2017-2018 Fullback

[Mr_Knightside]

If he plays for us in 2017 it's also important for him to develop combinations with the rest of our team so that in 2018 we would hopefully already have a good idea of how he fits into our attacking structure. So imo playing him at fullback is a must if he does arrive here early. Not to mention I don't think it will do much for his consistency or the consistency of our backline to be chopping and changing all the time with who plays FB and wing.

 

[Tom155]

Laughable from the Cowboys

Saifiti brothers swap for Ponga
The Cowboys have come up with a daring ploy to lure Newcastle’s promising Saifiti twins to Townsville next season – in exchange for brilliant youngster Kalyn Ponga.

The Knights have signed Ponga for 2018 but are desperate to get the teenage star to the coalfields a year early.

RLW has learned that the Cowboys have told the Knights Ponga is free to leave tomorrow – if Newcastle give them the Saifiti brothers.

Jacob and Daniel Saifiti are among the best young forwards in the Knights’ ranks and Newcastle are highly unlikely to agree to the deal, however.

The Cowboys have been on the lookout for a good front-rower since James Tamou agreed to go to Penrith for 2017 and the Saifitis would fit the bill perfectly.

The pair made history by becoming the first twins in history to debut in the same game in round one last year, aged just 19.

They were steady improvers in a difficult season for the struggling Knights and coach Nathan Brown seems certain to knock back the two-for-one swap – no matter how badly he wants Ponga.

http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/moles...d=805536529485438976&adbpl=tw&adbpr=236216311

 

[EdLondon]

No no no and no! I think the Cowboys are kidding themselves if they think they will get the Safiti boys.

 

[perverse]

Can't blame them for asking. Dreaming, but can't blame them.

 

[PhilGould]

Tell them they've got a deal, if they throw in Thurston & Taumololo.

 

[Joel-22]

I can honestly say, there's not much the club could do for me to completely stop supporting them. However, if they agreed to that trade I would give up on rugby league entirely.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Hahahahaha hahahahaha get f**ked

 

[Noname36]

Bahahahahaha nice one.

Pretty sure the club would rather not sign Ponga at all rather than give up those 2.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

The minute he is eligible to play for the Knights he is playing fullback. Absolutely no doubt about it.

I dunno. We've rushed a lot of juniors before and it usually ends badly.

I think id rather Pete Mat start the year at fullback (not spectacular but by far the most solid performer in the position last year) and move Ponga into the spot only when he has actually earned it and has shown he can stand up mentally.

I now we have put a lot of money into the kid, but id really prefer we have players earn their way in on more than just reputation

 

[Noname36]

Peter Mat? Jeez, we need to at least try not to pick up another spoon.

Ross is by far the best option if Ponga's not here IMO.

 

[Noname36]

I dunno. We've rushed a lot of juniors before and it usually ends badly.

Like who exactly? Apart from maybe Snowden (honestly it's open for debate whether us debuting him so early contributed to his back woes or not) I can't think of anyone we've rushed and it was the club's fault it backfired.

The Knights didn't destroy Mullen's confidence: the media ("the next Joey") and an idiotic NSW selection panel did.

The issue is 90% of our juniors are hugely overrated to begin with so when they inevitably struggle in the top grade a lot of people say things like "they were rushed, we destroyed a star junior" etc when in reality they just weren't much chop to begin with.

If they genuinely have talent you'll see it in firstgrade regardless of where the side is sitting or how young they are.

If someone's already proven they can handle FG then I don't see how that's rushing someone anyway. You're ready when you're ready. Ponga has played in a bloody finals series - out of position.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I saw on twitter today that Brown has narrowed it down to two candidates for the FB role. Phythian and Pete M.

Bit disappointed that Ross isn't getting a crack but I'd be interested to see what Phythian can do at FB, there's some good wraps on him in that position.

 

[Caped Crusader]

I'm betting Ross is getting a run in the centres. He was great there last season

 

[Glendale]

Pythian- Probably Feeney 2.0

Pete Mat- Poor mans Wes Naquima

These options are not exactly filling me with huge optimism... But we'll see how they go.

 

[Johns Magic]

If Phythian fails at fullback I don't think it will be for the same reasons as Feeney.

Feeney lacked a lot of courage for mine. Phythian seems the total opposite.

Whether Phythian has the talent or not I don't know but I am looking forward to seeing how he goes purely as I like the type of competitor he seems to be.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

At least Phythian has played plenty of fullback in the lower grades where as we tried to manufacture Feeney into a fullback which didn't work, especially considering he was already out of his depth anyway.

If he gets the gig hopefully he can show us that he's up to it.

Also to be fair on Pete Mat I thought he was solid for us this year, he didn't get to play as many games as he would want because he got injured but he's got some size and at times showed that he has a decent skill set.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Honestly, it doesn't matter a great deal who's FB for 2017, they are just warming Pongas seat