Daniel Ala

[Pete W]

The news of Western Force having just signed our talented young centre Daniel Ala has got me thinking...

With Funa gone, Suli gone (unofficially), Taufua gone (most likely not re-signed), there seems to be a serious lack of depth in our outside backs stocks heading into next season. Given Garrick, Saab, Parker and Harper have done admirably well this season, the slightest injury toll will see the blooding of Koula and Tuipulotu. But ... that's it.

Assuming Bullemor signs, Walker re-signs, and Saddler, Sione Fainu, and De Luis are offered a contract for next season, we will have 2 spots remaining in our top 30, and 1 guaranteed spot in our development squad. I also note that our best performing juniors ready to make the big step up seem to be hooker/half types, with Cameron Brown the only obvious speedster who was recently elevated (possibly filling in the remaining D.C.?). With talk of Garner and others, I hope the club locks in 2 outside backs, one of which must be a specialist winger - not much quality on the market, not much coming through the juniors as of yet. Quite a hole to fill imo. Anyone have a possible solution/recommendation of someone I'm missing?

Cheers
Go Manly

 

[Nordburg]

I can’t see the Walker experiment lasting any longer than this year,surely,so he’ll be looking to move back to the centres if re-signed.Given how long they originally signed Tuipulotu,I’d suggest they’re intending to invest in him long term.Only issue with the young development players is that they’ve basically played little to no games the last two years

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

The news of Western Force having just signed our talented young centre Daniel Ala has got me thinking...

With Funa gone, Suli gone (unofficially), Taufua gone (most likely not re-signed), there seems to be a serious lack of depth in our outside backs stocks heading into next season. Given Garrick, Saab, Parker and Harper have done admirably well this season, the slightest injury toll will see the blooding of Koula and Tuipulotu. But ... that's it.

Assuming Bullemor signs, Walker re-signs, and Saddler, Sione Fainu, and De Luis are offered a contract for next season, we will have 2 spots remaining in our top 30, and 1 guaranteed spot in our development squad. I also note that our best performing juniors ready to make the big step up seem to be hooker/half types, with Cameron Brown the only obvious speedster who was recently elevated (possibly filling in the remaining D.C.?). With talk of Garner and others, I hope the club locks in 2 outside backs, one of which must be a specialist winger - not much quality on the market, not much coming through the juniors as of yet. Quite a hole to fill imo. Anyone have a possible solution/recommendation of someone I'm missing?

Cheers
Go Manly

Saddler far far from proven and De Luis - just an honest toiler. Both very dispensable

 

[Smokin Joe]

The news of Western Force having just signed our talented young centre Daniel Ala has got me thinking...

With Funa gone, Suli gone (unofficially), Taufua gone (most likely not re-signed), there seems to be a serious lack of depth in our outside backs stocks heading into next season. Given Garrick, Saab, Parker and Harper have done admirably well this season, the slightest injury toll will see the blooding of Koula and Tuipulotu. But ... that's it.

Assuming Bullemor signs, Walker re-signs, and Saddler, Sione Fainu, and De Luis are offered a contract for next season, we will have 2 spots remaining in our top 30, and 1 guaranteed spot in our development squad. I also note that our best performing juniors ready to make the big step up seem to be hooker/half types, with Cameron Brown the only obvious speedster who was recently elevated (possibly filling in the remaining D.C.?). With talk of Garner and others, I hope the club locks in 2 outside backs, one of which must be a specialist winger - not much quality on the market, not much coming through the juniors as of yet. Quite a hole to fill imo. Anyone have a possible solution/recommendation of someone I'm missing?

Cheers
Go Manly

Not quite so bad.....
Weekes at fullback will probably move up to a spot in the 30,PJP Kopa who is best at centre but can play some wing and fullback trained with the NRL side and could be moved up.
RT Vaega who started the year on the wing for the Flegg side but might be a better centre was going really well before the shutdown.
There is still some unsigned talent if they are willing to take a bit of a paycut...Edrick Lee is unsigned,Blake Ferguson on a cheap one year deal would be pretty interesting,Albert Hopoate back on a cheap one year deal to play centre might work if the family was willing...Braiden Burns is a decent centre and Souths might struggle to have any cash left.
Of course I am not talking about these guys as starters or superstars(before people come on here and say that they are has beens etc...)
However it is probably likely that we will be giving some youngsters a run next year.

 

[Pete W]

Thanks mate, good to know some standout back 5 performers in the lower grades. Will keep an eye out for Kopa and Vaega.

I also thought Burns,Lee, and even Fergo could add needed depth (I think Fergo is off to the rah rahs) but all 3 will prob demand more than we are willing/can afford to pay. Really hope Weekes kicks on, as you said we will most likely rely on youngsters coming through

 

[Shoe1]

He is one of about 5 good young backs in the system. There is enough depth at that level I think. Good luck to him.

