Eels Blogs

Junior backs coming through

Posted by Xman on August 6, 2015 at 5:55pm

Probably a question to some of the guys like ham, forty and others who watch the younger guys running around, why is it we haven't had any backs coming through for several years now. It's something that has been bugging me all year, we have seen forwards like tepai, junior Paulo, Pauli Pauli and even tanginoa come through in the past couple of years but I can't think of 1 back that has come into first grade and held their spot. Morgan is the closest thing and he is far from solid first grade quality. There was lots of talk about zdc, Davies, matterson and Goodall but none have cracked it and in fact some have gone backwards.Have we been too focussed on size rather than skill and game sense ?

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Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 6:04pm

Our backs have come through in previous years but haven't gone on like the forwards. Unfortunately we've had players like Loko who've gone off the rails who was looking promising, then you have someone like Jacob Gagan who was constantly injured with us and never able to reach his full potential.

We've got some good ones coming through. Outside of French in the NYC I'd say our best chance is Oloapu and Cerruto at this point in time. I'd say that Fuimaono will start his career in the centres gradually moving to edge forward when needed. The ones to look out for in the lower grades would be: Dane and Noel Aukafolau, Sione Katoa, Tui Afualo and Ethan Parry.
- Braeden Kelly > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 6:31pm
  
  Ham do you rate Oloapu? I think he has talent, he's been playing well in the 20's
- Xman > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 6:35pm
  
  Thanks ham let's hope some of the new crop go to the next level because that's what this injury crisis has highlighted that our depth is nowhere near where we all thought it was. If any were up to it they would have got their chance but none are anywhere near ready.
- WH1T3_L1GHTN1NG > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 6:39pm
  
  Ham what happen to Davis? A few on here last year saw him as the next big thing, drawing comparisons to Inglis.
- hindy > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 9:00pm
  
  So basically all Polynesian kids. There lies your problem
- hindy > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 9:10pm
  
  Yeah the players you named. It's running rife throughout our juniors that they tend to look for size rather than as footballers.
  A few my mates kids trialled with us but couldn't crack it. He was lock with a high workfare and was Anglo. So he went to the sharks and they won the matts and ball comp.
  I've lost touch with our juniors of late so I'm hoping with the reduced interchange we look beyond size.
- hindy > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 9:48pm
  
  Thanks for the rundown mate. Look I don't solely criticize for picking size but it shouldn't be the reason these guys are making it. Some of these kids are given different treatment to others who are busting their chop trying to push themselves. I have heard that the bigger kids that are being touted as prospects get away with a lot more than the average workhorse type player.
  
  My main concern is how we can't develop a half who has gone on to be a very good first grader.
- hindy > Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 10:12pm
  
  So are there any real prospects in the halves coming through? I thought Troy Dargan had big wraps on him but I haven't really seen him develop?
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER August 6, 2015 at 6:06pm

YES like my wife said to me BIGGER IS BETTER I cant help it I got three legs
Ham Sammich August 6, 2015 at 6:44pm

Yeah I think he's been alright. Nothing spectacular but does his job.