League Targets

[Dctarget]

Kellaway, Potter and Sua'ali'i on the end of Gordon's lovely wide passes? Yes please.

 

[PhilClinton]

In terms of what we gain from Mark being an on field asset vs what we would need to pay him, I don't think it makes sense.

But like I mentioned earlier, if we get pantsed by the Lions (a likely outcome) I can see RA hitting the panic button and signing him from a marketing perspective and closing the loop with a narrative about the bloke who bailed to the NRL but the lure of the RWC brought him home. Particularly if he goes on to be the highest try scorer in the NRL this year.

 

[Major Tom]

Really depends on the price he's asking - there's room at the Reds squad right now for another 10/utility, but not really a lot of money to spend on one, unless maybe McLaughlin-Phillips isn't re-signed, but I doubt he's on a lot yet. Unfortunately for Gordon the best way to slot him in is paired with Henry at 12 to handle the place kicking (and lean on the Wests connection), but it's hard to see the Reds going with both in the same squad, given their injury history. All the other (reliable) place kickers at the Reds are out and out 10s.

I could seem him at the Reds as a utility player. He could be quite handy at centre or fullback. Both areas of concern. The way the reds looked after his brother may also appeal. Mason seemed to love the Reds team/culture in his short time.

 

[Adam84]

we won't loose any match because of our wingers, and Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase)'s workrate is the issue, he had one decent season of rugby before reverting to waiving for the ball on the wing

I mean.... his form reflected that of the Tahs performances.... can't really blame the winger in a team coming last

When he received the ball and was offered opportunties at the Wallabies, and Tahs season earlier he clearly played well

 

[Dctarget]

...Cleary might be jack of League after this year..

 

[Ignoto]

...Cleary might be jack of League after this year..

Yeah, you would imagine after losing this series it all but confirms he won't reach the GOAT status of Lockyer and Thurston that he's been chasing.

If he leads the Wallabies to a home WC victory, he'll get an OAM the next day.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Well they are talking about another 5 year extension for Nathan and Ivan to go onto the back of their current contracts which run until 2027.

Nathans number is 1.5m p/y and Ivan 1.2m p/y to stay on as coach until 2032. Tidy 13m for the family.

Rugby may target a Cleary but his first name may be Jett.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yeah, you would imagine after losing this series it all but confirms he won't reach the GOAT status of Lockyer and Thurston that he's been chasing.

If he leads the Wallabies to a home WC victory, he'll get an OAM the next day.

Of course he can. He's already got as many Prems as Lockyer at 27 a WC and two Origin series and he'd have more if not for injury. Also likely to finish his career as the highest point scorer of all time.

There can be multiple people at the GOAT tier. Joey is the best of them anyway. 12 Origins at Suncorp with only 1 loss. Had to retire at 32 due to injury which sucked.

The Clearly to Rugby thing is all on his own personal desire. I get the feeling he's just been a polite nice guy in the media when asked and said how great the spectacle is and what not. The Rugby fans run with the fact he spent time in NZ as a kid... great, half the Wallabies would have played some Soccer no doubt growing up.

 

[Adam84]

his seemingly increasing injury issues shuold ring alarm bells though..

If rugby were to target any halves player, should be Katoa from the Dolphins

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

his seemingly increasing injury issues shuold ring alarm bells though..

If rugby were to target any halves player, should be Katoa from the Dolphins

He should be top of every RL and Rugby sides list in the world. Sounds dramatic but the kids a gem with a proper few years of School Boy Rugby in him.

I think we are seeing the effect of the Panthers 5 year GF run catch up with them. Add finals each year, SOO, Tests and WC these guys have added another 40+ games into the body. Cleary, To'o, Edwards etc all look busted right now and I reckon a lot of the other squad members are feeling fatigued and while they are still a chance of a run and are a contender no matter where they finish in the 8 it would probably be a good thing if they bowed out early and got some down time. Kangaroos tour of GB at the end of the year though...

