How do we unlock Koula?

I have commented on Tolu before and don't believe he is a centre....nor a FB. I would be very surprised if he played centre in his junior days. I am not sure he has that ability to beat his man one on one close up. Definitely can do out in the open spaces but not in close say centre to centre. His best position is on the wing ala Brian To'o. Would be devastating out there particularly outside Turbo or Garrick or Lehi. Would also be great rucking the ball out in our red zone.
 
Koula apparently has a player option in his favor in 27 and doubt if he would be that keen to stick around if he is mainly considered as a winger or even bench option .
Maybe or his family still have some interest in diverting to R U and could only see it as a major loss to Manly if that occurred, let alone going to another club .
Have to naturally allocate positions for the best interests of the team but again in Koula 's instance , very much doubt if it is wing or off the bench
 
I agree that Koula's best position is probably fullback. Unfortunately for him, Turbo is (occasionally) there, and Lehi is the obvious backup. Lehi is excellent, a natural fullback in both attack and defence. Tolu is fast as hell and has created havoc in attack when he's played fullback, but he doesn't have the same positional nous and steadiness that Lehi does.

So he's going to have to flourish as a centre.
Unless you make this about what’s best for the team and not the individual.

I like you think Tolu’s best position is FB.

Re Tom, his body is the question, sticking with Tom at 1 has been hurting us year after year, it’s a spine position and we need stability.

In comes Lehi, yep he goes pretty good, but with his skill set can he play elsewhere? More than likely, his speed is the question mark, his no slouch, but his no Tolu either.

We have the perfect opportunity coming up during origin, to give him a shot in the halves (sorry Jakey, keep hitting the weights mate and look to the future as that extra middle, a ball playing 13) this let Koula play 1.

Look at the FB’s that are currently killing it, there all more speed than anything else, can teach the rest, speed is the gift, followed by the space and freedom to use it.

Gray, is quick but hardly looks like a FB, his 5’4 so height isn’t the issue, plus it appears Old Wayne is smart enough to strengthen his side verse playing players in their preferred position, anyone else see Latrell going back to FB anytime soon, especially while Gray is bringing his game to South’s? I’ll answer, not likely.

How about this one, Conner Tracey, who would of thought, but his all effort and again has speed to burn and the dogs take full advantage, would of been easy to say Critter was to gifted to be a centre and offered him the FB role, nope it’s bit like Mitchell, whereby the team is better with Tracey at 1.

No need to say anything about Papy or Walsh, they both take risks, play what they see, follow the ball, pose a risk under the high ball, but both possess the key ingredient, speed and the desire to be involved.

Koula gets his opportunity for space as a 1, has the speed to cause havoc, we have the opportunity to get more from our side, by moving some key players around.

I imagine Rubes is staying put and his improving I believe, we need a bigger body in the three quarter line and we have those in our squad at present, Turbo, yes I know but at least at 4 he wouldn’t be called upon to make 30 tackle a game, can’t see Tom to 6 in any case, need consistency at 1 so that by natural order is working against sticking with Tom at 1, then there’s Talau who would be more suited as a centre, just lacks the pace on the edge, but brings his strength and aggression into a key position, he can ball play.

Talking about key positions, I think the centres are playing a bigger role than ever before in a teams success, it always about the spine players, but the centres are a very big part of the successful sides, too much to dive into, but our centre pair aren’t overly our strong point, just think our team can run out as a stronger side with some positional changes, playing Koula at 1 while giving Lehi a shot in the halves over origin seems like a good opportunity to see if we can improve our side. Might not work, but has to be worth considering, also would save us going to market for a half and top up the kitty to get some young mobile bulls up front, watch the Broncos pack last night, made me cringe thinking about ours.
 
He needs to come looking for the ball more around the slower middle men off 2nd phase play and offloads attacking the slower bodies
The Manly shift is well done, but often shift without winning momentum allowing g defence to slide on him....if able to blow up that middle more, will allow that extra space, as usually we try simply go around the opposition, before going through them.... if can get more attacking speed through the central field, Koula will get the space to use his speed
 
I agree with a lot of the comments in here. I think it’s just become a game plan since Brooks came in. As some of you have said, our left just gets no space. Burbo is always a hit up from a change of direction pass (whatever you call it) from Brooks, Koula likewise off a short ball. The only player I’ve seen get any room to run on our left has been Lehi on the wing, so perhaps if Tolu was on the wing he could be quite dangerous. Then you have to make the decision to play Lehi or Turbo at centre instead 🤷‍♂️

I don’t think Tolu’s best position is FB though, although he probably hasn’t played there enough to get a proper judgement on that.
 
