Run Koula Run

[Under the Sticks]

Perth could do a lot worse than him at fullback.

He has a player option for 2027, and no doubt we'll be up against the Bears to keep him. If they give him the sort of money Hammer was given to play fullback, there's no way we will win.

That said, Faalogo looks likely to go to the Bears too. If the proposition is centre in Manly, or centre in Perth on similar coin, he will certainly stay.

However, with Turbo likely moving into the centres, there's no guarantee he won't be demoted to the wing. How we manage Turbo and Hoppa for the next few years will have massive consequences for Talau, Garrick and Koula. If I was to guess, Hoppa will take over at fullback in 2027, coming off the World Cup, where he will likely be playing fullback for a strong Tongan outfit.

Nah Pappy is a shoe in for the Bears custodian role.

 

[Rafferty]

People are obsessed with moving players about.

Koula has taken a big step forward as many players do in year 3-4 and he will continue to improve.

He will be an absolute gun for us at centre for hopefully many years to come.

I don’t know about being obsessed, it’s about thinking about running with the strongest side, let’s take the emotion of it and look at a side like Newcastle, not that we care one iota about them.

Sharpe v Ponga, Ponga gets the FB as an auto select, thing is Sharpe looks very likely to me, to the point it seems crazy to stick with Ponga at present, especially given how Sharpe is playing he looks to be there future, it’s about improving the side, Newcastle have played Pong in the halves, yes it failed, but that’s what I’d do regardless to keep Sharpe at 1 and Ponga in the side, his a must have if his in your squad and your paying what he costs.

Similar situation with South’s, Mitchell v Grey, the old Willy Bennett, can see that Grey’s pace, energy and mobility offers south’s more, likewise Mitchell strengthens their side playing in the centres.

Parra moved Gutho on and yes it was time, as Iongi is the better option, he looks like a future rep player to me.

Sometimes coaches just pick and stick, I get building combination, stability and all, thing is Iongi was in the Penrith system, they stick with Edward’s and fair enough, but that costs them a player like Iongi, who will be killing it when Edward’s is on the decline, (which imo isn’t that far away, his got a lot of miles on the clock) his still an excellent player with years in the game, thing is the cross over between the two, when the apprentice becomes the master and the master moves past his prime.

Seibs is going to have to make a call, Toms another player who’s been an auto select at 1, again fair enough, thing is his injury history and the impact that’s had on his game, our spine and the continuity to our side. Now we have Lehi who posses a very similar propersition to the Sharpe, Grey situation. Turbo can play in the centre, like Mitchell, they do it at rep level and there bloody good at it, our side looks to loose nothing with Lehi at FB, but like Mitchell, I think Turbo strengthen our side playing in the centres, so it makes sense to consider shifting players when the opportunity points to a stronger side.

Again look at the Jake, Jazz situation, it’s a tough one on Jake because Jazz is just offering us more as the third middle and Jake is not really a prop, so do you pick and stick with Jake at 13 or do you play the in form guy who’s offering the side something extra? Anyways that’ll do, I think that explains why we look at shifting players, it’s not like where the premiers with a side that demands the pick and stick situation, look at the dogs and what their up to, they are leading the comp and constantly making adjustments, looking at their roster and where to play players to strengthen the side, it’s purely about fielding the strongest side you can, if that means shifting players on or shifting them positionally, then it makes sense to me to consider all the options.

 

[Disco]

I don’t know about being obsessed, it’s about thinking about running with the strongest side, let’s take the emotion of it and look at a side like Newcastle, not that we care one iota about them.

Sharpe v Ponga, Ponga gets the FB as an auto select, thing is Sharpe looks very likely to me, to the point it seems crazy to stick with Ponga at present, especially given how Sharpe is playing he looks to be there future, it’s about improving the side, Newcastle have played Pong in the halves, yes it failed, but that’s what I’d do regardless to keep Sharpe at 1 and Ponga in the side, his a must have if his in your squad and your paying what he costs.

Similar situation with South’s, Mitchell v Grey, the old Willy Bennett, can see that Grey’s pace, energy and mobility offers south’s more, likewise Mitchell strengthens their side playing in the centres.

Parra moved Gutho on and yes it was time, as Iongi is the better option, he looks like a future rep player to me.

