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Luciano Leilua

muzby

Village Idiot
Staff member
Messages
45,971
I believe that if Flanagan takes Leilua under his wing in 2020, he could be the ball playing prop or lock that has been missing from our forward pack. Given the right coaching and mentoring, I'd say Leilua could become an origin forward within a couple of seasons.
Jamie Buhrer was an Origin forward so anything is possible..
 

nontime111

Juniors
Messages
1,623
Luciano is on the verge of damn greatness and you saw how his confidence was growing so fast towards the end of last season, he was a wrecking ball with an offload and I thought was pretty solid in D also
I really like the kid his interview was my favourite so far! so raw real down to earth and there to have a good time enjoying his game, one of those total excitement machines we havent had for a damn long time, I say he can have as much as an impact as Tallis did way back when for us, not as total aggressiveness as ol sell out but have THAT kind of impact on a game and he did in about 4 games in the last half of the season, im SO glad hes staying for at least another season but hes one of my favourite players to watch of any team and I hope he just stays for life and gets better each week till hes in green and gold
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
17,994
Took the grandson to the 9’s and we ran into Luc and had a chat with him
He is a really nice young guy and no doubt loves being a Dragon and suggested he is really looking forward to the next year in the red v
He is a casual young guy and most probably not as mature or focussed as others his age but that doesn’t mean he won’t make a quality footballer
IMO he plays because he loves it but I doubt it is the be all & end all of his daily life and we as fans have to accept that.
 

2010

Bench
Messages
3,490
Just wondering what role will Flanagan have as he is an assistant coach, what role will be allowed to do. I’m sure McIdiot will throw him under the bus first chance he gets
 

avocado

Juniors
Messages
1,265
Looks like Flanno could be the right guy at the right time for Luch. I think his potential is limitless. Looking forward to his development
Luc has huge potential. Absolutely huge. Big and mobile and soft hands and has a smart footy brain.
There are many players hamstrung by McGregor’s coaching. This guy one of them.

Along with Luc I believe Dufty, Field, Aitken, Rav, and mostly Friz, would shine under a decent coach.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,334
Dragons and Tigers consider Matterson-Leilua player swap
Adrian Proszenko
October 29, 2019 — 8.01pm
  • Send via Email
Ryan Matterson could head to St George Illawarra on a player swap with Luciano Leilua in a move that would result in the star forward taking on Wests Tigers in the opening weekend of the 2020 season.

Dragons officials met with Matterson’s management on Tuesday to express their interest and work through a range of scenarios with a view to snaring him.

Matterson’s future remains undecided after the Tigers granted him permission to speak to rival clubs despite having two years remaining on his existing deal. The 25-year-old has been excused from training commitments for “personal reasons” until his future is decided.

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Ryan Matterson could involved in a player swap with Luciano Leilua.Credit:NRL Photos

The Dragons, Eels, Rabbitohs and Titans are among the contenders for Matterson’s signature. However, the Tigers have made it clear they won’t part company unless they get a favourable outcome in the form of a player swap or financial compensation.

That could potentially be satisfied by Leilua, despite the fact he too is currently under contract. The younger brother of Joseph Leilua has made 43 NRL appearances after making his debut in 2016 but hasn’t nailed a starting spot in coach Paul McGregor’s side.

The Samoan international has shown glimpses of the potential that had him earmarked as one of the most promising young forwards in the game but could benefit from a fresh start.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire is assessing all of his options as several clubs attempt to offload players due to salary cap pressures. Cronulla playmaker Matt Moylan and Titans utility AJ Brimson are other targets the Tigers are considering as Maguire attempts to reshape his roster.

Leilua is an attractive proposition given he could help fill the void that Matterson would leave in the forward pack if the fringe NSW backrower is released.

The Dragons are also mindful that lock Jack de Belin can only return to the side if he is acquitted of rape charges. De Belin’s hearing is scheduled to begin on March 2, with an outcome expected just before the start of the 2020 season. Matterson is viewed as a strong addition to the Red V regardless of de Belin’s availability.


Nine lives: Raiders score TV coup in 2020 NRL draw
With preseason training set to commence for some clubs next week, Matterson is hoping to have his future resolved as soon as possible.

Souths are also a contender for Matterson’s services, particularly if Sam Burgess is forced into premature retirement due to his shoulder issues. How much the Rabbitohs will have to spend will depend on whether the club is granted salary cap dispensation for Burgess.

The transfer market is set to go into overdrive from November 1, the date from which clubs can negotiate with players who are off contract at the end of 2020. The big-name free agents include David Fifita, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Cody Walker, Jai Arrow, Josh Jackson and Tyson Frizell.

However, there is likely to be more immediate movement as clubs tinker with their rosters ahead of their 2020 campaigns.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...erson-leilua-player-swap-20191029-p535hi.html

Thank you redVinme
 

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
Luc has huge potential. Absolutely huge. Big and mobile and soft hands and has a smart footy brain.
There are many players hamstrung by McGregor’s coaching. This guy one of them.

Along with Luc I believe Dufty, Field, Aitken, Rav, and mostly Friz, would shine under a decent coach.
I agree with all except Field. He would not last in 1st grade today.
 

TomRedVRiver

Bench
Messages
3,682
Not swapping Luc for Matterson would be daft.
We're talking about a guy who was in the Origin squad this year... For a hot and cold forward.

You're an idiot if you don't think this benefits us hugely.
 

TomRedVRiver

Bench
Messages
3,682
Matterson for K Sims is a better deal.

People call for this club to make big, marquee signings. Matterson would be a huge pick-up, he was by FAR and away the Tigers best player this year. Future captain too.

Think about if we lose Friz in 2021 and if JDB gets convicted... Our back-row is looking pretty thin. I'd much rather Sims and Matterson on the edges than Sims and Luciano.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,966
People call for this club to make big, marquee signings. Matterson would be a huge pick-up, he was by FAR and away the Tigers best player this year. Future captain too.

Think about if we lose Friz in 2021 and if JDB gets convicted... Our back-row is looking pretty thin. I'd much rather Sims and Matterson on the edges than Sims and Luciano.
Or if we lose De Belin, T Sims, Frizell and Matterson is a good backrow. I'd be tempted to turn Leilua into a Beatson type prop and Ford into a Scott type centre / backrower.

It is now clear that there is division in our ranks with regards to the De Belin matter - wives of some players taking a stand. So in the end, a De Belin for Matterson swap with the Tigers may just be the right solution.

I would like to keep Leilua over Host and Frizell over De Belin if it comes to choice.
 

Wittenberg

Juniors
Messages
1,140
Complete madness if we lose Luc, but quite frankly the Club deserves it. At least the guy would develop under another coach. Losing a player with immense potential even if we do get Matterson is a mistake. Let's face it Matterson would come to us after leaving two clubs, one because he wanted to always be in the run on side and one because he didn't get on with the coach and thought he was trained too hard. He will fit in with Norman wonderfully. Honestly after the "review" and the "Mary is safe" rubbish, this club will not improve until it totally implodes. Our implosion is not far off. Another email ready. A disgrace.
 
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