Lafai

[Old Timer]

How the hell is Lafai a questionable buy :lol:

Recent form is the best guide.

Everybody is making excuses for him and referring back to what he did at 19 or in 2014 all that counts for nothing.

If he was such a great player as you all espouse surely he should have progressed and made something out of 2015.

Lafai's stats for 2105 are well short of Aitken's.

Show me why on 2015 results why you rate him so highly?

The Dogs have let Lafai go to fit in Hopoate does that not tell you something.

Now that we have him let him earn his stripes to play first grade (I hope he does) but why gift it to him?

 

[rainman44]

Recent form is the best guide.

Everybody is making excuses for him and referring back to what he did at 19 or in 2014 all that counts for nothing.

If he was such a great player as you all espouse surely he should have progressed and made something out of 2015.

Lafai's stats for 2105 are well short of Aitken's.

Show me why on 2015 results why you rate him so highly?

The Dogs have let Lafai go to fit in Hopoate does that not tell you something.

Now that we have him let him earn his stripes to play first grade (I hope he does) but why gift it to him?

Lafai is a left centre playing on the right because J morris is on the left. He was injured early in the year and was playing like he was and on the wrong side. How did Flo play last year busted ? All that has happened is the dogs had to choose between J Morris and Lafai as they are both specialist left centres. Dogs loss is our gain.

 

[Old Timer]

Lafai is a left centre playing on the right because J morris is on the left. He was injured early in the year and was playing like he was and on the wrong side. How did Flo play last year busted ? All that has happened is the dogs had to choose between J Morris and Lafai as they are both specialist left centres. Dogs loss is our gain.

All you are telling me is why the Dog's let him go which on the surface are probably highly creditable reasons.

All that aside you have not actually told me why we signed him.

If its because he is better than what we have I have simply questioned that and asked for good solid evidence what he will actually bring something to the club because I cannot see any evidence based on recent form that he will be a clearly better option than what we have including the purchase of Mann.

If people are saying that they think he will be better, hope he will be better or similar then fine but say that is how its and don't expect me to accept that there is clear evidence he will be better when there is none to show from 2015.

The discussion is not about Flo it's about someone we actually bought from another club. Flo is already on our books and on his last season we decided to keep him and the big difference is that on Lafai's last efforts the Dog's let him go.

 

[st.phil]

All you are telling me is why the Dog's let him go which on the surface are probably highly creditable reasons.

All that aside you have not actually told me why we signed him.

If its because he is better than what we have I have simply questioned that and asked for good solid evidence what he will actually bring something to the club because I cannot see any evidence based on recent form that he will be a clearly better option than what we have including the purchase of Mann.

If people are saying that they think he will be better, hope he will be better or similar then fine but say that is how its and don't expect me to accept that there is clear evidence he will be better when there is none to show from 2015.

The discussion is not about Flo it's about someone we actually bought from another club. Flo is already on our books and on his last season we decided to keep him and the big difference is that on Lafai's last efforts the Dog's let him go.

We signed him cos he is a class specialist left centre, provides strike out wide beyond what we got now. Only 24 and on a two year deal, all positive. I have always dreaded him as an opposition player, that's a great sign. Evidence? This is a forum...you won't find it here...rather opinions, man. Quell your angst with some youtube highlights if you like.

 

[rasaint]

Dragons are trying to get Jack Bird back so my hunch is Roberts was a little to much $$$ and Lafai was priced right and if he becomes a bit more durable a top buy. One thing is that Lafai is genuinely quick and elusive at his best.

 

[twinkletoes]

Everyone is assuming Mann is a shoe in for fullback...to me it is between Mann & Aitken for the initial starting spot..

Team as follows:

Dugan
Nightingale
Aitken
Lafai
Matautai
Widdop
Benji

Mann on bench as utility

 

[possm]

Dragons are trying to get Jack Bird back so my hunch is Roberts was a little to much $$$ and Lafai was priced right and if he becomes a bit more durable a top buy. One thing is that Lafai is genuinely quick and elusive at his best.

I'm sure Bird would be a 2017 season signing and so, would not be a consideration as there are quite a few players coming off contract at the end of 2016.

