In 2023, not only Bryce Cartwright had a breakout year but Wiremu Greig also had a year that made us as a fanbase believe he had something to offer in the NRL. He came from North Queensland a big lump of a kid. 124kg, potential but mainly an impact player. Played only 2 games in 2021 (could have had more if not for injury late in the year(, followed by 1 game in 2022. 2023 he had a good pre-season and trial leading to him and Makatoa getting the two bench middle spots. He managed to get better and better becoming a starter for the injured RCG, including one his best games in the NRL in round 12 where he ran over 200 metres against South Sydney and the following week North Queensland he scored a try. Then he did a lisfranc injury, miraculously returning late in the year where he was good but not up the heights of earlier in the year. He received a selection for the New Zealand squad to end the year, not getting a game.
Got an extension and then came 2024, something happened. Not sure if it was him slacking off, gaining weight, attitude, not fit, not meeting what BA wanted or needed. But he went from being a constant in the 17 and getting NZ selection to being an after thought, only to be brought back in by Barrett. There was something that BA did not like, you could tell late in the year Greig played with low confidence and at times frustration by doing stupid stuff, like being sin binned against Sydney.
In comes Ryles and Greig looks slim, the recent post from TCT you see Greig in the middle and he looks slim and fit. Slimmer than i have ever seen him. He usually always had a bit of timber in the lower portion of his stomach, now he looks slim completely. He is in a contract year and that could be the kick up the arse needed but though many here claim Greig is not athletic, i think there is a really good Prop in Greig. Watching back in his games from 2023, he had times where he made metres and had 2-3 players on him as he made post contact metres. He had a nice step too creating one on one with defenders. Late last year he started developing an offload. He has what it takes to be a top quality Prop, though fitness has always been an issue. He managed to average around 50mins a game in NSW cup but used to be a 20min tone setter in NRL at the most.
I feel we need one more middle for our 17, we need younger middles. We dipped our toe into Leo Thompson and Terrell May interest but nothing eventuated. So the staff seem to see a middle as a need. Though will Wiremu Greig be that player? Turns 26 this year, plus some need to remember he was a part of those big group of players that had development stifiled due to COVID in 2020 and 2021. Late bloomers are happening more often of late. Plus injuries, though his size could also lean into the reasons for injuries with a lot of leg and foot related injuries in the past.
We currently have Paulo, Ofahengaue, Williams, Matterson, Lane and Moretti as our main middle depth. Greig and Tuivaiti are the other two in the top 30 that are in limbo of not knowing where they fit. I feel Greig could be a sneaky smokey for a spot in Round 1. He has started to get more time training with first grade, though as Sixties mentioned a few middle options are not available to train either, but still is training more regularly with top grade.
Plus we need to start getting younger options. Paulo, Matterson, Lane and Moretti are signed past 2025, Moretti signed the longest til 2027. 3 of the 4 listed are past 31 this year. We need to get younger. We have Tuivaiti and Talagi coming through but both are 20 and 18 respectively.
If Greig does not step up in 2025 then i feel a career in the NRL post 2025 is dim. Though him coming looking lean and thin, new style of way Props play at Parramatta under a coach who played Prop at the highest level could be the making of Greig. He has the talent, just need consistency and fitness.
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I'll never say never, but in my opinion it's not going to happen. He has very low leg speed for the modern game and seems to tire easily .
If it's a fitness issue it's on him to keep fit, knowing that that's an issue.
If Ryles can get him going ill be very surprised.
Did Arthur have him playing at a certain weight to go with Brad's bash and barged style.? Seems like jnr has changed body shape to suit today's game, so it'll be interesting to see how Greig goes
About BA having him a certain weight, i believe he would have lost some weight throughout the years. RCG and Paulo demonstrated how you can be big, mobile and play big minutes, so why couldn't Greig. But also, late in the tenure of BA we started the notice the forwards getting tired late in games across the board.
It is on him to keep fit, but seems now he is the lightest he probably has ever been, that helps in keeping fit.
Greig isn't as athletic as Jnr and RCG hence why he can't carry similar weight. The bush coach always wanted the collision big man style, and needed Greig heavier to conform with his system's.
If you had lighter forwards under the bush coach, brad wouldn't know where to start because if he didn't win the collision, he had no back up plan. His style is outdated.
Plus Paulo and RCG are more talented.
Losing that much weight must have been planned...Ozempic is not a banned substance and lisfranc injury may still be sore day to day. 124kg is a lot on a sore foot.
From Orthopaedic Trauma assoc
"LisFranc injuries can have long-lasting effects on your foot. Some people can return to their normal activities, but others may have ongoing pain, stiffness, and weakness. This can happen even with successful surgery and healing"
Nice write-up, LB.
Like you I always liked Grieg, he was a bit of a point of difference in the Eels pack. He has a bit of fire in the belly & doesn't take a backwards step, which was good to see. Remember him standing up to JWH in 2023, which few players seem to do.
Hopefully the change is what Wiremu needed, the weight loss is a good indication that he's likely in a much better head space at least?
I also really like Moretti, and he seems to fit the mould of what Ryles is after in body shape.
The good thing is there seems to be some depth there this season?
These younger guys could add pressure to Lane, imo, which is a good thing. Lane's obviously a good player & was hurt by serious injuries, but his defensive efforts last season were deplorable at times.
His advantage is he covers edge too though of course, alike Matto.
So the Eels see Guymer as predominantly an edge?
Greig seems to be in a good head space where last year he looked frustrated and it effected his footy.
Moretti is a bigger Ray Stone, mad as a cut snake. He is the perfect example of a Ryles forward. Leg speed and drive.
Guymer seems to be in competition with Kautoga for the left edge spot. Kautoga is more of a flamboyant edge player, where Guymer is just that worker, could be used to sure up the edge defence.
Guymer can probably play on an adge at the moment with youth on his side, but he'll move into the middle after a few years with his bodyshape.
Thanks LB & Clint.
Looking forward to seeing Kautoga.
Same, I don't know much about Kautoga, but a thought that sticks with me is the Dogs wouldn't have let him go if they really wanted him. So, are we investing in depth, or taking some dead weight off their hands?
It's a cynical view, so i'll let his footy do the talking and prove me wrong.
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