Paseka needs 2025 to be his Breaker

[Ryan]

Honestly, we can't go into 2025 with as many slow-motion forwards as we've had for a very long time. The more explosive, agile teams tear us apart. I can't fathom how our lack of pace in the forwards was our biggest problem in 2024, and we've exacerbated that by downgrading from Lawton to Tevaga. I just don't see us improving, unless we turnover some players (and I'm talking fan favorites like Croker, Burbo, Jurbo, Condon, James, Brown, Sipley, Lodge, Aloiai). Our recruitment strategy is Tevaga? Seriously?

In my opinion, you can carry a few power forwards, but they need different tools in their kit. Paseka and Olakau'atu fit the bill. Bullemor and Waddell offer some leg speed and pace (a different perspective, that's needed). Navale looks the goods. You could then probably carry two logs (say Aloiai & Brown) - but for me, to get into a top 4 position, the rest need to move on.

08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Ethan Bullemor
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12.
13. Caleb Navale

14. Jake Arthur
15. Josh Aloiai
16.
17. Nathan Brown

Those final two positions need to be Liam Martin, Spencer Leniu types.

If we've got no cap space available with as many ineffective forwards as we have, then we'll continue to be almost rans, rather than contenders. Recruitment needed to step up the last few years. They've done an excellent job with Talau & Brooks. Our development staff have done extremely well with Hoppa / Navale. As an entire club, we've dropped the ball correcting / fixing our biggest and glaring problem. Lawton to the log formally known as Tevaga isn't improving us. It's another Jake Trbojevic physique, and literally just as, if not slower at the same time 🙁

 

[BOZO]

. I can't fathom how our lack of pace in the forwards was our biggest problem

I keep on saying Speed Kills
but No one Listens to me Except for you feathered friend 🙂
SPEED KILLS
SPEED KILLS
SPEED KILLS 🙂

 

[maxta]

It is all opinions Maxta,did not say he has reached his ceiling.
The coaching staff and club obviously believe he is doing a good job and I agree with them.
My point was not that the others are props but are underperforming.
My opinion is that I would not swap him for any prop out there.
Not sure I would say that Laiafi is Haas like either,far from it.

I have been told by a good contact Laiafi has backrow potential also Joe, how do you see that as a possibility, or is it prop only....you would know more about him then anyone here, what's your take on him and is the potential there to break in 2026 ?

 

[Smokin Joe]

I have been told by a good contact Laiafi has backrow potential also Joe, how do you see that as a possibility, or is it prop only....you would know more about him then anyone here, what's your take on him and is the potential there to break in 2026 ?

He played second row in the schoolboys carnival and made the Aus team on the bench from his performances.
He could play both,I don't think he has the workrate of a Haas,he still needs to work on his fitness and focus,he has an error or two from lack of concentration at the moment.
Sorry mate,no disrespect,I value your opinion on here,was not having a direct go at you before.
I guess I just have a high opinion of Taniela and think he has taken his game to another level under Seibold.
Des had him and the other props one week starting,the next in Reggie's,the next on the bench and it was a joke for our consistency and performance.
Seibold put the number 8 on his back from day one and made him a starter and he has blossomed since then in my opinion.
Just my opinion....maybe back end of 26 is more realistic to be blooded,chances are he may even start 2025 in Ball before moving to Flegg.
Likely to follow other young tyros like Tuivaiti from Eels and Tonga from Dragons who are moving into NRL contracts this year and both maybe get a shot sometime this year after a year on supplementary contract.
Maybe depends who his manager is.... 🙂

 

[bob dylan]

It does feel we have been saying this for years now...

Agree 100%.

But i do think he has shown improvement every year.

 

[Frogz]

I think it was Bill Moore on NRL360, that said paseka will be the number 1 prop in the game towards end of next season.

 

[Dion Johnson]

He cant do it on his own. We need another alpha prop.

Definitely, very hard going through the middle with a one punch forward, needs that dominant type front row partner to go at the opposition.

The club haven’t done him or the squad many favours in balancing the skill set of the middle men.

Tent and Bully are the best two middles in the squad if lodge is gone.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Honestly, we can't go into 2025 with as many slow-motion forwards as we've had for a very long time. The more explosive, agile teams tear us apart. I can't fathom how our lack of pace in the forwards was our biggest problem in 2024, and we've exacerbated that by downgrading from Lawton to Tevaga. I just don't see us improving, unless we turnover some players (and I'm talking fan favorites like Croker, Burbo, Jurbo, Condon, James, Brown, Sipley, Lodge, Aloiai). Our recruitment strategy is Tevaga? Seriously?

In my opinion, you can carry a few power forwards, but they need different tools in their kit. Paseka and Olakau'atu fit the bill. Bullemor and Waddell offer some leg speed and pace (a different perspective, that's needed). Navale looks the goods. You could then probably carry two logs (say Aloiai & Brown) - but for me, to get into a top 4 position, the rest need to move on.