If Roberts had indicated that he would not be signing with the Dragons, then we have done the right thing in signing Lafai.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Everyone is assuming Mann is a shoe in for fullback...to me it is between Mann & Aitken for the initial starting spot..

Team as follows:

Dugan
Nightingale
Aitken
Lafai
Matautai
Widdop
Benji

Mann on bench as utility

Concur.

How good is it to have a shit load of NRL standard players throughout your squad!

 

[2217]

You wont see Mann on the bench

 

[BrissyRedV]

Everyone is assuming Mann is a shoe in for fullback...to me it is between Mann & Aitken for the initial starting spot..

Team as follows:

Dugan
Nightingale
Aitken
Lafai
Matautai
Widdop
Benji

Mann on bench as utility

Assuming because it came from the horses mouth and has been mentioned several times by the coach.

 

[to_ddeath]

Everyone is assuming Mann is a shoe in for fullback...to me it is between Mann & Aitken for the initial starting spot..

Team as follows:

Dugan
Nightingale
Aitken
Lafai
Matautai
Widdop
Benji

Mann on bench as utility

Yes to your backline...no to Mann on bench.


T.

 

[mickeylane]

Roberts is still on the cards and judging from the efforts Mcgregor is going to we might end up getting him.. Check this
St George Illawarra Dragons remain in the hunt for James Roberts despite Tim Lafai signing http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...espite-tim-lafai-signing-20151212-glm1yn.html via @smh

 

[bottle]

Lafai is a great signing. Classy and talented. My guess is he will be picked as starting left centre.
However trials and injuries will determine this. Either way, what a great backup to have if others prove more worthy. I see no down side.

 

[twinkletoes]

Roberts is still on the cards and judging from the efforts Mcgregor us going to we might end up getting him.. Check this
St George Illawarra Dragons remain in the hunt for James Roberts despite Tim Lafai signing http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...espite-tim-lafai-signing-20151212-glm1yn.html via @smh

If we are still chasing Roberts given all the other players we have signed for next season I would have to say Peter Mullholand has performed a miracle in getting this club back into shape so quickly after the shambles that he was left when he first joined Saints. I take my hat off to him....

 

[mickeylane]

Check this out for 2016

Saints 2016

1. Roberts. - Quinlan
2. Nightingale. - Glymin
3. Dugan. - Aitken
4. Lafai. - Mann
5. Matautai. - KFL

6. Marshall. - Hutchison
7. Widdop. - Mcrone

8. Packer. - Ikahihifo
9. Rein. - Havili
10. Masoe. - Ioane
11. Frizell. - McCarthy
12. Thompson. - Marketo
13. Cooper. - Lui

14. Mathews
15. Creagh
16. Ah Mau
17. JDB

 

[Bongdragon]

Check this out for 2016

Saints 2016

1. Roberts. - Quinlan
2. Nightingale. - Glymin
3. Dugan. - Aitken
4. Lafai. - Mann
5. Matautai. - KFL

6. Marshall. - Hutchison
7. Widdop. - Mcrone

8. Packer. - Ikahihifo
9. Rein. - Havili
10. Masoe. - Ioane
11. Frizell. - McCarthy
12. Thompson. - Marketo
13. Cooper. - Lui

14. Mathews
15. Creagh
16. Ah Mau
17. JDB

Oh man! That's got me so excited... and I just can't hide it. I don't wanna lose control because I kinda like it aha...ha!

 

[saint.nick]

Recent form is the best guide.

Everybody is making excuses for him and referring back to what he did at 19 or in 2014 all that counts for nothing.

If he was such a great player as you all espouse surely he should have progressed and made something out of 2015.

Lafai's stats for 2105 are well short of Aitken's.

Show me why on 2015 results why you rate him so highly?

The Dogs have let Lafai go to fit in Hopoate does that not tell you something.

Now that we have him let him earn his stripes to play first grade (I hope he does) but why gift it to him?

'Surely he would have bla bla bla'

Are you thick? Stop seeing the world through such a black and white lens. It's pretty hard to progress when you're injured and then essentially played out of position. Recent form is not the be all, end all. If Lafai did what he did in 2014, then he's equally capable of doing that again. Others have also tried to reason with you before that his recent form is partly due to his positioning on the right, not the left. It may not seem like such a big deal, but it can mean a lot

I'm not denying he had an average 2015, but you're doing your absolute best to ignore his 2014.

