Fullback Round 1

[40 nil]

Worked for Hoppa last year........

It was unfortunate for Albert. Coming off two ACL ops, his first game at any level in two years was against the Storm! He seems to be a very pleasant young man & I hope he fulfills his potential, even if it is for a rival team. In comparison, it was the right time for Schuster to make his NRL debut & he was able to cameo his true ability.

Hopefully, the 2021 season won't be impacted drastically by covid. This will give our young players the opportunity to gain experience and show form at Blacktown before debuting in the NRL. It will also enable fans to have a truer gauge of their talent.

 

[The better Robbo]

20% saying Koula... wow! Throwing an 18 year old in the deep end straight out of 18s. I just can't see that happening at all.
The benefit of Garrick at fullback is it potentially gives Tuipulotu a Crack on the wing.
Put Funa to fullback and we have Garrick on the wing. I think the Garrick option seems a stronger backline overall. Funa did a better job last year when filling in but it means Tuipulotu maybe misses out! I rate this kid as good as anyone in our backline and for that reason I have to find a way to get him in.
Option 1
1. Garrick
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Tuipulotu

Option 2
1. Funa
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Garrick

Edit.
Smokey option
1. Saab
2. Tuipulotu
3. Walker
4. Suki
5. Garrick

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

Surely between Saab, Tuipilotu, Funa, Harper and Garrick one of them can do a good enough job for us. I don't see the need to buy a back up fullback! Could even put Walker there and play one if these guys at centre.

They are all wingers and centers they have proven they cannot. Funa did a decent job and could improve, maybe saab but has he ever played fullback? This is the most important position in the game and most under pressure.
Teddy Papen****zu Latrell ponga even Gutherson all great fullbacks. We cant compete unless we have a good fb. Its a fact we cannot. 30% win rate. Corey Thompson is a good option he would be cheap and can cover fb and wing. Depending on the price id go after him. Ps walker at fb? Sweet Moses smell the roses

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

From my experience full back is the most difficult position on the field in respect of positional play and anticipation. There is no one to cover you and if you mess it up its try time. Its a position that takes time to learn and frankly some guys just don't have the anticipation nor read the game that well. Even Mitchell struggled at fullback last year IMO and he has loads of talent somewhat overwhelmed by his ego off course. I don't expect wingers and centres of lesser talent are going to solve the problem. You need 2 specialist fullbacks in your 30 that you are prepared to use otherwise its just more blue tack. Our replacement full backs last year were disappointing.

This!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

20% saying Koula... wow! Throwing an 18 year old in the deep end straight out of 18s. I just can't see that happening at all.
The benefit of Garrick at fullback is it potentially gives Tuipulotu a Crack on the wing.
Put Funa to fullback and we have Garrick on the wing. I think the Garrick option seems a stronger backline overall. Funa did a better job last year when filling in but it means Tuipulotu maybe misses out! I rate this kid as good as anyone in our backline and for that reason I have to find a way to get him in.
Option 1
1. Garrick
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Tuipulotu

Option 2
1. Funa
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Garrick

Edit.
Smokey option
1. Saab
2. Tuipulotu
3. Walker
4. Suki
5. Garrick

No way Despicable would choose an 18 year debutant to fill that role , in fact no possible way!!

It’s Funa , with Garrick on one wing and Volvo on the other.

 

[philasophigas]

20% saying Koula... wow! Throwing an 18 year old in the deep end straight out of 18s. I just can't see that happening at all.
The benefit of Garrick at fullback is it potentially gives Tuipulotu a Crack on the wing.
Put Funa to fullback and we have Garrick on the wing. I think the Garrick option seems a stronger backline overall. Funa did a better job last year when filling in but it means Tuipulotu maybe misses out! I rate this kid as good as anyone in our backline and for that reason I have to find a way to get him in.
Option 1
1. Garrick
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Tuipulotu

Option 2
1. Funa
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Garrick

Edit.
Smokey option
1. Saab
2. Tuipulotu
3. Walker
4. Suki
5. Garrick

Option 3 looks good

 

[47MVEagle]

I just cant see Des starting with anyone at fb who hasnt already played it at NRL level.

That means it's either Garrick or Funa.

Considering Garrick no doubt figured in Des' plans as a starting winger this season, I cant imagine he'd want to weaken any other positions to replace Tom at fb, so that leaves Funa.

I thought Funa showed quite rapid improvement in his stint at fb last year - I remember him charging onto bombs in his second or third game there, which is as much to do with confidence as positional ability so I think he'd go pretty well filling in for Turbo.

 

[pjayz]

No way Despicable would choose an 18 year debutant to fill that role , in fact no possible way!!

It’s Funa , with Garrick on one wing and Volvo on the other.

I agree, it's probably Funa.

I'd love to see Koula get a crack though. He is young, but it has happened before. Even the Roosters want to debut a 17yr old and Robinson is no dummy. I guess it depends on the individual.

