From watching as much Holden cup as i could this year, i have seen so many players that i think at some stage can make the NRL. In the case of Parramatta's first grade next year, there are only probably 1 or maybe 2 that could walk into the 17 with some great trial form, the rest may need some time in the state cup.
First player that has impressed me is Greg Leleisiuao, he is a battering ram of a winger, great footwork and seems to have the smarts and big play ability to be a future international winger for NZ. I had heard of this kid from his days with the Gold Coast and he always had raps on him. i could see him lining up along side French as the starting RD1 wingers. Even if he is a slow starter in first grade he would offer more than say Hoffman or Davis and in some cases even Auva'a (Who i feel could take Taka's spot at centre.) One part of his game im not sure about though is himself under the high ball, which could be the difference between him and Auva'a
The next player to impress me was Reed Mahoney, a kid i heard was picked up from Canterbury's SG ball system at the start of the year. His quick, snappy and crisp passing from dummy half adds speed and momentum to the attack, aswell as he's running from dummy half and his stepping as he passes to the first receiver adds dimensions to any attack. As well the best tackler in the system with over 1000 tackles with only starting up to 3 games in the regular season is impressive. He may need to bulk himself up more and work on his stamina as i would love to see him play more 80 min performances, starting the season for Wenty would be great for Mahoney, once he starts and shows dominance like he did in 20's he should get a look in for a bench spot in the 17.
Others mentions for possible debutants next year could be Layoun, Stone, Faainga and Tonise. With others like Brown, Fonua and Kaufusi following for 2019 or 2020
What are everyone's thoughts on this matter? do you think anyone will debut? i feel that a few of these kids are definately better than what is already in our squad.
Replies
Mahoney is already a better dummy half than King or Kaysa. Will be our starting hooker by 2019.
Hindy, that speed comes with French, Leleisiuao will be a better winger than Auva'a ever will.
Touch
I wrote this about Greg L elsewhere and it fits in here.
Greg L is one hell of a player, yes, and he's had one hell of a season.
But as I've said before, he doesn't have natural ability. He has what I call progressive ability.
His ability is dependent on his work-rate, his work ethic, his desire, his attitude and how much he wants to play. He has to work harder as an athlete, a person and a footballer because he doesn't have a natural ability to play the game like Nick Cotric as a close example in terms of age.
Given he is largely untested in the NSW Cup against bigger, abler and more capable physical bodies and specimens, he has to work doubly hard to make the most of those chances which you would expect come next season when he turns out for Wenty.
If he can perform for Wenty at the same or similar level that he has been in the Holden Cup then by all means, after 6-7 rounds, give him a crack and see what he is capable of.
There is just too much of an ability gap between the Holden Cup and going straight into first-grade without going through the NSW Cup first for 99% of players. You have to be a special, special talent like Cotric is, to do it. Even then, not all those special talents make it look so effortless as Cotric did this season.
I've enjoyed watching Greg L play each week in NYC as much as the next fan but first-grade at the present moment and come the start of 2018 is a bridge too far.
Mahoney & Tonise are on par with each other for different reasons and I would expect to see both of them interchange with each other in the hooker role for Wenty next season.
Tonise may even spend time at lock given that despite his smaller, nuggety frame, he runs like a steam-train at the line and maintains a good work-ethic.
They & Ray Stone are the only three apart from Greg L on the precipice of achieving anything. Whether they are all selected in the NRL squad next year remains to be seen, given the monumental changes the NRL has made to the squad selection process.
Layoun is average. He won't play FG for us and is no better than anyone we have.
Faainga is a raw talent. Very Pauli Pauli like in many ways but with more work ethic and hunger.
He'll still play 20's (or the new State Championship as they're going to call it) next year.
Dylan Brown has only just turned 18 so he's not going to debut for some time. John Fonua is very much a rocks and diamonds kind of guy.
Oregon Kaufusi, again, is raw and needs development. A young guy as well.
Other potential names you might see more of in the SC and potentially beyond if they're good enough are Filia Utoikamanu, Ethan Parry, Steve Dresler, Haze Dunster & Joseph Taipari. But they're all damn young and need a lot more consistency and fine-tuning.
Layoun was anything but average in the last match against Penrith. He was dangerous everytime he touched the ball and cut up the opposition many times with his speed and footwork.
How can you say Greg Lelesiuaio doesn't have natural ability?? This guy was born with strength and agility in abundance, these are natural attributes very few have. You don't score as many tries as he has out of nothing without natural ability. He is one of the best talents I have seen in an eels jersey for many years. I remember all these people with plenty of reservations about Semi aswell, he will never make it etc. They were made to eat their words in a big way. I am very confident Greg will be a very accomplished first grade winger
His natural talent is what's got him to this point.
Now he has to build on that natural talent with some hard work and sacrifice.
His only problem will be his lack of height although he does compensate for this by having a big vertical leap.
He obviously will not find the room he has in the NYC in the big show. He will also have to use his brains regarding his finishing (cut inside/ step- rather than bullock run to the line) but he is an excellent prospect.
IMHO Reed Mahoney is light years above Tonise...and this is probably why we didn't chase Lichiaa too hard.
With a little more strength this kid has the ability to be the next Jake Friend or Michael Ennis.
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