2025

[Iamback]

So poor that he was picked for NSW, Australia and won the Clive.

what a crap season. I hope his poor form continues next year.

As a side in almost every metric the side was down from previous years.

That doesn't happen unless players aren't playing to their best every week.

Even Ivan called out the side after the Canberra game. He clearly knew it would get a response but he doesn't do that IF the side is flying

 

[Iamback]

Well don't be too honest when you comment on blaize, folks here are very optimistic

People around here don't like you calling it as it is seen.

You must only suck the side off

 

[Black Panther]

Tago is not going anywhere, the McLean boys and Alamoti will be fighting it out for a centre and wing spot.

This.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Weren’t you in the totally wrong about Ivan club?

I've said Ivan was only brought back because the club were shitting themselves about losing Nathan. It's a miracle how taking a step back like that worked. Goes against all logic but here we are now the greatest side of all time......

I love peak Tago as a player but he was VERY bad in 2024. Just how it is, I truly hope he's turned a corner but Casey is already the best defensive centre at the club and that's what our DNA is. Alamoti is also a f**king jet

 

[Luke Bowden]

I've said Ivan was only brought back because the club were shitting themselves about losing Nathan. It's a miracle how taking a step back like that worked. Goes against all logic but here we are now the greatest side of all time......

I love peak Tago as a player but he was VERY bad in 2024. Just how it is, I truly hope he's turned a corner but Casey is already the best defensive centre at the club and that's what our DNA is. Alamoti is also a f**king jet

It’s like you can’t see past half a season.

Players have ups and downs throughout their career, this can be due to many factors.

how you can look at Tago’s, Casey’s and PA’s career and decide that Tago is in danger of losing his spot is a Joke.

Good save this forum if Yeo ever hits a rough patch…. Hahaha not that your bias or anything, but you’d cop it from every direction

 

[MugaB]

People around here don't like you calling it as it is seen.

You must only suck the side off

Oh yeah, suck the side off is my go to

 

[Munky]

A huge amount of the side were very ordinary for large parts of the 2024 regular season.

We were essentially guaranteed fourth spot but the Roosters and Sharks lost games sides they shouldn't have.

Which meant we avoided the Storm week one.

I think we all believed the team had gears since they only turned up in the regular season against the Roosters and Sharks.

We still likely play the Storm in the GF however the game planning for week 1 and the GF would be so different. What defused the Storm is the GF can only work once since they would plan around it the second go round.

Also the intensity of week one v the Storm would put the loser at a huge disadvantage for the rest of the finals series.

 

[MugaB]

A huge amount of the side were very ordinary for large parts of the 2024 regular season.

We were essentially guaranteed fourth spot but the Roosters and Sharks lost games sides they shouldn't have.

Which meant we avoided the Storm week one.

I think we all believed the team had gears since they only turned up in the regular season against the Roosters and Sharks.

We still likely play the Storm in the GF however the game planning for week 1 and the GF would be so different. What defused the Storm is the GF can only work once since they would plan around it the second go round.

Also the intensity of week one v the Storm would put the loser at a huge disadvantage for the rest of the finals series.

GGGGGGGGGGGGGEARS!!!!!!!!!!

 

[snickers007]

It’s like you can’t see past half a season.

Players have ups and downs throughout their career, this can be due to many factors.

how you can look at Tago’s, Casey’s and PA’s career and decide that Tago is in danger of losing his spot is a Joke.

Good save this forum if Yeo ever hits a rough patch…. Hahaha not that your bias or anything, but you’d cop it from every direction

And it's like you have the reading comprehension of a 5-year old.

No-one is saying Tago should be dropped for 2025. Some dope (likely a cousin of AJ Kepaoa) came up with a 'Best 17' and somehow forgot that Tago and Casey McLean existed. End of.

The conversation around Tago is that he had a poor 2024. He started the year hot playing against second rowers who were shifted mid-match, then he was ordinary for the next 20 weeks, and he came good for the finals series.

Similarly, Liam Martin was injured all year, and really only showed up for Origin, and the finals.

No-one is saying that they're shit players. Just that they had extended periods of playing poorly. Big difference.

 

[MugaB]

And it's like you have the reading comprehension of a 5-year old.

No-one is saying Tago should be dropped for 2025. Some dope (likely a cousin of AJ Kepaoa) came up with a 'Best 17' and somehow forgot that Tago and Casey McLean existed. End of.

The conversation around Tago is that he had a poor 2024. He started the year hot playing against second rowers who were shifted mid-match, then he was ordinary for the next 20 weeks, and he came good for the finals series.

Similarly, Liam Martin was injured all year, and really only showed up for Origin, and the finals.

No-one is saying that they're shit players. Just that they had extended periods of playing poorly. Big difference.

Correct in every way, and the talking heads of the nein and fox decided Liam Martin was the best 2nd rower all season, but we saw different, purely coz we saw his best and consistent seasons in previous years

 

[Chins get the wins]

Correct in every way, and the talking heads of the nein and fox decided Liam Martin was the best 2nd rower all season, but we saw different, purely coz we saw his best and consistent seasons in previous years

Ivan playing him in the loss to Manly was criminal. I know we like to back our players but Marto was f**ked. He had no business out there

 

[Iamback]

And it's like you have the reading comprehension of a 5-year old.

