2020 season

[betcats]

No doubt, but perhaps given his age he’d be more willing to bide his time. Where as someone who’s 23 might not.

Burton may also be content with starting FG in another position.

Burton will be twenty when the season starts, we don’t have long to make a call on them, I’d say one season.

Luai is from the area and was biding his time behind a guy everyone knew wasn’t going to be here long term. If Burton is in the side playing off the bench or at centre other clubs will be after him for sure, he can make the most money as a half if he’s getting offers to play in the halves he will go, he isn’t going to be content paying out position for years. Burton has made a name for himself already, clubs are going to be chasing him.

The club has a big decision to make long term re Luai/Burton. I really hope we don’t just give it to Luai cause he’s been here longer and let Burton go cause Burton is the better player imo. If Luai is really killing it then fine there’s not a lot we can do but if he isn’t then put Burton in.

 

[franklin2323]

Burton will be twenty when the season starts, we don’t have long to make a call on them, I’d say one season.

Luai is from the area and was biding his time behind a guy everyone knew wasn’t going to be here long term. If Burton is in the side playing off the bench or at centre other clubs will be after him for sure, he can make the most money as a half if he’s getting offers to play in the halves he will go, he isn’t going to be content paying out position for years. Burton has made a name for himself already, clubs are going to be chasing him.

The club has a big decision to make long term re Luai/Burton. I really hope we don’t just give it to Luai cause he’s been here longer and let Burton go cause Burton is the better player imo. If Luai is really killing it then fine there’s not a lot we can do but if he isn’t then put Burton in.

Competition is great as long as both guys get the same opportunity. Let the best player take it

 

[betcats]

Competition is great as long as both guys get the same opportunity. Let the best player take it

Yep I’ve got no problem with Luai being first in the pecking order now but if he’s not performing or if Burton is killing it wherever he’s playing he needs to be given a shot.

 

[mxlegend99]

A guy with one game under his belt should not be worrying about where he plays. If he is in the 17 at all he is doing incredibly well and that should be his main priority for 2020 IMO.

Luai spent the past couple seasons making cameo appearances and seems to have a good attitude about it. If Burton isn't prepared to fight for his chance and play where we need him to then he probably isnt the guy we want anyway. Assuming he stays fit he will get many opportunities in the halves between injuries, suspension and rep duties. Plus ofcourse poor form from Luai or the team could get him a run too.

If he hasnt had a fair shot in the next 2 seasons I wouldn't hold it against him if he left. But I cant see him not getting a shot. I can see him playing a game or two with a rookie beside him because both our halves are out. At our club there are so many injuries that its usually only injuries preventing guys getting a chance.

 

[betcats]

Yeah Luai has waited patiently but we should only be worried about keeping the best player. Burton is well ahead of Luai in development at the same age, you can say what you want about him patient and fighting for his spot which he will do no doubt, but if Luai locks down the 6 jersey and the Roosters or the Broncos come sniffing then Burton is gone, he isn't going to hang around being a back up if some club offers him a chance to start. Neither would Luai if it works out that way. Before deciding on one or the other id give them both a run there.

 

[kinghippo]

Burton could become a bit like tommy T at fullback with his height and speed.

Whatever happens the club needs to make some tough decisions regarding run on spots.
We have lost some great players like sivo and Braidon because we didn’t give them a run.

Identifying the right troops hasn’t been a strong point of the club for a while hopefully we can get on track with it again.

luai and Burton are not the only ones we need to carefully manage, players need to be picked on form.
It could be Spencer, creighton or even someone like aikins if they earn a spot over someone like yeo then they deserve it and we can’t afford to be sentimental about it.

 

[The yak]

Unless we are 2 from 12 or Burton is carving it up in the lower grades Luai deserves a dozen games to make the spot his own.
You just hope the right one,whoever it is, fires and we keep him long term.

 

[betcats]

IF Luai isn't playing well after 5 plus games and burton is playing well then there is no way you keep going with Luai. He isn't established yet, he has to play well to keep the spot, he doesn't get the luxury of half a season to find his feet imo. Same for Burton if he is picked there first.

 

[OldPanther]

IF Luai isn't playing well after 5 plus games and burton is playing well then there is no way you keep going with Luai. He isn't established yet, he has to play well to keep the spot, he doesn't get the luxury of half a season to find his feet imo. Same for Burton if he is picked there first.

That's more than fair for two guys fighting for the position.

 

[betcats]

That's more than fair for two guys fighting for the position.

Yep that is what I mean when I say make it a genuine competition for the spot. Obviously one of them needs to get first crack and Jerome deserve that, but whoever is being picked has to perform well or lose that chance to the other IMO.

 

[Dave's mate]

Luai also starts at 6 or plays NSW cup. He offers nothing from the bench

 

[betcats]

Luai also starts at 6 or plays NSW cup. He offers nothing from the bench

I think he could play centre or play him off the bench with Kenny and just let Jerome run.

 

[mxlegend99]

Luai also starts at 6 or plays NSW cup. He offers nothing from the bench

Considering our centre options I would have him as a potential centre also.

But chances are if Burton gets the jump on him at 6 he will leave. His career couldnt survive here otherwise.

I wouldnt be shocked if the likes of To'o, Leniu and Crichton etc. were tempted to follow him. These kids coming through are very close which can be both an advantage and a curse. If we want to keep them all it's easier. But if one isn't good enough we could potentially upset his mates. At the very least he would be in their ears as Wade Graham was trying to get mates to join him at Sharks.

 

[franklin2323]

I think he could play centre or play him off the bench with Kenny and just let Jerome run.

The thing for me is the left with Kikau will always be dangerous. The right needs help so if you can play both 5/8th's on that side as well as giving another attacking option you would help the attack

 

[betcats]

Sure Luai would probably leave, its a bit much to say he'd try and take all those boys with him. You don't let something like that factor into the Luai/Burton decision anyway. Keeping the best one is the only focus. Crichtons brother left an he is still here. Kikau's best mate left and he is still here. People said after Waqa left Kikau would leave and wouldn't get on with the Clearys. He and Nathan are actually pretty good mates going by their instagrams and the way they celebrated together in the last few rounds(when we won). Players understand its a business, we aren't going to lose 4 kids if Burton wins the 6 jumper.

 

[betcats]

The thing for me is the left with Kikau will always be dangerous. The right needs help so if you can play both 5/8th's on that side as well as giving another attacking option you would help the attack

Burtons direct running style with Kikau and Luai outside him would be deadly. I worry Luai's change of direction will take him away from Kikau to often, he likes looking outside and skip back inside especially of his left foot.

 

[franklin2323]

Burtons direct running style with Kikau and Luai outside him would be deadly. I worry Luai's change of direction will take him away from Kikau to often, he likes look outside and skip back inside especially of his left foot.

I'd put Cleary on Kik's side for that reason and will help Cleary just do what he does well and not worry about where a try assist will come from. Just kick well, Run it and give it too Kikau occasionally. Need a good defensive right backrower though for it too work

 

[Dave's mate]

Burton would be a far better centre than Luai imo. Not that its something id do

 

[betcats]

Burton would be a far better centre than Luai imo. Not that its something id do

Yeah but he will be a far better half also imo so I don’t wanna move him.

 

[OldPanther]

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