Andrew Fifita compared to Arthur Beetson

[davi]

To be Fair I doubt Fifita would have turned out to be this player if he stayed at the Tigers. He needed some hard heads like Gallen and Lewis guiding him.

What about the Bulldogs? Remember Fifita was going to sign there, but spilled the beans about his regret leaving the Sharks and suggested he would like to play rugby. Bulldogs pulled the offer, and Sharks improved their bargaining position by giving him a lower offer. I think that was how the story went but If I'm wrong feel free to correct me.

In hindsight it probably was a blessing in disguise for Fifita the way it's panned out for him winning a premiership and the way his development has come along at the Sharks.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

A better comparison is of Andrew Fifita with his twin brother David, who is carving up Super League with Wakefield Trinity. David Fifita is being compared with some of the great Wakefield props of all time, in a Super League which this year is stronger than the NRL (as seen in Wigan thumping Cronulla and Warrington thumping Brisbane in February).

So my conclusion is that Andrew Fifita could be the next David Fifita if he keeps at it.

Arthur Beetson is of course in another higher class all by himself.

LOL

 

[POPEYE]

There you go, I thought I was using better bait than Albert . . . time for a rethink

 

[Clifferd]

There you go, I thought I was using better bait than Albert . . . time for a rethink

f**k me Hahah alberts bait is hard to topple

 

[billygilmore]

Jeebus poor old Antonio Kafuisi sure gets underrated on this forum sometimes

 

[Brutus]

A better comparison is of Andrew Fifita with his twin brother David, who is carving up Super League with Wakefield Trinity. David Fifita is being compared with some of the great Wakefield props of all time, in a Super League which this year is stronger than the NRL (as seen in Wigan thumping Cronulla and Warrington thumping Brisbane in February).

So my conclusion is that Andrew Fifita could be the next David Fifita if he keeps at it.

Arthur Beetson is of course in another higher class all by himself.

Yes I have seen several Beetso games on video and he was great at ball playing before the line as well, much like halfback. Forwards don't do that much these days.

 

[POPEYE]

When Beetson was at his best the game played now has only scant resemblance, training regimes, players with day jobs, no interchange, grounds not green, etc etc. One thing certain is that scenario had Artie far above his contemporaries in a mid 70's Eastern Suburbs team that he contributed to becoming the greatest RL team in an era . . . no team since has dominated the others around them in such a manner

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Arthur Beetson was a giant of his era, physically and skill wise. Eastern Suburbs would not have won 2 Grand Finals without him.

 

[POPEYE]

Arthur Beetson was a giant of his era, physically and skill wise. Eastern Suburbs would not have won 2 Grand Finals without him.

Thanks for your confirmation ol'mate

 

[DiegoNT]

When Beetson was at his best the game played now has only scant resemblance, training regimes, players with day jobs, no interchange, grounds not green, etc etc. One thing certain is that scenario had Artie far above his contemporaries in a mid 70's Eastern Suburbs team that he contributed to becoming the greatest RL team in an era . . . no team since has dominated the others around them in such a manner

What was Beetson day job when he was at his peak at the roosters?

 

[POPEYE]

What was Beetson day job when he was at his peak at the roosters?

Pie taster . . . he was one of the privileged

 

[DiegoNT]

Pie taster . . . he was one of the privileged

Bit curious, an arguement that goes around in these comparisons between older and younger players is that the older players played in an era when player's had day jobs. But even during the 60s you had elite players given cushy jobs within clubs and were virtually full-time professionals. Those players who basically got to focus solely on football were still playing against brick layers and tradies

 

[POPEYE]

Bit curious, an arguement that goes around in these comparisons between older and younger players is that the older players played in an era when player's had day jobs. But even during the 60s you had elite players given cushy jobs within clubs and were virtually full-time professionals. Those players who basically got to focus solely on football were still playing against brick layers and tradies

If the top players did have jobs they were either Claytons' ones or they used them to keep fit or put food on the table, nevertheless most were on the books somewhere. In comparisons between eras it has to be remembered that standout players were just that, like they are today, physicality may have changed but the mental challenge is the same . . . it's the rules of the modern game that make player comparisons obscure

 

[Foz]

Arthur Beetson was a giant of his era, physically and skill wise. Eastern Suburbs would not have won 2 Grand Finals without him.

He still wouldn't of got Cronulla Home in a grand final.

 

[wibble]

The biggest concern for Cronulla is that they can float in and out of games. It seems like they can hold their own for 50-60 minutes, but then there is a 20 minute period where they just go to sleep and give up a lot of easy points.

It's a credit to them they have been so resilient and when the game has come down to the crunch they've been able to finish with the last laugh.

I still get the feeling that it's Melbourne's year, unless a side like Sydney get their act together and play with more consistency.

I don't think we've really given up easy points at any time this year (maybe the Newcastle game).

We probably float in and out execution and attack wise, but not in defense or intensity.

Our problem is consistency, but it is regards to discipline and ball handling, which is causing us to play catch up a lot, and we are bombing a lot of tries.

I agree that all teams seem to have some weaknesses at the moment, but we are looking as good as any. A big part of that is our forward pack, and I'm certainly hopeful that in big games for the Sharks, Fifita will continue to dominate like he has.

I'd say there are better metre eaters, and better defenders (though he is good at both), but he is the most explosively dangerous forward in the game at the moment. Definitely needs more years filled with big game moments to be in the Beetson class.

On an aside, I heard Beetson speak at a work function once. I didn't care at all about my job, but boy was he motivating. He was so charismatic it was unreal. I am sure that is part of his legend, and what made him a great team mate and captain, and I doubt Fifita will ever have that side of things any where near Beetson's level.

 

[AJB1102]

What about the Bulldogs? Remember Fifita was going to sign there, but spilled the beans about his regret leaving the Sharks and suggested he would like to play rugby. Bulldogs pulled the offer, and Sharks improved their bargaining position by giving him a lower offer. I think that was how the story went but If I'm wrong feel free to correct me.

In hindsight it probably was a blessing in disguise for Fifita the way it's panned out for him winning a premiership and the way his development has come along at the Sharks.

From memory I think part of it was Andrew realising a good chunk of his contract offered by the Bulldogs was in TPAs and therefore not guaranteed. Saved himself the trouble it seems Klemmer has found himself in.

 

[McLovin]

In terms of footballing ability, Beetson isn't worthy of sniffing Fifita's farts... Let's be honest...

 

[Big Pete]

I don't think we've really given up easy points at any time this year (maybe the Newcastle game).

We probably float in and out execution and attack wise, but not in defense or intensity.

Our problem is consistency, but it is regards to discipline and ball handling, which is causing us to play catch up a lot, and we are bombing a lot of tries.

I agree that all teams seem to have some weaknesses at the moment, but we are looking as good as any. A big part of that is our forward pack, and I'm certainly hopeful that in big games for the Sharks, Fifita will continue to dominate like he has.

The Cowboys, Dragons, Titans and Broncos clashes were what came to mind.

Otherwise I agree and I'm very interested to see which team will work on their weaknesses the most. For mine, the Storm have the least amount of concerns but there's still a long way to go and I expect them to drop off at some point this season.

 

[txta2]

Fifita will carry the Sharks to another gf win no doubt. A real mental case but if he can keep it together it will be a big pay day.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

He still wouldn't of got Cronulla Home in a grand final.

That is because Cronulla, unlike Eastern Suburbs/Sydney Roosters, did not have a quality team before 2016.

Eastern Suburbs teams of 1974 and 1975 were some of the greatest club teams ever assembled to play rugby league in Australia.