No-one is saying Tago should be dropped for 2025. Some dope (likely a cousin of AJ Kepaoa) came up with a 'Best 17' and somehow forgot that Tago and Casey McLean existed. End of.

The conversation around Tago is that he had a poor 2024. He started the year hot playing against second rowers who were shifted mid-match, then he was ordinary for the next 20 weeks, and he came good for the finals series.

Similarly, Liam Martin was injured all year, and really only showed up for Origin, and the finals.

No-one is saying that they're shit players. Just that they had extended periods of playing poorly. Big difference.

Correct.

Once we got to the finals in that situation no one was beating us.

I'd back us full strength in finals over anyone. Over the course of the season many guys phone it in.

Moses is another. Too small a sample size to put Tago in this boat yet

 

[snickers007]

Correct.

Once we got to the finals in that situation no one was beating us.

I'd back us full strength in finals over anyone. Over the course of the season many guys phone it in.

Moses is another. Too small a sample size to put Tago in this boat yet

Admittedly Tago had some shit going on this year.

He still had some mental scars relating to his shoulder injury from the end of 2023.
He was up for the start of the season as he was in contract negotiation mode. Once that was sorted, he had one massive game, and then slumped.
Add in the drama with his mate YAM.
And the rotating cast of wing and halves partners on his side of the field.

That's a lot to deal with, and probably contributed heavily to his defensive issues this season.
But it was his discipline and ball handling that I was most disappointed with. And that's an attitude and mindset thing.

Hopefully the stuff with Taylan is sorted by the courts quickly, and there are no more distractions. I reckon he's got a massive couple of years in him - but he needs to want it, and be willing to work for it, both on the field, and with his mindset and preparation.

 

[Luke Bowden]

And it's like you have the reading comprehension of a 5-year old.

No-one is saying Tago should be dropped for 2025. Some dope (likely a cousin of AJ Kepaoa) came up with a 'Best 17' and somehow forgot that Tago and Casey McLean existed. End of.

The conversation around Tago is that he had a poor 2024. He started the year hot playing against second rowers who were shifted mid-match, then he was ordinary for the next 20 weeks, and he came good for the finals series.

Similarly, Liam Martin was injured all year, and really only showed up for Origin, and the finals.

No-one is saying that they're shit players. Just that they had extended periods of playing poorly. Big difference.

Chins did. That’s the point of my reply. My 5 year old can certainly read that.

Another quality post from you. Well done.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Chins did. That’s the point of my reply. My 5 year old can certainly read that.

Another quality post from you. Well done.

Tago starts at right centre next year but Casey is already a better defender and that's what our side is based around. His ceiling is also WAY higher

 

[Black Panther]

Alamoti should be the Winger to replace Turuva in my opinion, and start the year with Tago and Casey in the Centres. The Penrith game plan is better suited with a powerful runner in Alamoti on the Wing.

Just my opinion though.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Alamoti should be the Winger to replace Turuva in my opinion, and start the year with Tago and Casey in the Centres. The Penrith game plan is better suited with a powerful runner in Alamoti on the Wing.

Just my opinion though.

100%. Our back 3 will be even better. I'd give Tago 10 weeks or so to show if he's switched on.

 

[Iamback]

Admittedly Tago had some shit going on this year.

He still had some mental scars relating to his shoulder injury from the end of 2023.
He was up for the start of the season as he was in contract negotiation mode. Once that was sorted, he had one massive game, and then slumped.
Add in the drama with his mate YAM.
And the rotating cast of wing and halves partners on his side of the field.

That's a lot to deal with, and probably contributed heavily to his defensive issues this season.
But it was his discipline and ball handling that I was most disappointed with. And that's an attitude and mindset thing.

Hopefully the stuff with Taylan is sorted by the courts quickly, and there are no more distractions. I reckon he's got a massive couple of years in him - but he needs to want it, and be willing to work for it, both on the field, and with his mindset and preparation.

Which is why I want to see how he starts the season.

He stepped up in the big games so that is a good sign moving forward

 

[Fangs]

Even if Tago is a certain starter the point around Kepaoa is true.

I saw him in two games in 2024 and he looked great in both. He can definitely earn his way into the team. Just keep him away from the drivers seat the bloke has a led foot. Had trouble previously with the cops in Coogee as well so needs to grow up fast.

As always there is usually one fringe guy who has a massive off season and makes the 17. It's potentially him.

 

[Iamback]

Even if Tago is a certain starter the point around Kepaoa is true.

I saw him in two games in 2024 and he looked great in both. He can definitely earn his way into the team. Just keep him away from the drivers seat the bloke has a led foot. Had trouble previously with the cops in Coogee as well so needs to grow up fast.

As always there is usually one fringe guy who has a massive off season and makes the 17. It's potentially him.

Again it comes to a log jam at centre. He like the 20000000 other options has size to move into the forwards