 

[fatprop]

I mean.... his form reflected that of the Tahs performances.... can't really blame the winger in a team coming last

When he received the ball and was offered opportunties at the Wallabies, and Tahs season earlier he clearly played well

When he played well (and he did for a while), he came off his wing looking for work, he chased kicks (even the shit ones), worked back to give the kick receiver options etc etc and we were still shit - but he was good, surprisingly good - in his last season he was back to waving for the ball and not bending his back

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

If rugby were to target any halves player, should be Katoa from the Dolphins

My word I'd throw almost any amount of cash at this kid, he's that good and has all the physical tools as well. A New Zealand born Tongan though lol

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If Rugby got him back the looking for work part of his game should be beaten into him by league. Id love to see him work the errors out of his game though. I know flying close to the sun results in some awesome plays but he's 3rd in the NRL for errors.

 

[Derpus]

When he played well (and he did for a while), he came off his wing looking for work, he chased kicks (even the shit ones), worked back to give the kick receiver options etc etc and we were still shit - but he was good, surprisingly good - in his last season he was back to waving for the ball and not bending his back

Yeah he was definitely phoning it in that last season but in the context of the EJ (Eddie Jones) fiasco and his apparent displeasure with the JAS deal you can sort of understand why.

I think he was the best attacking prospect we had. Certainly the most athletic.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

If Rugby got him back the looking for work part of his game should be beaten into him by league. Id love to see him work the errors out of his game though. I know flying close to the sun results in some awesome plays but he's 3rd in the NRL for errors.

I think that improves as he grows into the game, he's still only 21 years old. I guess Lynagh is only 22 and we expect a lot more from him though.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Marks 24.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think he means Katoa.

There was a Melbourne Storm senior recruitment manager at a luncheon I attended a few years ago and it was interesting because he was talking about player maturity and said for halves, they essentially don't look at anyone who couldn't be thrown into a 1st grade game at 18 and be rock solid.

Their opinion (and the Storm is probably one of the best run organisations in Australian sport) is that genuine 1st grade halfbacks have the ability and skillset to run a 1st grade side as a teenager and they learn the leadership qualities along the way. But if you don't have the tricks in the bag by 17/18, you won't learn enough to become the next Munster, Cronk etc.

Not sure any of that is relevant to this conversation but I thought it was interesting.

 

[Dctarget]

Not sure any of that is relevant to this conversation but I thought it was interesting.

I think it means we're fucked

 

[Major Tom]

I think he means Katoa.

There was a Melbourne Storm senior recruitment manager at a luncheon I attended a few years ago and it was interesting because he was talking about player maturity and said for halves, they essentially don't look at anyone who couldn't be thrown into a 1st grade game at 18 and be rock solid.

Their opinion (and the Storm is probably one of the best run organisations in Australian sport) is that genuine 1st grade halfbacks have the ability and skillset to run a 1st grade side as a teenager and they learn the leadership qualities along the way. But if you don't have the tricks in the bag by 17/18, you won't learn enough to become the next Munster, Cronk etc.

Not sure any of that is relevant to this conversation but I thought it was interesting.

Finn Mackay started at fly half for Souths last weekend. Didn’t look out of place. 18 I think.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

I think he means Katoa.

There was a Melbourne Storm senior recruitment manager at a luncheon I attended a few years ago and it was interesting because he was talking about player maturity and said for halves, they essentially don't look at anyone who couldn't be thrown into a 1st grade game at 18 and be rock solid.

Their opinion (and the Storm is probably one of the best run organisations in Australian sport) is that genuine 1st grade halfbacks have the ability and skillset to run a 1st grade side as a teenager and they learn the leadership qualities along the way. But if you don't have the tricks in the bag by 17/18, you won't learn enough to become the next Munster, Cronk etc.

Not sure any of that is relevant to this conversation but I thought it was interesting.

I did, thank you.

That's a pretty solid insight. Sink or swim to an extent. It's interesting, I remember when the Boks threw in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for his first start in the Rugby Championship last year as a 22-year-old and he looked very solid, probably their thinking.

With that being said I reckon Katoa could do it...