I was talking to a old bloke at my gym hes old footy nut.
He made a point about Penisini and Russell i thought was interesting, Both have had the same junior systems and coaching same 1st grade coaches.
Penisini always had the hype and expectations to be a rep quality 1st grader.
Russell always been a back up option no expectations of higher honours
This year a new coach Penisini is looking lost in defence at times and his attacking output is down and costly.
Russell attacking is about the same but he is doing more out of the backfield his defence has improved and even goal kicking you can see improvement. Still not 1st choice still expectations are low
Whats the difference between the two players is it all attitude? For Will it's all come to him as it was expected Russell is working hard to become a 1st grade player Will is looking less and less like one. Attitude or is it a mental thing maybe?
I thought it's interesting to see how these two players from Arthur's Roshill Rhinos pathways system are going about things under the new system
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I feel Will's greatest asset is his strong carry. Aside from that he is very limited as an outside back. He isn't quick or fast and he's not tall - and his error rate is way too high. He had 5 vs the Knights alone and is making them weekly.
You'd think to be a first grader he'd have to have a very high IQ , know his way around the field and do the skill areas of the game well. He's doing none of that. Hes reguaraly burnt by his opposite , his reads have regressed and on top of that his catch pass is atrocious. He's bombing trys regularly because he cant get the ball onto his winger ... even in sitations where he has got it on he throws it too high. Lomax caught one of them for a try vs Newcastle but Simmonson dropped one over the line v Tigers trying to get back down. Both passes a centre worth shit gets that to the winger in the right spot. This is his 5th season in 1st grade. The fact his skills haven't improved , his error rate is climbing every season and defensively he is all at sea... and this regression hasn't happened since the new coaching staff it was hoped he would improve in a new system because of how bad he was trending last season.
i don't think theres many more excuses for Will. He's lost his opposite match up every week this season and the team didn't lose a thing when he left after 2 mins for a HIA. Hes at a career crossroads imo.
I think you make some good points.
We need more from them. Both are OK defensively I think and good carriers of the ball. But I think at least one of them needs to have a slight playmaking knack. Soft hands, can see a pass. This is one area I feel can take us the next level and why I am up for a Cobbo or Staggs to come in.
Or even for Twiddle to be given first grade time in the centres.
Penisini came through a very good kings program with suallii. He's got all the tools, so I'm not sure what is going on atm. He was silky his first couple of years of first grade
Penisini is about to turn 23, I am not ready to fully give up on him yet, but he does have a year left on his deal. Ryles won't hesitate to find a Centre in lower grades to contest his spot. Though look at someone like Starford To'a, hot and cold for years, now is looking great after a certain amount of time. Will is still young, that's on his side.
I still contend Russell is a great pick up for Perth. Simply because he is reliable and can play wherever you need him to. He will make a living as a depth back and get 100+ games. Simply he's out for 3 weeks? Just put Russell in.
Had Penisini been coached by Bennett or Bellamy, he would have turned into a great dummy half. The great coaches knows what position would suit a player best. Centre is not for him long term but has the perfect build and strong carries for no.9
But what would I know.... 😉
Butter hands for catching, yes. But passing from dummy half might be OK 🤣
I agree about Russell but why can't Russell do that for us?
Will might get some competition from his brother for the NRL centre spot. Next year with a bit more experience under their belt, and a coach who's willing to blood young players, we could very well find many NRL passengers feeling the heat.
Remember when we had Tahu as a centre. The feet, the hands, the ability to turn '2 on 2' into '2 on 1' in the blink of an eye. Remember when we had centres who could catch and pass putting their winger away unmarked. Pepperidge Farms remembers.
Hahaha... Family Guy, Mutt?
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