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Obiviously in general it was a terribly disappointing season, we got ourselves in a good position to make the 8 and as all Elliot sides do, we faded terribly in the back end. With that said, let's go through and provide ratings for players and coach.
Matt Elliot = 2/10 - The side started off playing pretty well defensively, but our attack always relied on individual brilliance and the defense disappeared when it mattered most. The guy sucks, his gameplans are terrible and he can't lift the side for big games, so pissed off that he has been re-signed.
Jarrod Sammut = 3.5/10 - Shows flashes of individual brilliance which are overshadowed by his ability to make regular mistakes, poor positional play and woeful defense. Takes risks when they are not required, has ability but he is a selfish player and I don't think he has the physical traits to play first grade, I think we may have seen his last game.
Lachlan Coote = 5.5/10 - The fact that he couldn't wrestle the starting fullback job from Sammut says a lot, but he is still very young. Needs to improve his support play and get bigger and stronger, but I was impressed with his positional play, footwork and ability to contribute in the backline. Defensively weak also but at least he has a go, should improve with strength training. Would like to see him starting from day one next season.
Shane Elford = 5/10 - A solid first grade winger, nothing more, nothing less. Was effective running from dummy half and was solid defensively, but he ain't the kind of player that will elevate the play of our side, he is more of a solid fill-in. I'd be happy to see him stick around for depth, nothing more.
Junior Tia Kilifi = 7/10 - So disappointing to see him leave us, while many other backs (cough cough Jennings) seem to disappear when the going gets tough, this guy continues to rip in to help out our forwards and he is very effective taking the ball up from dummy half. Has good pace, strong ball runner and solid defensively, has plenty of potential but our club would prefer to develop David Simmons, so disappointed, I wish him all the best at the Bulldogs.
Michael Gordon = 7/10 - One of our most consistent players, always helps out the forwards, very reliable and an amazing goal kicker. Injury obviously hampered his season, but I though he was a bit underwhelming in the last month, showed little urgency against the Eels and had little effect at fullback. Generally a strong ball runner, plenty of pace and safe under the high ball, hope to see him play a bit better next season, may get another stint at fullback if Coote goes down.
Michael Jennings = 8/10 - Our best back and biggest gamebreaker, Jennings certainly delivered this season and forced his way into the NSW side. The guy has amazing pace and acceleration, a nightmare to stop one on one, without his individual brilliance we would have lost many more games. Furthermore, I believe he has succeeded in spite of our game plans as he rarely received early clean ball. Having said that I believe he has some things to work on to reach the next level, his defense is still suspect (McDougall made him look ordinary yesterday) and he goes missing when the team needs him most (in the last month of the season did nothing). He needs to step up and become a leader if he wants $400k a season, I don't want us paying him that if he only touches the ball 5-6 times per game.
Brad Tighe = 6/10 - Showed glimpses of pace and game breaking ability, but this is overshadowed by poor ball handling and poor defense. I thought he played better as the season went on and by the end was one of our better attacking weapons, should be a starter for next season.
Geoff Daniela = 4/10 - Many here like him but I think he is overrated, did very little for us this season and is a defensive liability, has little to worry opposing defenders. While I would prefer to keep him over Simmons, not sad to see him leave us.
Wade Graham = 6/10 - Still a promising young player in my eyes, but I agree that his lack of pace and footwork may be his downfall. He tries very hard, has natural leadership skills, great passing game and a surprisingly good kicking game (Walsh should allow him to kick more often). Needs to work on his defense and his ability to beat people one on one, needs to develop that ability that Lewis has to hold the ball in two hands and slide through gaps. I'm starting to agree with Fibor though that his best position may be lock, should get another crack at 5/8 next season.
Luke Walsh = 7/10 - Say what you want about him but our team would not have been challenging for a final birth without him. Obviously played his best football during midseason where he had an effective running game, great organiser, was kicking well and giving early ball to our threats out wide. However he certainly regressed as the season went on and became a huge defensive liability, his kicking game was woeful and he became an 'inside ball' machine. Knights fans tell me he is the kind of player who follows his coaches instructions down to a tee, this may explain his regression. For us to compete next season, he needs to start and return to his form earlier this season.
Petero Civoniceva = 8/10 - The heart and soul of the side, I don't think it's a co-incidence that the side fell apart in his absence, the intangibles that he brings can not be quanitified. Tough, a metre eater, a workhorse and born leader, he has been worth every penny that we paid, but he can't keep going forever, hopefully he can help some of the younger guys develop.
