With all the much publiscised critiscism of our recruitment for next season I thought I'd bring to the attention a player who I believe has the potential to have the impact of a new signing for next season.
The player I refer to you is Karl Filiga.
For those of you that are not familiar with Filiga, he was formerly known as Karl McNichol and was a bulldogs jrn. He was the player that the Sharkies forked out 200k a season for him before he had even played first grade after his manager Gavin Orr came out in the media and labelled him the next SBW.
Due to injuires and a lack of form he only ever played one game of first grade for the sharks in 08 off the bench. He was released from his contract with the Sharks in a mutual agreement midway through 09.
Over the last few seasons Filiga has had many issues which have hampered his ability to live up to his prodigious talent he showed as a teen. He has had injuries, as well as some very unfortunate off-field issues which have taken him out of the sport for extended periods hampering his development.
When on the field however for the Bundy cup team Filiga proved several classes above that standard. When called up by Brett Kenny to play for the Reggies team Filiga also performed exceptionally, and these performances were all on the back of very little serious training.
Filiga I believe is training with the first grade team over the off-season and has been granted a spot in the senior squad. He is still relitively young (22) and I think with a proper off-season and the right training and conditioning from our trainers and coaches Filiga can become a handy back-up this season, helping ease our lack of depth in the centre-position. Whether he can live up to the hype that surrounded him as a teen will be a massive hurdle, however it would be a fantastic story if he was able to make it back to the top after everything he has gone through
Replies
Filiga is definitely a good prospect, and I hope all of his past problems are now well and truly behind him.
I've never seen KF play but have normally keep an eye on the team lists that appear for the NSW and Bundy Red Cups and he only appears sporadically, normally off an extended bench.
I am looking forward to Karl playing for us next season and for many seasons to come and I do agree he will be a great asset to the mighty eels!!
Is Karl really pumped and determined to succeed and has he told you if he has been given a quiet word that he'll get an opportunity in the trials to stake a claim for a first grade position?
I remember the hype that surrounded him when he was young and was pleased he joined us the other year. I hope he can knuckle down, it appears he has the talent and now he needs the application and temperament.
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