Graduates
Bureta Faraimo, Manu Ma’u, Tepai Moeroa, Pauli Pauli
Category A
Daniel Alvaro, Fabian Goodall
Category B
Josh Aloiai, Nathan Davis, Halauafu Lavaka, Ryan Matterson
Category C
Zach Dockar-Clay, John Folau, Tyrell Fuimaono (^), Tui Kamikamica, Joey Lussick, Tepai Tepu-Smith, Alex Twal (^)
Keep an Eye Out For
Tom Amone, Bevan French, Jack Morris, Jason Vidal
Category A = NRL ready. Have either served their apprenticeship in the NSW Cup or are simply such a standout in the NYC that I feel confident in backing them to make the jump to first-grade.
Category B = Highly Talented players. Likely earmarked for the NRL down the road but will be given the time they need to develop.
Category C = Composite tier. Split between talented and highly talented players. In the first case there is likely a considerable flaw in their game they need to work on while for the latter it is simply their youth that is holding them back currently.
(^) = Denotes a player that is close to moving up to the next category.
Bolded Name = An individual that has moved up a category between Rookie Watch posts.
[A]Z/DC: Zach Dockar-Clay bounced back from a disjointed performance against the Sharks with a robust showing against the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. The livewire halfback has been earmarked for an accelerated NYC graduation by Coach Justin Holbrook and in an interview with Big League, Holbrook praised Dockar-Clay’s running game but singled out his growth as a leader as the most pleasing aspect of his development in 2014.
At times he has struggled for consistency with his partner in crime - Ryan Matterson - spending significant time in the NSW Cup, but Dockar-Clay still leads the Holden Cup for try assists. Zach was at the heart of the Eels last gasp win against the Warriors in Round 18, keeping his side in the game with incisive short kicks before throwing the match-winning pass to Leva Li.
Dockar-Clay has his critics who are understandably frustrated with his decision making but I’m not willing to write him off yet. He may need to tread the longer path to first grade with an extended tenure in the NSW Cup but he wouldn’t be the first young player to benefit from such a move.
For Those About To Rep…: Continuing with the theme of shitty AC/DC puns, we salute a pair of stars still sporting their school uniforms in Tyrell Fuimaono (Patrician Brothers) and Tom Amone (Hill Sports High). Both young men recently travelled to Darwin to take part in the recent Australian Schoolboys carnival as members of the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges squad and earned selection in the 2014 Australian Schoolboys squad.
Tom is an athletic front-rower from our SG Ball squad and formed a formidable prop rotation with Alex Twal. It seems unlikely that he will get a run in the Holden Cup in 2014 with the Eels’ front-row stocks recently bolstered by the rise of Twal and Paula Kaufusi along with the imminent return of Tui Kamikamica from an ankle injury but he is surely one to keep an eye on in 2015.
Tyrell featured in the July edition of Rookie Watch after making his NYC debut and has since then cemented his place in the 20s in addition to become a two-time Australian Schoolboy. Further to his credit, Fuimaono captained the all-conquering NSW CCC team to an undefeated national championship and will now have his eyes firmly planted on the Holden Cup post-season.
Prime Movers: Speaking of Alex Twal, the fledgling NYC prop has gone from strength-to-strength since making his debut against the Newcastle Knights. Armed with a dangerous offload and thriving as a steady accumulator of running metres, Twal has quickly risen from the bench to the starting roster. He has been joined there by Paula Kaufusi, who has forced his way into the NYC team by virtue of good form for the Guildford Owls in the Ron Massey Cup.
Polar Express: Although Wentworthville have been on a downward slide of late, one individual who has stood tall throughout is Daniel Alvaro. The bustling prop has had little support up front but he has never once shirked from his unenviable duties. He has also added a hit-and-spin and an offload to his offensive repertoire without taking anything away from his tireless work rate.
He may not be the flashiest bookend going around but reflecting back on the performance of our bench in the Rd.22 NRL fixture, I honestly think that he would bring a fair bit more to the table than those chosen to play in the middle corridor. Of course the second tier cap would almost certainly prevent him from playing in any case but Alvaro’s growth has seen him over take a number of Top 25 forwards in my opinion – even if the cap doesn’t acknowledge it.
Injury Ward: The 20s welcomed back Kaysa Pritchard in their victory over the Raiders. Pritchard has struggled with a shoulder injury since captaining NSW to victory in the Under 20s Origin and I am happy to report that he successfully navigated his comeback match. Although they were named to take on the boys from the capital, Alex Twal and Tui Kamikamica were seemingly rested as the Eels gear up for a finals campaign.
Impressive front-row prospect, Tepai Tepu-Smith was the sole casualty of Sunday’s game – reportedly straining a posterior cruciate ligament. The injury will see him sit out the next few weeks but his return should fall in line with that of Fred Junior Mauala, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained against the Warriors.
Replies
Here we are with the second monthly instalment of Rookie Watch. The categories have seen a rethink and the only Wenty rookie currently of note has been included.
If you have any questions about any particular player in our Holden Cup/NSW Cup teams, fire away and I'll do my best to answer!
Do you think we should keep Kaysa Pritchard,Joey Lussick, they both play hooker same as Peats so do you think we keep both of them if not witch one you think we let go and why?
I've had this discussion with a few people actually. I liken our situation to that of South Sydney in recent years who have had the likes of Isaac Luke, Nathan Peats, Apisai Koriasau and Cameron McInnes on the books at their various stages of development. Ironically (coincidentally?) Nathan Peats finds himself positioned as Issac Luke at our club but we would do well to keep Pritchard and Lussick around as long as possible. As both we and South Sydney saw this year, your #1 hooker can spend significant time on the sidelines when things go wrong and both of our young rakes have significant upsides.
With Isaac De Gois on the books I think we are bound to lose at least one of them soon but even so we still have the likes of Nifo Seve and Joey Tramotana coming through in the next wave.
I dont think Pritchard is going to be any good unless he puts on another 7-10kgs.
I think Lussick was only contracted to lure Darcy in and now they should both be released.
Peats and De gois will make a pretty good combo next year
There's no need to import any extra centre's for 2015. Fabian is the man for many years to come.
Sceptical isn't the right word but I was some what surprised at Goodall's extended transition to the centres so late in the season. In retrospect it was obviously done with an eye for 2015 and he has really owned the move.
Brad Arthur really deserves credit for prising Fabian loose from Manly's grasp and bringing him home. He is definitely a talent that the Sea-Eagles should be kicking themselves over for letting him slip free.
Big call Chief but I hope u r right. From what I have read, I think Ham also has a very high opinion of Goodall.
I think we let go De Gois when he contract is up. And if it was up to you who would you like to stay and go out of Lussick,Pritchard
That is a tough question Paul. Right now I think Kaysa is the better hooker but he is also quite injury prone. He hits phenomenally hard for his size and his energy and competitiveness are absolutely top notch.
Joey is a year younger and although he lacks the defensive impact that Kaysa brings, he has become a very dangerous sniper around the ruck. In some ways, Pritchard's prolonged absence was fantastic for Lussick as he has really come on during that period.
As of today I would go with Pritchard but it isn't a decision that I am comfortable making.
Ye IM with you 40/20 i have not seen much of these young eels but what i have seen i like the way Pritchard tackles have not seen much of lussick but but i like what you say about him so bit of luck we keep both
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