Leilua gone at the end of 2015

[lafai]

Yeah i edited my post but pretty much

 

[1qaz]

A centre paring of Sione and McManus not going to trouble too many teams. Gagai will need to move back there.
Mamo would make a better fullback than winger in first grade.

 

[slotmachine]

I think that's how it's going to work out, Chanel is a winger only and Pat miles off first grade.
Jimmy Mac is a great bloke but his best days are behind him.

 

[Johns Magic]

Mamo to 1 is what I see the plan as.

Does anyone know if Gagai actually has a preference out of fullback and centre?

1. Mamo
2. Uate
3. Gagai
4. Sione
5. Chanel
6.
7.
8. Snowden
9. Levi
10.
11.
12. Tariq
13. Korbin

14.
15.
16. Rochow
17. Tapine


That is what I would be looking at building around and the rest can jump. Stockwell might get a bench gig I guess but not too convinced.

 

[Allstar Knights]

McManus was terrible at centre last year and he doesn't possess the traits to be any good there either.

 

[Jono078]

Mamo to 1 is what I see the plan as.

Does anyone know if Gagai actually has a preference out of fullback and centre?

1. Mamo
2. Uate
3. Gagai
4. Sione
5. Chanel
6.
7.
8. Snowden
9. Levi
10.
11.
12. Tariq
13. Korbin

14.
15.
16. Rochow
17. Tapine


That is what I would be looking at building around and the rest can jump. Stockwell might get a bench gig I guess but not too convinced.

They interviewed Gagai after the last game and asked him what he preferred and I got the feeling he wants to be a centre.

 

[Johns Magic]

They interviewed Gagai after the last game and asked him what he preferred and I got the feeling he wants to be a centre.

Thanks.

That's a relief for us I guess.

 

[macavity]

If we are serious he plays out the year in NSW cup.

 

[1qaz]

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/05/13/gagai_embraces_fullb.html

After a quality training session on Wednesday, the 24-year-old is excited for Sunday's return to Hunter Stadium.

“I had a good session this morning and I think we all did. I’m happy with how the team went and how I went at the back,” he said after training.

“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable out the back and under the high balls.

“I’m getting my hands on the ball a lot more and hopefully on the weekend, there might be an opportunity to get some broken play and hopefully we capitalise on that.

“I’m not doing as much tackling, but that’s been overtaken by a lot more running.

“I tend to blow out a lot quicker than I normally do, but I enjoy it.”

While Gagai has established himself at centre since joining the Knights, he jumped at the opportunity to challenge himself in the role.

“Obviously with Jarrod out injured, we needed someone to go there and I put my hand up,” he said.

“(Rick) Stoney backed me, which gave me that bit of confidence that he trusted me that I’d do the job at fullback.”

He has always wanted to play fullback but he has been reluctant to move back there in recent times because they have bulked him up him to defend in the front line.
I posted this before and got shredded to pieces how they should trim down and play in him fullback. Then his fitness wouldn't been an issue.

 

[Knight Vision]

Well there goes my 2 favorite Knights players. First Beau and now BJ . We're going to lack a lot of agro next year unless we recruit well and I dont see that happening.

it does make me wonder if the reason BJ is leaving is more than just money ? I thought he was happy at the Knights. I reckn BJ could turn into anything and his departure will be a major regret sometime in the future

 

[Joel-22]

Mamo to 1 is what I see the plan as.

Does anyone know if Gagai actually has a preference out of fullback and centre?

1. Mamo
2. Uate
3. Gagai
4. Sione
5. Chanel
6.
7.
8. Snowden
9. Levi
10.
11.
12. Tariq
13. Korbin

14.
15.
16. Rochow
17. Tapine


That is what I would be looking at building around and the rest can jump. Stockwell might get a bench gig I guess but not too convinced.

Agree with you 99.%, still not entirely sold on Tapine. Needs more time in firsts for me to make a decision.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

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

Why?? sure, he's had a bad few games, but so has most of the team...

He has been consistantly one of our best since he began in '07. He may not be the fastest or have the best footwork, but he is one of our smartest and safest players (i've always considered him in the MGidley mold)

Id go:
1. Gags
2. Mamo
3. Sione
4. Jimmy Mac
5. Uate

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

McManus was terrible at centre last year and he doesn't possess the traits to be any good there either.

Whne did he play there?? i dont remember that.

 

[Swarzey]

When we played Manly.

But at the same time I've never seen a side be as unlucky as we were that night. f**k me that was some hoodoo bullshit.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

When we played Manly.

But at the same time I've never seen a side be as unlucky as we were that night. f**k me that was some hoodoo bullshit.

Considering the general acceptance that positions are hard to adapt to over night, i dont reckon its fair to hang him for one poor showing given he probably only found out he would be playing there a few days earlier (he was wearing #2).

Im not saying he's a certainty for success, but i reckon his history has earned him more credit than he's getting ATM...

 

[Swarzey]

Neither.

McManus is just that player that rarely lets a side down. With enough time I have little doubt he'll adjust to the position, especially one so important. Probably find we've conceded the least amount of points down his side, he's a smart defender.

That said, if we persist with Gagai at fullback and we've got better options for the position, we've got to bite the bullet and either drop him or hold back Mamo and it's a tad harsh to do either. As great as Gagai played on the weekend and will most likely play for the remainder of the season it's best that he goes back to the edge simply because we know what we'll get from him.

 

[Allstar Knights]

Could be wrong but I thought he played a good 3 or so games at centre last year and was generally underwhelming.

 

[Serc]

Gagai was a weapon in juniors at fullback

Was Broncos U20's fullback, and when I was trolling the stats from the games, he stood out massively - was so excited when we signed him as he was probably my favourite player coming through at the time from any of the U20's teams

Also played fullback for Junior Kangaroos

Edit: As for the topic at hand, I think we are going to miss Leilua a lot, and another NRL club will be getting the best of one (potentially) the best centres in the comp

 

[Johns Magic]

Why?? sure, he's had a bad few games, but so has most of the team...

He has been consistantly one of our best since he began in '07. He may not be the fastest or have the best footwork, but he is one of our smartest and safest players (i've always considered him in the MGidley mold)

Id go:
1. Gags
2. Mamo
3. Sione
4. Jimmy Mac
5. Uate

Lack of talent would be the main reason.

He may not be the fastest or have the best footwork or have a good passing game or have any size or show attacking instincts, but...

The ability to stay on your wing in defence and get into dummy-half when you are needed does not make you a centre in my book.

If he is our starting centre next year we are in trouble. I don't mind him on the wing but that's about it.

I can't see the MGidley comparison at all. They are opposites if anything IMO.

 

[Frederick]

Lack of talent would be the main reason.

He may not be the fastest or have the best footwork or have a good passing game or have any size or show attacking instincts, but...

The ability to stay on your wing in defence and get into dummy-half when you are needed does not make you a centre in my book.

If he is our starting centre next year we are in trouble. I don't mind him on the wing but that's about it.

I can't see the MGidley comparison at all. They are opposites if anything IMO.

Some genius on Facebook actually suggested putting aku in the centers :lol: