Tommy Talau

May not have the more direct running style of a Dylan Walker who has made a pretty good fist at 13 but Talau is still good on his feet and has good anticipation , does not mind a more vigorous role in defence , so should be no real impediment to at least be given a go as a 13.
Sure that he would prefer an opportunity there then being on the bench and if that may eventuate .
Always the requirement of needing a bit of ball playing ability as a 13 but Talau has quite good hands and as essentially previously a centre , set up play in the middle should be a fairly simple adjustment Just can not see him on an edge being that suited to him .
Then there is Navale of course who looks like a pretty fair prospect there .
 
CRPSI eagle said:
Can’t understand why you would drop Talau and keep Garrick. Talau was one of our best in 2024 in attack and defence while Garrick was exposed time after time.
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Garrick is our goal kicker and record breaking points scorer for the club. Sure DCE can kick, but there is already too much responsibility poured onto our captain. Garrick may have deficiencies but I'm sure Seibold is looking at that. Talau is a very talented player, but he was made to look better with the outstanding back line we now have that was feeding him. Doesn't mean though that we don't need him. He does his job well.
 
CRPSI eagle said:
Can’t understand why you would drop Talau and keep Garrick. Talau was one of our best in 2024 in attack and defence while Garrick was exposed time after time.
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Can't deny that Garricks side had more issues than Talaus/Koulas side but to be convinced that it's all Garricks fault I'd need to see those issues follow Garrick if he was to shift to left centre. All the best defensive edges have a super hard working backrower, a patient half, a confident/decisive centre and a winger that follows his centre no matter what.

Haumole and Chez are 2 of our best but defending outside them is a hard row to hoe. Edge defence requires everyone working together and that is lacking on both our edges but our right edge particularly so.

There isn't an easy solution because Chez is probably the one that requires the biggest adjustment but with inexperience on both sides he becomes the default leader of the defensive edge and he reads the game at a higher level which means every one around him is struggling to see what he sees and as a result the whole edge ends up disconnected.

The real kicker is they'll probably figure it out just as Chez retires.

TT2 was pleasantly impressive on the left but could he alone fix our right edge🤔 I have serious doubts on that.
 
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Will on the hill said:
Can't deny that Garricks side had more issues than Talaus/Koulas side but to be convinced that it's all Garricks fault I'd need to see those issues follow Garrick if he was to shift to left centre. All the best defensive edges have a super hard working backrower, a patient half, a confident/decisive centre and a winger that follows his centre no matter what.

Haumole and Chez are 2 of our best but defending outside them is a hard row to hoe. Edge defence requires everyone working together and that is lacking on both our edges but our right edge particularly so.

There isn't an easy solution because Chez is probably the one that requires the biggest adjustment but with inexperience on both sides he becomes the default leader of the defensive edge and he reads the game at a higher level which means every one around him is struggling to see what he sees and as a result the whole edge ends up disconnected.

The real kicker is they'll probably figure it out just as Chez retires.

TT2 was pleasantly impressive on the left but could he alone fix our right edge🤔 I have serious doubts on that.
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Well the issues certainly followed Garrick in the Prime Ministers Xlll when he got hooked. No doubt Seibold would have let him play on.
Let’s not forget Brooks, Talau and Chez can kick if needed.
 
Bearfax said:
Garrick is our goal kicker and record breaking points scorer for the club. Sure DCE can kick, but there is already too much responsibility poured onto our captain. Garrick may have deficiencies but I'm sure Seibold is looking at that. Talau is a very talented player, but he was made to look better with the outstanding back line we now have that was feeding him. Doesn't mean though that we don't need him. He does his job well.
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I wish our back line could make Garrick look better, unfortunately it’s about ability some have more than others.
Appreciate your opinion though.
 
Garrick HAS to be in the side but on the wing. We need his speed and his reliable goalkeeping. I just hope Seibs has a chat to Garrick in the off season and puts him where's he's best for the team. So given koula and talau are centres I think hoppa might have to wait his turn. I also agree talau has had better form than Saab this season but saab wouldn't have been run down by beau fermor either
 
Blowfly said:
Talau

Talau is in our strongest back five ahead of Saab every day of the week.
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No question he's tougher and better defensively than Saab. Saab has his limitations. But one factor Talau doesn't have is Saab's explosive speed. Not even close. And wingers are there to finish the good work of inside backs. He's also taller and has scored many tries by leaping above the opposition to grab a kicked ball. Talau doesn't have that advantage. Both are good wingers. Just that their strengths are different. Talau is better at some things, Saab is better at others. Much depends on what inside players offer them. Close the the line Talau would tough his way over the try line. He's good at that. Saab's advantage is if given open space anywhere on the field, its virtually try time.
 
