Rep Players

[Knight Vision]

The only thing that Reynolds adds is a bit more grub. There's nothing special about the bloke and it amazes me how much hype there has been around him.

Agree with this. He's a pretty ordinary footballer to be honest. Love his enthusiasm. He will have a short career I think , as he ages he will slow down and he hasn't the skill set to compensate. He shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Mullen

 

[Dave_]

Yep. If you look at both players at their best, it's a no contest. Right now is about as good as you'll see from J.Reynolds but Mullo is far from his best and still outplaying him.

 

[K-Man]

Thought all the halves were pretty average, unfortunately. Someone's going to have to lift their game big time if NSW want a chance.

Not going to happen I don't think. It's the one true difference between the sides, and no combination for NSW is really going to do that much better than the alternatives.

Honestly, Mullen is massive for us but I'm not sure he'd overly worry Queensland. Good long kicking game that the Maroons will attempt to pressure the hell out of, not a great attacking kicking game because he can't put his bombs high and his ability to force repeat sets is only average.

Mullen also barely runs the ball and when he does get caught he's not good at offloading. He's got pace but he's not a genuine running danger like some others with a similar frame. He might slice you open with his pace one time in a whole Origin series.

City-Country if anything confuses the matter even more because the halves always look average and play themselves out of the reckoning rather than into it. But if you can't bring the required polish and class to a game against City, you can't bring it against Queensland.

 

[aqua_duck]

I wouldn't take how much they weigh into much consideration. Hodges is over 1.90m whereas Lockyer is not even 1.80m. But both players are not bulky. What I'm getting at is some players are just better off not trying to put on so much weight and hitting the gym fully hetic during the pre season.

Sione is a good talent. Like most islander kids, they are built like tanks for their age. The majority of them reach their peak in their teens as well.
The Warriors under 20s are a perfect example.
I'm not saying it's going to happen with Sione but it is something I am always mindful of when I hear about a young future superstar being so physically dominant and he is only so and so age.

He's not playing against blokes his age, he's playing against blokes up to 3 years older and leaving them for dead, and he's not playing against small kids, have you seen the NYC comp, it's filled with big islander kids. Not sure if you've heard of a bloke named Brenko Lee, bloke is a 6'3 103kg centre, rated next Inglis/Folau up in Qld, Sione has played him 3 times this year and is up 3-0. Kid is a freak

 

[1qaz]

He's not playing against blokes his age, he's playing against blokes up to 3 years older and leaving them for dead, and he's not playing against small kids, have you seen the NYC comp, it's filled with big islander kids. Not sure if you've heard of a bloke named Brenko Lee, bloke is a 6'3 103kg centre, rated next Inglis/Folau up in Qld, Sione has played him 3 times this year and is up 3-0. Kid is a freak

Who's this Brenko Lee you speak of? Isn't he a relation to Edrick? Didn't they used to shoot hoops back in the day at Brown Stains with the Gagai, Timu, Joe Ofahengaue clan, ? You're a funny guy ;-)

That's what I'm saying, these islander kids dominate in the lower grades. They play well above their age. Some of them are older than they really are too :lol:
How many 20s match have you been to this year? Who has been your standouts?
I live in Queensland so I have only attended a couple but young Jacob have been sending me tapes.
I have been really impressed with Daniel Levi. I hope Knights hold onto him. He could be a real weapon coming off the bench

 

[aqua_duck]

Who's this Brenko Lee you speak of? Isn't he a relation to Edrick? Didn't they used to shoot hoops back in the day at Brown Stains with the Gagai, Timu, Joe Ofahengaue clan, ? You're a funny guy ;-)

That's what I'm saying, these islander kids dominate in the lower grades. They play well above their age. Some of them are older than they really are too :lol:
How many 20s match have you been to this year? Who has been your standouts?
I live in Queensland so I have only attended a couple but young Jacob have been sending me tapes.
I have been really impressed with Daniel Levi. I hope Knights hold onto him. He could be a real weapon coming off the bench

Seen 4 games, panthers, raiders, sharks and dogs plus the Under 20s origin. For me stand outs have been Mamo, Sione, Levi, Tapine and Yates. Also don't mind what I see from Pondekas, Chance Peni and Jah Pakau. I've been following Sione since his 1st year of Harold Mats when he and Tevita Pangai were tearing it up as 14 year olds, always felt Tevita dominated because of physical characteristics (kid was probably 100kg of muscle when he was 15). I'm friends with Chris Haddad who manages all the Mata'utia boys as well as Tyrone Roberts. I've never felt Sione dominated because of size, he was big enough but as he was always against older kids he was never the biggest but he always done the little things right and he had a good football brain.
If you're from Brisbane than you'd be aware of the wraps on Brenko, and his junior credentials. Sione has outplayed him everytime they've matched up this year

 

[Big Pete]

Not so much a knock on Sione, but Brenko's reputation is diminishing by the game. Has the tools to be a first grader but lacks the application.

 

[Spot On]

Not going to happen I don't think. It's the one true difference between the sides, and no combination for NSW is really going to do that much better than the alternatives.

