Jason Demetriou

[True_Believer]

Leeson was actually one of those players that had no love when he started. Only now has earned respect

Nope 2 different players.

We first signed Plodson Ah Mau. A couple of years ago he was let go (bloody Millward). That was when we signed his more useful brother Leeson. But Leeson fell into our lap because of his relationship with Plodson (bloody Millward again).

 

[giboz71]

Leeson was actually one of those players that had no love when he started. Only now has earned respect

Exactly!

I was here when he was the forum whipping boy along with Matt Prior. It's why I could never really understand the notion we're a lot weaker without him.

He's a loss for sure but Korbin is a more than handy replacement. And having the brothers together again will have the added benefit of lifting Tariq's game as well.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

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Very Cool Avatar @ViceVersa

 

[BennyV]

Crush, its a long and distinguished list. Let's count 'em:

Dugan and Packer were future immortals (even though they struggle to play half a season)
Leeson Ah Mau is the next coming of Arthur Beetson
Siliva Havili is the next Cameron Smith
Jason Demetriou is the next Jack Gibson
Kurt Mann is on top of of every club's list to fill a backline spot (even though Brownie wants to turn him into a hooker).

Meanwhile, Paul Vaughan was an overpaid, reserve grade prop when he joined. Hunt was nowhere near worth the money. Tariq was an overrated injury prone hack. Korbin will in no way ever replace Leeson even though he's been in and around the Qld Origin team for years. You get the drift.......

Seems there is way more love for people leaving us as opposed to the blokes who actually want to play for us.

I find that strangely odd.

Goes both ways - remember that Nabuli was going to be our version of Radradra, Nutira was a Mulholland master stroke and Nicholls was worth pushing Hunt to hooker!

Meanwhile, Morris and Merrin were definitely worth releasing.

 

[Datramp]

Leeson was actually one of those players that had no love when he started. Only now has earned respect

It is because he moved to prop. Originally he was in the back row and had issues with defending laterally. He moved to prop which suited much better

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

That’s not news. He was appointed due to friends on the Board of Directors, and extended based on his own spin on ‘success’ and the low expectations of our management, prioritising their own positions over actual success.

And don't forget he was a Steelers Junior , the most important qualification....

 

[watatank]

It is because he moved to prop. Originally he was in the back row and had issues with defending laterally. He moved to prop which suited much better

Sure, he also matured. He was there for 3 years before he got player of the year

 

[giboz71]

Goes both ways - remember that Nabuli was going to be our version of Radradra, Nutira was a Mulholland master stroke and Nicholls was worth pushing Hunt to hooker!

Meanwhile, Morris and Merrin were definitely worth releasing.

Hmmm, I’ll have to take your word for it. Don’t remember those blokes being talked up too much. Cautious optimism maybe? Not to the same extent as the blokes leaving anyway. Even Pat Herbert was considered a massive loss despite not playing a minute of FG? Has he landed anywhere yet.... again no other clubs seem that keen to swoop on him??

As for Morris and Merrin, only Morris was really a loss. Merrin never played rep footy again after leaving us and he’s been shunted off to Super League now at the age where props are hitting their peak.

Definitely not worth the 750k he was asking for. Panthers realise the same now also.

 

[BennyV]

Hmmm, I’ll have to take your word for it. Don’t remember those blokes being talked up too much. Cautious optimism maybe? Not to the same extent as the blokes leaving anyway. Even Pat Herbert was considered a massive loss despite not playing a minute of FG? Has he landed anywhere yet.... again no other clubs seem that keen to swoop on him??

As for Morris and Merrin, only Morris was really a loss. Merrin never played rep footy again after leaving us and he’s been shunted off to Super League now at the age where props are hitting their peak.

Definitely not worth the 750k he was asking for. Panthers realise the same now also.

Take my word?? Would I lie to you Giboz?!?!

 

[giboz71]

Take my word?? Would I lie to you Giboz?!?!

Nope not at all.

Just don’t remember any of the guys you mentioned getting talked up massively in here. Not by me anyway, although I did have a hope Nichols would get more of a go at half.

But all the positive posts for our new recruits over the years probably get lost amongst all the drivel regarding the guys who are leaving.

 

[BLM01]

Hmmm, I’ll have to take your word for it. Don’t remember those blokes being talked up too much. Cautious optimism maybe? Not to the same extent as the blokes leaving anyway. Even Pat Herbert was considered a massive loss despite not playing a minute of FG? Has he landed anywhere yet.... again no other clubs seem that keen to swoop on him??

