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.
Wayne Bennett. Is he 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. Then 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's been at the Dogs I wonder. 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. However, 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.
Then, there is Reg and Gutho. Initially, like many, I saw it as a head scratcher. But Reg has been a terrible signing for the Titans who came second-last last year. And sure, Gutho was solid for the Dragons but Iongi is on his way to being one of those generational players. His attack is brilliant but it was his abilty under the high ball and last ditch defence that I found pleasingly suprising.
Dylan Walker. When I heard we had signed, I thought "Mmm, fair player. Might go okay". But now I wonder if he has been close to the signing of the season. Williams is another great buy. So is the Fox.
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 one.
Replies
It's where our 2nd most highly paid forward spends too much of his time now
As long as you had no issues with Lomax, that's all that matters, heaven forbid someone has differing opinion, cue the hate spewing and personal attacks, but as long as ur opinion is valued we are all good, u old twat !!!!
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.
Yep, all very valid points. It's funny how versatility can go against you at times.It's not a bad thing but it does make you an ideal bench player. I like him and see him improving a lot but I also had the same mindset about Brendan Hands a few years back.
Hands just didn't have the skills or speed we needed.
Having a backup like Joash will coming in very hand throughout the year, so while he might not fit that elite category at FB or 5/8, he could be our Aubusson or Wishart that can fix a range of problems as they arise over the season. Having players like this who are able to come in on a dime can be just as valuable to a team.
ScottX, lots to digest there. Great questions. Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the insightful contribution.
We’re more aligned up top with Ryles than we’ve been for a long time, and that’s starting to filter through. Top down.
Clarity and clear purpose helps R&R decisions. Hector has seen a change in training vibe too. Happy vibes are good as long as we don't stop there.
However, we don’t have billionaire benefactors backing the cause, rorting the cap, so it’s old-school hard yakka with luck with injuries and off-field stuff.
I’ll need to chew on some of your questions more deeply and come back to them later.
Hey Acme, does this count as a blog by someone who was previously deterred becoming more active and adding more content?
I think it does
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