Sione Mata'utia re-signs with the Knights

Funny how some people only rate pretty footballers but it's the ugly footballers that win competitions and I'm not talking about looks
 
For some reason most knights fans (coach included) see past all of his deficiencies and LACK of improvement.

Sione straight up, cost us 2 tries against the titans that I believe 99% of first graders would have stopped. 3 on 3 and he’s jamming in on ash Taylor having no trust in his inside man and leaving SKD alone on an island to look pathetic.
Problem is he’s done it consistently this year playing in the centres. Against Souths he did the exact same thing and jammed on Cody walker and allowed Souths to score in the first set of the game.
I’ve seen no improvement in Sione at centre and cannot see him being a first option in this spot if we are planning on being a top 8/4 team in the coming few years.

Sione in the backrow looked solid early on in 2017, but as the year went on he again started to regress from a high ceiling prospect to a average NRL and sometimes bordlerline high end NSW cup talent. He doesn’t have the size or build to play in the forwards and play his no sense straight running, hard hitting style of game. He simply got contact and the defenders would pick him off easily and usually drag him backwards.
So again, safe to say Sione doesn’t have a future in the backrow?

Sione was a standout when he debuted on the wing, earning representative (albeit undeserved) honours and looked like one of the best wingers in the competition. But due to his size (read above how that worked out) he’s been moved around and messed with to the point where his speed and finishing ability is virtually unseen anymore.

On $475k a year sione is earning huge overs, off contract at seasons end a decision needs to be made on whether he has a future with us. We’ve nearly destroyed the stigma of resigning kids because they’re local but we cannot shake it with Sione for some reason. I know I personally would have been happy if he went to the dogs (hindsight) a few years back.

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Do we resign him? What role does he play if we do? What position is he suited too?
I personally would offer him a new but very much lowered contract. Somewhere around $250k-$275k a year as a depth signing. Have him as an 18th man who can fill in for injuries or bench impact.
If he can find a better deal then that elsewhere I’d let him walk
 
nunnsy said:
we could try a shock collar if he runs to far away from skd in defence he gets shocked until he learns not to rush out of the line.
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I love this idea.

Next year he won't be starting at Centre if Moga comes back, and Ramien is here. So that leaves him either back on the wing but he is too slow, or in the back row again which is a concussion concern.

The club is talking about a new deal for him so clearly he is going to be re-signed. I think the club is crazy.
 
We've conceded about 50 tries this year and if you're being generous you could say Sione to blame for 10. I'd probably say more.
He has no future in the centres unless he gets struck by lightning and somehow shocks his brain into making defensive reads.
Barry Toohey is a member of the church of sione and thinks backrow, but no way he gets a game over Fitz or Barnett who both play 80 minutes.

So, um, yeah?
 
Kurriboy said:
I love this idea.

Next year he won't be starting at Centre if Moga comes back, and Ramien is here. So that leaves him either back on the wing but he is too slow, or in the back row again which is a concussion concern.

The club is talking about a new deal for him so clearly he is going to be re-signed. I think the club is crazy.
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Just a bit of a joke with the shock collar. But in all honesty i am a fan of Sione he trys his guts out everyweek. In my opinion he has the skill set to be a great centre he is a strong ball runner, still has decent speed and footwork and can wack them in defence. It is his decision making that is letting him down at the moment, theres nothing wrong with jamming in to shut down play when called for but yesterday when its three on three and he jams in there is no excuse for that. I think people sometimes forgot he is only 21 he seems like he has been around for ever.
 
Doesn't wreck anyone in defence. Go have a look at all the one on one misses this year. As Beaumont said, his u11s would be embarrassed
 
Ross (7 games): 2 tries, 1 try assist, 3 line breaks, 15 tackle breaks, 91m per game
Moga (3 games): 2 tries, 0 try assist, 3 line breaks, 3 tackle breaks, 96m per game
Sione (11 games): 3 tries, 2 try assists, 3 line breaks, 21 tackle breaks, 80m per game
 
The disappointing thing for me is yesterday he put a couple of great shots on Titans forwards. Commentators gave Fitzy the credit for 1 but it was 100% Sione. The first tackle of the game was a great hit. Don't tell me he can't tackle. He has a great technique. His problem is between the ears. The way I see it If I'm coaching a team of any age and the same players are making the same mistakes for 2/3 years the I do something about it. Actually I wouldn't wait that long before acting. Take those misses out of Sione's game yesterday and he was ok. How about the Coach start coaching and do something about the leaky boat that is our defence.
 
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