Honestly, Mullen is massive for us but I'm not sure he'd overly worry Queensland. Good long kicking game that the Maroons will attempt to pressure the hell out of, not a great attacking kicking game because he can't put his bombs high and his ability to force repeat sets is only average.

Mullen also barely runs the ball and when he does get caught he's not good at offloading. He's got pace but he's not a genuine running danger like some others with a similar frame. He might slice you open with his pace one time in a whole Origin series.

City-Country if anything confuses the matter even more because the halves always look average and play themselves out of the reckoning rather than into it. But if you can't bring the required polish and class to a game against City, you can't bring it against Queensland.

You are 100% correct K-man. These are my thoughts exactly.

 

[Frederick]

Not so much a knock on Sione, but Brenko's reputation is diminishing by the game. Has the tools to be a first grader but lacks the application.

Sounds like he fits Wayne's recruitment policy

 

[1qaz]

Hi Frederick, why do you keep deleting my posts

 

[K-Man]

You are 100% correct K-man. These are my thoughts exactly.

I wish we were wrong, I really do. Jarrod's a good first grader and we need him, no doubt about it. But there are reasons he doesn't get picked for Origin and they're not just related to dumb selectors or not being given a fair go since he was 17 or playing with the pressure of being 'the next Joey' for a decade.

I'm a Queenslander and I'd be more worried if Josh Reynolds played. Sure his game has limitations, but he invariably makes big plays and that's Origin. He'll anticipate well, dive on loose balls, support breaks and score, be involved in everything and play unpredictable football. Maroons would not enjoy it. With Mullen they'll know his game back to front and they'll negate it just like they do to Pearce. That telegraphed inside ball well before the defensive line will not be worrying anyone.

 

[K-Man]

I think Mamo is too small for the wing, his speed, anticipation and broken field running is much more suited to fullback. I think Sione and Gagai are quite similar but Sione is a lot better defensively IMO, when Sione hits someone the stay hit, I also think he's got a higher football IQ. I think Dane would be great on the wing, he loves coming in field to take hit ups and is awesome under the high ball

This stuns me. You would negate Gagai's biggest gifts at a time when everyone is wanting him to get back to his best?

I'll guarantee you this: no NRL coach will ever play Dane Gagai on the wing. His skillset comes from being a fullback, he's good off both feet, he's elusive but not overly fast, he's got a great passing game when given a chance to use it, he knows how to put a winger over for a try unlike so many other centres these days.

And aside from that, making a lot of tough runs doesn't make him good at them, it just makes him brave and selfless. Gagai gets driven backwards more than most outside backs. Seriously, compare a McManus run out of danger to a Gagai one - absolutely worlds apart. He's not a winger, never has been, never will be.

 

[aqua_duck]

This stuns me. You would negate Gagai's biggest gifts at a time when everyone is wanting him to get back to his best?

I'll guarantee you this: no NRL coach will ever play Dane Gagai on the wing. His skillset comes from being a fullback, he's good off both feet, he's elusive but not overly fast, he's got a great passing game when given a chance to use it, he knows how to put a winger over for a try unlike so many other centres these days.

And aside from that, making a lot of tough runs doesn't make him good at them, it just makes him brave and selfless. Gagai gets driven backwards more than most outside backs. Seriously, compare a McManus run out of danger to a Gagai one - absolutely worlds apart. He's not a winger, never has been, never will be.

I'm not saying put him on the wing next week I'm more gazing into the crystal ball. In 2 years when we farewell McManus and Boyd from the backline and presumably introduce Mamo and Sione Mata'utia. Mamo in my mind is too short to play on the wing and would get targeted under the high ball, I also think his blinding speed, support play and anticipation are best suited to fullback, he reminds me of a young Billy Slater (not saying he will be as good). The natural thing to do is give Sione a wing spot but long term he's wasted there, he's very similar to Dane Gagai except he's a better front on defender, and has a skill set which has been honed at centre since he was 14. I mean at the end of the day it's not even that big a deal, a backline of Mamo, BJ, Dane, and Sione will be the envy of most teams no matter what jumper they have on their backs

 

[Bring it home Knights]

This stuns me. You would negate Gagai's biggest gifts at a time when everyone is wanting him to get back to his best?

I'll guarantee you this: no NRL coach will ever play Dane Gagai on the wing. His skillset comes from being a fullback, he's good off both feet, he's elusive but not overly fast, he's got a great passing game when given a chance to use it, he knows how to put a winger over for a try unlike so many other centres these days.

And aside from that, making a lot of tough runs doesn't make him good at them, it just makes him brave and selfless. Gagai gets driven backwards more than most outside backs. Seriously, compare a McManus run out of danger to a Gagai one - absolutely worlds apart. He's not a winger, never has been, never will be.

Whilst Gagai does get pushed backwards on occasions, he also regularly carries players making good meters. I think you are being a touch harsh on Gagai's relieving hit ups.

 

[Frederick]

Hi Frederick, why do you keep deleting my posts

I'm not the mod you're looking for

 

[1qaz]

Whilst Gagai does get pushed backwards on occasions, he also regularly carries players making good meters. I think you are being a touch harsh on Gagai's relieving hit ups.