Sometimes coaches just pick and stick, I get building combination, stability and all, thing is Iongi was in the Penrith system, they stick with Edward’s and fair enough, but that costs them a player like Iongi, who will be killing it when Edward’s is on the decline, (which imo isn’t that far away, his got a lot of miles on the clock) his still an excellent player with years in the game, thing is the cross over between the two, when the apprentice becomes the master and the master moves past his prime.

Seibs is going to have to make a call, Toms another player who’s been an auto select at 1, again fair enough, thing is his injury history and the impact that’s had on his game, our spine and the continuity to our side. Now we have Lehi who posses a very similar propersition to the Sharpe, Grey situation. Turbo can play in the centre, like Mitchell, they do it at rep level and there bloody good at it, our side looks to loose nothing with Lehi at FB, but like Mitchell, I think Turbo strengthen our side playing in the centres, so it makes sense to consider shifting players when the opportunity points to a stronger side.

Again look at the Jake, Jazz situation, it’s a tough one on Jake because Jazz is just offering us more as the third middle and Jake is not really a prop, so do you pick and stick with Jake at 13 or do you play the in form guy who’s offering the side something extra? Anyways that’ll do, I think that explains why we look at shifting players, it’s not like where the premiers with a side that demands the pick and stick situation, look at the dogs and what their up to, they are leading the comp and constantly making adjustments, looking at their roster and where to play players to strengthen the side, it’s purely about fielding the strongest side you can, if that means shifting players on or shifting them positionally, then it makes sense to me to consider all the options.

I think moving a player of Pongas ability is not wise based on a short patch of great form.

Same with a lot of the examples you presented.

But I wasn't directing anything at you or any individual nor specifically talking abut any one player or role just think often fans go for the drastic change, the hail mary the chase for the silver bullet.

This year on here I'm pretty sure Ive read.

Tom to centre
Tom to 5/8
Tom to lock
Lehi to centre
Lehi to fullback
Lehi to 5/8
Garrick to wing
Koula to fullback
Koula to wing
Taulau to edge
Taulau to lock
DCE to hooker
Arthur to lock
Burbo to lock
Haumole to prop
Croker to halfback
Croker to lock
Cuthbertson to wing

Now a forum is for discussing these sorts of things so fire away but I think a player has a bad fortnight and suddenly he needs to change positions or another needs to change into his position

 

[maxta]

I don’t know about being obsessed, it’s about thinking about running with the strongest side, let’s take the emotion of it and look at a side like Newcastle, not that we care one iota about them.

Sharpe v Ponga, Ponga gets the FB as an auto select, thing is Sharpe looks very likely to me, to the point it seems crazy to stick with Ponga at present, especially given how Sharpe is playing he looks to be there future, it’s about improving the side, Newcastle have played Pong in the halves, yes it failed, but that’s what I’d do regardless to keep Sharpe at 1 and Ponga in the side, his a must have if his in your squad and your paying what he costs.

Similar situation with South’s, Mitchell v Grey, the old Willy Bennett, can see that Grey’s pace, energy and mobility offers south’s more, likewise Mitchell strengthens their side playing in the centres.

Parra moved Gutho on and yes it was time, as Iongi is the better option, he looks like a future rep player to me.

Sometimes coaches just pick and stick, I get building combination, stability and all, thing is Iongi was in the Penrith system, they stick with Edward’s and fair enough, but that costs them a player like Iongi, who will be killing it when Edward’s is on the decline, (which imo isn’t that far away, his got a lot of miles on the clock) his still an excellent player with years in the game, thing is the cross over between the two, when the apprentice becomes the master and the master moves past his prime.

Seibs is going to have to make a call, Toms another player who’s been an auto select at 1, again fair enough, thing is his injury history and the impact that’s had on his game, our spine and the continuity to our side. Now we have Lehi who posses a very similar propersition to the Sharpe, Grey situation. Turbo can play in the centre, like Mitchell, they do it at rep level and there bloody good at it, our side looks to loose nothing with Lehi at FB, but like Mitchell, I think Turbo strengthen our side playing in the centres, so it makes sense to consider shifting players when the opportunity points to a stronger side.

Again look at the Jake, Jazz situation, it’s a tough one on Jake because Jazz is just offering us more as the third middle and Jake is not really a prop, so do you pick and stick with Jake at 13 or do you play the in form guy who’s offering the side something extra? Anyways that’ll do, I think that explains why we look at shifting players, it’s not like where the premiers with a side that demands the pick and stick situation, look at the dogs and what their up to, they are leading the comp and constantly making adjustments, looking at their roster and where to play players to strengthen the side, it’s purely about fielding the strongest side you can, if that means shifting players on or shifting them positionally, then it makes sense to me to consider all the options.

