Jake Toby, what a shame

[eagle66]

Still feel we should have held onto him. Report from last week's game.

Livewire Bears fullback Jake Toby was a standout in a losing side with two tries, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, eight tackle busts and 241 metres. He also set up a try with a pass after making 40 metres and beating three players in an energetic kick return.

 

[Rosko]

Our best player in NSWC last year, and miles above Bailey Hodgson in every respect.
Our recruitment and retention of depth has been appalling for 10 years.

 

[LeonardCohen]

You have to look his physical attributes. He’s one of those players that will carve up in a 2nd tier competition but struggle with the physical demands of FG. He is 27 years old and never played FG. If he was going to make an impact, you’d have to think he would have done it by now.

 

[maxta]

I have seen Toby and he is a livewire, but lacks a few physical components imo to make the step up to NRL.
No doubt would creat some attacking threats, but at the highest level selectors look at far more than players who have attacking flair.....but do agree he is a far better player than Hodgson.

 

[manly al]

Maybe Blacktown or Manly would have preferred to keep him in the system but Storm probably just offered a bit more money and some suggestion of better opportunity .
Storm still presumably have that young gun and really promising full back who starred in the pacific rep comp last season also so not too sure about the opportunity aspect
Then with young Hoppa , Ray Ray , looks like now Paulo also , Hodgson and a couple of others in the Blacktown back line now ,and hard to be rated above or ahead of most of these guys .
Maybe as a 6 at Blacktown level but again most likely that extra bit of money and opportunity offer from the Storm

 

[The Who]

You have to look his physical attributes. He’s one of those players that will carve up in a 2nd tier competition but struggle with the physical demands of FG. He is 27 years old and never played FG. If he was going to make an impact, you’d have to think he would have done it by now.

Matcalf was in a similar position. Came from Cronulla to Manly. Was agile and fast but could never crack higher than reserve grade. Eventually he got a chance with the Worriers and starred playing alongside good players. Metcalf is now a highly rated NRL player, although he's currently injured.
Docker-Clay is another small guy on the fringe of success. He was also discarded by us yet now is an interchange player in the NRL.
You never can be completely sure if a reserve grader has the ability to step up. Some are late bloomers.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

It must be hard for the retention committee, salary cap issues , are they likely to jump to the next level , etc etc.

Yes mistakes will get made , but that’s every club.

Jake Arthur a perfect example.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Matcalf was in a similar position. Came from Cronulla to Manly. Was agile and fast but could never crack higher than reserve grade. Eventually he got a chance with the Worriers and starred playing alongside good players. Metcalf is now a highly rated NRL player, although he's currently injured.
Docker-Clay is another small guy on the fringe of success. He was also discarded by us yet now is an interchange player in the NRL.
You never can be completely sure if a reserve grader has the ability to step up. Some are late bloomers.

Danny Levi is another one, currently the starting hooker at the Raiders.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Matcalf was in a similar position. Came from Cronulla to Manly. Was agile and fast but could never crack higher than reserve grade. Eventually he got a chance with the Worriers and starred playing alongside good players. Metcalf is now a highly rated NRL player, although he's currently injured.
Docker-Clay is another small guy on the fringe of success. He was also discarded by us yet now is an interchange player in the NRL.
You never can be completely sure if a reserve grader has the ability to step up. Some are late bloomers.

I don't think the two are comparable. Luke Metcalfe debuted at 22 and is 6ft tall. I also wouldn't call him highly rated, more developing into a solid first grader. As for Docker-Clay, he is short but built like a tank. He's also managed 13 FG games and is 28, so he has obviously struggled to make an impact.

I'm not suggesting Toby could not handle a couple of games, I am more or less making the point that we haven't lost anything of significant value by saying goodbye.

 

[Rocky]

Danny Levi is another one, currently the starting hooker at the Raiders.

To be fair to Levi he is a very fit guy and good on him for finding a home at the raiders.

But in my eyes, he's a very ordinary player.

 

[StuBoot]

I have seen Toby and he is a livewire, but lacks a few physical components imo to make the step up to NRL.
No doubt would creat some attacking threats, but at the highest level selectors look at far more than players who have attacking flair.....but do agree he is a far better player than Hodgson.

Yep, look at players like Matt Dufty, Jai Field, Bevan French etc carving up in England, they are stars over there yet couldn't quite make it here consistently.

 

[Marto1970]

S

So he’s carving up reserve grade but still can’t get a look in at an injury/suspension ravaged Roosters

Storm feeder club , can't see him breaking into the first side

 

[Nordburg]

S

Storm feeder club , can't see him breaking into the first side

Yep,you’re right,my blue.Forgot that the Roosters/Bears affiliation ended last season.As you said,can’t see him cracking their side either

 

[Nordburg]

Maybe Blacktown or Manly would have preferred to keep him in the system but Storm probably just offered a bit more money and some suggestion of better opportunity .
Storm still presumably have that young gun and really promising full back who starred in the pacific rep comp last season also so not too sure about the opportunity aspect
Then with young Hoppa , Ray Ray , looks like now Paulo also , Hodgson and a couple of others in the Blacktown back line now ,and hard to be rated above or ahead of most of these guys .
Maybe as a 6 at Blacktown level but again most likely that extra bit of money and opportunity offer from the Storm

Having just remembered that the Bears are no longer the Roosters feeder team,it appears it was the Bears who signed Toby,not the Storm.

 

[maxta]

Yep, look at players like Matt Dufty, Jai Field, Bevan French etc carving up in England, they are stars over there yet couldn't quite make it here consistently.

They are perfect examples and personally imo, they are all better than Toby.

 

[Disco]

Toby wont have a meaningful first grade career.

May play a handful of games if lucky.

 

[double hoops]

You have to remember it's reserve grade. Hoppa the latest son did some amazing things at full back on the weekend. Hoppa might not be as good or as consistent as Toby is right now, but is ressies just as much about developing the youngsters as it is a place for some experienced blokes to drop back too.

There's plenty throwing stones at Seibs and youth but here's one example where we have a good one and he's bringing him through.

 

[Uk eagle]

Still feel we should have held onto him. Report from last week's game.

Livewire Bears fullback Jake Toby was a standout in a losing side with two tries, a linebreak, two linebreak assists, eight tackle busts and 241 metres. He also set up a try with a pass after making 40 metres and beating three players in an energetic kick return.

What about the report from all his other matches? One game in isolation tells you nothing, otherwise the path to his front door would be worn out with clubs wanting to sign him. You can't keep them all forever in the hope they eventually make it. Once it becomes apparent it's not likely to happen for them you have to cut them loose to allow another young player his chance.

 

[mave]

Too small for any sort of meaningful NRL career, unfortunately.

Certainly a livewire though

 

[MW66]

Too small for any sort of meaningful NRL career, unfortunately.

Certainly a livewire though

Agree with this. Saw him in a couple of Manly pre-season games and certainly a livewire in attack. Absolutely exposed under the high ball and NSW cup is his limit in my opinion. Has been around now for 3/4 years and hasn't cracked it yet. No way he makes the Storm team and wouldn't/shouldn't make Manly FG if we are fair dinkum. Turbo, Koula and Garrick all in front of him.