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Peta Hiku

Lovemedragons

Lovemedragons

Juniors
Messages
1,481
BennyV said:
Absolutely ridiculous. I've got big aspirations for Aitken but 'local junior' doesnt automatically means first grade spot. That sort of thinking will see us languishing at the bottom of the table while the clubs practicing shrewed recruitment will be playing through September. If hes not the best option, he can bide his time, and over a long season he will get plenty of opportunities. He is 19 and has a long career ahead, doesnt mean he is guaranteed a spot when there are better options.
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I agree that local junior does not automatically equal first grade spot (and this has been the clear policy at the club for many many years who sign anyone rather than developing their own talent) but you cannot convince me that once you have identified a good'un like Aitken that you would then flick him after 1 year to Reggies and replace him with players who are not obviously better for the club in the longer run. Unless of course they could snag Dylan Walker who is a star but we are dreaming in that one by the sound of it and in my opinion the only 'better' option being spoken about.
 
B

BennyV

Referee
Messages
24,016
Lovemedragons said:
I agree that local junior does not automatically equal first grade spot (and this has been the clear policy at the club for many many years who sign anyone rather than developing their own talent) but you cannot convince me that once you have identified a good'un like Aitken that you would then flick him after 1 year to Reggies and replace him with players who are not obviously better for the club in the longer run. Unless of course they could snag Dylan Walker who is a star but we are dreaming in that one by the sound of it and in my opinion the only 'better' option being spoken about.
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Who is flicking him? He goes to reserve grade to bide his time and work on his weaknesses. Theres zero shame in that for a 20 year old kid; in fact its likely to be better for him in the long run. He also has a 2 year contract and knows he is part of the future of the club and will be there in the long run. If he is going to spit the dummy and ask for a release because he isnt the best option for this year, then he can do that; IMO he's not good enough to do that yet.

Take the fact that he is a local junior out of it, and noone would have any issue with him being first choice backup for a Dugan/Lafai or Hiku combo.
 
T

twinkletoes

Juniors
Messages
1,006
Having played a whole season in first grade and performing very well, I would not expect anyone to accept going back to NSW Cup for a season..barring injuries.
 
R

rainman44

Bench
Messages
3,189
hardbaby said:
Aitken is the fittest guy in the club and pound for pound, one of the strongest. Not bad for a kid. He is so busy when he plays - huge involvement. He defends very well, unlike a lot of young players, and will develop into an outstanding defender next year. He is quick enough and deceptive enough but needs to work on his passing (a common fault in the dragons team). I just can't see him missing out. That's a 250+ game first grader right there and a junior. We should support him.
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100% with you. The kid is good and going to be very very good in a couple of years.
 
Dragon66

Dragon66

Juniors
Messages
640
Hopoate signs with Bulldogs
By AAP
an hour ago
Will Hopoate. (AAP)
Will Hopoate. (AAP)
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Comments
NSW State of Origin back Will Hopoate has signed a two-year NRL contract with Canterbury.

Hopoate joins the Bulldogs from Parramatta, where he spent the previous two seasons before severing ties after a contract dispute.

"Will is an exciting young player who has already achieved so much in the game," Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle said.


Read more at http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/2015/12/07/14/17/hopoate-signs-with-bulldogs#aBb4QxSpWumHP65e.99


The cards begin to fall! Peter Hiku come and join our island community at the Red V, we welcome you with open arms.
 
Dragon66

Dragon66

Juniors
Messages
640
rainman44 said:
100% with you. The kid is good and going to be very very good in a couple of years.
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I can also see that with his skill set he would make a great second rower in the future.

And before the clowns on this forum start rabbiting on about him being too small, and it will never happen.

One of the most outstanding second rowers in the comp. ATM is one Josh Jackson, who won the Dally M Award for Best Second Rower in 2015. And has already represented Australia.

Euan Aitken was a back rower all through his junior years, and was absolutely dynamic in attack and defence.

Josh Jackson: 93kg 1.79m Debuted as a 21 year old in 2012.
Euan Aitken: 92kg 1.84m Will be 21 this year.

I'm tipping that his future will be in the forwards. Another Tyson Frizzell, now that would be good. So I for one am not worried about Duges and Hiku taking centre spots, the man to be worried as far as I'm concerned is Joel Thompson. He will need to be outstanding this year to hold his spot as the season progresses. And I hope he is, because this is all only good news for the club as far as i'm concerned.
 
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S

Saint-Fez

Juniors
Messages
36
1. Hiku
2. Nightingale
3. Aitken
4. Dugan
5. PM
6. Widdop
7. Benji

-Mann to back up all backline positions except wing
-KFL and YKG to back up wing

- Aitken will have a breakout year. His size to power ratio is insane and to think he is only 20. His defence is already better then a lot of NRL centres and he will improve leaps and bounds over the next few seasons. I recall he played the second half of last season with an injury as well so will be interesting to see his speed when 100%.
- Hiku at FB (Assuming we get him) allows us to have a big body back there to cope with defensive duties and kick returns, while still giving us a ball playing option.
 
giboz71

giboz71

First Grade
Messages
9,676
twinkletoes said:
Having played a whole season in first grade and performing very well, I would not expect anyone to accept going back to NSW Cup for a season..barring injuries.
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Good point. That would be tough to take I'm sure. I would have been happy for Aitken to start at centre but the fact we're going hard for Hiku/Roberts/Lafai suggests the club thinks we can do better.

Any incremental improvement can make all the difference.
 
S

Saint-Fez

Juniors
Messages
36
Dragon66 said:
Hopoate signs with Bulldogs
By AAP
an hour ago
Will Hopoate. (AAP)
Will Hopoate. (AAP)
FShareTTweetBEmail
Comments
NSW State of Origin back Will Hopoate has signed a two-year NRL contract with Canterbury.

Hopoate joins the Bulldogs from Parramatta, where he spent the previous two seasons before severing ties after a contract dispute.

"Will is an exciting young player who has already achieved so much in the game," Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle said.

The cards begin to fall! Peter Hiku come and join our island community at the Red V, we welcome you with open arms.
Click to expand...



BREAKING STORY....."Des Hasler caught taking various hallucinogenic drugs at Stereosonic"

......only possible explanation for releasing Lafai to sign Hoppa? :crazy:
 
Dragon66

Dragon66

Juniors
Messages
640
Saint-Fez said:
BREAKING STORY....."Des Hasler caught taking various hallucinogenic drugs at Stereosonic"

......only possible explanation for releasing Lafai to sign Hoppa? :crazy:
Click to expand...


Now that explains why Des is so far out there! Plus if the stories are true, the Bulldogs are going to have the most expensive winger in the game. Take your pick Hoppa or Bmoz. Gotta love their salary cap. How do they do it? Our next signing should be their creative accountant.
 
TruSaint

TruSaint

Referee
Messages
20,855
Dragon66 said:
Now that explains why Des is so far out there! Plus if the stories are true, the Bulldogs are going to have the most expensive winger in the game. Take your pick Hoppa or Bmoz. Gotta love their salary cap. How do they do it? Our next signing should be their creative accountant.
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No can do.
He's on a 10 x 10 x 10 year contract with upside.
Only Nick Politis can break that deal.
 
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