perverse
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It's the off season... and it's already feeling like a long one. I've been reflecting a lot on the year just past... letting thoughts and musings stew, fester, and otherwise ferment in the dark, abstract cavity that some might call my mind. I think a bit of a player by player report card, and perhaps some other semi-collated thoughts are in order... because you care what I think.
1. Darius "The Slappable Head" Boyd - 7.5/10
I'm going to call it a good year for Boyd in general. It took him a while to warm up, but when he did - he was a lynchpin of our side and was the result of many tries down both sides. His vision is great, the in and away 2nd man play lurking behind the playmaker works time and time again.
2. James "Mr. Reliable?" McManus - 6/10
Spent some time on the sidelines, and didn't feel like the safe player he usually is at times. Was ok, but rarely/never at his best in 2012. Has more to give. He certainly enjoyed the games in which Tahu was causing grief. The wing position is still his, but Kev N. certainly turned a few heads, too. I agree with Bennett that you go with the players who have done the job for you in the past, though. Jimmy brings a lot to the team, and I know who I want on the wing in pressure situations between Jim and Kev.
3. Timana "Wily Old f**ker" Tahu - 6.5/10
Has something we've been lacking in a centre for a long time - genuine class and guile. Had some big games for us... had some quiet games, too. In general was quality, and knew how to finish a backline movement the right way. Knows how to draw and pass and create simple tries for his winger - and make it look simple and routine.
4. Dane "Brisbane are stupid" Gagai - 7/10
Never looked out of place in first grade. Has something special. Gave him an extra 0.5 over Tahu for 2 reasons - 1. He added more spark to the team upon arrival and 2. He brought Aku back to life. Was one of several breathes of fresh air for us, and looks to be a genuine star in the making. I can't imagine what misdemeanors Brisbane let him go for... but they'd have to be second guessing that one.
5. Akuila "Almost the Thriller" Uate - 8/10
He's been delivering us 10/10 seasons the past 2 years... a drop was inevitable. Once Gagai came back and he regained some confidence, it was pretty much business as usual. Not much more need be said, we know what he does and doesn't do.
6. Jarrod "I'm a big boy now" Mullen - 7.5/10
Was consistently one of our best all year. Had a couple of rough games early in the year, but certainly once the team was firing, Mullo was a big part of it and kicked on well. As his understanding with Boyd grew, we became more dangerous. Towards the end of the year he started to add short kicking to his arsenal, and we were a better team for it. Long kicking was largely excellent. Still has improvement, but getting there. Over the balance of the season, I believe this to be his best year of first grade to date.
7. Tyrone "Did I get the job?" Roberts - 5/10
There were glimpses here and there, but all in all I thought he was barely good enough. Could continue to grow into a good player, might not. Has a really good running game and can pass, too. Was invisible in some games, but did make quite a mark on a couple too.
8. Kade "Where'd my angry go?" Snowden - 6.5/10
Ordinary from Kade, to be honest. Obviously the best prop we've had in years, but those plonkers were 2's and 3's out of 10. Kade is capable of more. He got a bit of unfair stick because yes, he's a bit slow... but he did get through quite a bit of work in many games for us. We know he has much more to give, though.
9. Danny "The champ is here!" Buderus - 8/10
Held this team together all year. Doesn't have young legs, in fact watching him in full stride is comical, but has all the heart and more. A king amongst mere mortal men. He added so much to our pack on both sides of the ball.
10. Willie "Thank god you're here" Mason - 8/10
I really think Willie deserves an 8, in spite of not doing much work on the field at times. It's the effect that his character and the way he plays has on the rest of the team that lifts his score. As long as he brings that attitude, energy and size to our pack, he'll always be welcome... and always be scoring well. Brings a lot of intangibles to the team, I suppose.
11. Chris "Sturdy as a brick shit" Houston - 7.5/10
Loves to tackle. Loves to, loves to, looooovves to tackle. We will always need a bit of that, especially because Hilder has fallen of the radar. Is great at wrapping up the ball - was one of the cornerstones of our defense.
12. Alex "What the f**k, cutout balls?" McKinnon - 6.5/10
Our most promising young forward. Came along in leaps and bounds towards the end of the year and looked a genuine starter. Is still very young and will have a few more years before he reaches his best. Displayed some extremely handy ball skills in a few matches. Most likely a drop back to the bench next year, he can now learn a bit from the senior forwards at the club.
13. Neville "My name is appropriate" Costigan - 4.5/10
What an ordinary player this guy has been for us. Just... mediocrity personified. His best games were what you would call ok. I don't know where all that aggro went that he had back at the Dragons, but it seems like forever ago now. Is still in his mid-late twenties... but looks like he's running on mid-30 year old legs at times.