It tells me that Hasler was willing to sacrifice a centre for salary cap reasons so he could buy a player he's always liked for the fullback position. Which is clearly a big risk, because Hoppa's only good season was in 2011 on the wing.

Questionable buy is a f**king stupid thing to say. This team needs competition and depth in certain positions, and at worst he's a guy that keeps Aitken on his toes.

 

[BennyV]

'Surely he would have bla bla bla'

Are you thick? Stop seeing the world through such a black and white lens. It's pretty hard to progress when you're injured and then essentially played out of position. Recent form is not the be all, end all. If Lafai did what he did in 2014, then he's equally capable of doing that again. Others have also tried to reason with you before that his recent form is partly due to his positioning on the right, not the left. It may not seem like such a big deal, but it can mean a lot

I'm not denying he had an average 2015, but you're doing your absolute best to ignore his 2014.

It tells me that Hasler was willing to sacrifice a centre for salary cap reasons so he could buy a player he's always liked for the fullback position. Which is clearly a big risk, because Hoppa's only good season was in 2011 on the wing.

Questionable buy is a f**king stupid thing to say. This team needs competition and depth in certain positions, and at worst he's a guy that keeps Aitken on his toes.

Saint nick, you are being unreasonable. Unless Lafai made 4 line breaks and scored 3 tries between the 37th and 54th minute of Round 18 this year, then he is clearly shit. No other timeframe matters.

 

[Old Timer]

'Surely he would have bla bla bla'

Are you thick? Stop seeing the world through such a black and white lens. It's pretty hard to progress when you're injured and then essentially played out of position. Recent form is not the be all, end all. If Lafai did what he did in 2014, then he's equally capable of doing that again. Others have also tried to reason with you before that his recent form is partly due to his positioning on the right, not the left. It may not seem like such a big deal, but it can mean a lot

I'm not denying he had an average 2015, but you're doing your absolute best to ignore his 2014.

It tells me that Hasler was willing to sacrifice a centre for salary cap reasons so he could buy a player he's always liked for the fullback position. Which is clearly a big risk, because Hoppa's only good season was in 2011 on the wing.

Questionable buy is a f**king stupid thing to say. This team needs competition and depth in certain positions, and at worst he's a guy that keeps Aitken on his toes.

Questionable is exactly the right term because there is no recent evidence to show he is better than what we already have and again you articulate the reasons the Dogs let him go. So in other words they did not think he was good enough to displace anybody for him to hold a position or for him to get somebody else changed to accommodate him in his natural position.

He had great potential at age 19 and on 2014 form however did it translate into further progression in 2015?

So his reward for an ordinary 2015 according to you is for him to walk straight into the ST GI first grade side. Are we that shameless?

As I said let him earn the position don't gift it to him.

 

[saint.nick]

Questionable is exactly the right term because there is no recent evidence to show he is better than what we already have and again you articulate the reasons the Dogs let him go. So in other words they did not think he was good enough to displace anybody for him to hold a position or for him to get somebody else changed to accommodate him in his natural position.

Questionable is a f**king moronic term. If you don't think that wonderful 2014 form is recent enough evidence of his pure ability, then you have a very warped idea of relevance is. He hasn't just mysteriously lost all of that ability that, when showcased, is better than Aitken.

Tim Lafai is a left centre. J Morris is a left centre. Tim Lafai is not great on the right. Hasler thinks Lafai is too good to be wasted away in reserve grade. Tim Lafai earned reasonable wages. You can work out the rest.

Tim Lafai at the very least provides serious competition and keeps other players on their toes, so you deserve an uppercut for suggesting that buying talented depth (at the least) is questionable.

He had great potential at age 19 and on 2014 form however did it translate into further progression in 2015?

Why do you keep banging on about why he didn't progress, when the reason for that has been slammed into your face like a brick wall?

So his reward for an ordinary 2015 according to you is for him to walk straight into the ST GI first grade side. Are we that shameless?

As I said let him earn the position don't gift it to him.

It is almost fait accompli that Tim Lafai will prove his class in his trial form. You need to stop worrying about Euan's feelings being hurt if he is displaced for Lafai. I think Euan has a place in this team, I'm just not sure it's centre.