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Here's mine. Agree? Disagree?
Overall- C. A bit tough perhaps. They finished 2 points behind the Minor Premiers. But they also got bundled out in the first week of the finals. So, it's a pass- but only just.
Steven Kearney- C You get the feeling that any success that we had this year wasn't so much to do with Kearney. His persistence in an outside back on the bench, playing a prop short, Jazz Tevaga's role etc etc is infuriating.
Simon Mannering- B minus Not the way that you'd want the great man to go out. I think he'd own that his form has not been what it previously has been. I think the early injury and Blair's inclusion probably disrupted his role.
Shaun Johnson- B minus Looked like a world beater at times, but while often ably assisted by Green in the organisational role, he still never quite managed to be the superstar we've always thought that he was.
David Fusitu'a A Played his part in starting out sets. There's no better finisher.
Agnatius Paasi- A minus Exceeded my expectations by a long way.
Solomone Kata C A difficult one because I actually felt like he was playing better for a large chunk of the year than others on her gave him credit for. Nevertheless, it's obvious that there are fundamental issues with him that he shows little to no interest in addressing.
Sam Lisone D It seems like so long ago that he and Vete were promising young props. I have no idea where his career is headed, but it's looking pretty mediocre right now.
Ken Maumalo A 2018 was the year when Ken arrived. I repent of all of the nasty things I've said about him as a prospect in years gone by.
Mason Lino B I'd take Johnson over him any day of the week, but he was asked on several occasions to step up and do a job and most of the time, he did.
Roger Tuivasa Sheck A plus Phenomenal. When he hobbled off, that was the season over. With him on the park, we're always a chance.
Isaac Luke A At times, he's looked as good as he ever has. So often, something he did instigated a game turning in our favour.
James Gavet C minus He looks like he's forgotten about the size of his frame again. Back to earth with a thud after a sensational year last year.
Jazz Tevaga B minus Fair is fair- he's doing what is asked of him well. The problem (I think) is that what is being asked of him is not what the team actually needs. Overplays his hand and can give away a penalty or make an error. Was compared to Scrappy Do on another thread- it's a good comparison.
Ligi Sao C plus We're all puzzled here.
Bunty Afoa B plus Was an A in his first stint and a B in his second. Love his hit ups. Looks bigger than he is because of the way he throws himself as the line.
Isaiah Papalii B A bit like Lino, probably played more football than was planned and handled it pretty admirably.
Chris Satae C A pretty handy year, really. Good to see a truly imposing frame in the middle of the park.
Peta Hiku C Redeemed himself somewhat over the last month. No doubt, he has value with the ball in hand, but defensively suspect. Looks best as a back up fullback, to me.
Blake Green B What the team needs, no doubt. Faded though, post- Origin.
Adam Blair C minus Played good football in patches, but never really looked like the leader and worker that we needed.
Tohu Harris A What a player. Hope he keeps fit next year- we are a much better team with him on the park.
Leivaha Pulu C plus Probably the victim of overcrowding, really. Looked promising early on. His injury was very disruptive.
Anthony Gelling C minus ESL superstar.
Karl Lawton B A bit like Lino, made the most of the opportunities he was given.
Gerard Beale B minus Looked good at centre, but obviously had to do a lot to dislodge Kata or Hiku- and he didn't do enough to do that.
Overall- C. A bit tough perhaps. They finished 2 points behind the Minor Premiers. But they also got bundled out in the first week of the finals. So, it's a pass- but only just.
Steven Kearney- C You get the feeling that any success that we had this year wasn't so much to do with Kearney. His persistence in an outside back on the bench, playing a prop short, Jazz Tevaga's role etc etc is infuriating.
Simon Mannering- B minus Not the way that you'd want the great man to go out. I think he'd own that his form has not been what it previously has been. I think the early injury and Blair's inclusion probably disrupted his role.
Shaun Johnson- B minus Looked like a world beater at times, but while often ably assisted by Green in the organisational role, he still never quite managed to be the superstar we've always thought that he was.
David Fusitu'a A Played his part in starting out sets. There's no better finisher.
Agnatius Paasi- A minus Exceeded my expectations by a long way.
Solomone Kata C A difficult one because I actually felt like he was playing better for a large chunk of the year than others on her gave him credit for. Nevertheless, it's obvious that there are fundamental issues with him that he shows little to no interest in addressing.
Sam Lisone D It seems like so long ago that he and Vete were promising young props. I have no idea where his career is headed, but it's looking pretty mediocre right now.
Ken Maumalo A 2018 was the year when Ken arrived. I repent of all of the nasty things I've said about him as a prospect in years gone by.
Mason Lino B I'd take Johnson over him any day of the week, but he was asked on several occasions to step up and do a job and most of the time, he did.
Roger Tuivasa Sheck A plus Phenomenal. When he hobbled off, that was the season over. With him on the park, we're always a chance.
Isaac Luke A At times, he's looked as good as he ever has. So often, something he did instigated a game turning in our favour.
James Gavet C minus He looks like he's forgotten about the size of his frame again. Back to earth with a thud after a sensational year last year.
Jazz Tevaga B minus Fair is fair- he's doing what is asked of him well. The problem (I think) is that what is being asked of him is not what the team actually needs. Overplays his hand and can give away a penalty or make an error. Was compared to Scrappy Do on another thread- it's a good comparison.
Ligi Sao C plus We're all puzzled here.
Bunty Afoa B plus Was an A in his first stint and a B in his second. Love his hit ups. Looks bigger than he is because of the way he throws himself as the line.
Isaiah Papalii B A bit like Lino, probably played more football than was planned and handled it pretty admirably.
Chris Satae C A pretty handy year, really. Good to see a truly imposing frame in the middle of the park.
Peta Hiku C Redeemed himself somewhat over the last month. No doubt, he has value with the ball in hand, but defensively suspect. Looks best as a back up fullback, to me.
Blake Green B What the team needs, no doubt. Faded though, post- Origin.
Adam Blair C minus Played good football in patches, but never really looked like the leader and worker that we needed.
Tohu Harris A What a player. Hope he keeps fit next year- we are a much better team with him on the park.
Leivaha Pulu C plus Probably the victim of overcrowding, really. Looked promising early on. His injury was very disruptive.
Anthony Gelling C minus ESL superstar.
Karl Lawton B A bit like Lino, made the most of the opportunities he was given.
Gerard Beale B minus Looked good at centre, but obviously had to do a lot to dislodge Kata or Hiku- and he didn't do enough to do that.
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