Biggest disappointments (players)

I know everyone is still shattered by the crushing disappointment … we all expected Mal Meninga, Steve Renouf and Greg Inglis rolled into one … but I think it’s time someone mentioned Joe Wardle.

It was painful watching him walk on those knee's! And didn't we have to wait 2 years for him.
 
For me it's the Mata'utie brothers who failed for different reasons. I saw a lot of them in school boys and they all looked
to have so much potential but each had their own problems as they progressed

Sione bulked up too much and his move to the second row from wing/centre took away from his natural speed and athleticism.
Pat just didn't have the talent as he moved through the grades.
Peter thought he was better than he was and had an attitude problem.
Channel just didn't want to do the hard work to be successful. I always thought he had more talent of the four as a school boy.
 
Conversely to the title of the thread, who had far more success than they're talent and ability indicated they should have?

For me there's no going past Adrian Brunker with a special mention to Sean Rudder.
 
Conversely to the title of the thread, who had far more success than they're talent and ability indicated they should have?

For me there's no going past Adrian Brunker with a special mention to Sean Rudder.
If you want a positive example, one of my favourite Knights Bill Peden. Had a brilliant first grade career with two premierships through sheer hard work and determination. Wouldn't have looked out of place in a rep jumper, either. His effort to be the right man in the right place always stood out for me, quite a few times he would come up with the crucial play in a match.
 
If you want a positive example, one of my favourite Knights Bill Peden. Had a brilliant first grade career with two premierships through sheer hard work and determination. Wouldn't have looked out of place in a rep jumper, either. His effort to be the right man in the right place always stood out for me, quite a few times he would come up with the crucial play in a match.
Yep. Everyone loves Billy. I'd put Marc Glanville up there with Billy Peden too.

Cheers.
 
Sione bulked up too much and his move to the second row from wing/centre took away from his natural speed and athleticism.

Sione's biggest problem was that he couldn't grasp that he couldn't trample adults like he did people his own age coming through the juniors.

Also his lack of pace and no passing game and poor lateral movement didn't help as a back rower either.
 
Disagree, to slow even before the muscle gain to be a centre or winger and didn't have the footwork or athleticism and way to small even after muscle gain to be a forward.
I never quite saw what the hype was about ... especially in the forwards. He was solid without being outstanding at centre. Actually looked really good at fullback but barely ever played there. I thought wing was his best spot. But as you say, he wasn't the fastest. However that didn't have to count against him too much, in that era we had bigger wingers who weren't necessarily the fastest.

I think we just overpaid for his contract based on the Australian selection, then had to try and make something more out of him than a winger. Then Bennett said he'd be our captain one day, so after Bennett left we made him captain, way too early. It was a lot of pressure from Sheens and Bennett, for a very young guy.

But anyway, he did well and had a solid career in the end. He was great in the World Club Championship win vs Penrith a few years ago.
 
Bennett definitely made his mind up quickly on getting rid of a lot of players. Only to replace them with a lot of 30+ players with one or two years left. Long term it was a disastrous strategy.
Still got us to a preliminary final though. Agree was a long term disaster. But that game against Melbourne was awesome!
 
Still got us to a preliminary final though. Agree was a long term disaster. But that game against Melbourne was awesome!
Yes the Melbourne game was a diamond in the rough.
I have repeatedly said on this forum that Bennett is a very good coach of very good players, but is an average coach of average players.
That’s why Bellamy leaves Bennett for dead as a “great” coach. Bellamy has proven it over and over again.
 
Yes the Melbourne game was a diamond in the rough.
I have repeatedly said on this forum that Bennett is a very good coach of very good players, but is an average coach of average players.
That’s why Bellamy leaves Bennett for dead as a “great” coach. Bellamy has proven it over and over again.
Warren Ryan said in a article recently that Wayne can't teach "football" and that his thing is to get the best players and keep them happy.
 
Here’s my biggest disappointments best 17 squad:

1. Darius Boyd
2. Cory Denniss
3. Siuatonga Likiliki
4. Jesse Ramien
5. Gehmat Shibasaki
6. Jaelen Feeney
7. Beau Henry
8. Jack Stockwell
9. Terrence Seu Seu
10. Pauli Pauli
11. Tariq Sims
12. Kirk Reynoldson
13. Marvin Karawana

14. Dylan Pythian
15. Joe Wardle
16. Constantine Mika
17. Matt Minto

Coach: Wayne Bennett

Honourable mentions: Michael Ennis, Pat Mata’utia, Carlos Tuimavave, Marvin Filipo, Clint Newton, Lachie Miller, Neville Costigan, Cameron Ciraldo, Tim Natush.
 
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