It seems to me that Parra may just be starting to have some luck go their way. Things that may seem like a loss initially are turning out well.
A few examples -
Is Wayne Bennet still a super coach or has he lost touch with the game? I know we made a (very poor) attempt to sign him but I feel as though we dodged a massive bullet by missing him and then a made a fantastic move in signing Ryles. Would anyone take Bennet over Ryles at the moment? I wouldn't. Seems Wayne spends a bit too much time trying to tinker with the game instead of coaching his team. His results have been average for some years now. Today, media reports are quoting Wayne's impassioned defence/support of the kick off rule change but I see that ALL 17 clubs are against it. i.e. He can't even convince souths to support it. And then people like Matty Johns have dead set blasted it.
The Galvin saga might just be another.. I was keen for him to sign with us but since he didn't, I looked at him with fresh perspective. I think we might have avoided a player whose ego MIGHT outweigh his ability (and I'm not saying the kid can't play). His signing did the dogs no favours last year. And I can see young Joash growing into a great 5/8. He's a footy player and has already had to fight for every opportunity which builds great mental toughness. A training report from TCT suggests his passing game is on the rise and his running game is already a massive strength. I can see this turning out well for us. Even Pezet for 1 year may turn out to be good luck in that he helps Joash develop over the next year before 5/8 becomes his own. And Pezet will cover any Moses' absences much better than anyone else from recent years.
Another example is the players we let go, especially Reg. I saw it as a head scratcher move but he was terrible for the tits. And Gutho was very solid for the Dragons but Iongi is on his way to being 1 of those generation players. His attack is brilliant but it was his abilty under the high ball and last ditch defence that I found pleasingly suprising.
When I heard Dylan Walker had signed I thought "mm, fair player. Might go ok" but must have been close to signing of the season.
I've seen Parra as having absolutely no luck for many years but sense a turning of the tide now. We all know that luck plays a part in winning comps and it's pretty much impossible if your luck is consistenly bad.
As a final thought, can the Lomax situation also end up as a win for us? It has the potential to land us a decent centre which we definitely still need. Time will tell on that 1.
Replies
Love your positivity Scottx, and the way you turn things around. I hope a lot of players have that type of ability during the year.
I,m not so sure Joash is going to be a great 5/8, I feel he may not be more then a backup, especially considering we are trying to buy a 5/8 for the future.
Iongi looks like a star and is fast becoming one of my favourites as well.
The good luck cycle, they say the harder you work the luckier you get.
Good blog Scotty,
I agree very much with the "gist" of our good luck....we would not have got out of Talagi what Penrith may end up getting, but he still has a long way to go. Galvin is correct and contrary to your initial feel on RCG, i was pleased to see him go (perfect timing, good player). Gutho fits the same bill but with a perspective of timing rather than what he could still contribute.
Lomax is a head scratcher, we definitely needed him and contrary to some, I had no problem with his effort.....All that said he is obviously a scatter brain.....but Munster, Mitchell, Walsh and a few others fit the same category.....but you would take anyone of them if they were available.....not necessary, but Walsh would be a brilliant 5/8 if he wasn't a briiliant fullback!
Personally I don't particularly like any of those players but I cannot deny their abilities. WE will probably have some various view's on Lomax, but he is gone, not coming back.....and we just have to take the trip to Bunnings to get over it!
Is that your first blog Scott? Great effort.....watch that Bluey Bloke he can work you into a corner.......luckily most of the edges are knocked off now.....a bit like a champion stallion he needs one of those "placation" bits (stallion chain) LOL.
No. it is not his first blog. You already led me astray on Scotts "newness".
-1 on the dementia scorecard
Check it out "Rudolph" it was something other than that.....besides you should know better than take any notice of me!
Is minus one a good thing or a bad thing on a dementia scorecard?......it's that I am not thinking straight lately! lol
No more "virgins' for you young man!
err...i dunno how the dementia scorecard works either. I think maybe I used to though...I'll be seeing you at the clinic i guess.
DO NOT bring the goat
Love the banter Boyz keep it up. I think randy is one up on poppo atm watch his upper cut Rando
Just my first blog in a few years. I did see your welcome on another blog but didn't clarify that I have definitely been around for quite a while.
My apologies to you Randy as it did lead to a fairly valid comment from you based on that misconception that I could have cleared up earlier.
haha, the corner is where i spent too much of my school life.
Joash is an interesting 1. I really like him but certainly not obviously a great 5/8 yet. I just have a feeling about him. He passes the eye test for mine. His passion is a beautiful thing and seems to just love the game. But we also have some highly rated halves coming through the juinors. Which ones will fully develop? Which ones will even stay? Does Joash end up with extended opportunities this year and develop faster than expected? Hard work and coaching decisions are certainly a massive part of solving our long term 5/8 question but is this another case where some good luck could be a factor?
BE - You say Joash may end up as a backup. Not disagreeing but curious as to what issues you see with him.
I love the passion he is showing as well, and you never know i guess, he may make it into the starting side. What leads me to thinking he may end up as a backup player, is that he is
i). So versatile, he grew up as a fullback, has played wing and centre and now the club are attempting to manufacture him into a 5/8. It make just work, and he has improved during the off season, but he has a long way to go to be a finals 5/8 tyoe player for mine.
ii). The club have continued to scout for a 5/8 moving forward. They jumped at Galvin, they jumped at Pezet. Listening to Ryles speak at times he has indicated the ball is in Joash's court re 5/8, to me that means he needs vast improvement.
iii) To me he is the perfect back up on that extended bench, as he can fill in for nearly any backline injury or head knock (HIA) and i think there are better players at the club that will beat him out of a starting spot.
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