One has to go ... who ?

[Jethro]

I think that's the key point - did we want any of the other hoppas?

Will Hoppa yes, but the money was too big. The others have been nothing to worry about them moving on.

Manly know Lehi is a star and would be planning the position and money to keep him happy from what i have read.

Like Will, is Lehi also thinking of going off somewhere in the world to do a Mormon Mission as well?

 

[Tragic Eagle]

The weakest link!

 

[Disco]

There’s no doubt in my mind he is a good attacking centre. But he struggled defensively. Hopefully that improves with another off season in the position.

Yeah no doubt.

My response was more at the common refrain that he cant or wont pass which is a fallacy.

He can improve his decision making which at times can be poor (both in attack and defence). However to say his never passes or cant pass is just nonsense.

 

[rmd]

I don’t have any issue with Garrick in attack, it’s just defensive reads that irk me. Mind you DCE rushing out of the line doesn’t help him.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

One has to go ... who ?​

Not who, whom, surely?

to whom it may concern... it's who!
Let's ask the expert... @The Who

 

[Scorpio]

Manly know Lehi is a star and would be planning the position and money to keep him happy from what i have read.

Lehi is already very fluent in pretty much everything he does on the field.

But... I was a little bit concerned in the Tonga vs Australia match when he couldn't chase down Tom (who had the ball in hand) at the end of the year. It's not a huge concern as Tom is still an elite player. However, if he doesn't have the speed to do that at 19 years old and a bit over 80kg, then to me it would suggest that maybe (and this is just my opinion) his long-term future may not be as a winger or fullback.

Players like Dylan Edwards don't have exceptional size or speed by NRL standards either, but they have a huge work-rate and are surrounded by players that do have size and speed. As far as Lehi goes, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

 

[Phobia]

Lehi is already very fluent in pretty much everything he does on the field.

But... I was a little bit concerned in the Tonga vs Australia match when he couldn't chase down Tom (who had the ball in hand) at the end of the year. It's not a huge concern as Tom is still an elite player. However, if he doesn't have the speed to do that at 19 years old and a bit over 80kg, then to me it would suggest that maybe (and this is just my opinion) his long-term future may not be as a winger or fullback.

Players like Dylan Edwards don't have exceptional size or speed by NRL standards either, but they have a huge work-rate and are surrounded by players that do have size and speed. As far as Lehi goes, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Lehi did have to turn around, wasn't exactly a sprint race to begin with. He has shown several times throughout the season that he has the speed required at fullback, e.g. against the Dragons, where he punched through twice to score / set up a try.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Lehi is already very fluent in pretty much everything he does on the field.

But... I was a little bit concerned in the Tonga vs Australia match when he couldn't chase down Tom (who had the ball in hand) at the end of the year. It's not a huge concern as Tom is still an elite player. However, if he doesn't have the speed to do that at 19 years old and a bit over 80kg, then to me it would suggest that maybe (and this is just my opinion) his long-term future may not be as a winger or fullback.

Players like Dylan Edwards don't have exceptional size or speed by NRL standards either, but they have a huge work-rate and are surrounded by players that do have size and speed. As far as Lehi goes, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

There was a game where Lehi turned and chased Addo-Carr and tackled him into touch, May not have the top end 100m sprinting of a Saab but he's definitely sharp and has good acceleration - plus his anticipation and reading of play gives him an extra second anyway. Speed definitely no problem from what I've seen.

 

[Scorpio]

There was a game where Lehi turned and chased Addo-Carr and tackled him into touch, May not have the top end 100m sprinting of a Saab but he's definitely sharp and has good acceleration - plus his anticipation and reading of play gives him an extra second anyway. Speed definitely no problem from what I've seen.

It's not a problem now... but given that he's listed at 190cm tall and only 82kg, it would be reasonable to expect that he's going to be adding a fair bit of weight to that frame over the next year or two... and (hopefully barring injuries) it's yet to be seen how that will impact his speed... noting that we also have Tom, Koula, Saab, Garrick who I'd say are all currently quicker than Lehi.

I think he'll be an Origin player, maybe as soon as next year... but given his already evident football brain, I think it's entirely possible he could be a #6 in the future. But he'd need to start working on his kicking game sooner rather than later.

 

[madmax]

Yep. I was actually thinking about that when I posed the question about combinations. Seems people value him most for his goal kicking but should that be the priority when DCE, Tavaga, and I think others can kick?

Really difficult because he seems to fit into the 'top bloke' category.

Yeah let’s drop Garrick & put Tevaga in his place lolol. Like to see how many games we win with Tevaga as our kicker.

 

[madmax]

Yeah. I agree on all points however he will become a whipping boy on here if his D doesn’t improve. Shoulders matai struggled in defence early in his career. So there is hope.

The only players who aren’t whipping boys are the Trbojevics! You know the ones taking up most of our salary cap. One injury prone, one slow, a penalty & 6 again magnet, one zero attacking flare yet some would prefer to let go of Garrick, Koula, Saab etc. Makes me laugh to be honest. FMD if it was left to some on here to put our squad together we’d be super spooners every year!

 

[manly al]

Didn 't realize Lehi was quite tall but don't think that he needs that much more weight to add to his frame as he definitely or already has some good natural strength and drive
Interesting that both his and Turbo's current contracts are up in 2026 so just like in D C E 's present contract arrangement , Turbo may well be prepared to take a slight pay cut to help accommodate for Lehi 's expected upgrade and to be retained after 26 .
Allowed [ by N R L] for Hunt to sign with the Broncs on a seriously reduced deal so after that precedent , can hardly prevent other players and clubs to manage something similar or comparable if a mutual agreement .
Maybe the same [ or should be ] with Jake if he and Manly also chose something similar
Still seems the same slight uncertainty with Talau with any ongoing contract after 25 and any possible positional switch from a backline role

 

[DanielTurbo888]

Yeah Garrick has earned his automatic inclusions. He has a high involvement rate, does the hard yards well and can be elusive in attack when he has some space. He is very skillful, good strong size and a highly passionate player.