Official: Peter Mata'utia leaving the Knights

Joshhh said:
Wouldn't be surprised but him getting his contract extended by 2 more years after 2018 would be unusual & a bad contract.
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Yeah after Mole went boo hoo. Laughable we got held to ransom.

More proof RLW is a player agent tool. No one was after a 28 year old shrimp for more than a $100k likeable or not.
 
Phythian as a ball playing centre? What even is that? He has one player to pass the ball to in his winger and before he even gets to that point he has to beat his opposing centre one-on-one first. Centre isn't really a "ball playing" position per se. Nothing like inside centre in union which you could liken to a five-eighth maybe. Defensively, he'll be isolated against other strike centres at times too. I just don't see it. He's a spine player not a fringe player IMO. Completely different skill set, one that I haven't seen from him yet.
 
Forget Pythian, just let him get on the park for the pre season and a few weeks into the comp, Ross is a winger, nothing else, SKD to centre because we don't have anything else, along with Moga, Sio, not happy, on other wing.
We need another centre, quality or we are down to reserve grade,
If we have Heighinton we have enough forwards, centre is our problem, get a good one and save last place, 30, for an outstanding player.
I was happy with our recruitment until last week, not so sure now, so who is going to be the "you can't play first grade 6, new bodies or will it be Amey, Elliot, Hughes etc or are they gone
Do we get rid of players signed to 2018 such as Hodko, Pat, Chanel etc, pay them out and sign new
 
BargeArse said:
Phythian as a ball playing centre? What even is that? He has one player to pass the ball to in his winger and before he even gets to that point he has to beat his opposing centre one-on-one first. Centre isn't really a "ball playing" position per se. Nothing like inside centre in union which you could liken to a five-eighth maybe. Defensively, he'll be isolated against other strike centres at times too. I just don't see it. He's a spine player not a fringe player IMO. Completely different skill set, one that I haven't seen from him yet.
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I don't know much about him being a ball playing centre, to me he looks to be in a similar mold as Munster or Bird. Both of which are good ball runners and have spent time in the centre's. So I don't agree, he's should get a shot there. Eventually I reckon he's an edge backrower but probably only in a few years time.

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Am very sad to see Pete going, not the best player but gave his all, played all our games, tried hard, can we afford to lose someone with his experience and enthusiasm when we have already lost Gagai and have not signed another centre, Moga but no one else and it was always a weak link.
Only as strong as weakest link, centre
 
Knighted said:
I don't know much about him being a ball playing centre, to me he looks to be in a similar mold as Munster or Bird. Both of which are good ball runners and have spent time in the centre's. So I don't agree, he's should get a shot there. Eventually I reckon he's an edge backrower but probably only in a few years time.

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The first thing I think about Bird is he's tough and just a footy player. You could put almost any number on his back and he'd get the job done. He has one tremendous trait though which makes him such a good centre – his defence. He's arguably the best defensive centre in the game along with Chambers IMO. That alone makes him worth his weight in gold out there. Phythian has almost exclusively played in the halves and at fullback which is very different to being a ball running centre who's a lockdown defender.

As for Munster, he's another guy who I'd describe as tough and just a footy player. Yes he's played some centre, but he went to a whole other level at fullback. Obviously with Slater there he was pushed into a running five-eighth role where he's really made a name for himself this year playing some awesome footy. I ultimately think that fullback is his best and most natural position, but either way you'd have him in the 1 or 6 before playing him out in the centres, which coincidentally is where Phythian's played his junior footy if that's the comparison we're using.

I'd just be happy to see Phythian return fully healthy and be pushing for first grade again. If he does, I think it'd be for that utility role on the bench. From what I've seen and knowing his football background, I just don't see how one could project him as a centre, but to each their own.
 
Sione will get extended but it won't be another Hagan lotto winning deal. Mooney and Brown would low-ball their own mothers if it meant a better team.


And that slots is where our troubles began not following common sense payments thanks to Mr Hagan..
 
Frank McWilliams said:
Am very sad to see Pete going, not the best player but gave his all, played all our games, tried hard, can we afford to lose someone with his experience and enthusiasm when we have already lost Gagai and have not signed another centre, Moga but no one else and it was always a weak link.
Only as strong as weakest link, centre
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Perhaps snaring Morris on a cut-price deal will plug this gap in the interim while we either develop or recruit a long-term player for this position? Awesome in defense, quick and tons of experience are exactly the traits we're after. I'd be stoked to get him for 2 seasons for the right price.
 
88Knight4life said:
Pete has been a great stop gap player in some of our hardest hours as a club.... i personally think he deserves a 2yr deal around 500k or let him go earn some coin why he can in the SL.
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Good to have you back 88!


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Farewell Pete Mata'utia


Wed 11th October, 10:24AM


The Club farewells Pete Mata’utia, a local junior and the eldest of the Mata'utia brothers.

The 26-year-old utility back made his NRL debut with the Club in 2011 and scored his first NRL try, before moving to the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2014.

He made a return to Newcastle during the 2016 season, and provided leadership in the outside backs.

He had a strong 2017 season, locking down the centre role and was one of just two players to play every match.

Peter, who has recorded 76 NRL appearances, scored seven tries in 2017 and was the third highest in tackle breaks for the Club behind teammates Nathan Ross and Dane Gagai.

Peter was also the driving force behind the Mata'utia Brothers Foundation, which the brothers started early in 2017 to contribute to the local community.

Peter has taken up a three-year contract with Leigh Centurions in England, and the Club would like to wish him the very best as he moves over there with his young family.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/10/11/farewell_pete_mata_u.html
 
Surprised he's willing to pack up & go overseas to play second grade, rather than be a second grade NRL player & not have to move. This is obviously about job security & money though.
 
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