Who impressed you who didnt?

[Yosh]

Hi everyone

So basically who impressed you this year and who didnt?

For me Richie Fa'oso really really impressed me. He runs the ball so hard I really think he can reach the next level and become a great prop for us in the years to come. His impact off the bench is amazing and it seems when he is on we have extra 'Umph?' in attack and defence. His handle has improved out of this world but his workload has also greatly improved.

Who dissapointed? Aku Uate. Terrible effort from the Fijian Flyer... He hasn't improved jack from last year if you ask me. Still just as raw and stil hase no idea... Playing outside Sau has definately stunted his growth however he needs to take more responsibility in both attack and defence... Hope we see a more mature and mentally improved player next year.

Thoughts?
Yosh

 

[KempoKnight]

Fas definetly. His ball running and handling really improved throughout the year.

Vuna. Why he didn't play all season I have no idea, his kick returns and runs in general were amazing.

De Gois. came in and took over a spot held by one of the best hookers ever well.

Taia. His tackle breaks and line breaks were amazing, besides watmough he was the best forward in the game this year.

Doogs. Old as all hell but still one of the most dangerous and consistant centres in the game.

 

[roopy]

Rogers was starting to impress me by the end of the season. He hadn't got all the stupid out of his game, but most of it had gone. If he continues to improve he will be a matchwinner next season.

Wicks probably disappoints most. He is improving very slowly, but i'd go with Tovo, Edwards or even Garbutt if he doesn't really pull out a great off season.

 

[bluesbreaker]

Aku. He must be as dumb as dog sh*t. How many years has he been hanging around 'learning the trade', so to speak? I do not understand how he has not improved his consistency 1 iota since his debut. If anything, he's gone backwards, crab running Cooper Vuna would've been proud of pre 2009.

 

[keeney]

I was impressed by a number of our players for various things. But I feel that the majority of that would be covered. So I'll mention my one marginal disappointment in an otherwise succesful few stints.
Cooper's preoccupation with tackle breaks has harmed his rnning style IMO, the way he bunts people off means he stops running before the contact adn is unlikely to break the line, even if he does shake a player off like this, he's standing still and swamped by other members of the opposition team.

 

[Rolla]

Fas definetly. His ball running and handling really improved throughout the year.

Vuna. Why he didn't play all season I have no idea, his kick returns and runs in general were amazing.

De Gois. came in and took over a spot held by one of the best hookers ever well.

Taia. His tackle breaks and line breaks were amazing, besides watmough he was the best forward in the game this year.

Doogs. Old as all hell but still one of the most dangerous and consistant centres in the game.

Agreed with those five.

As for Aku, a poor finish to the season, and prob disapointing over all....however people forget that after his start to the season he was considered a rep candidate. There was an article pointing out he was or was close to the most effective winger in the game statistically. He was very impressive, moreso than jimmy for mine.... it all fell apart though it would seem.

Also gotta say i still dont rate scotty or rogers and for mine Kurt was below expectations (particularly late in the year)

Wes....well yeah, i dont have to justify that one i dont think.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Agreed with those five.

As for Aku, a poor finish to the season, and prob disapointing over all....however people forget that after his start to the season he was considered a rep candidate. There was an article pointing out he was or was close to the most effective winger in the game statistically. He was very impressive, moreso than jimmy for mine.... it all fell apart though it would seem.

Also gotta say i still dont rate scotty or rogers and for mine Kurt was below expectations (particularly late in the year)

Wes....well yeah, i dont have to justify that one i dont think.

This point you mentioned backs up my belief that some people on this forum are very short sighted.

 

[TooheysNew]

And others hold long grudges.

 

[Joker's Wild]

This point you mentioned backs up my belief that some people on this forum are very short sighted.

I dont believe so. The kid has oodles of ability but clearly lacks the mental side of the game to be a top flight RL player

It is fantastic to have natural talent but if a player lacks the will to apply it every game, then they are just a passenger.

For me:

Impressed
Vuna - Back to his hard running best
De Gois - Hard in D and was very fast when running from dummy half
Taia - Devestating outwide, has developed a very sweet off load
House - Went from a hard working back rower to a more consistant player and real leader of our pack
Fa'aoso - Improved his hands out of site and has really stepped up his straight runs.

