OFFICIAL Starford To’a #253

[Dr_Ice]

This guy was playing so well to start 2025 and was carving up, then they gave him a 2 year extension and suddenly crashes back down to mediocrity since. Honestly should try modify it so he gets extended one game at a time so he puts in week in week out.

Actually I believe the extension was given when he was already a bit injured and form on the slide, which makes it more frustrating

 

[Alex.Angelakis]

I think starfford toa should get dropped to reserve grade to learn how to read the play and to tackle

 

[TigerBurnsy]

I think starfford toa should get dropped to reserve grade to learn how to read the play and to tackle

Apparently when he played in ressies this season he was shit and benji still picked him, id say theres a low chance he gets dropped cus hes one of benjis favourites, but he lookes cooked from all of his injuries and he dosent want to go into contact from it

 

[Tom Shines]

Disagree with Makasini given we need his class. I think fully fit he’s in our top squad every week and with our other injuries we don’t have the luxury of bringing him back through cup.

You are entitled to your opinion of course … and neither of us gets a say at the end of the day…

The use of the word class is premature IMO … It’s all potential so far …of which there is considerable …but he has been targeted by the opposition and really not shown anything since the season started … that try in the trials has been a curse really ..it’s ensured that the opposition has game planned for him and shut him down ( so far anyway)

I think there is a some risk to play him for not a lot of reward based on what he has shown …has it really been more than Herbert? … on the flip side if he is targeted by Bellamy and the Storm again and he has a shocker … what do you do then? Drop him ?

Given he hasn’t played a game since the Broncos where he was poor in that last 10 mins … I’d like to have a look at him in the Cup…perhaps he can get some confidence against much lesser players.. if that’s the case definitely bring him back the next week

 

[Alex.Angelakis]

Apparently when he played in ressies this season he was shit and benji still picked him, id say theres a low chance he gets dropped cus hes one of benjis favourites, but he lookes cooked from all of his injuries and he dosent want to go into contact from it

Yes I agree so if we all complain may be he might get over his stubbornness and drop him

 

[TigerNeddyK]

I'm confused whether it was bad reads, bad spacing or he put himself in that position to avoid direct contact.

Definitely the second worst player out there but in the last 30 minutes, our forwards got so dominated that they had 20m of space with 3 players defending and Sharks running on to each ball with pace.

I don't think even Herbie could have done much.

I can answer that .. he puts himself in position to avoid contact, and I only say that because he has plenty of form for it .. it is obvious and it is unforgivable as a first grader in a team sport

 

[TigerNeddyK]

You are entitled to your opinion of course … and neither of us gets a say at the end of the day…

The use of the word class is premature IMO … It’s all potential so far …of which there is considerable …but he has been targeted by the opposition and really not shown anything since the season started … that try in the trials has been a curse really ..it’s ensured that the opposition has game planned for him and shut him down ( so far anyway)

I think there is a some risk to play him for not a lot of reward based on what he has shown …has it really been more than Herbert? … on the flip side if he is targeted by Bellamy and the Storm again and he has a shocker … what do you do then? Drop him ?

Given he hasn’t played a game since the Broncos where he was poor in that last 10 mins … I’d like to have a look at him in the Cup…perhaps he can get some confidence against much lesser players.. if that’s the case definitely bring him back the next week

Difference is not ONCE this year has Makasini dodged contact or deliberately taken the soft option, he is also a rookie .. I’d much rather a player miss a tackle while putting his body on the line like maka might or even Tavama did yesterday than a player that just dogged it like toa did on several occasions yesterday and previously.. tavana had a shocker but he kept trying his heart out .. I’ll take that over a Toa every day of the week

 

[TonyTiger]

from the games Makasini played this year I thought he looked better at centre than wing. I go May and Makasini in the centres.

Herbert and May in the centres for me - Herbert is all effort and skill … Mackasini back to the wing where he can burn down the sideline without being set upon as soon as he touches the ball.

 

[Odessa]

Agree

Locked in till 2028
Fantastic.

I would be giving the knights a call and ask is James Schiller available wing and centre solid player he's stuck behind some great players up there

 

[Demps]

I would be giving the knights a call and ask is James Schiller available wing and centre solid player he's stuck behind some great players up there

Yeah, he's been playing cup.
Always liked him.

Have seen some shocking performances from him this year though.
Still, better than Starford.

 

[BirchgroveTiger]

Herbert in for Toa. Herbert can tackle, Toa can’t tackle . Herbert was best player in the Cup game vs Parra on Easter Monday. He won’t let us down, Toa didn’t even try to tackle, not acceptable!
I’d have Skelton and Turuva on the wing

 

[orange&black]

Before Toa was back in the side we had 17 guys who were trying their guts out in every aspect of the game. Sorry but he just doesn’t fit that ethic. Give me Herbert any day ahead of Toa, at least Herbert looks like he wants to be there. He might make a mistake but he’s giving it everything.
Toa on the other hand is a soft and lazy player.

 

[upthetigers]

Nofoaluma 2.0

Noffa was a better player then Toa

 

[upthetigers]

Herbert in for Toa. Herbert can tackle, Toa can’t tackle . Herbert was best player in the Cup game vs Parra on Easter Monday. He won’t let us down, Toa didn’t even try to tackle, not acceptable!
I’d have Skelton and Turuva on the wing

And who at fullback?

 

[Tom Shines]

Difference is not ONCE this year has Makasini dodged contact or deliberately taken the soft option, he is also a rookie .. I’d much rather a player miss a tackle while putting his body on the line like maka might or even Tavama did yesterday than a player that just dogged it like toa did on several occasions yesterday and previously.. tavana had a shocker but he kept trying his heart out .. I’ll take that over a Toa every day of the week

I’m actually saying to pick Herbert out of the three this week ..give Makasini a chance to get a confidence booster in NSW Cup,,,

I will bet Benji sees it different and keeps his boy Toa

 

[crazycat]

Noffa was a better player then Toa

yes, but not a better defender.

Also Toa had a shocker. His 2025 form was better then this.
He has gone back to 2024/23 form and that we can do without.

Look Banish him to reserve grade, but this was really bad even for his usual form.

 

[hammertime]

Perth will be desperate. Might be worth looking for an offload.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

still a better player than Herbert

I am hoping makasini is back in the frame

 

[Tim Sheens]

still a better player than Herbert

I am hoping makasini is back in the frame

Sure, Toa probably has a higher ceiling, but the ladder to get him there is missing rungs level busted, and it has long been obvious. He ranks third behind both Herbert and Turuva at right centre so far this season for mine.

I still struggle to understand how Benji and Richardson couldn't see that, and worse still, extended his contract in such circumstances. We should have a roster spot available from next year that Starford could be be competing for, yet here we are.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

If Toa is picked this arvo I will be shocked, just shocked, it looks to me like he's playing as if his shoulder is held together by an elastic band.

If it's not the case and that's what he wants to dish up on game day and he's picked, what happened to Benji's standards, what message is it sending to the juniors that you can play like a pedestrian and still get a game.

No standards met means no 1st grade, hell, his last game wasn't even reserve grade standard.