Vuna

[Pika]

He has had three starts this year from memory. Roosters, Storm and Cowboys.

In my opinion he has shown enough to be the best winger at the Club. He is ticking almost all the boxes in what is required for a winger in the NRL these days.

I have him ahead of Jim on almost every aspect.

Jim is due back against penrith.

Despit a few opinions on here, I think Lulia has done a very solid job.

Aku was fine last night without being spectacular, though there are still some fundamentals that are not there yet. But seriously, you can almost risk those for the potential he carries.

We have L Doogs ready to go. Lets not forget, over 40m, he is second only to Aku, and over 10m, third to Mullen. I seriously dont think there are any question marks on this guy as far as positional play, defence and the like.

I know there is a similar thread going around, but my question is, based on performance, is there any arguement that Cooper is the best winger we have?

And if this is the case, can we really justify dropping Keith or Aku, or leaving L Doogs on the side line to allow Jim to come straight back into the side?

Does Jim deserve a spot?

 

[Hanscholo]

If james is fit and ready to go i would have no hesitation in bringing him back into the side. Lulia for mine is a very good replacement centre or winger at the moment, but he needs to show the ability to break tackles and set things up himself before i move him out of the very solid cateogry into being a 1st grade starter when everyone is fresh. Vuna is my number one winger, uate has been a real disapointment for me in the second half of the season, sideways running from a 100kg winger, his defence while not as bad as it was is still indecisive and weak. He is big and fast, but not up to first grade quality at this point still. Luke doogs is a waste of space that i still cant comprehend why we spent the reported cash on him, he is a reserve grader imo. Then there is Wes, another good replacement 3/4 but unreliable in every facet of the game other than defence.

Vuna, McManus >>> daylight.

 

[Johns Magic]

I want to see Luke MacDougall get a shot

 

[perverse]

i would have mcmanus in for aku personally... but would be happy with any combination of aku, vuna and mcmanus... and i, like most others here, wouldn't mind seeing mad pup have another shot too.

we're spoiled for options on the wing.

 

[TooheysNew]

we're spoiled for options on the wing.

Which is crazy.

 

[Karmawave]

Does Jim deserve a spot?

Going on 2010 and assuming Luke MacDougal isn't around...

If Uate progresses the way we all expect he will with natural improvement, and Vuna is fully fit, quite simply, I have no doubt there's no spot in the Top 17 for James McManus. ( Or at least there should not be )

 

[Big Tim]

If Mad Pup isnt in line for a shot than McManus should be back. He has played SOO, so dont forget his addition to the team (easy to do when players sit out for an extended period)

Of the fit wingers, Vuna is miles ahead of anyone IMO.

 

[Karmawave]

In 2009, if McManus is 100% fit, he'd be a better option than Uate. But he must be 100% fit.

Everyone knows what I think of Luke Doogs - he is the best winger in the club when at his best, but he seems like he is no chance of a game this season.

Looking ahead into 2010, if Vuna is fit and has one winger spot, then I really feel McManus will have his work cut out to play first grade.

Uate has improvement in him which I do not see in McManus. I think McManus has overachieved already, and probably received more attention than his talent deserved. Uate has natural skills that surpass McManus by a mile. As he improves the basics of football, his positioning, and all round game, he will no doubt have more talent than McManus.

Alot comes down to development.

If Uate improves the way we expect him to ( lets face it, we did re-sign him ), then he is a must on the wing alongside Cooper Vuna in 2010.

As much as I have appreciated James McManus solid play when in first grade for the Knights, at the end of the day, you have to pick the most talented players in the side.

If Stone and the Knights are fair dinkum, and Uate is prepared to learn and improve his game, McManus won't get a game in first grade in 2010 regardless of what he has done in the past.

 

[cram]

Vuna was very good last night, particularly in the second half. I also thought that Uate showed some improvement last night and I stand by my post in a previous topic that he will progress alot better under Stone.

 

[Alex28]

Should McManus look at developing in to a different position for the future...Centre maybe?

 

[Jono078]

It's crazy we have so many potentially good wingers. We have a STATE OF ORIGIN winger, and potentially he isn't even the best winger at the club.