14. Joel "I'm worth more than that" Edwards - -4/10
Shit player. Shit attitude. Will fit in great down in Canberra.
15. Zeb "Goodnight, sweet prince" Taia - 6/10
Was shit early in the year, but came to life once he had been shown the door and had his future sorted. Formed quite an impact partnership with Cuthbo off the bench in the second half of the season. Would have had a higher score with a better start to the year.
16. Adam "I'm how tall now?" Cuthbertson - 6/10
Had an absolutely horrendous start to the year, but was really big for us in the second half. Missed out on a few wraps due to his crazy slow start, but I look forward to seeing how he goes next year. Isn't a starter, but can play a few minutes.
17. Robbie "Quiet Achiever" Rochow - 5.5/10
To be honest, I didn't see much of what most people did in this lad. The most I could say about him is that I didn't notice him for any of the wrong reasons. A solid start to a first grade career.
18. Evarn "Sub-par" Tuimavave - 4.5/10
Was so ordinary and bleh in his limited opportunity that I couldn't even think of a witty nickname. Can't defend very well. It's scary that this guy was one of our best in the pack in 2011. How we ever won matches in the Tui/Tolar days boggles the mind. Would have preferred him to Eddy off the bench, probably.
19. Matt "Is my head still on?" Hilder - 3/10
Was shit in the chances he got... and then his ungrateful head got beaten into submission. Maybe a healthy Hilder will be able to improve on this mark next year.
20. Kurt "Floppy shoulder" Gidley - 5/10
It's hard for me to give him a higher mark than Roberts, but hard to give a lower one, either. I think we were a better team with him in it, even in the beginning. Didn't play much footy... didn't play in the team when we were at our best. Low mark more a reflection of his injury and the teams form early than anything else.
21. Wes "Show me the money" Naiqama - 2.5/10
Bad. Was nothing but a road block for the ball getting to Aku. Totally faked us out with his 2011 form. Imposter. Looked disinterested.
22. Richie "A premiership, you say?" Fa'aoso - 6/10
I thought Richie was below his best, but not bad in the few opportunities Bennett gave him. A little sad to see him leave, it's a shame he's not a little bit bigger. I doubt he has many regrets.
23. Junior "I tried so hard, and got so far..." S'au - 4/10
Not good enough. I so, so wanted him to turn out ok under Bennett, because I love his upbeat attitude and his hard running. Just didn't get it though... not a good enough defender, passed once that I can remember all year. Just not good enough. Thought he tried a lot harder than Wes... just didn't have the ability.
24. Marvin "Professional reserve grader" Filipo - 5.5/10
He's sort of ok, Marv. You don't really cringe when you see him in the team, you just sorta want to see what happens. He's not of regular first grade quality that I can see, but is a handy sort of fix-it man to have around. I think of him a bit like a Marvin Karawana. Maybe it's a Marvin thing. Was ok in his appearances, but nothing special. He had a big year in NSW Cup, so maybe there is a bit more to this bloke than I can see.
25. Zane "Reads like a blind man" Tetevano - 5.5/10
Can't defend. Makes poor decisions as a matter of course. Runs well, though. You can learn to defend, so I haven't quite put a line through his name yet. Needs a big off season of study and practice. All his points come for the way he runs the ball - like a real man.
26. Kevin "Mini-Aku" Naiqama - 7/10
Was good... and when he grew in confidene he got better. Will keep Jimmy on his toes next year. Is a genuine first grader. Speed to burn and has some ball skills. Seems to have fixed his sloppy hands of yesteryear.
27. Kyle "Flash in the pan" O'Donnell - 3/10
I couldn't give more than a 3 for 7 minutes of football, but they were a good 7 minutes! I'm gonna call it a "strong" 3/10
28. Chris "Captain Slow" Adams - 5/10
To be honest, I don't think he was dreadful in his minutes... he's just so bleh and boring. If he were a flavour of ice-block - it would be unflavoured ice cubes. We really suffered when Buderus was off the field, regardless of who the replacement was - this guy included. He isn't the answer post-Buderus, that much I'm sure of.
29. Peter "Thank god I'm here" Mata'utia - 3/10
Had a real shocker that I can remember... then cheated death and was out for the year. Is probably hanging on by a thread, and certainly been overtaken in the pecking order by Kev.
30. Did i miss anyone? Probably.
Our bench and forward pack let us down quite a bit during 2012, as did a general lack of team cohesion and spirit at (many) times. Keep in mind that these scores are (completely unscientifically and based on hazy, drunken, 4am memories) aggregated on a per player basis across the entire season, it was a rarity to see all players play their best football on the same day, but on the 1 or 2 times they did, it was fantastic. There was a lot about 2012 to give us cause to be hopeful for 2013.
Agree? Disagree?
