Player/s who haven't improved under Des this year

[Harmless27]

I was thinking about this last night watching the game - and I must admit, there is one player who i think hasn't improved this year. It stood out as I watched each of our sets in the first half, and it became even more evident towards the back end of the game.... and that player (i'm sorry to say) is Api.

Yep - he darts, and he tackles. Tick.

But his ball distribution and passing just hasn't improved much over the last few years. It was always the weakness.... but when we see Fainu come on the ball usage just feels crisp and sharp (even with a broken nose!)

To Api's credit, he is clearly trying. He has even added a little bit of dummy half kicking (questionable quality, but still having a crack).

I think its a matter of time before Fainu becomes our first choice, and Api the backup.

Happy to be corrected/shouted down.... but thats just what I have seen in the last few weeks (maybe he is just low on form?)

 

[HappilyManly]

Api hasn't been as effective since his broken foot last year

Not sure why his passing is affected as his tackling is still good.

 

[40 years an eagle]

His passing was never "good", rises with the ball from dummy half...slow service. Poor kicks from dummy half defeat the purpose, but I guess sh!t kicking is the norm for this team without DCE.

Jake has not improved IMHO, not much to improve on I guess, but his role this year is not utilising ALL his abilities to the team benefit. Maybe TT missing makes a big difference.

 

[The better Robbo]

Api wont be here next year. We are looking at a replacement hooker to cover the utility role. Agreed his passes are terribly slow.

 

[Supreme Leader]

What is the consensus on Walkers game last night. I was somewhat disappointed, I expected a leadership role but I thought whilst the forwards ran, tackled their respective arses off, the backs were ineffectual. Of course I not including the last ten minutes when the comeback came but certainly very inept by the back for the first 3 quarters of the game?

 

[Harmless27]

I actually agree @Supreme Leader

He has been back for how many games? and how have we played in that time????

hhhmmmmm,..........

 

[Simonmyers11]

I disagree, Api is still a beast at the start of the game, does so much defensive work and has a great running game and sucks defenders in when he plays up the middle. Yes, some of his passing is off at times but last week against the titans he was best on park in that first half by a country mile. Fainu works best with tired defenders, but would not last 80 mins at this stage and wouldn't be as effective in my opinion.

I like what he brings off the bench, some X factor when we need it to change things up. He is awesome Fainu!

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

Jurbo has lost his attacking side thats for sure he barely offloads and what happened to his inside ball? I think due to dce being out hes carrying the load for our halves.
Api is alright his passes are bad at times but last week he was better then fainu. Once turbo comes back everything will come into place. He comes in and does the quick dummy half run hes always there making the defense nervous he has quick play the balls which api can capitalize on and fainu. Turbo is the best fb in the game remember when we lost stewart we had a terrible record without him. This team is doing very well considering 2 of the. games best players have been out. Take teddy and keary out of rorters see how they go... and put in LG and elliot. Probably wouldn't be top 8. We are a completely different team with those blokes in the squad and now with walker back and looking very dangerous we will come good. You can see the quality in walker he barely gpt the ball but still made a big impact at the end. Imagine if we went to him most if the night .

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

What is the consensus on Walkers game last night. I was somewhat disappointed, I expected a leadership role but I thought whilst the forwards ran, tackled their respective arses off, the backs were ineffectual. Of course I not including the last ten minutes when the comeback came but certainly very inept by the back for the first 3 quarters of the game?

Wasted through no fault of his own

Every time he was given decent ball he made use of it, but there seemed to be a policy to not pass him the ball

He rolled his sleeves up and did a lot of the dirty hit ups in our own half

 

[The Who]

I thought Api was excellent in attack and defence but I agree that his passing is not the best. Surely it's not too hard to pass a ball accurately. He should be doing specialist work on this aspect of the sport.
And I agree that Walker hasn't been the 'former SOO player' we've been hoping for in the past three matches. I've never seen why he's held in such high esteem. If he doesn't improve he may find himself at Blacktown when the Parker and Suli return.
Of course, that would be regarded as a 'No-Fault Demotion'.

 

[Fluffy]

Api, Jake, Walker, Taupau, Paseka, Perrett, Turbo, Hodkinson, DCE, Hoppa, Kioa, Funa, Metcalfe, Croker, Thompson.

 

[The Who]

Api, Jake, Walker, Taupau, Paseka, Perrett, Turbo, Hodkinson, DCE, Hoppa, Kioa, Funa, Metcalfe, Croker, Thompson.

YEP. that leaves just 15 players from our top 30 available for selection.... and the NRL requires you to initially select 21 for each match.
How does that add up?

 

[ricardo]

Lichaa 2.0

 

[Deleted member 26876]

Jurbo has lost his attacking side thats for sure he barely offloads and what happened to his inside ball? I think due to dce being out hes carrying the load for our halves.
Api is alright his passes are bad at times but last week he was better then fainu. Once turbo comes back everything will come into place. He comes in and does the quick dummy half run hes always there making the defense nervous he has quick play the balls which api can capitalize on and fainu. Turbo is the best fb in the game remember when we lost stewart we had a terrible record without him. This team is doing very well considering 2 of the. games best players have been out. Take teddy and keary out of rorters see how they go... and put in LG and elliot. Probably wouldn't be top 8. We are a completely different team with those blokes in the squad and now with walker back and looking very dangerous we will come good. You can see the quality in walker he barely gpt the ball but still made a big impact at the end. Imagine if we went to him most if the night .

Yup his attack depends entirely on strong supporting players like dce and trbo. unfortunately they’ve both been injured so that’s why. I personally don’t think Jake has regressed at all from last year though. He is fitter, managing more great tackles in a game than ever before

 

[Fluffy]

YEP. that leaves just 15 players from our top 30 available for selection.... and the NRL requires you to initially select 21 for each match.
How does that add up?

you are allowed to select players who have not improved.

 

[anthonyb1965]

Api, Jake, Walker, Taupau, Paseka, Perrett, Turbo, Hodkinson, DCE, Hoppa, Kioa, Funa, Metcalfe, Croker, Thompson.

Surely you’re taking the pissss? Perrett, Hodko, Kioa, Funa, Metcalfe all haven’t even played first grade! How would you know one way or the other?

Paseka has had 10 minutes of game time!

Thompson is having a much better year than last!

Taupau, not any better, not any worse.

DCE, how do you improve a champion?

Turbo, hasn’t been on the field long enough to see any improvements that Des and Snake have instilled in him.

 

[Fluffy]

Surely you’re taking the pissss? Perrett, Hodko, Kioa, Funa, Metcalfe all haven’t even played first grade! How would you know one way or the other?

Paseka has had 10 minutes of game time!

Thompson is having a much better year than last!

Taupau, not any better, not any worse.

DCE, how do you improve a champion?

Turbo, hasn’t been on the field long enough to see any improvements that Des and Snake have instilled in him.

So what you are saying is that all of those on my list have not improved, which was the question.

not saying they have gone backwards, some have but most are flat and injuries do make it difficult but that is no different to many years recently.