gel to develop. Like say between Farah and Fulton.
 
Canadian Club said:
It comes down to two things here. Both Galvin and Luai are run first halves. Their first instinct is to run rather than engage the line and create the gap for the second rower. They both like to skip across the field looking for lazy defenders or gaps for themselves.

The second is the backrower. Samuela does look to run that line ball but is still learning timing. He came through mainly playing front row so this is only his second full season of playing backrow exclusively. He's only 21 so he will get learn this as time goes on. He's still be great but he can elevate to a Olakau'atu with time. Seyfarth doesn't quite have the athleticism or explosiveness. He does occassionally run a good line, but usually he needs the half to make sure he is clean through without contact because he doesnt have the strength or athleticism to break tackles/the line effectively.

This is where Latu comes in, and personally why i've always been on the Latu over Galvin train. Galvin and Luai are runners, when they get the ball they look to skip across the line and try to find space for themselves. Whereas Latu likes to engage defenders by drawing them in, either creating the gap for the second rower to run the line ball or shifting the ball to take advantage of the numbers that he has created out wide. Perfect example is the Seyfarth try against Manly at Leichhardt last season. He gets the ball, squares up and engages his inside and outside man which creates a large gap in the line for Seyfarth to run through untouched.

In my opinion, thats why a halves combo of Latu and Luai has a greater chance of success. Greater balance of ball playing and ball running. Their success will be more based around what is put around them rather than their own abilities.
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Well said,
I totally agree, we need a halfback and we have 2 5/8's...

Thinking about it, why dinnit this work for us before Josh Reynolds + Benji?
The answer is Luai actually cares about defense and we have a backline to back that up. Benji seemed to take the 5/8 spot from Reynolds and I know Reynolds as a tackler WAS a great defender at the dogs... With Josh coming here and changing positions a lot he never did any of that organisation (as well as letting the occasional tackle go through).

With 2 new teams coming into the NRL we really need to identify who is critical to our team.
Skelton + Turuva have really turned this team around. Must keep.
May.
Luai.
Api, we wouldn't be here without him.
Samuela + Latu Fainu...

The really nice to have's:
AD
Toa (either as backup center or starting if we can't get Taylan).
Pole and Seyfarth.

Hopefully we can really add to that list.
 
BBTF said:
I really hope so. At the moment our halves ar struggling to use our backrowers and get them running good attractive lines (Is it the halves fault? Is it out weak backrowers? is it Benji? - I don't know), but we have no idea how to use our backrowers, which I think is a large reason our attack is poor (We should have put the sharks away in that first half last week, and in both games against newcastle we had mountains of possession but couldn't score).
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Coaching should take care of this, but theres also a little body science to consider with Sammy and Seyfarth. Both are built tall and a little lighter than other back rowers out there ie Fafita, Carrigan, Yeo ect. Maybe some angles like we saw from the Shire derricks last week,
Nikora runs some great inside and reverse lines off the 6, works great for them. Just not at Leichhardt haha.
 
Moh said:
I'm pretty sure I remember majority of the forum writing Tallyn off after the trials.

But I'm with ya. See him as a long-term hooker and leader at the club.
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Long time ago.

Lots of people expect players to be great on day 1.

Thus year we have seen Improvement is evidenced in

TDS
Twal
Sione Fainu
Adam D
Pole
 
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