Tolu Koula

Didn't Whare get a Hattrick on debut?

Not setting a high bar or anything are we....

I only saw the highlights, but that first try shows Koula has great instinct for playing to the whistle. Really liked this about him, amongst a lot of other things to like about his age, talent, speed and more.

Having said that, I thought Harper also showed a great footy brain last year - he knew when to niggle, draw and pass and was a large reason Saab was in the top-5 try-scorers last year. I acknowledge its a different gig this year, but i'm not willing to toss Harper aside despite his patch of mediocre form stretching back to last year.

For all I can see, Harper was at the very least an improved proposition this week over a slow start against quality opposition (that being Panthers, Rooters and the Weather...). He'll get the sugar hit he needs from this week and kick on, I optimistically predict.

If Parker is back on deck and Koula has to cool his heels for a week, I get it. Koula looks hungry - he'll get more opportunities this year if everyone's comments are on point. Geez its a luxury to have options of this calibre.
Well said. Koula is exciting and he's got us all excited to see his fututre unfold with Manly. All up to him and Des ultimately! Lets hope we get as few wet weather games as possible this year... Our speedy backline flourish on a dry track and the forwards hands were so much safer in Mudgee
 
Didn't Whare get a Hattrick on debut?

Not setting a high bar or anything are we....

I only saw the highlights, but that first try shows Koula has great instinct for playing to the whistle. Really liked this about him, amongst a lot of other things to like about his age, talent, speed and more.

Having said that, I thought Harper also showed a great footy brain last year - he knew when to niggle, draw and pass and was a large reason Saab was in the top-5 try-scorers last year. I acknowledge its a different gig this year, but i'm not willing to toss Harper aside despite his patch of mediocre form stretching back to last year.

For all I can see, Harper was at the very least an improved proposition this week over a slow start against quality opposition (that being Panthers, Rooters and the Weather...). He'll get the sugar hit he needs from this week and kick on, I optimistically predict.

If Parker is back on deck and Koula has to cool his heels for a week, I get it. Koula looks hungry - he'll get more opportunities this year if everyone's comments are on point. Geez its a luxury to have options of this calibre.
pretty much with harper
koula , used a move, that was very dean whare in that try, nice

koula had a niggle maybe as well. as did a few. if fit, he will go again this week id assume on availability.

if tom is out he might be named on the wing , switching with garrick , or not
 
Glad to see he didn't do an Albert Hopoate. Genuine prospect.
You can’t expect every kid that kills them in the lower grades to kill them in first grade. I see Albert as an exception in our run with young stars in the last couple of seasons. ACL injuries are tough to come back from and he lost his edge.
 
Albert hopoate never had the speed that koula has and does not have the size of bigger outside backs either. You ideally want both like a turbo or inglis.

Being a fast outside back means you do not get given the run around usually, also you can chase down a break, and kicks behind you might not pay off. In offence you have a good kick chase and any kind of clean break its try time or a very nice linebreak.
 
Albert got his good rating in the juniors mainly playing at full back and maybe that is still his best position . Transitioning to either centre or wing at a higher level has proved challenging for him and again maybe better for him to revert to full back in the lower grades if the opportunity permitted . Other issue for him is that he did seem a bit overawed and very hesitant in his i st Manly outings at least . Maybe he just won"t be a regular i st grader for whatever reason but may help in the short term if he reverts back to his probably more natural full back position , must still have some ability . In contrast , koula has seemed like he belongs in Manly i st grade from his efforts so far this season .
 
Albert got his good rating in the juniors mainly playing at full back and maybe that is still his best position . Transitioning to either centre or wing at a higher level has proved challenging for him and again maybe better for him to revert to full back in the lower grades if the opportunity permitted . Other issue for him is that he did seem a bit overawed and very hesitant in his i st Manly outings at least . Maybe he just won"t be a regular i st grader for whatever reason but may help in the short term if he reverts back to his probably more natural full back position , must still have some ability . In contrast , koula has seemed like he belongs in Manly i st grade from his efforts so far this season .
My impression in the juniors was that he was much stronger than most kids, and his game was based on that. In first grade everyone is very strong so he didn't stand out.

Compare him to Lehi in the Harold Matthews - he is slighter than Albert, but has a passing game and a bit of speed to mix it up from fullback.
 
Kinda Matai regen. Can put on an absolute shot. He's made his mark, he's staying in first grade and that centre position is a lock for him. Nobody takes that unless injury, I love this kid, him and Christian are our future.
Yeah going to be good seeing him and Tui in centres next week.
His defence is outstanding. I want our captain to stop rushing in goal line d causes massive issues
 
We start getting troops back starting next week and both Koula and Tui should be in the backline. With each game Koula’s attacking game will get better. His speed makes him come up quickly and shut down play while defending and the edge defence was more solid last night although the extra man didn’t help us.
 
Koala has cemented one of the centre spots. With Parker out it will be up to Tippytoes to do the same with the other spot. He may be more talented than Parker but is he as committed? Parker is a good defender and fearless in taking hit-ups. I really admire him.
If we ever have a full squad to choose from then the issue may be whether Saab is of more value than Tippytoes when he is playing wing. Injuries will keep Saab in the side but his defence needs to improve or he becomes more of a liability than an asset.
 
The Little Esky is certainly showing defensive and positional skills which we didnt know he had.

Word of warning though, Foran should take him under his wing and counsel him in the correct way to throw his body at the line and into the tackle.

Foz gave it everything he had from 2011 and his body finally cracked. Fortunately a new-improved and strengthened model is now on show.

This knowledge should be offered and and used by the novice.

"Wax on!"
 
Should Koula be playing left side centre? So much of our attack is there and he would be dangerous with any half gap. Right side tends to be a kick to Saab or DCE to Haumole so Koula barely sees the ball. All his chances are footwork at the moment as opposed to set plays.
Only gonna get worse now the shoe is back. Hopefully they can muster up a nice balance like the sharks do
 
The Little Esky is certainly showing defensive and positional skills which we didnt know he had.

Word of warning though, Foran should take him under his wing and counsel him in the correct way to throw his body at the line and into the tackle.

Foz gave it everything he had from 2011 and his body finally cracked. Fortunately a new-improved and strengthened model is now on show.

This knowledge should be offered and and used by the novice.

"Wax on!"
You have to admire his aggression and toughness but it will need to harnessed so he survives. He clearly wanted to make a statement now he had won his spot. Probably didn’t have much faith in his outside man either!
 
Should Koula be playing left side centre? So much of our attack is there and he would be dangerous with any half gap. Right side tends to be a kick to Saab or DCE to Haumole so Koula barely sees the ball. All his chances are footwork at the moment as opposed to set plays.

I think more so is DCE needs to use both Haumole and Koula together in attacking raids with either player able to take the ball. Haumole running as decoy will open up gaps for Koula.

Haumole in general needs to add a pass to his game. Harper got no ball and Koula is not getting a lot as Haumole never passes. Having the option will bring doubt into defenders.
 

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