Technical Coach
Bencher
As i have stated a million times Fainu would of made zero difference this year with all the injuries, if anything he would of been shown up defensively.Serious?
He was lapping Api - basically everyone on here said that. Api was hampering our attack with poor service - Fainu started our attack.
He was that much more effective in attack than Api. Maybe a factor of rotation as well. But I remember watching every game going 'just get Fainu on', then he would come on and completely change momentum.
He is one of those players that has so much time with the ball. Not comparing him to these guys at all but theres some of those freak just real footy players ,i.e. your Johns / JT, that have that time with the ball where they just pick every right option. Cleary had it somewhat this year. His running game added a threat and he just perfectly timed his passes, created go forward through running e.g.
He comes back we move up minimum 4 teams in the ladder. His inclusion would still maybe make us scrape the 8. There is a huge difference between a first grade hooker and Danny Levi and Lachlan Croker, let alone a hooker that was a form one of the comp last year.
Bring in Tom and Dylan with fitness, we probably scrape the 4 (or fight for it).
Its concerning the lack of signings but still fully fit with luck we can beat anyone. We just need a couple of budget shrewd signings: 2. Saab 12. Garner 18. Backup Hooker (literally anyone proven in case the Cade / Foran experiment doesn't go well)
We don't need a prop - Paseka is ready to step up, so is Olakau'atu into a starting bench role and more minutes. Saddler deserves some game time. S.Fainu will probably be our starting prop in a couple years or so, may as well start thinking about him too. K Titmuss looks up to it physically.
Saab would be huge - added point of attack --> the air. Something we missed a lot this year.
Fainu's positives come out when the team is at full strength and going forward not in an average squad losing field position and racking up tackling numbers.
As per normal people here just focus on the attacking elements of his game like it is the be all and end all.
Look i'm no big Api fan and i have mentioned several times now over the years about his poor passing from dummy half----but in saying that Api was not utilized well under Des or shown much confidence in him to bring out his best.
I stated before last season started that Api will work wonders at Penrith on a faster track and from a coach that has belief in him----not Mr Hindsight here that is for sure.
The GF also showed up Api's limitations being his predictable short passing game from dummy half that was not expansive enough, crisp enough or had enough variety----an area Fainu needs to address also.
When injuries hit our squad big time again don't expect Fainu to be keeping the middle tight and working his ass off in defence that is for sure.