Des won't go for it, but I'd love him to just back the kid and give him the jersey. He is likely to be more of a last resort; however, he is in the 30, so that says something.

 

[Woodsie]

20% saying Koula... wow! Throwing an 18 year old in the deep end straight out of 18s. I just can't see that happening at all.
The benefit of Garrick at fullback is it potentially gives Tuipulotu a Crack on the wing.
Put Funa to fullback and we have Garrick on the wing. I think the Garrick option seems a stronger backline overall. Funa did a better job last year when filling in but it means Tuipulotu maybe misses out! I rate this kid as good as anyone in our backline and for that reason I have to find a way to get him in.
Option 1
1. Garrick
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Tuipulotu

Option 2
1. Funa
2. Saab
3. Walker
4. Suli
5. Garrick

Edit.
Smokey option
1. Saab
2. Tuipulotu
3. Walker
4. Suki
5. Garrick

Mate, I rate you as a student of the game ... but I need to ask you .. on what evidence are you concluding that Saab is ahead of Tuipulotu for a wing spot ...

.. and if you tell me because he is tall ... I will literally assume the foetal position and start crying ...

 

[MW66]

What about Fonua who we signed from Parra? Specialist FB and in Workers squad.

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

Mate, I rate you as a student of the game ... but I need to ask you .. on what evidence are you concluding that Saab is ahead of Tuipulotu for a wing spot ...

.. and if you tell me because he is tall ... I will literally assume the foetal position and start crying ...

Perhaps more nrl experience? Hasn't Tuipulotu played 1 game? Maybe he's played more then 1. Robbo will inform us im sure

 

[The better Robbo]

Mate, I rate you as a student of the game ... but I need to ask you .. on what evidence are you concluding that Saab is ahead of Tuipulotu for a wing spot ...

.. and if you tell me because he is tall ... I will literally assume the foetal position and start crying ...

I just like what i see. I was wanting him from the start. He is tall 😉 athletic, has speed to burn, is awesome under the high ball and beefed up enough that his speed will make his explosive and powerful. He ticks every single box.
Tuipulotu looks a genuine star too but I'd see him as more of a centre that can play wing if needed. Saab is an out n out winger and for that reason I have him ahead. I've said before that I reckon Tuipulotu is our long term left centre as I can't see Walker being re signed.

 

[pjayz]

Mate, I rate you as a student of the game ... but I need to ask you .. on what evidence are you concluding that Saab is ahead of Tuipulotu for a wing spot ...

.. and if you tell me because he is tall ... I will literally assume the foetal position and start crying ...

I just like what i see. I was wanting him from the start. He is tall 😉 athletic, has speed to burn, is awesome under the high ball and beefed up enough that his speed will make his explosive and powerful. He ticks every single box.
Tuipulotu looks a genuine star too but I'd see him as more of a centre that can play wing if needed. Saab is an out n out winger and for that reason I have him ahead. I've said before that I reckon Tuipulotu is our long term left centre as I can't see Walker being re signed.

What would either of you know about wingers...

Leave the thinking to me boys...did I mention I played under 7's rugby for St.Ives? What I learned as a player in the top grade in the elite Northern Suburbs competition back in 1980, was that if you are old enough you are good enough...no wait..if you are good enough you are old enough..anyhoo. I was technically only 6 yrs old...but the coach backed me after a few tantrums and I killed it. Those huge humans didn't know what hit them. I danced around them like they were standing in mud. Torched them. I was a try scoring machine. I still hold the under 7's record for most tries in a season. At least that's how I remember it. The point is, I have the runs on the board fellas so listen and learn...mmmkay pumpkins?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I just like what i see. I was wanting him from the start. He is tall 😉 athletic, has speed to burn, is awesome under the high ball and beefed up enough that his speed will make his explosive and powerful. He ticks every single box.
Tuipulotu looks a genuine star too but I'd see him as more of a centre that can play wing if needed. Saab is an out n out winger and for that reason I have him ahead. I've said before that I reckon Tuipulotu is our long term left centre as I can't see Walker being re signed.

Well if Tui is going to be a long term centre we’ve got to get a decent nickname for him because if I can’t spell Turbo’s I sure as **** can’t spell Tui’s

 

[Brissie Kid]

Has Des checked if Dean Whare has left for France yet?

 

[BoomStickBarbie]

Harper to be given first crack at fullback in the West tigers trial.
Source. Noel cleal interview on the telegraph

 

[Disco]

Interesting.......has he played much there before?

Hopefully he kills it!

 

[BoomStickBarbie]

Interesting.......has he played much there before?

Hopefully he kills it!

Article says he played a lot of juniors in the position. Also said he has put on a bit of weight for this season compared to last season

 

[Disco]

Biggest drawback with Harper atm is that mo and haircut is horrific

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

No that is a real plus! Seems like a character.
And if he doesn't like looking in the mirror much I can relate to that 🙂