On the eye test:
1) Matamua looks good as the ball playing link, a definite point of difference in our attack and brings Bula into the movement. Very strange we didn’t use him considering he trained all off season and our attack all year was atrocious
I actually didnt think that Matamua had a good game but I could see why they have had him earmarked in this position. He has a fantastic pass on him.
Not sure that I'd take the Fox on. As others have said, old wingers slow up all of a sudden and he is on the wrong side of his bell curve. He would bring experience but not sure he is a leader for these young guys around him? And getting the right sort of experience and leadership is as important as talent in regard to the next few signings.
Benji must get this right for everyone's sake including his own.
On the eye test:
1) Matamua looks good as the ball playing link, a definite point of difference in our attack and brings Bula into the movement. Very strange we didn’t use him considering he trained all off season and our attack all year was atrocious
I actually didnt think that Matamua had a good game but I could see why they have had him earmarked in this position. He has a fantastic pass on him.
Theres something there for sure. I like him. Criminal he didn’t get more game time this year.
On the eye test:
1) Matamua looks good as the ball playing link, a definite point of difference in our attack and brings Bula into the movement. Very strange we didn’t use him considering he trained all off season and our attack all year was atrocious
2) Kit looked great. Very powerful runner, similar to Pole and he looked very keen for work. Not sure what his position will be, particularly if Matamua is 13 but definitely a bench forward.
3) TDS a much better prospect than simpkins. Will definately be bench hooker in 24.
4) tupou had a great game, no errors that I noticed and ran hard. He’s wasted in our team at the moment because the ball never gets to him in space other than off a loose play or error.
5) Feledy, I don’t get it. Hopefully just a bad night but I don’t understand the wraps. He looks very small for a first grade centre ie not rangy like Campbell Gillard, not athletic like a manu, undersized vs a Best. I don’t think he’s it.
the issue again is that we had no halves and no game plan. Hopefully a lot of this year has been sheensball and the lack of halves. We will certainly know in the first month of season 2024 whether the club is toast because we will not survive another year like this.
Good summary....For no real reason other than Im thinking about it, my opinion of what is usable is listed below which is about 5 players short however reportedly we only have one roster spot available for next year. Desperately short of outside backs and no real depth for fullback.
1. Bula
2. tupou
3 Toa?
4...
5...Staines?
6 Sullivan
7 Sezer
8 Klemmer
9 Api
10 Stef
11 Papali'i
12 Bateman
13. Pole
14. TDS
15. Blore?
16. Twal
17. Lauli'ii
18. Matamua
19. Faagatu
20. reilly
21. James
22 Latu Fainu
23 Samuela Fainu
24 Sione Fainu (not good enough but surely part of the family deal?)
25
26
27
28
29
30
I think Tupou is best in the centres.
As it stands there are many questions in regards to what the backline looks like for 24. Looks set to again be a problem area.
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As it stands there are many questions in regards to what the backline looks like for 24. Looks set to again be a problem area.
We need some pace in our backline badly. Staines is fine if we re-sign him but Belinda Sharpe would out-run Nofa.
As it stands there are many questions in regards to what the backline looks like for 24. Looks set to again be a problem area.
that’s true but we do know that 1,6 and 7 are not changing so it’s really just focus on the outside backs. It doesn’t seem like there are any of the kids knocking down the door in flegg etc (happy to be corrected) so it’s a little more open to recruitment. Tupou as a centre is an idea I like because he will touch the ball more although I don’t have a strong view on his defensive technique (he is committed however). I like toa at centre as well, he has a nice evasive step and is very strong one on one, he makes a lot of meters in yardage but perhaps not the quickest centre (perhaps quick enough). Wingers are really just finished who are safe under the high ball and can provide assistance starting off the set. They are also usually some of the cheapest players on the field so I would think about going to market there. Staines is a bit undersized for my liking and I pray that noffa is traded out over the summer.
As it stands there are many questions in regards to what the backline looks like for 24. Looks set to again be a problem area.
Canberra NSW Cup backline in Xavier Savage, Harley Smith-Shields,Brad Morkos & James Schiller. One or two of them would definitely improve our backline. Harley Smith- Shields was rumoured to be heading to Parramatta a few months back but it must have fallen through.
MANLY CLEAN-OUT: Karl Lawton, Ben Condon, Kaeo Weekes, Zac Fulton and Kelma Tuilsgi have been given permission to leave IF they find offers elsewhere.
IF NOT - they will report to Manly training in November. Its important to note the players aren’t being forced out.
What is Weekes’ position?
@tigertownsfs we are for sure giving Zac Fulton a contract .
Hate to break it to everyone . And Kaeo Weekes . Once we get Olakoatu , that should be the last of the Fulton loyalists at Manly .
Even Karl Lawton has a lot to offer as a depth player .
Ar the warriors a few years ago during Covid he was consistently one of thier best . I don’t know what happened to him .
What does Fulton play?
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