I intend to do a bit more of a writeup on the implications on 2013, where I expect players to move in the squad and whatnot... but I'm all tuckered out right now... and needed to get this out there as the basis for it.
1. Darius "The Slappable Head" Boyd - 7.5/10
I'm going to call it a good year for Boyd in general. It took him a while to warm up, but when he did - he was a lynchpin of our side and was the result of many tries down both sides. His vision is great, the in and away 2nd man play lurking behind the playmaker works time and time again.
2. James "Mr. Reliable?" McManus - 6/10
Spent some time on the sidelines, and didn't feel like the safe player he usually is at times. Was ok, but rarely/never at his best in 2012. Has more to give. He certainly enjoyed the games in which Tahu was causing grief. The wing position is still his, but Kev N. certainly turned a few heads, too. I agree with Bennett that you go with the players who have done the job for you in the past, though. Jimmy brings a lot to the team, and I know who I want on the wing in pressure situations between Jim and Kev.
3. Timana "Wily Old f**ker" Tahu - 6.5/10
Has something we've been lacking in a centre for a long time - genuine class and guile. Had some big games for us... had some quiet games, too. In general was quality, and knew how to finish a backline movement the right way. Knows how to draw and pass and create simple tries for his winger - and make it look simple and routine.
4. Dane "Brisbane are stupid" Gagai - 7/10
Never looked out of place in first grade. Has something special. Gave him an extra 0.5 over Tahu for 2 reasons - 1. He added more spark to the team upon arrival and 2. He brought Aku back to life. Was one of several breathes of fresh air for us, and looks to be a genuine star in the making. I can't imagine what misdemeanors Brisbane let him go for... but they'd have to be second guessing that one.
5. Akuila "Almost the Thriller" Uate - 8/10
He's been delivering us 10/10 seasons the past 2 years... a drop was inevitable. Once Gagai came back and he regained some confidence, it was pretty much business as usual. Not much more need be said, we know what he does and doesn't do.
6. Jarrod "I'm a big boy now" Mullen - 7.5/10
Was consistently one of our best all year. Had a couple of rough games early in the year, but certainly once the team was firing, Mullo was a big part of it and kicked on well. As his understanding with Boyd grew, we became more dangerous. Towards the end of the year he started to add short kicking to his arsenal, and we were a better team for it. Long kicking was largely excellent. Still has improvement, but getting there. Over the balance of the season, I believe this to be his best year of first grade to date.
7. Tyrone "Did I get the job?" Roberts - 5/10
There were glimpses here and there, but all in all I thought he was barely good enough. Could continue to grow into a good player, might not. Has a really good running game and can pass, too. Was invisible in some games, but did make quite a mark on a couple too.
8. Kade "Where'd my angry go?" Snowden - 6.5/10
Ordinary from Kade, to be honest. Obviously the best prop we've had in years, but those plonkers were 2's and 3's out of 10. Kade is capable of more. He got a bit of unfair stick because yes, he's a bit slow... but he did get through quite a bit of work in many games for us. We know he has much more to give, though.
9. Danny "The champ is here!" Buderus - 8/10
Held this team together all year. Doesn't have young legs, in fact watching him in full stride is comical, but has all the heart and more. A king amongst mere mortal men. He added so much to our pack on both sides of the ball.
10. Willie "Thank god you're here" Mason - 8/10
I really think Willie deserves an 8, in spite of not doing much work on the field at times. It's the effect that his character and the way he plays has on the rest of the team that lifts his score. As long as he brings that attitude, energy and size to our pack, he'll always be welcome... and always be scoring well. Brings a lot of intangibles to the team, I suppose.
11. Chris "Sturdy as a brick shit" Houston - 7.5/10
Loves to tackle. Loves to, loves to, looooovves to tackle. We will always need a bit of that, especially because Hilder has fallen of the radar. Is great at wrapping up the ball - was one of the cornerstones of our defense.
12. Alex "What the f**k, cutout balls?" McKinnon - 6.5/10
Our most promising young forward. Came along in leaps and bounds towards the end of the year and looked a genuine starter. Is still very young and will have a few more years before he reaches his best. Displayed some extremely handy ball skills in a few matches. Most likely a drop back to the bench next year, he can now learn a bit from the senior forwards at the club.
13. Neville "My name is appropriate" Costigan - 4.5/10
What an ordinary player this guy has been for us. Just... mediocrity personified. His best games were what you would call ok. I don't know where all that aggro went that he had back at the Dragons, but it seems like forever ago now. Is still in his mid-late twenties... but looks like he's running on mid-30 year old legs at times.
14. Joel "I'm worth more than that" Edwards - -4/10
Shit player. Shit attitude. Will fit in great down in Canberra.
