Does Euen Aitken Remind you of Chris Johns

[giboz71]

Still not sure what to make of Aitken. The kid's got something, can't quite put my finger on what though?

He's definitely not a classic centre, not a graceful runner like Gaz or Jennings, nor a big bopper like a Hurrell or Leilua. Got decent speed and is tough as nails. Defends ok as well, but probably needs to work on his passing (join the queue behind Duges and Rein).

Still just a kid so he has time. Thinking the back row beckons for him at some stage in his career, especially if he bulks up.

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

Still not sure what to make of Aitken. The kid's got something, can't quite put my finger on what though?

He's definitely not a classic centre, not a graceful runner like Gaz or Jennings, nor a big bopper like a Hurrell or Leilua. Got decent speed and is tough as nails. Defends ok as well, but probably needs to work on his passing (join the queue behind Duges and Rein).

Still just a kid so he has time. Thinking the back row beckons for him at some stage in his career, especially if he bulks up.

Reminds me more of Shaun Timmons out of all those who have played centre in recent times. He wouldn't look out of place in the back row with his style of play.

 

[giboz71]

Reminds me more of Shaun Timmons out of all those who have played centre in recent times. He wouldn't look out of place in the back row with his style of play.

I was thinking Timmins too, till I remembered he played in the halves for NSW once.

Remember the 40m FG he kicked to win a game? Not sure Euan has that in him, but I get what you're saying.

 

[Zucchini]

The kid's got something, can't quite put my finger on what though?

Heart, guts, will and passion.

 

[OLD FART DRAGON]

Its a bit early to say who he plays like .as hes playing what the coach wants.hes got his own style. Next year he should get more room to move behind a big pack

 

[giboz71]

Heart, guts, will and passion.

Don't disagree, he's got this in spades.

But it's not necessarily enough to make him a great centre. At some point, talent needs to shine through as well.

 

[denis preston]

But can he drink like the bloke who's nickname was "scooners " !

 

[Gareth67]

I was more upset when we lost Bill Noke at the same time to the Donkeys rather than Johns.
We still had Brad Mackay, Mark Coyne, Mick Beattie etc.
Atleast Billy came straight back to us and even Captained us to a great win over the Bullgrubs in 89 at Kogarah,
Ricky Walford and Paul Osborne were unstoppable that day.

I remember that game also . Paul Osborne ran over the top of Peter ( thug ) Tunks and the rest of their pack , constantly bursting onto the ball , as you would like your props to do .

He played the best game ever for Saints that day . I think that Craig Young was out injured and looking at the side I could see that we would be in for a hiding .
He never seem to put much effort into his game , but that Saturday he more than made up for it . Someone even , cannot recall who , managed to knock Terry Lamb on his orse - that alone was worth the price of admission !

 

[gregstar]

I remember that game also . Paul Osborne ran over the top of Peter ( thug ) Tunks and the rest of their pack , constantly bursting onto the ball , as you would like your props to do .

He played the best game ever for Saints that day . I think that Craig Young was out injured and looking at the side I could see that we would be in for a hiding .
He never seem to put much effort into his game , but that Saturday he more than made up for it . Someone even , cannot recall who , managed to knock Terry Lamb on his orse - that alone was worth the price of admission !

young was the coach.

 

[Mr Red]

young was the coach.

Rookie coach horrors....stretching back nearly 30 years....
The more things change the more they stay the same...

 

[1st & 10]

He reminds me of Cecil Heron

 

[2010]

I notice that he is always heavily strapped, does the experts here know whether he has issues with his legs or knees,

He has a great future with the Saints, not overly quick but good in defence and close to the line

 

[Old Timer]

more like roy ferguson.

Pretty fair analogy.
Fergo was a great player and IMO if not for slightly bad hands would have played for Australia.
Aitken is learning how to tackle in the same manner and if he turns out as good as Fergo he will be doing very well.

 

[GC Dragon]

more like roy ferguson.

I also agree... He reminds me very much of Ferguson .

 

[rasaint]

Boy this guy gets talked up on this forum. Courageous player and runs hard and makes some good runs occasionally.

Sorry but too small, is out jumped, slow to accelerate / watch Ngama for the Tigers run around him like he was bolted to the pitch. Goodwin made him look ordinary all day against Souths If up against a sharp stepper then trouble brews.

Really he hope he overcomes the number of downsides and proves me wrong.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Boy this guy gets talked up on this forum. Courageous player and runs hard and makes some good runs occasionally.

Sorry but too small, is out jumped, slow to accelerate / watch Ngama for the Tigers run around him like he was bolted to the pitch. Goodwin made him look ordinary all day against Souths If up against a sharp stepper then trouble brews.

Really he hope he overcomes the number of downsides and proves me wrong.

Agree with this.
AItken is a very good centre, not great but very good.

Positives:
Very good straight line speed
Very physically strong
Can score a hard try
Very good front on defender
Negatives:
Small in stature, gets out jumped nearly every time
Slow lateral movement, speedy opposition players can run around him
Passing game - lack of it
Hit ups - too often for a centre

At the moment Aitken reminds me of Brad Fittler (understand Fittler was a 6) and we know where he ended up

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

I remember that game also . Paul Osborne ran over the top of Peter ( thug ) Tunks and the rest of their pack , constantly bursting onto the ball , as you would like your props to do .

He played the best game ever for Saints that day . I think that Craig Young was out injured and looking at the side I could see that we would be in for a hiding .
He never seem to put much effort into his game , but that Saturday he more than made up for it . Someone even , cannot recall who , managed to knock Terry Lamb on his orse - that alone was worth the price of admission !

Gareth67, I had this game on video for years.
Our starting pack was massive that day and steamrolled the dogs from first play.
Graeme Wynn was at lock, second row was Billy Noke and Jason Hoogerwerf with Shane Kelly, Trevor Bailey and Paul Osborne up front.
From memory it was Shane Kelly who put the hit on Terry Lamb, great memories.

 

[BringTheNoise]

I like the kid and I hope he kicks on but at the moment I would swap him for a strike centre in a heartbeat.

 

[Carlton]

I love Euan's heart but I am not convinced he is what we need for centre. I don't know if he has the skill but physically he looks like a number 9 to me, good speed but not outstanding, strong, committed, can defend when the player is in front of him.

 

[since77]

He's good, but not great. Milne has way more upside.
If Dufty ends up pushing for the fullback spot over the next 12 months, Aitken would (in a Mc Gregor-less world) probably lose his spot to Dugan.