What's new
By:
Advanced search…
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rep Players

mozza91

mozza91

Coach
Messages
14,419
That's why I added the question mark, mate. I wasn't sure how the cap works in regards to those allowances.
 
Noname36

Noname36

First Grade
Messages
7,067
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. At the time most of us were saying that we had to give Uate the contract we did. It wasn't simply for his ability but he was our only "star". He held a big draw, got people to games because they loved watching him, kids love him, etc. For two seasons he was literally the only good thing we had going for us. He wasn't just a winger. He won us games simply off the back of his own freakish ability.

Obviously now since his form has dropped (although it's hardly as bad as some make out) and we have other players to draw on I wish he wasn't on the length or size contract he is, however that doesn't change the fact that at the time we gave him that contract he was probably our most vital player.
 
Last edited:
perverse

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
I don't think anyone expected him to have such a sharp decline in his attacking ability. A gradual decline would have been a lot easier to cop... but the change was immediate and profound.

As you say, Noname... he out and out carried our whole team on his back for a couple of years there. It was a no brainer that he was worth as much at the time. I think we need to be more careful about the number of years on our contracts. Getting tied into an inflated contract is one thing, but when it's for 4 or 5 years, it's a bit harder to cop and does run the risk of losing juniors that could fill the role as good or better.

Having said that, I'd much prefer Aku in first grade than Mamo at the moment. Mamo has a lot of ability, but the kid is clearly not ready yet - at least on the wing. Caught out of position all over the shop on both sides of the ball. Hasn't proven any safer under the high ball.
 
Johns Magic

Johns Magic

Referee
Messages
21,654
Noname36 said:
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. At the time most of us were saying that we had to give Uate the contract we did. It wasn't simply for his ability but he was our only "star". He held a big draw, got people to games because they loved watching him, kids love him, etc. For two seasons he was literally the only good thing we had going for us. He wasn't just a winger. He won us games simply off the back of his own freakish ability.

Obviously now since his form has dropped (although it's hardly as bad as some make out) and we have other players to draw on I wish he wasn't on the length or size contract he is, however that doesn't change the fact that at the time we gave him that contract he was probably our most vital player.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree. It is just a shame the way it has worked out. Fingers crossed he can rediscover some form, I do still think he is a good winger for sure. I would love to see him get a bit leaner again.

If our team's attack starts singing he could still be a gun.

I'm more interested in getting rid of Boyd and Gids than Uate.
 
Noname36

Noname36

First Grade
Messages
7,067
Totally agree with perverse re still preferring Aku over Mamo at the moment. That's why I'm so perplexed to see people say they want us to get rid of Uate, and even worse, McManus so that we don't lose blokes like Mamo and Pat. Neither of them are quite ready at the moment anyway. Why would we choose their potential over two long-serving one club wingers that have been successful for us? Fair enough if we had 2 great, firstgrade proven players to replace them with...but at the moment people are calling for their sacking due to the potential of Mamo and Pat? Neither of them are ready and until they can come in and consistently outclass what we already have id prefer McManus and Uate as our wingers.

The only one id happily punt for someone else is Boyd because thats not related to ability but attitude and his half-arsed attempts every game.
 
Bring it home Knights

Bring it home Knights

First Grade
Messages
7,575
Jimmy mac is around 27/28 from memory. That means in 3 years mata'utia will be 20 and ready to make the step up and jimmy can finish his career in England.
 
Noname36

Noname36

First Grade
Messages
7,067
Johns Magic said:
I don't disagree. It is just a shame the way it has worked out. Fingers crossed he can rediscover some form, I do still think he is a good winger for sure. I would love to see him get a bit leaner again.

If our team's attack starts singing he could still be a gun.

I'm more interested in getting rid of Boyd and Gids than Uate.
Click to expand...

I do think Uate's more rapid fall this year can be attributed a bit to us starving the outside backs in quality attacking positions. They all seem frustrated to me. I don't think it's a coincidence that all of the backline bar BJ who is built like a forward are struggling. I guarantee that if BJ was the same size as Gagai he'd be struggling too. If we can fix up our attack and get them some quality ball I think all the backs including Uate will see huge improvement. We're not utilising their strengths at the moment.
 
S

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,440
Smart clubs don't give big money to outside backs and they don't give long term deals to players that end after they turn 30.
 
Nuffy

Nuffy

Bench
Messages
4,075
Johns Magic said:
Ironic would be complaining about signing players and then watching two out-and-out superstar local juniors walk away because we don't give them a go ahead of overpaid, under performing players.
Click to expand...

My point exactly, Mamo isn't going to wait another 2-3 yrs for his shot, just like Kevin needed to move on.

If Uate was unstoppable then I wouldn't feel so strongly about the issue but the reality is that since he signed the big money deal, he hasn't performed at a level commeasurate with his paycheck, ditto Boyd or Gids.

What do we do with Sione an Mamo because other clubs will have them on their radar.
 
S

slotmachine

First Grade
Messages
7,440
Hayne's deal finishes when he's 28, GI 30.

On the bright side at least we're not the sharks paying Carney 750k a year.
 
Last edited:
Noname36

Noname36

First Grade
Messages
7,067
Nuffy said:
Which one of our players is playing at anywhere near the level of these 3 blokes?
Click to expand...

When we signed Uate to his last contract he was at that level (at least in terms of importance for us).

We signed Boyd the season after he was a very influential player in the Dragon's premiership winning season.

Again, Boyd won't be 30 when his contract ends...I think Aku might just be?

Gidley was a different kettle of fish, but he was also the club's captain and back when he signed we still had difficulty playing without him.

Like I said, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
 
perverse

perverse

Referee
Messages
26,753
Nuffy said:
My point exactly, Mamo isn't going to wait another 2-3 yrs for his shot, just like Kevin needed to move on.
Click to expand...
Well he's going to have to wait a while, because he's not ready for a regular first grade gig yet.

We definitely got Mullo for a steal, we should be really happy with it.
 
Joker's Wild

Joker's Wild

Coach
Messages
17,894
aqua_duck said:
Not sure about Brett Morris contract but it's not as much as Aku's. Hayne and GI are fullbacks and quite frankly on a whole other level to Aku.
Click to expand...

Yes but they are game breakers, just like Aku was when we offered him a contract.

My point was that we aren't the only teams to offer "outside backs" big contracts for long terms
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top