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Bearfax said:
No question he's tougher and better defensively than Saab. Saab has his limitations. But one factor Talau doesn't have is Saab's explosive speed. Not even close. And wingers are there to finish the good work of inside backs. He's also taller and has scored many tries by leaping above the opposition to grab a kicked ball. Talau doesn't have that advantage. Both are good wingers. Just that their strengths are different. Talau is better at some things, Saab is better at others. Much depends on what inside players offer them. Close the the line Talau would tough his way over the try line. He's good at that. Saab's advantage is if given open space anywhere on the field, its virtually try time.
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That "s a quite good assessment though was noticeable that Saab has picked up on his carries or hit ups into the ruck area in 24 .
Even in defence, a bit of definite improvement
On a bit of a concerning note , the 2 relatively serious leg injuries he sustained this season .
Can happen to any player in the general sense but certainly hope that it does not become a trend in Saabs instance .
Most likely, a choice between Talau and Lehi for a backline position next season on overall expectations
 
Bearfax said:
No question he's tougher and better defensively than Saab. Saab has his limitations. But one factor Talau doesn't have is Saab's explosive speed. Not even close. And wingers are there to finish the good work of inside backs. He's also taller and has scored many tries by leaping above the opposition to grab a kicked ball. Talau doesn't have that advantage. Both are good wingers. Just that their strengths are different. Talau is better at some things, Saab is better at others. Much depends on what inside players offer them. Close the the line Talau would tough his way over the try line. He's good at that. Saab's advantage is if given open space anywhere on the field, its virtually try time.
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Saab's attributes will help us win games, Talau's attributes will help us win premierships...
I know who I would be choosing
 
Saab's presence alone forces opposition defensive lines to be constantly spread as their coaches know it's lights out if we get on their outside. This in turn opens up space for our fullback etc. Saab's speed is invaluable, and his selection is an absolute must.

Talau on the wing offers no threat and will only lead to opposition teams choking our middle. He is also unable to take full advantage of try scoring opportunities in the same manner as Saab.

There is no comparison between the two when it comes to selection on the wing.

Without a doubt, our best two wingers are Saab and Garrick. Our best centres are Turbo and Talau.

Koula and Lehi should get the nod at the fullback and bench spots (either spot or even interchangeable would be options)
 
Saab will have to be one of the worst defensive wingers in the comp, he makes poor decisions and has poor first contact in defence. His game is also filled with errors under high balls and constantly goes missing against the top teams.
Yes i agree on a Sunday arvo against a bottom 8 team I love having him cause he will score run away tries and set up others.
When it comes to finishing I actually prefer Talau as Saab is too lanky and can't dive in athletic positions compared to Talau.
Talau was our most consistent member of the back 5 last year being safe under the high ball, great first contact in defensive, great athletic finishing and great yardage metres.

I think there was a reason why in the finals last year when Saab was back from injury that Talau and Hopoate were our wingers, that being cause that's our best back 5.
Pete W said:
Saab's presence alone forces opposition defensive lines to be constantly spread as their coaches know it's lights out if we get on their outside. This in turn opens up space for our fullback etc. Saab's speed is invaluable, and his selection is an absolute must.

Talau on the wing offers no threat and will only lead to opposition teams choking our middle. He is also unable to take full advantage of try scoring opportunities in the same manner as Saab.

There is no comparison between the two when it comes to selection on the wing.

Without a doubt, our best two wingers are Saab and Garrick. Our best centres are Turbo and Talau.

Koula and Lehi should get the nod at the fullback and bench spots (either spot or even interchangeable would be options)
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joshcooper123 said:
Saab will have to be one of the worst defensive wingers in the comp, he makes poor decisions and has poor first contact in defence. His game is also filled with errors under high balls and constantly goes missing against the top teams.
Yes i agree on a Sunday arvo against a bottom 8 team I love having him cause he will score run away tries and set up others.
When it comes to finishing I actually prefer Talau as Saab is too lanky and can't dive in athletic positions compared to Talau.
Talau was our most consistent member of the back 5 last year being safe under the high ball, great first contact in defensive, great athletic finishing and great yardage metres.

I think there was a reason why in the finals last year when Saab was back from injury that Talau and Hopoate were our wingers, that being cause that's our best back 5.
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Ummm Saab didn’t play finals coz of injury!!
You obviously dislike him coz you can’t even get facts straight. Actually he’s great under the high balls, defensively sound & no worse than other wingers, has improved his hit ups a lot & is not rag dolled anymore, speed to burn. Our first winger picked without doubt!
 
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madmax said:
Ummm Saab didn’t play finals coz of injury!!
You obviously dislike him coz you can’t even get facts straight. Actually he’s great under the high balls, defensively sound & no worse than other wingers, has improved his hit ups a lot & is not rag dolled anymore, speed to burn. Our first winger picked without doubt!
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he was back from injury after week 1 finals but don't blame them for not changing the team after such a great win against the dogs. talau averaged 20 more metres (147m compared to 127m) every game and that's including saab's line breaks. talau also scored more tries at a better strike rate with substantial less errors and more tackle breaks than saab last season.
lehi and talau should be our wingers with koula and garrick starting centres
 
joshcooper123 said:
he was back from injury after week 1 finals but don't blame them for not changing the team after such a great win against the dogs. talau averaged 20 more metres (147m compared to 127m) every game and that's including saab's line breaks. talau also scored more tries at a better strike rate with substantial less errors and more tackle breaks than saab last season.
lehi and talau should be our wingers with koula and garrick starting centres
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Saab was not back from injury after the 1st semi! In fact he was injured up until a few weeks ago…….FACT! Get a grip lolol. And come back with facts not made up BS!
 
joshcooper123 said:
he was back from injury after week 1 finals but don't blame them for not changing the team after such a great win against the dogs. talau averaged 20 more metres (147m compared to 127m) every game and that's including saab's line breaks. talau also scored more tries at a better strike rate with substantial less errors and more tackle breaks than saab last season.
lehi and talau should be our wingers with koula and garrick starting centres
Click to expand...
Saab was not back from injury after the 1st semi! In fact he was injured up until a few weeks ago…….FACT! Get a grip lolol. And come back with facts not made up BS!
 
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