I think the concept of teaching and mentoring IS SOMEWHAT overated/stated in this case.
Volkman is being made out to be a real benefactor, he hasn't come back after looking at the market, he has come back because we asked him to.
Yes learning and mentoring are an essentail and it comes back to levels and opportunities, not the least being ego's. I doubt that Volkman may see it as an opportunity to learn or being mentored by Luai. That being said, I think he see's a lot of opportunites, not the least the likelyhood of him playing a lot of first grade, given the opportunity that the current halves situation offers, I don't see Volkman as a starting half in any existing NRL side, Parra aside currently and not next year to start.
I'm not against the hiring of Luai but I have to agree with the general consensus, he has hardly set the world on fire via the Tigers experiment.
Now in saying that, I suspect there are some deeper happening's at Tigers that have clouded the issue. I think that Luai can be good for us and I hope his ego drives him that way. Apart from him being a very good player, one of the things he brought to the Penrith process from the very beginning was his tremendous enthusiasm around anything from a tackle to a try and jumping over everybody......this is what I hope he brings to Parra, albeit for the short time....thats where the learning and mentoring can really be effective....5/8 play, nah! follow me boys "I will lead you" this is not going to be needed in his actual game and with Moses being there he can compliment his own role and not worry about that.
Obviously I expect him to be involved with any developing player, contrary to the "experts" on here thinking he is not going to be the slightest interested about Parra, looking after his TPA's, etc, and if he does that, he will look like a fool......I don't think he is a fool and I know there are fools on here that are thinking that way. You know the usual mob who want to be critical rather than constructive.
Elite sports people can be very coceited and egotistical but part of theat ego drive is making themselves look good and by that the team they play's for. I reckon the ego is reasonably fragile after Tigers and he we will be determined not to be like that with Parra.
Let's hope I am right because one way or another he will be there next year.
One final thing, just stop for a second and see and understand the comradeship that exists with Penrith, pretty much to this day. It is the key component that makes them the champion team they are. If Parramatta is to ever again hit the heights that we want them to, then that same comarardie needs to become entrenched as well. Luai may just be the type that could be the catalyst for that same enthusiasm....... anything can help!
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"At this point, Luai can play NSW Cup for all I care. He doesn't give a single fuck about Parramatta. This will be a trainwreck. One of our worst signings ever, espeically if Volkman leaves."
I haven't insulted supporters here at all. I stand by what I said RE Luai. I don't believe he cares about Parramatta one bit. He is here to continue getting paid before going to PNG.
Stop deflecting from the point. I'm calling you out for repeatedly having a go at people on here and calling them fools simply because they have a different view to you.
You're free to carry on as you please, but don't try and call me a hypocrite when I haven't called anyone an insulting name yet. Yet you continue to, albeit very poorly.... We aren't the same.
Yes you have you have said " he is one of our worst signings ever etc" that is insulting to the people who have made that decision" are they not Parra supporters as well!
You are not saying that in any proven capacity, only your opinion which is insulting. You can say "x" person is the ugliest guy in the world. Maybe true bit still insulting and a matter of opinion! You miss my point criticism is a two way street.
hahahah you're really reaching there. Calling a signing one of our worst ever isn't the same as directly calling someone a fool. Being critical of performance is not the same as insulting someone and degrading their opinion by calling them fools.
Also, those running the club are not supporters. They are paid and paid very well to do a job. How you perform in your job is subject to review. The fact that I have to explain the difference between supporters and employees to you is quite concerning.
Guys, Volkman did well. But remember the last few games and how he pulled out from the last pass. He is a great running half and his kicking is good. He's where Moses maybe was in 2017 or 2018.
Luai is better. And more complete. And also I think Lorenzo has more upside at 6.
The plan of Luai for a year then Lorenzo is the right one. Volkman can be backup to Moses, ideally.
Never bad to have loads of good players, but let's chill.
Just one exception to the Moses comparison 2017 or 18...... he never had the sheer brilliance in speed that Moses had, it is a difference beyond comparison. I did say Volkman could get faster, given he has never had a true preseason and presumably no sprint training. Also who's to say what a true half is , i.e. Cherry Evans/Sam Walker and even now Galvin of all people seems to have settled into the 7. Hynes doesn't work without Trindall and the list goes on, who's to say anyone is just born into a position and they can't adjust any which way over time.
Don't lose sight of the fact that Tigers had Luai playing half (7) for a good part of the season and most would agree he is a much better 6 than a 7. When he has been his most succesful it has been following Cleary's lead, and Moses for that matter in Origin!
Someone like Michael W will tell you that the respective sides (right & left) is essential in getting the halves balance right and for that matter Edge Forwards and centres as well, then you can talk about wingers..
Yeah agreed there Moses was and is a talent.
If we are releasing Volk I won't mind him being a fullback too in Cup but covering halves too in first grade. That might make his defence worse but he should still get games at 6 or 7 in Cup.
Releasing Volk?
Sorry Joash
How is luai better and more complete? Do people actually watch every game and not just the parra games? Luai is not quick, runs sideways, has a very average kicking game. Volkman is learning quickly and getting better every week and is on less money. Plus no one with a brain would want Luai to mentor our young players.
You just repeated yourself Rusty, if you keep saying it, will you feel better.
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