 

[The better Robbo]

Definitely an outside back or 2 short! We need at least 1 genuine back up fullback with ball playing ability added to our squad.
Happy to fill any remaining spots with young guns outside of that.

 

[KaZa]

Shame. I've rated Daniel every time I saw him.

We also have a few younger ones coming through with lots of potential. Feledy Relevation Sio etc. But maybe a year or so away

 

[Smokin Joe]

Definitely an outside back or 2 short! We need at least 1 genuine back up fullback with ball playing ability added to our squad.
Happy to fill any remaining spots with young guns outside of that.

The ball playing fullback would be nice,but I don't know of any off contract? Tex Hoy might be the only real one and he would want a bit of money,if we signed Dylan Smith to a development contract it might be the only alternative outside of Weekes for us.....
There was another good young local junior at centre in the flegg side at the start of the year(Max Lehmann),but I think he got injured and not sure of his status,was highly regarded and not just from within the club,was a good solid Craig Innes type of player.....

 

[The better Robbo]

The ball playing fullback would be nice,but I don't know of any off contract? Tex Hoy might be the only real one and he would want a bit of money,if we signed Dylan Smith to a development contract it might be the only alternative outside of Weekes for us.....
There was another good young local junior at centre in the flegg side at the start of the year(Max Lehmann),but I think he got injured and not sure of his status,was highly regarded and not just from within the club,was a good solid Craig Innes type of player.....

I like Dylan Smith. I said at the start of the year he is actually the 2nd best fullback we have on our books. Id be happy with him but seems a bit of a forgotten man.

 

[BoomStickBarbie]

Young Hoppa signed a 2 year extension with the Raiders

 

[Smokin Joe]

I like Dylan Smith. I said at the start of the year he is actually the 2nd best fullback we have on our books. Id be happy with him but seems a bit of a forgotten man.

Yeah,it's great we even have some footy to watch,but covid has screwed the development or opportunities for anyone out of the NRL squads....

 

[The Right Edge]

Lets not forget that if push came to shove you have Burbo who has played centre and given the stocks we have in the 2nd row could be an option. Especially if you wanted to rekindle that Schu / Burbo partnership from the juniors.

 

[The better Robbo]

Lets not forget that if push came to shove you have Burbo who has played centre and given the stocks we have in the 2nd row could be an option. Especially if you wanted to rekindle that Schu / Burbo partnership from the juniors.

I think Bullymore could cover centre too.

 

[Kevinward777]

Not quite so bad.....
Weekes at fullback will probably move up to a spot in the 30,PJP Kopa who is best at centre but can play some wing and fullback trained with the NRL side and could be moved up.
RT Vaega who started the year on the wing for the Flegg side but might be a better centre was going really well before the shutdown.
There is still some unsigned talent if they are willing to take a bit of a paycut...Edrick Lee is unsigned,Blake Ferguson on a cheap one year deal would be pretty interesting,Albert Hopoate back on a cheap one year deal to play centre might work if the family was willing...Braiden Burns is a decent centre and Souths might struggle to have any cash left.
Of course I am not talking about these guys as starters or superstars(before people come on here and say that they are has beens etc...)
However it is probably likely that we will be giving some youngsters a run next year.

Mate - they are all has beens. Pull your head in.

 

[Waz13]

I think Bullymore could cover centre too.

Are you serious Robbo? He’s a prop with a bit of toe.

 

[George Rose's Butcher]

I can’t see the Walker experiment lasting any longer than this year,surely,so he’ll be looking to move back to the centres if re-signed.Given how long they originally signed Tuipulotu,I’d suggest they’re intending to invest in him long term.Only issue with the young development players is that they’ve basically played little to no games the last two years

I think he will most definitely be our 14 long term. He has been great the last few weeks and keeps getting better. He has good value in the 14 he can cover center lock halves and fullback if we are desperate enough. Des has transformed him and credit to him he didn'thave a cry he built his game up and is now a kind of super sub

 

[Nordburg]

I think he will most definitely be our 14 long term. He has been great the last few weeks and keeps getting better. He has good value in the 14 he can cover center lock halves and fullback if we are desperate enough. Des has transformed him and credit to him he didn'thave a cry he built his game up and is now a kind of super sub

He has noticeably bulked up this season but he was heavily targeted in defence by the Storm,especially NAS,and they made plenty of ground through the middle.He’s stood out against the ordinary and under strength teams,which covers about 12 clubs,but I’m not convinced it’s a tactic to use against the Storm again.

 

[Brookie Bob]

Every time I read this thread title, I think, "Daniel Ala. Hmmmmm....Daniel Ala...what?"

 

[The better Robbo]

Are you serious Robbo? He’s a prop with a bit of toe.

From what I've seen of him he could easily play centre. He is fast and athletic and runs good lines with good support. No doubt he could make a good centre at his age. He will no doubt end up and stay in the forwards but I can't see why he couldn't make a good centre.