My thoughts re: Holden Cup. The game was closer than it appeared. We pulled away with some quick tries towards the end but the Cowboys have some tremendously talented young players that caused problems for us all game.
Now, the player wraps:
1. Corey Makelim - A live-wire little fullback. Don't let his size fool you, he puts his body on the line all of the time. Copped some bumps and bruises but he is easily the best support player in the side. He was a tad quiet at times when we had the ball but at the same time, he knows when he has to chime in & when to get involved.
2. Fabian Goodall - The beast. Made some more powerful runs as we've grown accustomed to seeing. Picked up a calf/leg knock during the game and opted to play on but you could tell it was troubling him after that. Still, he didn't let that stop him from powering through.
3. Fou Tagilima - Made some decent runs when he was on. Bigger than I initially thought he was. Went off during the game and up the tunnel - not sure what injury he had.
23. Tyrell Fuimaono - Didn't know who he was at first and struggled to recognise him. When I saw him score the try, though - I remembered instantly. A fantastic talent that has immense potential and it was good to see him make the most of the try. Some great link-up play with Goodall down the left.
5. Halaufau Lavaka - Lavaka gets better and better every time I see him. He has that sheer, raw power about him and can break tackles with ease. He knows how to find a try-line as well. 4 meat pies for him - one of which was a Superman like effort to ground the ball. Very good kid both as a player and a person.
6. Mark Daoud - To be honest, I didn't really notice him all that much.
7. Zach Dockar-Clay - I've been a harsh critic of ZDC over the last few months but tonight, he had his best game of the season. Pinpoint kicks to set up tries, pinpoint kicks to gain field position, nifty passes, great runs, top stuff. More of that please, ZDC! Oh, and he can kick goals reasonably well also.
8. Fred Junior Mauala - Not the biggest, not the flashiest and not the most powerful. What he has, though, is sheer heart and determination. Runs like his life depends on it and he is all about committing to the cause and giving 100%.
9. Alec Bush - Actually thought it was Joey Lussick playing at first but then realised it wasn't. Decent game. Didn't have a lot to do but did his job alright.
10. Kelepi Tanginoa - If you want to see a steam train coming towards you at full speed, just get Kelepi to come full steam ahead in your direction. My word, the kid is quick. His carries are phenomenal and that impact, leg drive and determination he has/gets from his runs is astounding. Easily our best forward and it's clear that he is the leader of the pack.
11. Tepai Moeroa - Decent game from him with his usual big runs at times and sturdy defensive efforts. IMO, though, we had other forwards that really shone more than he did. Very good player, though.
12. Eric Newbigging - Had big wraps coming on this guy when he joined and I still have them. He has a lion heart. Never gives in, never gives up and never gives an inch. Knows when to offload & is crafty in doing so and has a motor like you wouldn't believe. Moved to centre when Tagilima went off and his awareness saw him intercept a Cowboys pass.
13. Jeff Markus - An honest toiler. Stocky kid but he has a very good right foot step. Likes to take the line on - that's probably his hooker instinct kicking in - and does so with reasonable effect. Handy at chiming in when required.
14. Tepai Tepu-Smith - Gee whiz, this kid can run the footy. It looks like he starts out slow but he powers through towards the end of a run and had the Cowboys on the back foot all night. Tremendous play. Didn't think he would dominate most runs like he did.
15. Brandon Raeli - Didn't see much of him, either - don't really rate him anyway.
16. Jordan Muna - Again, not that I saw a lot of him. He did back up well for his try, though. A committed effort from the big fella.
17. Jack Anderson - Didn't see much of him.
All in all, solid win. We have a very good side in the NYC - key is to perform consistently.
As an aside, Viliame Kikau from the Cowboys is a behemoth and will be an NRL star.
Replies
Mark daoud had a fantastic game - your blind to not have notice. set up a few and kicking game was great!
Yeah, he had some decent kicks.
Though he doesn't get involved enough in the plays. Outshone by the likes of ZDC who was involved in just about everything on Friday.
No probs, BK.
There's a lot of good talent in that side. A fair few that may well be first-graders in a couple of years' time.
Cheers for the update / report Ricky.
Nice.
No probs, PF.
Holden Cup probably doesn't interest everyone but I figure it's good to keep peeps in the loop as to our the next generation of players are going.
Sounds like Tanginoa is back to the form that saw him in FG last year. But how do you fit him in...what a dilemma...but a good one for a change.
Could possibly come in for Terepo.
There is some sort of rule of that ilk, SS, but I don't know the intricacies of it and finer details to a tee.
I believe there are indeed minimum games played thresholds to qualify for either the NYC or NSW Cup Finals.
I can't tell you the official number but I believe it is somewhere around a quarter of the season (6 games).
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