This is inspired by observations from another blog comparing the merits of Luca Moretti and Matt Doorey.
Let’s compare Luca Moretti, Kelma Tuilagi, Matt Doorey, and Kitione Kautoga.
Moretti is the standout. He could be anything.
With another full season in him, he would be a chance to make the Kangaroos given the exodus of players these days.
In comparison, Doorey and Kelma show more deficiencies. Kelma posts good contact metres but has an abysmal defensive record and tends to switch on and off during games. That is probably what stops him from being a regular starter. He needs a defensive coach and a sports psychologist in the off season if he is to reach any heights.
Doorey’s hit ups are solid with occasional gusto, but his overall focus is inconsistent. He is trying hard and has the size to play as a middle, but is he tough enough to play big minutes and stay fit?
Kautoga is a bit of a mystery. At times his concentration wavers, but he has excellent attacking instincts and off loading skills. He has improved but still makes too many errors. That said, he needs to lift his workload, just like his peers. His tackling reflects inconsistency, but he is a huge improver with plenty of potential.
Liam Martin. The model they all should follow. He brings everything. Application. Passion. A big engine. Grit. An enforcer. Our boys have the same skill sets. The question is, do they have the desire and consistency? For me, Moretti has the best chance of filling that role with controlled aggression. Still, all of them could add more of that edge to their game.
As for Charlie Guymer and Sam Tuivaiti, it is early days. Same with Talyn Da Silva. He needs a full off season and more time in our systems.
Talking about commitment and consistency: What happened to Bailey Simonsson? A head scratcher. He was in a similar position a while back. But he did all the hard work, and improved himself to be a good player only to then shat in his own nest! If his girlfriend (Fox Sport) was the reason behind this, he should come back to the fold and piss her off. He needs to understand that wives and girlfriends should not get involved with professional athetes, when it comes to career aspirations even if they try their best. He can't have his cake and eat it too.
And let’s not forget Ryley Smith. In my eyes, he is already a star with future captaincy potential. Hard working. Calm head. Inspiring. Passionate. A glue type of player.
Will these forwards make it? The opportunity is there. There is talent in that lot. We now have a coach and staff, and perhaps need a good sports psychologist to help raise their game. A lot depends on it. They just need to look in the mirror.
Replies
I'm wondering if that's a huge assumption Pops , that Baileys Eels days have been curtailed by his girlfriend. I just couldn't care less that he is leaving. I've struggled to see him anything but a fill in that gets injured when on the cusp of some consistency and then struggles to get back to first grade. The cycle keeps on going for him.
'He has now been playing since 2019, still has a poor tackle efficiency averaging over his 6 years at a tick over 80%. Some years have been Mid 70%. 6 Line breaks in 2 years, albeit not a lot of games for him in first grade.His NSW cup form / stats are worse.
Blue Eel
Cant argue with that Bluey, but the idea behind it was effectively average players with potential and what they can do to achieve it, Bailey was more an example of a negative.
Paulo
Ryley
Hopgood
Kautoga
Williams
Walker
Da Silva
Moretti
Tuaivti
Guymer
JDB to join the fold so probably start him at 13 and Walker off the bench. Not sure who drops off. Kelma Doorey reserves
JDB will give us some versatility in the forwards rotation and experience.
But if JDB starts at lock, it means Hopgood moves to starting prop with Junior, and Moretti and Tuivaiti are from the bench.
That's a fair pack, just need to figure out the 6 and centre situation and then they can look at making a run to finals. Lot of these younger forwards should take a step next year as well
I wasn't trying to asess the pack Eli as much as the players that can improve to add value.
Dont forget our very Good edge forward,
The one who many here have said they know who it is, then when questioned who it is disappears faster than Brown without Moses.
I'd be surprised if Parra resign Kelma due to his defense, I cringe every time a player runs at his edge because his laterall movement is a legit liability. I'd be moving him to the middle when defending, and the edge when attacking.
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