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Team v Tigers

JJ

Immortal
Messages
33,238
I think JJ was making a joke about his drug dealing...but yeah, Vatuvei was genuinely fast and faster than most of those named. Peak for peak I would've backed him in over someone like Locke over a 100m sprint and probably 40m too. Of course, with big blokes their speed is less functional for rugby league because they are slower over the first 5-10 and need to be moving in a straight line for max speed.
It fell flat but goes both ways. He was fast, like Lomu was very fast, but exactly as you say his acceleration and turning etc not a strength. Don’t think many would have caught him across 70 m
 
Messages
1,216
I’d take Harper over Kosi. What do people have against him?
He had one particularly bad game against the Sharks a few years back. Apparently the dude was sick as a dog at the time, but that game's followed him around like a bad smell.

Beav will know more, but from memory he was otherwise pretty good for Manly in '21/'22.

No idea how he's going in Cup but he's played 15 games and they're winning so cant be terrible. And he's always had a bit of fire about him... I'd take him over Kosi on that basis alone.
 
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1,216
The frustration that I previously had with Ford is that he was holding back players with bigger upside, such as Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban...my frustration with him is somewhat lessened by having these players so firmly embedded in the side.
Him moving to the middle is probably helping too.

a) he's not blocking Leka and Laban in particular; and b) he's not cramping attacking opportunities on the edges.

His role is pretty simple these days and his motor is perfect for it... catch, carry and tackle, for as long as he can.
 

Manu Vatuvei

Coach
Messages
17,434
I thought Metcalfe was express pace? Could be wrong but he looked it to the naked eye.

I'd say fast but a step below the cream of the crop flyers. He's the sort of fast where he outruns slow guys but another fast guy will catch him. See e.g. Fletcher Sharpe running him down earlier this season.

Overall though the NRL is full of good athletes and I think the gap between fast guys and slow guys gets exaggerated. There's a massive overlap in "who can run down who" when you take into account that players are slower when carrying the ball.
 

Leber

Bench
Messages
4,028
Harper has never played wing in his nrl career. He’s a straight out centre. Based on how shit berry was last week, I’d have Harper over him.

And as much as it sucks, I think we are stuck with Kosi until cnk or dwz is back.
 

SpaceMonkey

Immortal
Messages
41,365
He had one particularly bad game against the Sharks a few years back. Apparently the dude was sick as a dog at the time, but that game's followed him around like a bad smell.

Beav will know more, but from memory he was otherwise pretty good for Manly in '21/'22.

No idea how he's going in Cup but he's played 15 games and they're winning so cant be terrible. And he's always had a bit of fire about him... I'd take him over Kosi on that basis alone.
Yeah that Manly game has been an albatross around his neck, every other time I’ve seen him he’s looked like a solid enough journeyman first grader.
 

SpaceMonkey

Immortal
Messages
41,365
I'd say fast but a step below the cream of the crop flyers. He's the sort of fast where he outruns slow guys but another fast guy will catch him. See e.g. Fletcher Sharpe running him down earlier this season.

Overall though the NRL is full of good athletes and I think the gap between fast guys and slow guys gets exaggerated. There's a massive overlap in "who can run down who" when you take into account that players are slower when carrying the ball.
Metcalf is one of those quick over 40, not that quick over 80-100 guys. Hits a gap and accelerates real well but doesn’t really have a ton of top end.
 

Big Marn

Bench
Messages
3,425
The NFL have gps trackers on players to determine their in game speed. Anything topping 21mph (which equates to 33.7 kph) is considered fast.
The NRL should consider doing something like that. Players love having bragging rights.
 
Messages
1,216
The NFL have gps trackers on players to determine their in game speed. Anything topping 21mph (which equates to 33.7 kph) is considered fast.
The NRL should consider doing something like that. Players love having bragging rights.
Was pretty sure they already did but wasnt sure on the details so had to go looking.

Telstra Tracker is gps (and other sensor) based, and player speeds are often reported off the back of that data.

Found this article from just before Magic Round - check out who they mention had the quickest recorded speed amongst halfbacks and backrowers...

 

Big Marn

Bench
Messages
3,425
O
Was pretty sure they already did but wasnt sure on the details so had to go looking.

Telstra Tracker is gps (and other sensor) based, and player speeds are often reported off the back of that data.

Found this article from just before Magic Round - check out who they mention had the quickest recorded speed amongst halfbacks and backrowers...

Oh true completely forgot about that
 

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