As for Morris and Merrin, only Morris was really a loss. Merrin never played rep footy again after leaving us and he’s been shunted off to Super League now at the age where props are hitting their peak.

Definitely not worth the 750k he was asking for. Panthers realise the same now also.

Pat Herbert - is at the Warriors..back home so 1 club did take him

 

[giboz71]

Pat Herbert - is at the Warriors..back home so 1 club did take him

Is that official?

I don’t see him listed when the 2019 squads were announced.

 

[possm]

Is that official?

I don’t see him listed when the 2019 squads were announced.

I believe that for some reason he is unwanted at the Warriors now. I say sign him up and let Mann go. He will surely displace Lafai as the season evolves.

Lomax and Herbert were the ISP centres for the year in 2018. Herbert and Lomax can both play fullback as well.

 

[giboz71]

I believe that for some reason he is unwanted at the Warriors now. I say sign him up and let Mann go. He will surely displace Lafai as the season evolves.

Lomax and Herbert were the ISP centres for the year in 2018. Herbert and Lomax can both play fullback as well.

I know he wanted to head home to NZ but they are loaded with outside backs. RTS, Maumalo, Fusitua, Kata, Hiku, Beale. All internationals aren’t they?

Not really sure how he fits in that backline?

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Hmmm, I’ll have to take your word for it. Don’t remember those blokes being talked up too much. Cautious optimism maybe? Not to the same extent as the blokes leaving anyway. Even Pat Herbert was considered a massive loss despite not playing a minute of FG? Has he landed anywhere yet.... again no other clubs seem that keen to swoop on him??

As for Morris and Merrin, only Morris was really a loss. Merrin never played rep footy again after leaving us and he’s been shunted off to Super League now at the age where props are hitting their peak.

Definitely not worth the 750k he was asking for. Panthers realise the same now also.

I’d strongly argue Merrin’s career was stuffed the moment the decision was made to move him to lock.

He’s a prop.

Talk about trying to shove a square peg into a round hole.

Potential unrealised,

He could’ve been so much better.

 

[giboz71]

I’d strongly argue Merrin’s career was stuffed the moment the decision was made to move him to lock.

He’s a prop.

Talk about trying to shove a square peg into a round hole.

Potential unrealised,

He could’ve been so much better.

Penrith persisted with him at Prop. The last 5 weeks of the season he played there including their 2 semi finals.

He just wasn’t very good.

Not 750k worth anyway.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

I believe that for some reason he is unwanted at the Warriors now. I say sign him up and let Mann go. He will surely displace Lafai as the season evolves.

Lomax and Herbert were the ISP centres for the year in 2018. Herbert and Lomax can both play fullback as well.

wouldnt surprise me if he ends up in Union

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Penrith persisted with him at Prop. The last 5 weeks of the season he played there including their 2 semi finals.

He just wasn’t very good.

Not 750k worth anyway.

Unless I’m horribly mistaken, the vast majority of Merrin’s time at Penrith was spent at lock. As you’ve said, he played only the last five weeks of the 2018 season at prop.

As history shows, he unwisely moved to the no. 13 under the whim of Dragons’ ex coach, Steve Price.

The question of his asking price is an entirely different situation, and I would suggest Merrin was offered that amount on the premise of “potential”.only.

 

[giboz71]

Unless I’m horribly mistaken, the vast majority of Merrin’s time at Penrith was spent at lock. As you’ve said, he played only the last five weeks of the 2018 season at prop.

As history shows, he unwisely moved to the no. 13 under the whim of Dragons’ ex coach, Steve Price.

The question of his asking price is an entirely different situation, and I would suggest Merrin was offered that amount on the premise of “potential”.only.

But why did Penrith persist with him there. Price wasn’t at Penrith?

And Phil Gould was one of his biggest fans, said he was a future state captain and all, he had all the opportunity to flourish at the Panthers at either position.

Just didn’t happen. Gould then sent him packing to Super League in what should be his peak years.

Another Gould mistake. Just like firing and re hiring Cleary.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

But why did Penrith persist with him there. Price wasn’t at Penrith?

And Phil Gould was one of his biggest fans, said he was a future state captain and all, he had all the opportunity to flourish at the Panthers at either position.

Just didn’t happen. Gould then sent him packing to Super League in what should be his peak years.

Another Gould mistake. Just like firing and re hiring Cleary.

You haven’t disagreed with me.