Ponga is a confidence player....and 1 of the most naturally gifted in the game.
Knights look flat, disinterested and way out of form.
Do agree that Sharpe is a gun, great talent.....but having him at 6 is good enough for now as he played plenty of 5/8 as a junior, so just needs a better platform from his big men and more game time there at NRL level and will shine, they threw him in quicker than I would, but such an attacking weapon, this Newcastle team need to try something......
Ponga must stay at 1, as he challenges both sides of the footy and needs the option of floating wherever his nose can sniff an opportunity....he hasn't lost ability, only confidence.

Just on Koula, great to see those unders lanes he runs from deep.....when timed well just splits em every time.

 

[Rafferty]

I think moving a player of Pongas ability is not wise based on a short patch of great form.

Same with a lot of the examples you presented.

But I wasn't directing anything at you or any individual nor specifically talking abut any one player or role just think often fans go for the drastic change, the hail mary the chase for the silver bullet.

This year on here I'm pretty sure Ive read.

Tom to centre
Tom to 5/8
Tom to lock
Lehi to centre
Lehi to fullback
Lehi to 5/8
Garrick to wing
Koula to fullback
Koula to wing
Taulau to edge
Taulau to lock
DCE to hooker
Arthur to lock
Burbo to lock
Haumole to prop
Croker to halfback
Croker to lock
Cuthbertson to wing

Now a forum is for discussing these sorts of things so fire away but I think a player has a bad fortnight and suddenly he needs to change positions or another needs to change into his position

I’m not about shifting players because they’ve had a couple of bad games, it’s trying to see if certain shifts would result in improving the side.

Looking at the list in your post, I get it’s just what’s been posted, but there’s a couple position calls on that list with merit. Turbo to centre, Lehi to FB, Quac to Prop and Burbo as a lock all seem potentially worth exploring, Lehi’s already playing 1 and looking very promising. It’s no secret that Toms injuries have been a issue, not exactly his fault, however horror run of injuries have impacted the side big time, if he had carried on his 21 form injury free then we wouldn’t have anything to discuss about Tom, but that’s just not the case.

Tom to lock or five eight is just plain ridiculous, but Tom to centre isn’t, especially as we have options at 1 and the potential to run out a better potentially stronger side and most importantly we need to regain some stability in the spine. Tom to centre would be less of a disruption should his injury curse persist, it’s been 4 years of total disruption. Further Toms not the player he was, not going to heap on him, but if you don’t think his game has drifted or suffered then that’s ok, we just see it differently.

Lehi looks to be one of those freakish types that could possibly play anywhere in the backline. I don’t think his physically suited to playing centre at this stage of his development, but look at Jaxon Purdue he made a fist of it, on that it’s weird that the cows have shifted him back into the halves given how he was going.

I’m good with Lehi starting on the wing, yes his games at FB have been pretty impressive thus far, but it’s still early days, in saying that I can definitely see a case for him playing there permanently, that then opens up on Tom, which is pretty obvious, move him to centre.

I’ve mentioned Lehi to five eight, however I did so with a thought process in mind. Part of that is obvious as I’ve been pushing the Koula to 1 for a while. Seibs went with Lehi’s to 1 and his grabbed his opportunity, however, when Daly goes into origin camp, we played JA against Parra and you watched the game, now he probably comes in and plays 7 again. I just don’t see that producing on several fronts, so it’s about how to run out a better side. Give Lehi a shot at six, it doesn’t have to be a permanent switch. I think he has the game and the attributes to make a fist of it, even if it’s just to cover for Daly while his in camp, Brooks plays half and I know many say he can’t step up and run a side, still a better option than JA. Koula or Tom play FB. If Toms fit it, Seibs would go Tom and maybe that’s the right call, if his not its Koula, which brings in Talau.