Frank Puletua = 5/10 - Again, a solid first grader who would not be starting for most teams in the comp. Tries hard and has a dig, but is physically not up to this level and fails to give us good go forward. Couple that with his regualr handling errors and he is nothing more than serviceable, he has been a good influence however on some of the other young islanders.
Matthew Bell = 5.5/10 - Not much better that Puletua, tries hard but is ineffective. I'm glad they re-signed him for depth purposes, however ideally he should not be starting as he lacks any pop at the line, provides little impact.
Tim Grant = 4/10 - So very very disappointing, was hoping for big things from this guy but he continues to disappoint. I know props don't generally kick on until there mid 20s, but this guy was re-signed and needs to show something. I thought Petero coming over would've been the best thing for him, he still looks too light, skinny legs and lacks any impact at the line, also needs to develop some mongrel. Next season will be make or break for him IMO.
Paul Aiton = 6/10 - Was one of our better players early in the season, but like many other players I believe our coaching has not been adapted to his strengths. In the past, Aiton was known as a livewire off the bench, is strength was as an impact player off the bench and a very good runner of the football from dummy half. With that in mind, Elliot decides to make him an 80min player which essentially takes away his biggest strength. Aiton definitely regressed as the season wore on, while he running game his still his biggest strength, his inability to develop a kicking game or better passing game has made him quite limited, couple that with some inept defensive displays, I think he is repalceable.
Masada Iosefa = 4/10 - Showed very little during his limited time on the field, another young player who has failed to develop, I think in his case a lot of it falls back to his shoulders. Has been involved in some off the field incidents and his conditioning look poor to say the least, needs to pull his finger out as he is the logical replacement for Aiton, it's between him and Romelo who we say very little of in FG.
Trent Waterhouse = 8.5/10 - Our player of the season in my eyes, not the flashiest player but god he gets through a mountain of work in defense and still provides impact with ball in hand. Averaged 15 hitups (2nd in side behind Petero) and 34 tackles (1st in side) all season, if only some of our other players put in as much as he does, great to see him earn a NSW recall.
Frank Pritchard = 7/10 - The enigma that is peanuts. On his day he can be one of the better players in the comp, usually his day comes against inferior opposition or for meaniingless games. However too many times he disappears in big game or when we need him most (see last 2 games). As much as I would love to re-sign him based on his good games, I believe it would be rewarding mediocrity and laziness, I also worry about his influence on the younger kids. Some much potential, if only you could manufacture heart.
Joseph Paulo = 4.5/10 - Another young prospect that has failed to develop under Elliot, looks like a poor mans Pritchard but with half the ability. Completely ineffective in terms of metres gained, has some ball playing ability at the line but fails to do the tough stuff first, also he defense is questionable. Again, next season is make or break for him, I would rather try some of the other guys (e.g. Penese, Moors, etc).
Luke Lewis = 8/10 - One of our best and most consistent performers all season, earning him NSW honours. The bloke is all class, a rock in defense and has develop into a handy ball playing lock, has that innate ability to slide between defenders and break the line. Injury affected his season however he was pretty quite in our most important games, he is a crucial part of the side as he takes pressure off the halves.
Nathan Smith = 5/10 - A very poor mans Lewis, without the ball playing or ability to break the line. He does work tirelessly and he did seem to develop more impact in his running game, however he is an average first grader who offers very little, but he is a toiler and you do need these guys in you side. However Lewis offers everything Smith does and more, and can't really have him off the bench and he offers little impact. Also prone to handling errors and giving away silly penalties.
Maurice Blair = 6/10 - Had to work his way into the side as his conditioning was obviously quite poor, but by the end of the season I thought he was one of our most improved players. Has plenty of natural ability, a big and strong runner of the football with surprising pace, when his head is on right he can be an impact player, also showed me some ticker in defense late in the season. I think the coaches need to push him all offseason and have him raring to go, he should be in our top 17 if his head is right, not quite sure where though. I like his mongrel.
Gavin Cooper = 5.5/10 - An above average first grader, nothing more or nothing less. Very solid defender who offers nothing in attack, in an ideal world he should not be in our top 17.
Adam Woolnough = 5.5/10 - I didn't mind the signing at the time but the guy has had too many injuries, played sparingly this season and was in effective when he did. I wish him all the best in future endeavours.
My side for opening day 2010:
1. Lachlan Coote
2. Brad Tighe
3. Michael Jennings
4. Maurice Blair
5. Michael Gordon
6. Wade Graham
7. Luke Walsh
8. Petero Civoniceva (c)
9. Masada Iosefa
10. Matthew Bell
11. Trent Waterhouse
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Luke Lewis
Bench
14. Joe Romelo
15. Tim Grant
16. Sam McKendry
17. Junior Moors
Please provide your own ratings or any feedback you have....
