So the 2016 season is over, and the Rebels writers have put together an old school report card for the players and coaching staff.
Results are an average of the grades from each of the writers; some writers are more generous than others. But all in all the results seem pretty fair on the performances of each player.
Introducing your Melbourne Writers.
Props:
[one_half last=”no”]
Toby Smith C+
He has a solid set piece and good running game. We feel he could have done more.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Laurie Weeks B-
Reliable, but injury struck at the wrong time. The Rebels looked a better team with him on the field.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Jamie Hagan D
Overall, Jamie didn’t live up to the hype.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Cruze Ah Nau C-
Average all season, is this as good as it gets? [/one_half]
Hookers:
[one_half last=”no”]
James Hanson C
Didn’t have the impact we were expecting. The Rebels lineout issues persisted.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Pat Leafa C
Solid option off the bench.[/one_half]
Locks:
[one_third last=”no”]
Luke Jones C
Not quite up to the 2015 standard, but solid. He will be missed.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Lopeti Timani B
Improved from last year. Is it time to move Lopeti to number 8.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Steve Cummins D
Steve was overlooked for most of the season. When he did play, he didn’t set the world on fire.
[/one_third]
[one_half last=”no”]
Culum Retallick C
Culum showed some promise towards the end of the season. Worth keeping around.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Sam Jefferies C
So much potential. We want him to get angry on the field. [/one_half]
Back Row:
[one_third last=”no”]
Jordy Reid B
He played every game, always gives 100%, and was one of the most improved.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Sean McMahon A
Leads by example by giving 110% every time he takes the field. Played well as Captain early in the season, should we consider making this a full-time role?
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Colby Fainga’a C
His injury early in the season didn’t help, but always had an impact when he played.
[/one_third]
[one_half last=”no”]
Scott Fuglistaller D
Great servant to the Rebels, shame he lost his place in the 23 this season. Best of Luck, Scott.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Adam Thompson B
Class player and a good replacement for Higginbotham. But, he gave away too many penalties. [/one_half]
Scrum Half:
[one_half last=”no”]
Nic Stirzaker D
Came back from injury too soon and did not recover until the last couple of games. Not a born leader and pressure of captaincy did not help his game.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Ben Meehan C+
Great start to the season. May have started more is Stirzaker was not the Captain.[/one_half]
Fly Half:
[one_half last=”no”]
Jack Debreczini E
Where was the JD of 2015? He looked a completely different player for all the wrong reasons.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Mike Harris D
Injury killed his season, In the rare times he played the Rebels attack looked promising. [/one_half]
Centers:
[one_third last=”no”]
Mitch Inman C
Solid in defence, but absent in attack. Still need to find Mitch’s best position.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Tamati Ellison B
The backline General. The Rebels looked lost when he was injured.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Reece Hodge A
Has to be Super Rugby rookie of the year, the revelation of the season. Is he the best signing in Club history?
[/one_third]
Wings:
[one_third last=”no”]
Tom English C
Finished the season well, but needs to find that try scoring form again.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Don Shipperley B
Was having a great season when injury struck.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Sefanaia Naivalu B
Returned from injury and looked a bit slow. By the end of the season was looking a future Wallaby in waiting.
[/one_third]
[one_half last=”no”]
Kotaro Matsushima D
He had limited game time. He probably tried too hard when given a chance.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Cam Crawford B-
Was in good form, but another player struck down by a season-ending injury.[/one_half]
Full back:
[one_third last=”no”]
Daniel Hawkins C
Dan impressed in his brief game time.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Jonah Placid D
Good in patches, really not sure he will ever live up to the hype.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Paul Asquith C
Only played three games but made the most of his chances.
[/one_third]
Coaching Staff:
Tony McGahan C-
Fans expected to improve on last season. Sadly, finishing 12th overall did not meet that expectation. As the head coach, Tony needs to take responsibility for the result.
Morgan Turinui B
After his arrival, our structure in attack was much better.
Zane Hilton E
Average of 32 points per game scored against the Rebels. Only 2011 was worse for points scored against us.
Bryce Cavanagh F
One word; injuries; That’s one of the biggest things we will take from the 206. Season. The Athletic performance team has a lot of work to do, and a lot to explain.
AAMI PARK
F
A complete disaster. It finally showed improvement in the final home game.