15. Zeb "Goodnight, sweet prince" Taia - 6/10
Was shit early in the year, but came to life once he had been shown the door and had his future sorted. Formed quite an impact partnership with Cuthbo off the bench in the second half of the season. Would have had a higher score with a better start to the year.
16. Adam "I'm how tall now?" Cuthbertson - 6/10
Had an absolutely horrendous start to the year, but was really big for us in the second half. Missed out on a few wraps due to his crazy slow start, but I look forward to seeing how he goes next year. Isn't a starter, but can play a few minutes.
17. Robbie "Quiet Achiever" Rochow - 5.5/10
To be honest, I didn't see much of what most people did in this lad. The most I could say about him is that I didn't notice him for any of the wrong reasons. A solid start to a first grade career.
18. Evarn "Sub-par" Tuimavave - 4.5/10
Was so ordinary and bleh in his limited opportunity that I couldn't even think of a witty nickname. Can't defend very well. It's scary that this guy was one of our best in the pack in 2011. How we ever won matches in the Tui/Tolar days boggles the mind. Would have preferred him to Eddy off the bench, probably.
19. Matt "Is my head still on?" Hilder - 3/10
Was shit in the chances he got... and then his ungrateful head got beaten into submission. Maybe a healthy Hilder will be able to improve on this mark next year.
20. Kurt "Floppy shoulder" Gidley - 5/10
It's hard for me to give him a higher mark than Roberts, but hard to give a lower one, either. I think we were a better team with him in it, even in the beginning. Didn't play much footy... didn't play in the team when we were at our best. Low mark more a reflection of his injury and the teams form early than anything else.
21. Wes "Show me the money" Naiqama - 2.5/10
Bad. Was nothing but a road block for the ball getting to Aku. Totally faked us out with his 2011 form. Imposter. Looked disinterested.
22. Richie "A premiership, you say?" Fa'aoso - 6/10
I thought Richie was below his best, but not bad in the few opportunities Bennett gave him. A little sad to see him leave, it's a shame he's not a little bit bigger. I doubt he has many regrets.
23. Junior "I tried so hard, and got so far..." S'au - 4/10
Not good enough. I so, so wanted him to turn out ok under Bennett, because I love his upbeat attitude and his hard running. Just didn't get it though... not a good enough defender, passed once that I can remember all year. Just not good enough. Thought he tried a lot harder than Wes... just didn't have the ability.
24. Marvin "Professional reserve grader" Filipo - 5.5/10
He's sort of ok, Marv. You don't really cringe when you see him in the team, you just sorta want to see what happens. He's not of regular first grade quality that I can see, but is a handy sort of fix-it man to have around. I think of him a bit like a Marvin Karawana. Maybe it's a Marvin thing. Was ok in his appearances, but nothing special. He had a big year in NSW Cup, so maybe there is a bit more to this bloke than I can see.
25. Zane "Reads like a blind man" Tetevano - 5.5/10
Can't defend. Makes poor decisions as a matter of course. Runs well, though. You can learn to defend, so I haven't quite put a line through his name yet. Needs a big off season of study and practice. All his points come for the way he runs the ball - like a real man.
26. Kevin "Mini-Aku" Naiqama - 7/10
Was good... and when he grew in confidene he got better. Will keep Jimmy on his toes next year. Is a genuine first grader. Speed to burn and has some ball skills. Seems to have fixed his sloppy hands of yesteryear.
27. Kyle "Flash in the pan" O'Donnell - 3/10
I couldn't give more than a 3 for 7 minutes of football, but they were a good 7 minutes! I'm gonna call it a "strong" 3/10
28. Chris "Captain Slow" Adams - 5/10
To be honest, I don't think he was dreadful in his minutes... he's just so bleh and boring. If he were a flavour of ice-block - it would be unflavoured ice cubes. We really suffered when Buderus was off the field, regardless of who the replacement was - this guy included. He isn't the answer post-Buderus, that much I'm sure of.
29. Peter "Thank god I'm here" Mata'utia - 3/10
Had a real shocker that I can remember... then cheated death and was out for the year. Is probably hanging on by a thread, and certainly been overtaken in the pecking order by Kev.
30. Did i miss anyone? Probably.
Our bench and forward pack let us down quite a bit during 2012, as did a general lack of team cohesion and spirit at (many) times. Keep in mind that these scores are (completely unscientifically and based on hazy, drunken, 4am memories) aggregated on a per player basis across the entire season, it was a rarity to see all players play their best football on the same day, but on the 1 or 2 times they did, it was fantastic. There was a lot about 2012 to give us cause to be hopeful for 2013.
Agree? Disagree?
I intend to do a bit more of a writeup on the implications on 2013, where I expect players to move in the squad and whatnot... but I'm all tuckered out right now... and needed to get this out there as the basis for it.
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