Talau should be in our 17 every week, however for me he lacks the pace to be a top winger, I see him as an ideal centre, his yardage carries and physicality help us and he would be better suited moving in, so he slots in for Tolu, if Tom was fit I’d still like to see Tom and Talau in the centres with Garrick back on the wing, Saab and Clayton to fight it out for the other side. On Garrick his going ok at centre, now, but still think he played his best football for us on the wing, his quick and a good finisher, just don’t think we’ve got the best use out of him at centre, we upgraded his contract to stop him from moving up to Newcatle to play FB, he wasn’t going to take that away from Turbo at that stage, so the deal was supposedly done to ply centre, it’s been. Trying experience to say the least, he going ok now, but still CAN’T help wondering if we would of been a better side side with him staying on the wing, I think so.

I don’t see Talau as edge or a lock, I’ve never thought that way, like you, I’ve read it but can’t see it personally. It’s a be call taking backs and moving them into the pack, it’s a tough transition, he may have the qualities, but most don’t have the desire to swap and thats easy to understand, for those that lose their pace and naturally bulk up, well that’s a different story, it’s not so much a choice.

Keep in mind all this is just looking at our potential options, but it’ genuinely something I’d like to see given a shot when Daly goes into camp, or we play Arthur, you watched his game against Parra yer, sure he’ll have a go, but we need more than and we can if look at it differently. I’d love to see what Bellemy would do if he was our coach, he doesn’t shy away from experimenting with positional changes.

On DCE, I think he would have been a great DH 5 to 7 years ago, but he reached the upper echelon of halfbacks, so that was never happening, obviously his moving on now so his future with us is null and void in any case, for me personally he probably should of been a six as his played that way for most of his career, I would of liked to see him play there with a good game managing 7, we might of had more success.

I don’t think there’s much point in discussing Arthur, his not really a genuine first grader for mine, tries hard and seems like a good young fella, he might work out at 13 one day, but he’d have to build his frame and improve his game before I’d be happy to see him elevated back into first as a 13, his way to slow to play half and just not gifted enough.

Burbo to lock has merit especially as both his body and game continues to develop, his coming along nicely, would be happy for him to be given a shot there in time to come, his a big human and can play good minutes, would also allow us to further strengthen our pack with another high energy edge, keep in mind, this shift looks to the future, Jazz is doing well this year, can him worth signing for another year in the meantime Burbo stays on the left edge.

Quac to prop, I’m all for that one, his a huge lump of a man, he would make an ideal middle, his a beast and would quickly become our Alpha and that’s something we really lack and need in the middle, while his doing a good job as an edge now, I think he’ll end up shifting in as his career continues. I on the other hand, would be happy if he played there now and we went to market for high energy edge, instead of a middle, no need to go after Hass, Quac could play a very similar game to Payne and we could look for a Young, Lucas, Nikora type edge. Quac and Tent would be a pretty handy starting pair, with Bull and Aloia in the rotation, throw in a couple of high energy edges with Burbo at 13 and our pack would be a hell of an improvement on where it is right now, further we could pick up a couple of handy edges with with Dalys coin and or the coin that would be require to chase Hass. Jack Williams would of been an ideal signing last year, I would of preferred we did something like that than resign Duck and Chee Kam, throw in a couple of young development player to fill the spots and balance the cap.

Not sure about Froggy, he might be better suited following Cuthbertson’s path and playing on in the UK, not piling on, just think his time in the NRL is nearing similar to Jurbo, unfortunately the game has moved away from them, the dogs game is the blue print, high energy, up tempo footy, speed up or perish, adapt or die. So any suggestions are just that with the idea of improving our side.

 

[Rafferty]

Ponga is a confidence player....and 1 of the most naturally gifted in the game.
Knights look flat, disinterested and way out of form.
Do agree that Sharpe is a gun, great talent.....but having him at 6 is good enough for now as he played plenty of 5/8 as a junior, so just needs a better platform from his big men and more game time there at NRL level and will shine, they threw him in quicker than I would, but such an attacking weapon, this Newcastle team need to try something......
Ponga must stay at 1, as he challenges both sides of the footy and needs the option of floating wherever his nose can sniff an opportunity....he hasn't lost ability, only confidence.

Just on Koula, great to see those unders lanes he runs from deep.....when timed well just splits em every time.

I agree Ponga’s insanely gifted, his footwork is out of this world, I’ve seen tape of him playing touch footy as a youngster, crazy.
The knights are worse that flat and out of form, their a bit of mess, but is that because Ponga’s flat and out of form, they rely on him way too much, no wonder they went after Brown at any cost, they need someone to take some pressure off. Maybe it’s just O’Brien.
Sharpe looks to have some sort of future, his speed and running game are bang on for a FB and while his junior footy was at 6, it’s unlikely he’ll be playing 6 with Brown inbound at 1.4m a year.
There halves have been a huge part of their problem, they have a decent pack, well maybe, but Cogger and Gamble don’t exactly set the world on fire and how many combos have they tried?

