KTF - What on earth has happens to Feleti? He was a world-beater not too long ago. Even came into NSW calculations at one point. There were also rumours last year that the Panthers were after him.
What's gone wrong with him?
Good question. There's a number of theories going around and it could be one of them or a combination of all of them etc.
He had off season surgery on his knee which really restricted him, and apparently he's about 14kgs overweight, but that's THIS season and he was going downhill before then.
As much as I joke about you guys taking Mateo off us, I don't doubt Cleary is one coach who could get the absolute most out of him much like he did in 2010/2011. I think Mateo is one of those guys who is erratic and needs that stability around him to bring out his best. Throw an erratic team around an erratic Mateo and not much good can come from it.
I do wonder how Inu leaving effected him, especially when the Warriors weren't the happiest camp under Bluey. I suspect he's one of those guys who lets what's happening on the field really hit him off the field as well and once you get in that mindset it's hard to pull yourself out.
Cleary put a fair bit of responsibility onto his shoulders and I think he thrived under that, but without the stable influences in the team (the Warriors lost a fair bit of experience around the same time as Cleary such as Luck, Hohaia etc) Mateo often tries to do too much or goes too fancy.
Honestly all up it's probably a combo of thins, but I think it's just one of those things where Mateo is no longer the fit he once was in an environment that doesn't bring out the best in him.
Cleary purposefully targeted Mateo because he realised our backrow lacked something extra, and considering the rumours this week it's ironic that our backrow minus Mateo was Taylor, Brown, Mannering, so patience is the way to go for your guys I think. Gould loves his speed and while I'm not shy about criticism on Cleary I don't doubt his strengths either. He will create a stable environment, will get the best out of players and he's far too smart not to recognise shortcomings in the team make up. He would get the best out of Mateo, or a Taylor for example.
This year will be an up and down, often frustrating one for you guys because Cleary is still building his team and a strong part of that is bringing in young guys who he feels identify with the culture and environment he's created. He'll blood them when he really feels they're up for the challenge.
