Assessing Our Replacement Players in 2015

As an adjunct to our season review blogs, I'd like to assess some of our "second choice" players. These are blokes that either began the season as second tier players or were players we had little intention of using extensively in first grade.The criteria I am using is that these players must have been used in at least 5 matches.I am placing them in order of contribution. Please note that I am basically rating them in comparison to each other.1. Daniel Álvaro - the discovery of the year and in my mind the stand out selection for rookie of the year. This bloke could not have been more impressive. In my mind his introduction to first grade has been perfect. By the time his minutes were increased he was absolutely primed to perform. Reports about his attitude around the team and the way he prepares are outstanding. He has ultimately completed the last games of the season as one of our best.2. Ryan Morgan - Mr Fix It of the backline has played left and right side and both wing and centre. His performances against Manly and Cronulla were his highlights of the year, with his work against Jamie Lyon instrumental in our victory. Morgs is a good club man and will start next season on a greatly reduced contract and knowing that he again will not be a first choice player. Morgan has his limitations (setting up his winger with effective passes) but there can be little doubt that he gives his best every week. If I had to choose between Morgan and Hopoate for value to our team, it's an easy choice.3. Luke Kelly - much maligned, rarely praised. Let's be honest. Luke has probably achieved his potential. He is unlikely to be used much in first grade in future years and he will make the sort of errors that you don't want from your regular half. These errors are the sort of executions and decisions that cannot be accepted in first grade. However, he has had moments in first grade this year that exceeded my expectations and I cannot fault his effort. There was never any intention to play Luke as our half this year, yet I suspect that we may have won more games if we had played with him at half instead of Sandow.4. Peni Terepo - those hands! The issue that this bloke has with his handling are well documented. It is difficult to reconcile such problems with being a first grade footballer. Yet what he doesn't receive enough credit for is the lines that he runs, whether he gets the ball or acts as an effective decoy. Another bloke that gives his best but has certainly been overtaken in the pecking order by Álvaro.5. Bureta Faraimo - our recently re-signed winger. I have quite a few reservations about Faraimo, especially relating to his positional play which has been exposed in the last 2 weeks. What you do get from Bureta is a bloke who charges into the defence fearlessly and often. I might question certain aspects of Bureta's play but I will never question his determination.6. Joseph Paulo - Captain America. Well liked in the playing group and from all reports one of the nicest blokes you'd ever meet. Joseph's situation in the playing group is a simple one. He tries his best but his ability to contribute to the team has been surpassed by others.7. Richie Fa'aoso - the risk that failed. The courage that this bloke showed in taking the field was exceptional. Unfortunately for him and the team it was a bridge too far. His body wasn't up to it.For the most part I think that we've got the best that we possibly could out of these players. We must remember that certain squad members were only be expected to fill in when required. Most of those listed above played many more games than anticipated.In conclusion I should mention that I did not include blokes like Wicks, Robinson or Takairangi who were all recruited on cheap one year contracts. There were expectations that those 3 would get a good deal of first grade time. The players that I've assessed were not expected to do so.As for other players used or not used from Wenty, I expect more to still be moved on. Time will tell.

"I'm putting last year down to the new style of attack and defence that had been implemented, as well as relying on Volkman at half. It was a disatorous 1st half without doubt, but I can't see that happening again. We should be much better prepared…"

"It was. Mainly because Read came off as a total fuckwit. While it's nice to see (most of) the media on our side in this case, it;s really hard not to be."

Replies

Poupou Escobar September 7, 2015 at 10:29pm

I reckon Fa'aoso was brought here to play first grade. Are you certain he wasn't sixties?
- sixtiesboy > Poupou Escobar September 7, 2015 at 10:40pm
  
  Possibly mate. Because of the level of uncertainty, I think he was a bit like Wicks, although Wicks was more of a physical certainty. Short term deal. Let's see if you can help us stuff. I believe that the main contribution that was expected from Fa'aoso was his ability to lead our young Polynesian boys. Uncle Fuss was well regarded.
Clive September 7, 2015 at 10:52pm

I agree on Alvaro Sixties. It's been fantastic to see a guy who isn't the biggest, strongest or fastest succeed and make it to first grade. His tries against Cronulla and the raiders were some of the best moments of the year for mine.
- sixtiesboy > Clive September 8, 2015 at 7:11am
  
  It's his consistency of effort that impresses me. If I recall correctly, he started the year off the bench for Wenty.
Mr Eel 1982 September 8, 2015 at 7:03am

The absolute joy on Alvaro's face after he scored was pure gold.
- sixtiesboy > Mr Eel 1982 September 8, 2015 at 7:12am
  
  You have to enjoy those moments when you can tell that something means so much to a player.
Rise of an empire September 8, 2015 at 7:40am

Sixties can you do one on the new players we got in 2015 & one maybe on the expectations of our new recruits for 2016
- Clive > Rise of an empire September 8, 2015 at 8:20am
  
  Great Idea.
- Phil Mann > Rise of an empire September 8, 2015 at 3:48pm
  
  yeah great idea. Sixties this needs to be posted on the website no later than 5.pm tomorrow ......or you get detention!
Trapped in the 1970's September 8, 2015 at 8:22am

I like Terepo but his poor handling is a concern. It wasn't too bad in a good run of games he had before he did his pec but its been poor since he returned. What I do like about him is that he is fearless when he runs the ball and you need to be at the game to hear some of his hits to realise how hard he tackles. I can't see him in the 17 when the squad is fit but I do think that he adds depth.