They will have some options around their spine next year, I think Sharpe needs to be given the opportunity on what his showed so far, it’s a big call I know, but sometimes it just has to be given a go, makes me think of Locky he was a great FB and transitioned into the halves, it’s a natural progression for some, not saying that’s Ponga deal, his already had a go at it, but I think that should be pushed away and the idea revisited, he didn’t have a partner like Brown last time and while it would appear on the surface of thing they’d both be better at 6 as neither are real game managing half backs, I think Ponga could do that job, with Brown taking some pressure off, they would form quiet the attacking pair, throw Sharpe in at FB and all of a sudden Newcastle look a completely different prospect.
Seems the only other option is keep Ponga at 1, Sharpe at 6 and Brown play at halfback, just don’t see that as dynamic as the other way, anyway it’s an each to their own type thing and who now’s what O’Brien will do, that’s if his even still there.
And finally back on Koula, his going great and I’m looking forward to him reaching his full potential, I just would have liked to see him given the opportunity to do it from the back, it’s a shame he picked up an injury when he got his last shot, that’s footy I guess, I just hope we don’t lose him to another club who sees him as a potential FB when his current deal runs out.

 

[maxta]

I agree Ponga’s insanely gifted, his footwork is out of this world, I’ve seen tape of him playing touch footy as a youngster, crazy.
The knights are worse that flat and out of form, their a bit of mess, but is that because Ponga’s flat and out of form, they rely on him way too much, no wonder they went after Brown at any cost, they need someone to take some pressure off. Maybe it’s just O’Brien.
Sharpe looks to have some sort of future, his speed and running game are bang on for a FB and while his junior footy was at 6, it’s unlikely he’ll be playing 6 with Brown inbound at 1.4m a year.
There halves have been a huge part of their problem, they have a decent pack, well maybe, but Cogger and Gamble don’t exactly set the world on fire and how many combos have they tried?

They will have some options around their spine next year, I think Sharpe needs to be given the opportunity on what his showed so far, it’s a big call I know, but sometimes it just has to be given a go, makes me think of Locky he was a great FB and transitioned into the halves, it’s a natural progression for some, not saying that’s Ponga deal, his already had a go at it, but I think that should be pushed away and the idea revisited, he didn’t have a partner like Brown last time and while it would appear on the surface of thing they’d both be better at 6 as neither are real game managing half backs, I think Ponga could do that job, with Brown taking some pressure off, they would form quiet the attacking pair, throw Sharpe in at FB and all of a sudden Newcastle look a completely different prospect.
Seems the only other option is keep Ponga at 1, Sharpe at 6 and Brown play at halfback, just don’t see that as dynamic as the other way, anyway it’s an each to their own type thing and who now’s what O’Brien will do, that’s if his even still there.
And finally back on Koula, his going great and I’m looking forward to him reaching his full potential, I just would have liked to see him given the opportunity to do it from the back, it’s a shame he picked up an injury when he got his last shot, that’s footy I guess, I just hope we don’t lose him to another club who sees him as a potential FB when his current deal runs out.

Very well written and hard to argue with the logic you make here
The points on Ponga are fair, he looks "out of touch" badly, but I really feel the momentum his teammates are building, or lack of momentum, as his timing is off and 1 thing about confidence players.....once they have their feathers ruffled it's hard to win back that quality formula that makes "The Star"
And really, in most cases it's best to get back into the grind and play simple balanced footy as a foundation, to regain confidence and form,,,,but a trick shot player like Ponga will try to win it back with that " big play" and the lack of momentum around him makes this extra tough imo.
I do see Sharp having potential also in the 1, but just feel Ponga who is struggling with the freedom at fullback, would be extra limited at 6, where Sharp has been their best along with that tryscorer backrower most weeks in a losing side
Sharp is 1 of those few players I actually like from opposing teams, great competitive young player with talent to burn
The addition of Brown next year is a good quality, but I do fear for knights that both Brown and Sharp are "running " halves and will lack that organiser type to get them around the field and control the game....that's 3 pretty fast and talented , yet erratic players in the spine...interesting times ahead