Eels Blogs

Pauli Pauli

Posted by Glenn Lifetime Eel on January 31, 2015 at 5:59pm

Bert Kenny said recently, and not for the first time, that Pauli will be moved on if he doesn't perform this year. This brings up a comparison with Jason Taumalolo, another player lauded when he first came into fg, but who failed to live up to expectations until last year. Now Jason is 15 months older than Pauli and I believe Pauli has as much talent, if not more, than Taumalolo. .

Imo it is now up to Pauli to realise that in fg a big frame doesn't automatically translate to a dominating performance like it would have in NYC or lower grades. I assume with Taumalolo that this was the same reason he didn't perform first up in fg. It means a change in your thinking to realise you have to work just as hard as other players to keep your spot in fg. You just can't bludge anymore and have a good performance.

As such I think we should persevere with him as young players, particularly forwards, generally don't mature until age 21.

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Replies

sixtiesboy January 31, 2015 at 6:12pm

The club has an opinion about Pauli. I've heard nothing about him being moved on. I see similarities between Pauli and John Folau. Not so much in their skills but in the way that they can mentally float in and out of the contest. They can have destructive moments and then go missing. A bit like Inu and how he played the game. Pauli is getting opportunities and they certainly work with him at training. The ball's in his court.
- aveel > sixtiesboy January 31, 2015 at 6:14pm
  
  He, like taulmololo, needs to move into the middle. He doesn't have the lateral movement to defend on the edge.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER January 31, 2015 at 6:26pm

will Im for I hope we keep him we need big men like him
Ham Sammich January 31, 2015 at 6:33pm

Let's not forget that Pauli is still only 21 this year. He has played 17 first grade games and like most 20 year old forwards he needs to work on his game. I still think he showed enough promise last year for us to keep him if he doesn't demand too much money.
- Hamish > Ham Sammich January 31, 2015 at 6:43pm
  
  Agree with Ham and also Aveel. I think moving Pauli to the middle as a bench prop would be a good idea. Would be very tough up the centre and his defensive issues would be minimised. As Ham said he is still young. Most forwards don't mature until they hit their mid 20"s. I think we expect too much from some of our young blokes. Most wont be superstars upon graduating NYC.
- Turpy > Ham Sammich January 31, 2015 at 6:49pm
  
  Exactly Ham, he is only young. In 3 years he will start to reach his potential. Feck knows how much he will achieve. Tepai is similar. They will make mistakes this year but FFS give Pauli a chance. You don't run in to man mountains every year.
Alan Hunt January 31, 2015 at 6:39pm

Far to early to move on this young bloke, he has the talent to be one of the better young forwards in the game. He has the talent it is up to BA and the coaching staff to get it out of him. I'll be pissed if we move him on and offer a plodder like Lussick another deal or an undersized prop like Terepo with poor hands.
- Ham Sammich > Alan Hunt January 31, 2015 at 6:45pm
  
  If we have to pay overs for him I wouldn't be keeping him. A lot of other clubs will be giving him money based on his potential. If he does move on we still have young Josh Aloiai, who has a different skill set, but is still a very good and versatile forward.
Tragiceel January 31, 2015 at 6:40pm

Agree Glenn, he will be a very good player in a years time. BA will persivere and I really hope Pauli can realise his potential. Very much like Tomololo at half the price.
El patrón MDV January 31, 2015 at 6:50pm

Pauli needs a bit time. The player we have been throwing good money after bad is Lussick.