I think this kid is the answer to our spine dilemma btw. I know he plays mostly fullback (some centre) in juniors, but I think he’s pretty clearly got the skill base for five-eighth, and I’m of the view there can be a “too big” for fullback. A couple of pre-seasons worth of bulk on Connor and he may get there.
I’ve been told that his playmaking/link play as a ball player has been a bigger emphasis in how they set up to use him as his junior career has gone on, I’m sure at least partially because just running downhill and scoring heaps of tries because you’re too big & strong isn’t great prep for playing against first graders, but also potentially because they’ve had the thought that he may play one off the ruck a lot more in higher grades if we’re gonna fit him into the team (not just in first grade - Fletcher Sharpe has looked really good as the NSW Cup fullback and doesn’t much look like a guy who could play another position).
I am someone who rolls my eyes a bit at how much hype some of our juniors get, but Votano to me looks like he’s in that Bradman Best category of potentially elite attributes. He looks like Matt Burton and Kalyn Ponga had a baby.