Yealp stats back this up.. if he only he get so pushed back so often... he'll be making 250m + a game

Dane Gagai has made 1,204m in 8 games this season at an average of 150.5m per game
Dane Gagai has made 32 tackle breaks in 8 games this season

Akuila Uate has made 801m in 6 games this season at an average of 133.5m per game
Akuila Uate has made 14 tackle breaks in 6 games this season

BJ Leilua has made 991m in 8 games this season at an average of 123.87m per game
BJ Leilua has made 36 tackle breaks in 8 games this season

Adam Cuthbertson has made 858m in 7 games this season at an average of 122.57m per game
Adam Cuthbertson has made 8 tackle breaks in 7 games this season

James McManus has made 958m in 8 games this season at an average of 119.75m per game
James McManus has made 18 tackle breaks in 8 games this season

Zane Tetevano has made 356m in 3 games this season at an average of 118.6m per game

Korbin Sims has made 525m in 5 games this season at an average of 105m per game
Korbin sims has made 7 tackle breaks in 5 games this season

Kade Snowden has made 722m in 7 games this season at an average of 103.14m per game

Willie Mason has made 722m in 7 games this season at an average of 103.1m per game

David Fa'alogo has made 379m in 4 games this season at an average of 94.75m per game

Chris Houston has made 468m in 5 games this season at an average of 93.6m per game

Robbie Rochow has made 714m in 8 games this season at an average of 89.25m per game

 

[K-Man]

Whilst Gagai does get pushed backwards on occasions, he also regularly carries players making good meters. I think you are being a touch harsh on Gagai's relieving hit ups.

Less a criticism of his strength and more a criticism of his ability to make the type of contact with the defenders that allows him to take momentum into the contact. Basically I'm saying that if you watched 100 Gagai runs under pressure and 100 McManus runs under pressure, the difference would be incredibly noticeable. McManus hits half gaps like few other wingers, it just seems to be an innate talent he's always had to know how to get the best out of his frame. In my opinion Gagai consistently finds himself getting dominated when making runs under pressure.

But that's not really my point anyway. What I'm actually saying is that Gagai is too good a centre (when in form and being given space) to be put on the wing. Much of his class comes from his passing game. I'm not saying he's even close to the standard of Jamie Lyon or Mark Gasnier, but it would be like putting either of those two on the wing. It just wouldn't make any sense to me. Gagai's not even that fast, he's a beautiful mover on his feet, but he's not lightning by any stretch.

 

[K-Man]

Yealp stats back this up.. if he only he get so pushed back so often... he'll be making 250m + a game

Dane Gagai has made 1,204m in 8 games this season at an average of 150.5m per game
Dane Gagai has made 32 tackle breaks in 8 games this season

Akuila Uate has made 801m in 6 games this season at an average of 133.5m per game
Akuila Uate has made 14 tackle breaks in 6 games this season

BJ Leilua has made 991m in 8 games this season at an average of 123.87m per game
BJ Leilua has made 36 tackle breaks in 8 games this season

Adam Cuthbertson has made 858m in 7 games this season at an average of 122.57m per game
Adam Cuthbertson has made 8 tackle breaks in 7 games this season

James McManus has made 958m in 8 games this season at an average of 119.75m per game
James McManus has made 18 tackle breaks in 8 games this season

Zane Tetevano has made 356m in 3 games this season at an average of 118.6m per game

Korbin Sims has made 525m in 5 games this season at an average of 105m per game
Korbin sims has made 7 tackle breaks in 5 games this season

Kade Snowden has made 722m in 7 games this season at an average of 103.14m per game

Willie Mason has made 722m in 7 games this season at an average of 103.1m per game

David Fa'alogo has made 379m in 4 games this season at an average of 94.75m per game

Chris Houston has made 468m in 5 games this season at an average of 93.6m per game

Robbie Rochow has made 714m in 8 games this season at an average of 89.25m per game

Stats are stats. You haven't included number of runs, for which I believe he is in the top 10 in the entire comp.

Gagai is one of my favourite players, but he does get himself into some awkward positions carting the ball up, and he does get pushed back in group tackles more than some. I can't believe anyone is really denying that. I'm a massive fan and I still see that it's something he could improve on. Can't question his effort though that's for sure, he gets in there and has a run over and over.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Jimmy is a master of splitting defenders and getting to his belly in tackles. He rarely, if ever, gets rolled onto his back or held upright by defenders.

Dane just runs at the line and tries to use footwork which rarely works against a set defence. He needs to forget about fighting for maximum metres and just to try and get to ground on first contact and get to his play the ball quickly

 

[Bring it home Knights]

The thing with Gagai that I have noticed is that he is deceptively strong. I've lost count of the times that he's carried defenders for good meters. Comparing him and McManus is like comparing apples and oranges. McManus doesn't get pushed back but he virtually never makes valuable meters after initial contact. Gagai gets pushed back every now and again, but he also makes meters that McManus wouldn't have made.

For the record I would not use Gagai on the wing. His ability to set up his winger is far to valuable to be wasted on the wing.