I'm not a Seibs basher so don't take this as I am but doesn't it come down to how he is being coached to play. Maybe some more imagination from the coaching staff could help.
 
The biggest problem is he tries to run through or over the top of player's instead of running in-between or around them. Don't get me wrong he's all heart and you got to love him for that. Just wish he'd use that speed to burn people on the outside. Saab can be the same as well get's a half break and won't back himself . SPEED KILLS
 
Unless you make this about what’s best for the team and not the individual.

I like you think Tolu’s best position is FB.

Re Tom, his body is the question, sticking with Tom at 1 has been hurting us year after year, it’s a spine position and we need stability.

In comes Lehi, yep he goes pretty good, but with his skill set can he play elsewhere? More than likely, his speed is the question mark, his no slouch, but his no Tolu either.

We have the perfect opportunity coming up during origin, to give him a shot in the halves (sorry Jakey, keep hitting the weights mate and look to the future as that extra middle, a ball playing 13) this let Koula play 1.

Look at the FB’s that are currently killing it, there all more speed than anything else, can teach the rest, speed is the gift, followed by the space and freedom to use it.

Gray, is quick but hardly looks like a FB, his 5’4 so height isn’t the issue, plus it appears Old Wayne is smart enough to strengthen his side verse playing players in their preferred position, anyone else see Latrell going back to FB anytime soon, especially while Gray is bringing his game to South’s? I’ll answer, not likely.

How about this one, Conner Tracey, who would of thought, but his all effort and again has speed to burn and the dogs take full advantage, would of been easy to say Critter was to gifted to be a centre and offered him the FB role, nope it’s bit like Mitchell, whereby the team is better with Tracey at 1.

No need to say anything about Papy or Walsh, they both take risks, play what they see, follow the ball, pose a risk under the high ball, but both possess the key ingredient, speed and the desire to be involved.

Koula gets his opportunity for space as a 1, has the speed to cause havoc, we have the opportunity to get more from our side, by moving some key players around.

I imagine Rubes is staying put and his improving I believe, we need a bigger body in the three quarter line and we have those in our squad at present, Turbo, yes I know but at least at 4 he wouldn’t be called upon to make 30 tackle a game, can’t see Tom to 6 in any case, need consistency at 1 so that by natural order is working against sticking with Tom at 1, then there’s Talau who would be more suited as a centre, just lacks the pace on the edge, but brings his strength and aggression into a key position, he can ball play.

Talking about key positions, I think the centres are playing a bigger role than ever before in a teams success, it always about the spine players, but the centres are a very big part of the successful sides, too much to dive into, but our centre pair aren’t overly our strong point, just think our team can run out as a stronger side with some positional changes, playing Koula at 1 while giving Lehi a shot in the halves over origin seems like a good opportunity to see if we can improve our side. Might not work, but has to be worth considering, also would save us going to market for a half and top up the kitty to get some young mobile bulls up front, watch the Broncos pack last night, made me cringe thinking about ours.
You've sold me, mate🙂

Can't see it happening, but that is a very well-reasoned plan. And I'm happy to have Lehi pretty much anywhere in the starting backline. He is one of those players who finds a way to impact the game no matter where you put him.
 
He was previously at right centre next to DCE and the same issue was being pinned on DCE... which is probably partially true, but the common denominator is Tolu himself.

Despite his proven toughness and athleticism, he doesn't often seem to keep the opposition guessing with soft hands, a kicking game, dummying to kick/pass or with late footwork to beat a defender. On his own, the opposition seem to know what he's going to do, and when he has enough space he can burn them with pace. But when that space isn't there (most of the time) he doesn't create much.

He's only 22 and is a first grade centre every day of the week, but it would be good to see him improve in these parts of his game.
Sounds like a good winger
 
I agree that Koula's best position is probably fullback. Unfortunately for him, Turbo is (occasionally) there, and Lehi is the obvious backup. Lehi is excellent, a natural fullback in both attack and defence. Tolu is fast as hell and has created havoc in attack when he's played fullback, but he doesn't have the same positional nous and steadiness that Lehi does.

So he's going to have to flourish as a centre.
He’s got the talent for sure
 
I think Koula's best position for now is Wing.Once he's a veteran, he could be a decent centre, but for now, with no footwork or silky hands, he's a winger.

He's reminded me of Scott Donald since his debut. I keep waiting for him to bust a tackle and run 100m for a try. Still waiting for 'that try'... until he becomes an angry veteran like Dane Gagai or Will Chambers, I would stick him on the wing...

Then again, I can't wait to see Navren Willet get the next backline debut.. big hope's for that guy!!
 

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