Matt Elliot = 2/10 - The side started off playing pretty well defensively, but our attack always relied on individual brilliance and the defense disappeared when it mattered most. The guy sucks, his gameplans are terrible and he can't lift the side for big games, so pissed off that he has been re-signed.
Jarrod Sammut = 3.5/10 - Shows flashes of individual brilliance which are overshadowed by his ability to make regular mistakes, poor positional play and woeful defense. Takes risks when they are not required, has ability but he is a selfish player and I don't think he has the physical traits to play first grade, I think we may have seen his last game.
Lachlan Coote = 5.5/10 - The fact that he couldn't wrestle the starting fullback job from Sammut says a lot, but he is still very young. Needs to improve his support play and get bigger and stronger, but I was impressed with his positional play, footwork and ability to contribute in the backline. Defensively weak also but at least he has a go, should improve with strength training. Would like to see him starting from day one next season.
Shane Elford = 5/10 - A solid first grade winger, nothing more, nothing less. Was effective running from dummy half and was solid defensively, but he ain't the kind of player that will elevate the play of our side, he is more of a solid fill-in. I'd be happy to see him stick around for depth, nothing more.
Junior Tia Kilifi = 7/10 - So disappointing to see him leave us, while many other backs (cough cough Jennings) seem to disappear when the going gets tough, this guy continues to rip in to help out our forwards and he is very effective taking the ball up from dummy half. Has good pace, strong ball runner and solid defensively, has plenty of potential but our club would prefer to develop David Simmons, so disappointed, I wish him all the best at the Bulldogs.
Michael Gordon = 7/10 - One of our most consistent players, always helps out the forwards, very reliable and an amazing goal kicker. Injury obviously hampered his season, but I though he was a bit underwhelming in the last month, showed little urgency against the Eels and had little effect at fullback. Generally a strong ball runner, plenty of pace and safe under the high ball, hope to see him play a bit better next season, may get another stint at fullback if Coote goes down.
Michael Jennings = 8/10 - Our best back and biggest gamebreaker, Jennings certainly delivered this season and forced his way into the NSW side. The guy has amazing pace and acceleration, a nightmare to stop one on one, without his individual brilliance we would have lost many more games. Furthermore, I believe he has succeeded in spite of our game plans as he rarely received early clean ball. Having said that I believe he has some things to work on to reach the next level, his defense is still suspect (McDougall made him look ordinary yesterday) and he goes missing when the team needs him most (in the last month of the season did nothing). He needs to step up and become a leader if he wants $400k a season, I don't want us paying him that if he only touches the ball 5-6 times per game.
Brad Tighe = 6/10 - Showed glimpses of pace and game breaking ability, but this is overshadowed by poor ball handling and poor defense. I thought he played better as the season went on and by the end was one of our better attacking weapons, should be a starter for next season.
Geoff Daniela = 4/10 - Many here like him but I think he is overrated, did very little for us this season and is a defensive liability, has little to worry opposing defenders. While I would prefer to keep him over Simmons, not sad to see him leave us.
Wade Graham = 6/10 - Still a promising young player in my eyes, but I agree that his lack of pace and footwork may be his downfall. He tries very hard, has natural leadership skills, great passing game and a surprisingly good kicking game (Walsh should allow him to kick more often). Needs to work on his defense and his ability to beat people one on one, needs to develop that ability that Lewis has to hold the ball in two hands and slide through gaps. I'm starting to agree with Fibor though that his best position may be lock, should get another crack at 5/8 next season.
Luke Walsh = 7/10 - Say what you want about him but our team would not have been challenging for a final birth without him. Obviously played his best football during midseason where he had an effective running game, great organiser, was kicking well and giving early ball to our threats out wide. However he certainly regressed as the season went on and became a huge defensive liability, his kicking game was woeful and he became an 'inside ball' machine. Knights fans tell me he is the kind of player who follows his coaches instructions down to a tee, this may explain his regression. For us to compete next season, he needs to start and return to his form earlier this season.
Petero Civoniceva = 8/10 - The heart and soul of the side, I don't think it's a co-incidence that the side fell apart in his absence, the intangibles that he brings can not be quanitified. Tough, a metre eater, a workhorse and born leader, he has been worth every penny that we paid, but he can't keep going forever, hopefully he can help some of the younger guys develop.
Frank Puletua = 5/10 - Again, a solid first grader who would not be starting for most teams in the comp. Tries hard and has a dig, but is physically not up to this level and fails to give us good go forward. Couple that with his regualr handling errors and he is nothing more than serviceable, he has been a good influence however on some of the other young islanders.