Not impressed
Uate - Promised so much early but clearly lacks the ability to apply his talent
Hilder - Probably a little harsh but I felt he really has lost some of his attack and seems to get smashed everytime he takes a hit up. His defence is still top notch though.
Naiquama - What needs to be said really., he just doesnt seem to fit anywhere.
Wicks - Really seemed to be putting in at training and getting fit but is still useless in defence and rarely makes the hard yards getting out of our own 30.

 

[antonius]

Impressed
Taia
Tafua
Fa'aso
House
Hilder
Vuna

Didn't
Wicks = Lazy
Mullen = Inconsistant
Dureau = Limited
Rogers = Unpredictable
Naiquama = Liability
Uate = Doesn't seem to be learning at all.

 

[Hanscholo]

Impressed Me:

Taia
Houston
MacDougall
Fa'aoso
Sau
Tafua
Gidley
Hilder

Occasionaly Impressed Me:

Degois
Wicks
Karawana
Mullen
Rogers

Wasnt that Fussed on:

Uate
MacDonnel

Down Right Pissed Me Orf:

Naqama
Dureau

 

[Hanscholo]

Aku. He must be as dumb as dog sh*t. How many years has he been hanging around 'learning the trade', so to speak? I do not understand how he has not improved his consistency 1 iota since his debut. If anything, he's gone backwards, crab running Cooper Vuna would've been proud of pre 2009.

Of all the comments i have seen about Uate, very few have hit the nail on the head. Some say he is a poor defender, a pure athlete learning the game, that he has a lack of technique or technical ability....very few of them tell the real story. the fact is, the bloke has everything he needs.

What he lacks is heart, he is soft, plain and simple. If he had 70% of what vuna brings to the table in terms of effort and balls he would be the best winger in the comp. Instead, he is a side ways running cat. Its not about being short sighted. Its up to Uate, its not a matter of time for him to become a footballer its a matter of when he realises he is one.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Isn't this exactly the same as the "positives & negatives" thread???????????????

 

[Spot On]

Impressed Me:

Taia
Houston
MacDougall
Fa'aoso
Sau
Tafua
Gidley
Hilder

Occasionaly Impressed Me:

Degois
Wicks
Karawana
Mullen
Rogers

Wasnt that Fussed on:

Uate
MacDonnel

Down Right Pissed Me Orf:

Naqama
Dureau

Double that.

 

[Spot On]

Of all the comments i have seen about Uate, very few have hit the nail on the head. Some say he is a poor defender, a pure athlete learning the game, that he has a lack of technique or technical ability....very few of them tell the real story. the fact is, the bloke has everything he needs.

What he lacks is heart, he is soft, plain and simple. If he had 70% of what vuna brings to the table in terms of effort and balls he would be the best winger in the comp. Instead, he is a side ways running cat. Its not about being short sighted. Its up to Uate, its not a matter of time for him to become a footballer its a matter of when he realises he is one.

....and double that as well. Doesn't give the impression he wants to physically dominate when doing anything on the field - attacking or defending. Too relaxed maybe???? Don't know what to make of him. Another one A. Johns talked up far too early.

 

[Yosh]

I hope Uate does kick it on... There seems to be 2 Uates. A terrifying one who plays hard in the opposition 10m zone and the terrible who doesnt do much else in the other 90ms of the field. If he feels he can get himself a meat pie I've seen him running at the opposition line however most other times he doesnt really give a damn..

 

[voltron]

Faas - his impact off the bench was (usually) good
doogs - has been our most consistent back
de gois - awesome, he did us proud with his work from dummy half and around the ruck
taia - his edge running terrorised other teams
houston - just consistent and a great work rate

who didnt?
uate - not very impressive
gidley - i dont know, he just didnt have the same impact
sau - hard runner, but doesnt create much
wicks - leaner but not really meaner
rogers/dureau - neither really claimed the halves position although they had so many chances
wes - yeah just not the same this year

 

[NS_Sherlock]

I was impressed by a number of our players for various things. But I feel that the majority of that would be covered. So I'll mention my one marginal disappointment in an otherwise succesful few stints.
Cooper's preoccupation with tackle breaks has harmed his rnning style IMO, the way he bunts people off means he stops running before the contact adn is unlikely to break the line, even if he does shake a player off like this, he's standing still and swamped by other members of the opposition team.

I agree with this. He might make yards in his run-up but that style of attack, while entertaining, i not breaking the line makes the chance of injury higher.