Leilua gone at the end of 2015

[Joker's Wild]

The Newcastle Knights and Joey Leilua have mutually agreed to part ways at the conclusion of season 2015.

Leilua has exercised a clause in his contract allowing him to terminate the final year of his contract being 2016.

“Joey is a quality player and we are disappointed to lose him for next season however we certainly wanted to work with him to reach an amicable outcome for both parties,” Director of Football Michael Hagan said.

The Club has been working through the process with Leilua and his management before finalising the matter this week.

“This is a personal decision for me and I want to thank the Knights for working through it with me,” Leilua said.

“Now that it is finalised, I want to focus on playing good football for the Knights and finishing off the season well.”

Leilua joined the Knights in season 2013 and has played 50 games for the Club to date.

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/05/14/leilua_departing_at_.html

 

[Swarzey]

Been expecting it. Never saw him staying long term.

Wish him all the best.

 

[Burns]

Disappointing but not surprised. I rate him as one of the most destructive centers in the comp on his day. His form for Samoa in the 2014 Four Nations was incredible.

Yet he is also one of the dumbest players, not sure of the amount of times he has passed the ball to McManus and errors he has made.

Sione as immediate replacement center?

 

[Joker's Wild]

Means we'll be short a centre next season if Gagai, like most of us expect, kills it at fullback over the next few weeks and Stone leaves him there.

Does Jimmy move in?

Go to market?

Bring up a jnr?

 

[The Showstopper]

Forwards and big ones with skill is the priority. jimmy to centre is the option I see with Mamo to wing or fullback.

 

[Burns]

The amount of first grade experience confirmed leaving the club is a bit concerning. Gidley, Scott, Leulia and possibly Smith, Fa'alongo?

Would have:

Mamo
Uate
Gagai
Sione
McManus

 

[Noname36]

I liked BJ but he's no great loss. I always loved watching him play but by this stage in his career his mistakes really should be getting better not worse like his are. With him and Kurt leaving our cap is no longer so unbalanced towards outside backs.

 

[Swarzey]

Jimmy going in would probably be the best idea, next after him being Chanel with Mamo on the wing.

We're sitting well when it comes to backs IMO. Donovon is developing pretty well in U20's, Nathan Ross is playing Centre this week (not sure if he played there last week), Pat Mata'utia. Really I've never had any concern when it comes to covering losing two backs for next year.

Still, I think considering Gagai has proven himself to be an excellent centre it's best he moves back there or even become somewhat of a hybrid centre/fullback if that's possible

 

[Noname36]

Means we'll be short a centre next season if Gagai, like most of us expect, kills it at fullback over the next few weeks and Stone leaves him there.

Does Jimmy move in?

Go to market?

Bring up a jnr?

If Gagai kills it at fullback I'd probably move Jimmy in and play Mamo on the wing. Maybe even swap them around a bit in defence.

Knowing Stone though I think Gagai will be back at centre very soon and we'll see:

1. Mamo
2. Uate
3. Gagai
4. Sione
5. McManus

That's still a very good backline. Won't do much though without forwards or a halfback.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Jimmy going in would probably be the best idea, next after him being Chanel with Mamo on the wing.

We're sitting well when it comes to backs IMO. Donovon is developing pretty well in U20's, Nathan Ross is playing Centre this week (not sure if he played there last week), Pat Mata'utia. Really I've never had any concern when it comes to covering losing two backs for next year.

Still, I think considering Gagai has proven himself to be an excellent centre it's best he moves back there or even become somewhat of a hybrid centre/fullback if that's possible

Thats interesting. I rate Ross and would like to see more of him in first grade but putting him at FB in front of Gagai and Gids would have been a bit hard

Id be interested to see how he goes at centre even if it is in NSWCup

Edit: Looks like he played in the centres last week against the Bears and the Bulldogs the week before

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/05/08/nsw_cup_round_9_prev.html

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/04/23/nsw_cup_preview_roun.html

 

[Mr Angry]

Chasing more coin?

 

[The Showstopper]

would you guys be staisified if for arguments sake we signed Shillington and Masoe on 1or 2 year deals which weren't extravagant. Would turn our prop rotation into a very big one.

 

[Noname36]

The amount of first grade experience confirmed leaving the club is a bit concerning. Gidley, Scott, Leulia and possibly Smith, Fa'alongo?

The only two I'm concerned about leaving are Scott and to a lesser extent Smith. The other 3 (+ Houston and Roberts) aren't helping us at all at the moment...in fact they're liabilities.

 

[Burns]

I would freak out if we signed Masoe. The absolute definition of impact player.

How old is he?

 

[slotmachine]

Chasing more coin?

It's ricky and the raiders, so yes.

Shillington is done. Barely NSW Cup standard these days. And if people are crook on BJ's errors and lack of football smarts then Masoe would drive em crazy.

 

[Johns Magic]

If James McManus is one of our first choice centres next year we are up shit creek without a paddle.

 

[Noname36]

I wonder if Mamo can play any centre. It's listed as one of his positions on the Knights website but I don't think I've ever seen him there. Maybe he and Gagai can swap around a bit there. Play Gagai at fullback when we're in the attacking zone because he can pass and then further out have Mamo back there sniffing around the ruck to jump on any offloads.

 

[The Showstopper]

We should try to get Kurt Mann back.

 

[lafai]

If Gagai moves back to the centres then Mamo to fullback.

Mamo
McManus/Chanel
Sione
Gagai
Uate

 

[Joker's Wild]

If Gagai keeps the fullback spot I think Stoned will put Sione to centre with his brothers next in line. Unless ofcourse someone puts their hand up in the lower grades. If Gagai moves back to the centres then Mamo to fullback.

So your saying Sione and either Pat or Chanel will play in the centres if Gagai stays at FB?