Young Forwards - Do we have any?

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

I am not sold on Navale. Agree he looks explosive however it also seems to be short lived. I think he has struggled a bit with the intensity of FG and is being replaced after a short stint. The coaching team see him at training, playing for the reggies and are best to judge. Something is clearly lacking. Similar calls for GCKT. He showed a bit of promise in the trials but has been found wanting in FG. I don't either are the solution to our problems. Unfortunately there are no standout candidates to knock the door down this year. Hugo Hart looks a likely prospect but started the year in SG Ball so may need another 12 months before he can handle FG.

If you look at the juniors we let go during Siebold's tenure Weekes, Fainu x 2 would all strengthen our FG side. We really need to sign 1 or 2 gun young forwards.

You have to give these youngsters at least a full season to see what theyre capable of. The tendency to judge them after a few games then scrap them for an over 30 forward or a regular who has been below average for a long time is what is setting the club back.

 

[MW66]

Laiafi is another one. I remember some reports early in the year where he looked like a wrecking ball early but there were comments regarding his match fitness and lateral movement. I noted that he played a few games in the NSW Cup but has since moved back to Flegg - off the bench. I would have thought if he was being fast tracked then he would be at least playing NSW Cup regularly to get ready for FG next year. For those that watch him play regularly a) is he the real deal; b) is he off the bench because he is considered an impact player; and c) was he eligible for the NSW U19's?

 

[Ohgeez]

Laiafi is another one. I remember some reports early in the year where he looked like a wrecking ball early but there were comments regarding his match fitness and lateral movement. I noted that he played a few games in the NSW Cup but has since moved back to Flegg - off the bench. I would have thought if he was being fast tracked then he would be at least playing NSW Cup regularly to get ready for FG next year. For those that watch him play regularly a) is he the real deal; b) is he off the bench because he is considered an impact player; and c) was he eligible for the NSW U19's?

Tough to say mate honestly, probably is better from the bench but has been starting again lately in Flegg. Seems to just plant his feet which gets caught out easily by the smaller guys with nice footwork. I think in can be fixed but he’ll obviously have to work really hard in the off season. Something that probably gets overlooked as well is the fact he’s still growing into his body as a 18 year old, would have put on a fair bit of muscle which has slowed him laterally until he gets used to it.

Without trying to be harsh some of the other players in that Flegg team are just way off the pace. Constantly defending is always going to make the worst come out of the big guys & that’s all they do some games. I had a look against Tigers a couple weeks ago & we had about 30% of possession. Some cup games at the back end of the year will hopefully be a better indicator of his future.

A.) He’s the real deal but probably developing a little slow which isn’t uncommon for a front rower. I think it just comes down to a big off season.

B.) Definitely will start on the bench for at least a year or 2.

C.) He would have been eligible for NSW but being on such an awful team wouldn’t help selection chances. It would have been good to watch some manly boys there but not a big deal in my opinion, plenty of those guys selected in previous years are now playing Ron Massey Cup & Shield.