08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Ethan Bullemor
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12.
13. Caleb Navale

14. Jake Arthur
15. Josh Aloiai
16.
17. Nathan Brown

Those final two positions need to be Liam Martin, Spencer Leniu types.

If we've got no cap space available with as many ineffective forwards as we have, then we'll continue to be almost rans, rather than contenders. Recruitment needed to step up the last few years. They've done an excellent job with Talau & Brooks. Our development staff have done extremely well with Hoppa / Navale. As an entire club, we've dropped the ball correcting / fixing our biggest and glaring problem. Lawton to the log formally known as Tevaga isn't improving us. It's another Jake Trbojevic physique, and literally just as, if not slower at the same time 🙁

View attachment 28530

Hard not to agree on the summary, Tent and Bully I rate as the best two middle forwards at the club.

Spot on with the similarities with the physique and body types that are similar with Tevaga, Jake, Brown and Navale.

Not a huge fan of Waddell and don’t get how he got a three year deal based on his performances in 2024, though he was good in the middle off the bench when he got moved there.

The club should be building the pack around Tent and Guaca as they are signed long term and need to offset the skill sets that these two players don’t have in other players.

 

[maxta]

He played second row in the schoolboys carnival and made the Aus team on the bench from his performances.
He could play both,I don't think he has the workrate of a Haas,he still needs to work on his fitness and focus,he has an error or two from lack of concentration at the moment.
Sorry mate,no disrespect,I value your opinion on here,was not having a direct go at you before.
I guess I just have a high opinion of Taniela and think he has taken his game to another level under Seibold.
Des had him and the other props one week starting,the next in Reggie's,the next on the bench and it was a joke for our consistency and performance.
Seibold put the number 8 on his back from day one and made him a starter and he has blossomed since then in my opinion.
Just my opinion....maybe back end of 26 is more realistic to be blooded,chances are he may even start 2025 in Ball before moving to Flegg.
Likely to follow other young tyros like Tuivaiti from Eels and Tonga from Dragons who are moving into NRL contracts this year and both maybe get a shot sometime this year after a year on supplementary contract.
Maybe depends who his manager is.... 🙂

Not insulted with you at all mate and just to let you know, really appreciate your insightful posts and especially on the youngsters coming through....adds so much to the Silvertail site 🙌

 

[Bloke on the hill]

I'd like Paseka to have a coffee with Toovey each morning for a year & Toovey give the exact same instructions that he gave George Rose.

 

[Phobia]

Personally, I don't think the forwards need too much improvement in their running game, it's the dummy half service that needs changing.

I love Croker, and particularly his creativity and defence, but half the time Paseka and the other middles have to slow down to catch his balls. If you're wondering why they don't come thundering in like Brown does, maybe it's because they've become used to Crokers service... Might think they're better off going slower and catching the ball, than hitting the line at pace with the risk of Croker throwing them a howler that's a metre behind them, and causing a turnover.

I thought the forwards improved significantly when Simpkin was playing for us. Simpkin isn't even that great lmao. I don't have the statistics, but his service passed the eye test, and it was the first time since 2022 that we won three games in a row (!!)

 

[JakeyB789]

Paseka and Bullemor are our only middles worth anything and yet Bully is unsigned beyond next year, which is absolutely mental considering we've extended Aloiai and Waddell until 2027.

I feel we are at a bit of a crossroads next year with DCE maybe or maybe not retiring, quality players like Bully and Talau being off contract while also trying to navigate the backline logjam and the lack of a hooker. On top of that we have Tom and Jake off contract the year after and soon to enter contract re-negotiations, will be very very interested to see how those go..

 

[BOZO]

I love Croker, and particularly his creativity and defence,

Hey Phoby , I hope all is well in you Eagle nest

Please explain this Great Creativity that you love in Croker
Because I dont see any Creativity in this Predictable and Pedestrian player
All I see is a hard work ethic in defence

 

[lsz]

Completely a perception thing I am sure but it always feels like his second stint is better than his first

 

[Phobia]

Hey Phoby , I hope all is well in you Eagle nest

Please explain this Great Creativity that you love in Croker
Because I dont see any Creativity in this Predictable and Pedestrian player
All I see is a hard work ethic in defence

Fair points, in 2024 he was considerably less creative.

I was more so referring to 2022 and to an extent 2023, where he would come up with the occasional good play or kick. Not particularly in the sense of hooker play, but odd off-the-cuff plays as an individual player. He didn't kick a 40/20 this year, but last year he was tied first for most 40/20's in the comp. That was an asset. Don't know what happened to it this year.

 

[mave]

Fair points, in 2024 he was considerably less creative.

I was more so referring to 2022 and to an extent 2023, where he would come up with the occasional good play or kick. Not particularly in the sense of hooker play, but odd off-the-cuff plays as an individual player. He didn't kick a 40/20 this year, but last year he was tied first for most 40/20's in the comp. That was an asset. Don't know what happened to it this year.

His kicking game fell off a cliff over the last few weeks.

Had a couple of shockers in the finals v Bulldogs and Roosters.

Right idea at the time, horrible execution.