IMO

1 Vuna
2 L. MacDougall - Don't know how he performs these days, but at Souths he was top 5-10 winger in the comp.
3 McManus
4 Uate - I can't have him ahead of McManus just yet, love McManus' defense and ability under the high ball along with dummy half runs and involvement rate.
5 Lulia

 

[macavity]

L Doogs won't be resigned

Lulia might end up a bench utility - outside backs and back row

still, 3 into 2

at this stage it would have to be Aku missing out - but overall possibly coops or jim at centre for the mad dog - however when is Pete going to be ready for FG?

Could either Coops or Jim make a go of backrow? Coops already runs hard enough.

or put Aku in the backrow... :crazy:

 

[Burwood]

It's crazy we have so many potentially good wingers. We have a STATE OF ORIGIN winger, and potentially he isn't even the best winger at the club.

Well he is up against two internationals ;-)

 

[Burwood]

And I'm not sure the likelihood or how successful it would be, but I wouldn't rule out Kidley moving back into the halves in a few years time, freeing up a spot for someone like Uate at fullback.

 

[Big Tim]

Uate at fullback in attack would be awesome. We could run with another backrower in the 6 and Mullo in the 7. Stick Pato or Taia in the centres and now you look scary.

 

[K-Man]

In 2009, if McManus is 100% fit, he'd be a better option than Uate. But he must be 100% fit.

Everyone knows what I think of Luke Doogs - he is the best winger in the club when at his best, but he seems like he is no chance of a game this season.

Looking ahead into 2010, if Vuna is fit and has one winger spot, then I really feel McManus will have his work cut out to play first grade.

Uate has improvement in him which I do not see in McManus. I think McManus has overachieved already, and probably received more attention than his talent deserved. Uate has natural skills that surpass McManus by a mile. As he improves the basics of football, his positioning, and all round game, he will no doubt have more talent than McManus.

Alot comes down to development.

If Uate improves the way we expect him to ( lets face it, we did re-sign him ), then he is a must on the wing alongside Cooper Vuna in 2010.

As much as I have appreciated James McManus solid play when in first grade for the Knights, at the end of the day, you have to pick the most talented players in the side.

If Stone and the Knights are fair dinkum, and Uate is prepared to learn and improve his game, McManus won't get a game in first grade in 2010 regardless of what he has done in the past.

In theory everything you've said is correct, but I think it's too black and white to suggest that it comes down to Uate's development.

How fast does he have to be developing to be picked ahead of Mcmanus?
I don't know if many coaches in the NRL would pick an incosistent Uate over a fully fit and reliable McManus.

Aku needs to fix a lot of things in his game. Don't get me wrong, I believe Uate and Vuna SHOULD be the wing combination in 2010, but Jimmy is a proven performer and played State of Origin so Aku certainly won't be getting the nod on 'talent' or 'potential' alone. He has to produce the goods (especially in defence and attitude) and he has to do it over and over again.

 

[Nuffy]

Last night I really thought Vuna set the tone with his charges in the 2nd half.

McManus is solid and dependable but doesn't offer what Vuna and Uate can. Don't forget that McManus has played over 50 FG games and got those games in a rubbish team with little expectations.

Assuming Uate has the ability to learn and develop, he needs game time as part of that.

So then the question is, whose 3rd in line? Who's better, Jimmy or Little Dog?

I think Little Dog offers more in the longer term than Jimmy.

Lulia is destined for a life in the backrow.

 

[Johns Magic]

McManus is ahead of Uate.

I know which one I'd want on the wing in a grand-final and at the end of the day that's the ultimate test of a player.

People need to get over Uate's size and speed and realise that brains and heart are more valuable.

 

[Apey]

McManus is ahead of Uate.

I know which one I'd want on the wing in a grand-final and at the end of the day that's the ultimate test of a player.

People need to get over Uate's size and speed and realise that brains and heart are more valuable.

Definitely agreed. It's been said 1000 times but that's just it.. he has loads of potential, but right now, I'd go McManus in a heartbeat. I'd also pick a fit McManus over Lulia currently.

 

[perverse]

well said JM.

mcmanus and vuna would be my first pick wingers for the moment. we wont be giving up on uate any time soon, his potential still exists... but for the moment you have to pick the best team you have available to you.