Matthew Bell = 5.5/10 - Not much better that Puletua, tries hard but is ineffective. I'm glad they re-signed him for depth purposes, however ideally he should not be starting as he lacks any pop at the line, provides little impact.
Tim Grant = 4/10 - So very very disappointing, was hoping for big things from this guy but he continues to disappoint. I know props don't generally kick on until there mid 20s, but this guy was re-signed and needs to show something. I thought Petero coming over would've been the best thing for him, he still looks too light, skinny legs and lacks any impact at the line, also needs to develop some mongrel. Next season will be make or break for him IMO.
Paul Aiton = 6/10 - Was one of our better players early in the season, but like many other players I believe our coaching has not been adapted to his strengths. In the past, Aiton was known as a livewire off the bench, is strength was as an impact player off the bench and a very good runner of the football from dummy half. With that in mind, Elliot decides to make him an 80min player which essentially takes away his biggest strength. Aiton definitely regressed as the season wore on, while he running game his still his biggest strength, his inability to develop a kicking game or better passing game has made him quite limited, couple that with some inept defensive displays, I think he is repalceable.
Masada Iosefa = 4/10 - Showed very little during his limited time on the field, another young player who has failed to develop, I think in his case a lot of it falls back to his shoulders. Has been involved in some off the field incidents and his conditioning look poor to say the least, needs to pull his finger out as he is the logical replacement for Aiton, it's between him and Romelo who we say very little of in FG.
Trent Waterhouse = 8.5/10 - Our player of the season in my eyes, not the flashiest player but god he gets through a mountain of work in defense and still provides impact with ball in hand. Averaged 15 hitups (2nd in side behind Petero) and 34 tackles (1st in side) all season, if only some of our other players put in as much as he does, great to see him earn a NSW recall.
Frank Pritchard = 7/10 - The enigma that is peanuts. On his day he can be one of the better players in the comp, usually his day comes against inferior opposition or for meaniingless games. However too many times he disappears in big game or when we need him most (see last 2 games). As much as I would love to re-sign him based on his good games, I believe it would be rewarding mediocrity and laziness, I also worry about his influence on the younger kids. Some much potential, if only you could manufacture heart.
Joseph Paulo = 4.5/10 - Another young prospect that has failed to develop under Elliot, looks like a poor mans Pritchard but with half the ability. Completely ineffective in terms of metres gained, has some ball playing ability at the line but fails to do the tough stuff first, also he defense is questionable. Again, next season is make or break for him, I would rather try some of the other guys (e.g. Penese, Moors, etc).
Luke Lewis = 8/10 - One of our best and most consistent performers all season, earning him NSW honours. The bloke is all class, a rock in defense and has develop into a handy ball playing lock, has that innate ability to slide between defenders and break the line. Injury affected his season however he was pretty quite in our most important games, he is a crucial part of the side as he takes pressure off the halves.
Nathan Smith = 5/10 - A very poor mans Lewis, without the ball playing or ability to break the line. He does work tirelessly and he did seem to develop more impact in his running game, however he is an average first grader who offers very little, but he is a toiler and you do need these guys in you side. However Lewis offers everything Smith does and more, and can't really have him off the bench and he offers little impact. Also prone to handling errors and giving away silly penalties.
Maurice Blair = 6/10 - Had to work his way into the side as his conditioning was obviously quite poor, but by the end of the season I thought he was one of our most improved players. Has plenty of natural ability, a big and strong runner of the football with surprising pace, when his head is on right he can be an impact player, also showed me some ticker in defense late in the season. I think the coaches need to push him all offseason and have him raring to go, he should be in our top 17 if his head is right, not quite sure where though. I like his mongrel.
Gavin Cooper = 5.5/10 - An above average first grader, nothing more or nothing less. Very solid defender who offers nothing in attack, in an ideal world he should not be in our top 17.
Adam Woolnough = 5.5/10 - I didn't mind the signing at the time but the guy has had too many injuries, played sparingly this season and was in effective when he did. I wish him all the best in future endeavours.
My side for opening day 2010:
1. Lachlan Coote
2. Brad Tighe
3. Michael Jennings
4. Maurice Blair
5. Michael Gordon
6. Wade Graham
7. Luke Walsh
8. Petero Civoniceva (c)
9. Masada Iosefa
10. Matthew Bell
11. Trent Waterhouse
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Luke Lewis
Bench
14. Joe Romelo
15. Tim Grant
16. Sam McKendry
17. Junior Moors
Please provide your own ratings or any feedback you have....
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