biggest improvers?

[Gutsy]

in terms of improvement, or getting towards full potential I would say Clifford, Clune , Young, Mann and JSaf. Klem was also looking good before injury

Almost the entire squad shows signs of improvement from the last 2 years . I was not convinced about resigning Gagai, but he has been a great bonus for us with his professional attitude and experience.

Two players I feel haven’t really ‘ improved’ are Ponga and Best. It’s only early days though and I am confident that , barring injury they will both lift their games like those around them.

The influence of Joey and Blake Green on the players, especially the spine , is probably our biggest improvement IMO

 

[Kurriboy]

Best is going to be a product of the ball he gets. To get the most out of him he needs the ball early with room to move and approach the line.

He is wasted getting the ball right at the line like a fitzy play.

Hard to say much about Ponga, only really have the trials and 1 game to go off. Trials I doubt he was too bothered and just out to stretch the legs.

Mann. I never hated Mann himself, just him taking up a position he is average at best playing in, where a better player specialised in the postion would be better. Lock seems his spot.

 

[Joshhh]

Mann to me is still the same player, just in a position that suits him a bit better. Not good enough to be in the spine, too lightweight for the outside backs, but gritty in defence, all effort, has a pass and run in him. He's the 5th and least important spine player, much like Watson was last year.

 

[logicalfallacy]

Mann and Dom

 

[Gutsy]

Best is going to be a product of the ball he gets. To get the most out of him he needs the ball early with room to move and approach the line.

He is wasted getting the ball right at the line like a fitzy play.

Hard to say much about Ponga, only really have the trials and 1 game to go off. Trials I doubt he was too bothered and just out to stretch the legs.

Mann. I never hated Mann himself, just him taking up a position he is average at best playing in, where a better player specialised in the postion would be better. Lock seems his spot.

Agree

 

[Still_Nutty]

Best is going to be a product of the ball he gets. To get the most out of him he needs the ball early with room to move and approach the line.

He is wasted getting the ball right at the line like a fitzy play.

So true...the try he set up with the final flick pass to Tuala, drawing 2 defenders, after it went through the rest of the spine against the Roosters is the sort of football he is capable of, given a bit of space...he can draw 2 and offload quality ball when he is given good service.

Although he tends to be thought of as a tackle busting, hole running centre, he reminds more of a Gidley style of player that can create space for others by drawing defenders and then offload the key pass.

 

[jamesgould]

Best is going to be a product of the ball he gets. To get the most out of him he needs the ball early with room to move and approach the line.

He is wasted getting the ball right at the line like a fitzy play.

I think Fitzgibbon is wasted getting the ball right at the line like Fitzgibbon as well!

Best bit of round one was seeing us get some depth to our attack and actually throw something unpredictable at the opposition.

 

[Ethan]

So true...the try he set up with the final flick pass to Tuala, drawing 2 defenders, after it went through the rest of the spine against the Roosters is the sort of football he is capable of, given a bit of space...he can draw 2 and offload quality ball when he is given good service.

Although he tends to be thought of as a tackle busting, hole running centre, he reminds more of a Gidley style of player that can create space for others by drawing defenders and then offload the key pass.

The other thing there too Nutty is that try went Randall out to Clifford to Clune back to Ponga then to Mann , that pulled in most of the defence on that side so when Best sucked in the centre and winger and got the Gidley flick away there was no one to even bother Tuala .

 

[Joshhh]

So true...the try he set up with the final flick pass to Tuala, drawing 2 defenders, after it went through the rest of the spine against the Roosters is the sort of football he is capable of, given a bit of space...he can draw 2 and offload quality ball when he is given good service.

Although he tends to be thought of as a tackle busting, hole running centre, he reminds more of a Gidley style of player that can create space for others by drawing defenders and then offload the key pass.

Get you a man who can do both.. Things seem to just happen when he gets good ball, whether it's a skilful pass or just powering his way through some space. Honestly think he's one of biggest talents to come through in a long time, just has some questions in defence and durability. Probably lacked having a stint in reserves during his development, he was rushed pretty quick into the side, but the potential is off the charts with that guy.

 

[Still_Nutty]

Agreed Josh...but I also think part of the problem has been his use as a 1st or 2nd up battering ram out of our red zone just because he can...it might be effective but it also seems to blunt some of his value as a strike player because he either gets a bit fatigued or he picks up a niggle.

I often watch him when he plays the ball after one of those hit ups and he generally seems to be a little the worse for wear because he goes so hard and upright at the line...it's something I think they need to manage, particularly while he is young because we can lose out on his strike power in his primary attacking role if he get's over utilised to do this grunt work.