Caleb Navale

[SeaEagleSI1]

How's our boy wonder going on that Blacktown edge?

Two weeks ago (2nd row)
80 mins
1 try
10 runs
156 meters
25 post contact
2 line breaks
7 tackle breaks
1 offload
21 tackles 5 miss

Last week
80 mins
9 runs
59 meters
36 post contact
1 tackle break
28 tackle 2 miss

 

[Dion Johnson]

Rookie Watch

Sea Eagles fans have talked up Caleb Navale this pre-season, but he missed a simple one-on-one tackle that led to a try and saw him hooked.

He played a couple of games last year and is a genuine option to play lock if Jake Trbojevic is eventually moved to prop, with the Fijian international boasting all the skills needed to make it in the NRL.

Martin Gaber

 

[eaglebuzz]

His defense was woeful today, I didn't see much to be excited about from his runs either.

 

[maxta]

Decent NSW cup player but it stops there imo

 

[Eagle 1]

Decent NSW cup player but it stops there imo

More of a backup benchie for a bench player.

 

[Phobia]

Decent NSW cup player but it stops there imo

For now maybe. I still think he has the potential to be a first grader.

He's been resigned till 2027 iirc, but this year he's on a supplementary contract, so coaching staff probably agree with you, NSW cup is likely his ceiling this year.

 

[Ryan]

For now maybe. I still think he has the potential to be a first grader.

He's been resigned till 2027 iirc, but this year he's on a supplementary contract, so coaching staff probably agree with you, NSW cup is likely his ceiling this year.

That means Jake and Burbo likely 12, 13. We are going to be even slower than the last trial in the forwards. Faster teams will eat us alive (as we saw last night).

 

[Rocky]

That means Jake and Burbo likely 12, 13. We are going to be even slower than the last trial in the forwards. Faster teams will eat us alive (as we saw last night).

I really do get your push for a faster team. The NRL is all about young quick legs these days.

But there is really no point in putting a "faster" player on the team if they are clearly an inferior player.

 

[Ryan]

I really do get your push for a faster team. The NRL is all about young quick legs these days.

But there is really no point in putting a "faster" player on the team if they are clearly an inferior player.

Jake and Burbo are superior to Navale ? On what levels ? Experience ? What else.

 

[Rocky]

Jake and Burbo are superior to Navale ? On what levels ? Experience ? What else.

Hold on - are you genuinely asking me if Jake Trbjovic is better than Caleb Navale?

 

[Ryan]

Hold on - are you genuinely asking me if Jake Trbjovic is better than Caleb Navale?

I'm asking you , what attributes are you claiming are better ? There are some, yeah.

1. Leadership (experience)
2. Defense

But there's also many more considerations

1. Discipline (or lack of)
2. Ruck speed (attack / Defense)
3. Offensive threat
4. Leg speed / pace
5. Play-the-ball speed

Etc etc

 

[Rocky]

I'm asking you , what attributes are you claiming are better ? There are some, yeah.

1. Leadership (experience)
2. Defense

But there's also many more considerations

1. Discipline (or lack of)
2. Ruck speed (attack / Defense)
3. Offensive threat
4. Leg speed / pace
5. Play-the-ball speed

Etc etc

Mate I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve here.

You obviously don't bother to read the whole of my posts where I agree with you that we need faster younger guys in the pack.

but let's stick to the facts - whether you like it or not, Jake is a state of origin player and Caleb Navale is a guy who likely won't make our 17 in a couple of weeks.

 

[Ryan]

Mate I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve here.

You obviously don't bother to read the whole of my posts where I agree with you that we need faster younger guys in the pack.

but let's stick to the facts - whether you like it or not, Jake is a state of origin player and Caleb Navale is a guy who likely won't make our 17 in a couple of weeks.

I'm not putting Jake in my top 17 either. I hope the trial gave you an insight into the game today. Hard work, uptempo, fast paced, energetic, high leg speed footy teams (even unskilled, inexperienced ones) can beat very likely, experienced, more lumbering teams.

It's literally as simple as that. What I'm saying is be wary of how many logs you're playing in your top 17, and make no mistakes. Jake is a log. Up there with Brown & others.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I'm not putting Jake in my top 17 either. I hope the trial gave you an insight into the game today. Hard work, uptempo, fast paced, energetic, high leg speed footy teams (even unskilled, inexperienced ones) can beat very likely, experienced, more lumbering teams.

It's literally as simple as that. What I'm saying is be wary of how many logs you're playing in your top 17, and make no mistakes. Jake is a log. Up there with Brown & others.

I think most people would agree that the current interpretation of the rules lends itself to players with leg speed. However, you can have both. For example, Isaiah Yeo is no spring chicken. AFB is pushing 30. Those players bring the necessary experience without compromising on athleticism.

Like it or not, we’d lose just as badly, if not worse, if we stripped the side of experience. It happened to Brisbane the year they got the spoon. They had a very youthful and talented roster that was short on experience (not void of any, but short) and they got pumped and it took years for some of those players to recover and find their feet again in FG.

You’re obviously frustrated and emotional, and it’s quite transparent that it’s driving your rigid thoughts about the team, when a more balanced and measured perspective is required.

 

[Ryan]

I think most people would agree that the current interpretation of the rules lends itself to players with leg speed. However, you can have both. For example, Isaiah Yeo is no spring chicken. AFB is pushing 30. Those players bring the necessary experience without compromising on athleticism.

Like it or not, we’d lose just as badly, if not worse, if we stripped the side of experience. It happened to Brisbane the year they got the spoon. They had a very youthful and talented roster that was short on experience (not void of any, but short) and they got pumped and it took years for some of those players to recover and find their feet again in FG.

You’re obviously frustrated and emotional, and it’s quite transparent that it’s driving your rigid thoughts about the team, when a more balanced and measured perspective is required.

Emotional ? And rigid ?
Hahahaha.

One of your best mate. You care too much.

 

[MightyEagles]

I think we should just take a step back and settle down a little here. Maybe our depth isn't as great as we may have thought. We did have 12 players out today so I think we'll be ok

 

[mave]

I think we had all hoped for more from Navale in the trial matches.
I expected more in all honesty.

That missed tackle last night was pretty poor, especially for a guy with a clear potential path to FG.

 

[Nambawan]

I think we had all hoped for more from Navale in the trial matches.
I expected more in all honesty.

That missed tackle last night was pretty poor, especially for a guy with a clear potential path to FG.

Missed one tackle only. Seen plenty of other Manly players miss more than one tackle. I would persevere with his as he has potential. Manly need some youth and mobility. Navale seems to have most of the necessary attributers - reasonable speed, good hands, willing tackler, good attitude. Would far prefer him to play in the Firsts than Waddell and Chee Kam, both of who were woeful last night.

 

[Phobia]

I think we had all hoped for more from Navale in the trial matches.
I expected more in all honesty.

That missed tackle last night was pretty poor, especially for a guy with a clear potential path to FG.

In Navale's defence, I was at the game live, and I got completely fooled by that dummy pass.

But I'm not a footy player!

 

[Woodsie]

There is a percentage of footy players that play to the level round them ... put them in reggies, and they perform to that level ... put them in 1st grade and they perform like 1st graders.

Perhaps, Caleb is one of these ... but I'm not convinced.

I'll reserve my pessimistic judgement until I see him have run surrounded by the A team.