matai..

[muzby]

wanted to know from the manly fans what your opinion is of the guy..

do you see him as a bonus or a liability for your team?

yes, he can put on some great shots, but geez he seems to give away a lot of penalties and put you on the back foot.

TBH, i only ever see him play when we play you guys, so i may not be seeing the full picture, but keen to know from his own fans what the opinion of him is.

 

[mickyj]

He is a risky player but would not swap him for any other centre to be honest.
He can turn a game in our way and has not given away many pens this season.

 

[Hooch]

Isn't he going to have another stint on the sidelines? I was listening to Morrow and the Wok give it to him last night.

I enjoy his aggression but he will end his career sooner rather than later if he keeps on getting suspended. At some point Dessie will tire of it and that will be that.

 

[woodyk2]

He can be a bit grubby but i wouldnt swap him...having players like him keep the other teams fans hating us...and thats just the way we like it.Just wish he would pass more.

 

[slamminsam246]

WoodyK2 - spot on! His hits, tackle/line breaks and metre gains far out weigh his grubbiness. Love the aggression.

 

[blacklock]

WoodyK2 - spot on! His hits, tackle/line breaks and metre gains far out weigh his grubbiness. Love the aggression.

you wont love the aggression when he gives away a penalty in the 79th minute of a semi final and your team loses

controlled aggression is one thing ie great tacke...busting the line...etc. basically punching a guy who is already tackled with his jersey over his head? how does that help the team on the field. sure as hell fires up the opposition and makes the ref keep a closer eye on you.


i think he is a good player when he is playing clean. he just needs to get the "stupid" out of his game. (which i think he has toned down compared to before)

all in all...he will be facing time on the sideline. a shame because the game can use more colourful characters, just not in that way.

 

[CC_Eagle]

He's been brilliant this year. Both discipline and form wise.

Earlier in the week there was even an interview with Steve on one of the FTA news reports praising him for his change in attitude.

My take on it was that being NZ team-mates, there would have been a rivalry/niggle between Nightingale and Matai. The "high shot" wasn't the smartest idea, a swinging arm never is. However it didn't go close to making contact with Nightingale's head. But with Steve's record all he needs to do is fart on a player and he'll receive a week or two.

The push and shove with Gas isn't a surprise. The two have a publicly acknowledged history and it's almost expected that they'll go looking for each other.

As long as it's legal, I have no problem with it. Steve's aggressiveness makes players think twice about running at his side of the field - which is a good thing.

 

[blacklock]

He's been brilliant this year. Both discipline and form wise.

Earlier in the week there was even an interview with Steve on one of the FTA news reports praising him for his change in attitude.

My take on it was that being NZ team-mates, there would have been a rivalry/niggle between Nightingale and Matai. The "high shot" wasn't the smartest idea, a swinging arm never is. However it didn't go close to making contact with Nightingale's head. But with Steve's record all he needs to do is fart on a player and he'll receive a week or two.

The push and shove with Gas isn't a surprise. The two have a publicly acknowledged history and it's almost expected that they'll go looking for each other.

As long as it's legal, I have no problem with it. Steve's aggressiveness makes players think twice about running at his side of the field - which is a good thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEsGRCG_kWg&feature=feedu

freeze frame it at 2:05 and tell me that is no where near his head

 

[firechild]

It was only the second penalty he had conceded this year. Sure if he gets suspended it damages the team but this season he has been in fantastic form and is giving away less penalties than most players. He timing of when to come out of the line has been great this year, he manages to shut down 4 on 3 and 3 on 2 plays with some degree of regularity with a big hit.

 

[God-King Dean]

He's been brilliant this year. Both discipline and form wise.

Earlier in the week there was even an interview with Steve on one of the FTA news reports praising him for his change in attitude.

My take on it was that being NZ team-mates, there would have been a rivalry/niggle between Nightingale and Matai. The "high shot" wasn't the smartest idea, a swinging arm never is. However it didn't go close to making contact with Nightingale's head. But with Steve's record all he needs to do is fart on a player and he'll receive a week or two.

The push and shove with Gas isn't a surprise. The two have a publicly acknowledged history and it's almost expected that they'll go looking for each other.

As long as it's legal, I have no problem with it. Steve's aggressiveness makes players think twice about running at his side of the field - which is a good thing.

:lol:

 

[drago brelli]

Opposition coaches know that if you're looking for a penalty of two you can niggle Matai and he will respond accordingly.

 

[woodyk2]

The bloke was deadset on angry pills last night.

 

[CC_Eagle]

:lol:

"Close" can be interpreted as centermetres or inches.

It's entirely subjective.

;-)

 

[Charles Bronson]

He can be a bit grubby but i wouldnt swap him...having players like him keep the other teams fans hating us...and thats just the way we like it.Just wish he would pass more.

well so long as you have watmong and hasler..

 

[zombie jesus]

Steve was simply confused with the hit on Nightingale. He lined up the shot with the number on Nightgale's back thinking it would get him in the top of the arm/shoulder, it just happened that his jersey had been pulled over his head and the number now lined up with his chin/throat area, in the heat of the moment, Steve didn't realise this. That's my take on it. :sarcasm:

 

[Patorick]

One week suspension.

I'm sure Morrow would love Matai, if he played for his beloved Dragons.

 

[blacklock]

One week suspension.

I'm sure Morrow would love Matai, if he played for his beloved Dragons.

to be balanced....when beau scott (and yes i love his aggression) gives away penalties, believe me the man gets cursed out in this house lol I dont care who it is. Be aggressive yes. Give away penalties field position and suspensions? no.

Theres nothing to love when the opposition gain an easy 40 metres and score.

Matai is a great player (and i say this as a dragons supporter! lol). He just needs to clean up his game and know where to apply his aggression.

 

[oval]

I love having Matai in the team. He's a very good player, and although he can have the odd brain snap, I like his aggro - he rattles opposition players. See Gasniers face when Matai had his arm cocked? Funny..

Watmough is far more of a liability - always giving away penalties and dropping the ball.

And I know people give Matai shit about clutching his shoulder, but I'm sure he has a genuine problem and admire his ability to play on through the pain.

Keep up the good work Mr Matai!!

 

[jbl31649]

I love having Matai in the team. He's a very good player, and although he can have the odd brain snap, I like his aggro - he rattles opposition players. See Gasniers face when Matai had his arm cocked? Funny..

Watmough is far more of a liability - always giving away penalties and dropping the ball.

And I know people give Matai shit about clutching his shoulder, but I'm sure he has a genuine problem and admire his ability to play on through the pain.

Keep up the good work Mr Matai!!

I believe he always gets injured because he goes in so hard against anyone, but he always keeps playing. Always makes meter!

 

[woodyk2]

Love the Matai...laugh at those he smashes.