However, will it be at centre where he has tearing apart opposing NYC teams? Or like many big, powerful centres will he make the transition to the forwards?
While most Eels fans have only seen Loko as a centre, until this year, it was probably thought the talented Eels junior would eventually probably play second row.
At 193cm and 103kg he’s certainly big enough for the forwards, but his pace and fend has made him absolutely devastating out wider where he has made a seamless transition from SG Ball to NYC.
Despite his success as a three-quarter, in last week’s Big League, Eels NYC coach Matt Cameron indicated that the question had not been settled.
“There’s a question at the moment of where he’s a back rower or centre, but we’ve been very careful not to pigeonhole him into a position,” Cameron was quoted as saying.
“Hopefully in the next seven to eight weeks with us, he’ll get to play those two, plus wing as well, because we’d like to see players in a range of positions.”
1Eyed Eel understands that NRL coach Daniel Anderson sees Loko as a centre, as did his coaches as SG Ball level this year. However, that desire to see how Loko performs in multiple positions, would seem to confirm that the Eels see him coming into the top side sooner rather than later. Cameron said he had no doubt Loko will “kick on” saying he had “all the bibs and bobs that you need to be an NRL player”.
Loko cruelly missed out on Australian Schoolboys this year, because of a shoulder injury that kept him out of the schoolboys trials. However, in the long-run that opportunity to play more NYC could work out in his favour. He’ll almost certainly train with the full-time squad in the off-season and could come into contention for an NRL spot as early as next year.
The Eels have wisely contracted him for the next two years. He told Big League that a couple of other clubs had expressed interest in his services “but my mum told me to stay where my heart is and it’s at Parramatta.”
“I didn’t care about the money. I’m having fun, that’s all that matters.”
Reading his answers to Big League, Loko seems to have his head on straight as well. He admits he still needs to work on his defence and said that he's just focused on "how I can work on my footy".
It’s probably fair to say that no junior has made the kind of impression that Loko has, since Jarryd Hayne burst through the junior ranks. And while one doesn’t want to put to many expectations on the teenager, it’s hard not to be excited by him. It took about 20 minutes of watching him play in the SG Ball grand final, for me to pick him out as a star of the future and then just one game of NYC to confirm that opinion.
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Wouldn't mind seeing that. I reckon Reddy makes a better winger than centre although he's not the fastest going around he's got plenty of height for the leap.
I can see it now..... 5763 new threads all demanding Loko be given his debut.
Loko will be the new Humble:)
seriuosly though,,,,, the guys a real talent ....
He had plenty of power, didn't really get a feel for his speed in that U20 game on Saturday arvo though. He got any toe?
loko, seto, jennings, and a few more seem the eels future, now where on the right path, it may be goldern years for parra.
how exciting is loko, maybe the new hayne , i am excited.
now we need a top hooker and a top half back..
thank you ossie, at last..
You know as a club we have left a lot of junior outside back talent leave over the last few years.
There was Man Mountain Tony Williams with the upper body strength to throw opponents flying.
Taulima Tautai who had enough leg drive to run over a tree.
Nathan Gardner was Lightning personified.
And Krisnan Inu the boy with feet that could open a can of Beans.
Jacob Loko has all 4 attributes rolled into one supreme being of Rugby League player, nothing to get to excited about... :P
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