General Our 2023 centres: Are you concerned?

[playdaball]

I think that centres are our weak point in 2023.
What do you think?

 

[Noitall]

I think that centres are our weak point in 2023.
What do you think?

I agree, no guarantees Berry and Vailea are going to be nrl ready week in week out. Even Aitken doesn’t feed his wingers but also sometimes a change of scenery can be good for a player as with Montoya, and Arthurs is in good shape and actually not small. He and Aitken could be a go since they have more first grade experience with the young guys hopefully nipping at their heels. I think there could be a time soon too where Adam Pompey finds himself a full time spot in the team and with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Montoya holding their wings in the team centre could be his spot, which would potentially free Aitken up for second row if necessary.

 

[bruce]

I think that centres are our weak point in 2023.
What do you think?

Yes. Difficult position to fill though.

 

[tajhay]

Centres and wingers, and perhaps hooker attacking wise.

Fullback defensively.

With top 8 in mind anyway.

(hope I'm wrong)

 

[Tragic]

Been a weakness for years, even when we had a good one they would be injury prone. Bell was good but in his Twilight years, Vagana was pretty good for us, toopi was good for us but better for the Kiwis, ropati could have been great if it weren't for injuries, Tate was a waste of coin and we have had a Shit ton of journeymen in between. Aitken is a good defender but probably won't play there, and we have two promising rookies but they could go either way.

 

[bruce]

Been a weakness for years, even when we had a good one they would be injury prone. Bell was good but in his Twilight years, Vagana was pretty good for us, toopi was good for us but better for the Kiwis, ropati could have been great if it weren't for injuries, Tate was a waste of coin and we have had a Shit ton of journeymen in between. Aitken is a good defender but probably won't play there, and we have two promising rookies but they could go either way.

Two things...
Dean Bell was one of the reasons we almost made the eight in the first season.
Ivan Cleary was probably the best we have ever had.

 

[Defence]

It’s hard to say.
We have a couple of experienced guys in aitken and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who could play there but look like they’re gonna be needed elsewhere.
I really like the look of both berry and vailea and Arthurs is a great talent.
All 3 of them are more than capable of having breakout years and by the end of the season we may well be looking at it as a strength rather than a weakness.
Could quite easily go the other way too….
It’s a gamble but I’ve got a good feeling about it tbh 🤞

 

[Toookey]

Pretty nuts to think that at the start of Rd 1 last year Berry and Vailea were 5th and 6th choice centres.
Aitken
Hiku
Pompey
Montoya all picked before them in the centres before them.

Wouldn’t have had a hope in hell of holding down a starting spot, yet by the end of the year Berry had played 8 games and Vailea touted as one of the players of the future.

I really hope that we pick and stick with them. Yes, we have to manage their workload but if we can get to mid-way through next year and both players have played about 30-40 games, maybe a final game or two this year, and two solid preseasons under their belt, we could all be quietly surprised.

 

[matiunz]

Two things...
Dean Bell was one of the reasons we almost made the eight in the first season.
Ivan Cleary was probably the best we have ever had.

Didn’t Cleary play more fullback? Thought Toopi and Carlaw had more time in the centres?

 

[matiunz]

Have faith in Berry as far as a Rookie goes, think we need Aitken at centre for experience

 

[Fonzie]

Berry looks the goods to me. Vailea has a strong carry but from what I’ve seen the rest of his game has a way to go. I’d still back him to come good

 

[Defence]

Berry looks the goods to me. Vailea has a strong carry but from what I’ve seen the rest of his game has a way to go. I’d still back him to come good

I just like the way vailea moves- that might sound vague to some but it’s the first thing I look for in a player.
Is he athletic? Does he have footwork? Can he move laterally? Can they go both ways? Is he well balanced? And importantly can they change direction without losing speed? That’s a big one.

 

[tajhay]

I loved (and I mean loved) what Richie Blackmore was as a player, when I was growing up. I'd love a day where we can have a player who has all those attributes lining up at the Warriors in the centres. Could Berry be that or more from a potential point? Or am I too optimistic? Hoping.

 

[Fonzie]

I loved (and I mean loved) what Richie Blackmore was as a player, when I was growing up. I'd love a day where we can have a player who has all those attributes lining up at the Warriors in the centres. Could Berry be that or more from a potential point? Or am I too optimistic? Hoping.

Berry reminds me of Joey Manu

 

[Fonzie]

I just like the way vailea moves- that might sound vague to some but it’s the first thing I look for in a player.
Is he athletic? Does he have footwork? Can he move laterally? Can they go both ways? Is he well balanced? And importantly can they change direction without losing speed? That’s a big one.

…can they make good defensive decisions?

Agree though that with ball in hand he’s great

 

[Defence]

…can they make good defensive decisions?

Agree though that with ball in hand he’s great

Well the way they move has a lot to do with their defense as well. If u can’t move laterally in the modern game you’re gonna get targeted.
True tho u still need to be able to make the reads and have the confidence to back yourself.
That’s why it’s important we get a bit of experience either side of these guys in the line.

 

[Defence]

I loved (and I mean loved) what Richie Blackmore was as a player, when I was growing up. I'd love a day where we can have a player who has all those attributes lining up at the Warriors in the centres. Could Berry be that or more from a potential point? Or am I too optimistic? Hoping.

I probably see vailea as a closer fit to Blackmore (gun player for sure).
Berry to me… gonna be big and strong- skillful with some vision- don’t wanna get carried away but I guess Matt gidley would be one to come to mind.

 

[Defence]

Berry reminds me of Joey Manu

Yeah not a bad shout.
No pressure boys!! 😂

 

[Fonzie]

Yeah not a bad shout.
No pressure boys!! 😂

You feeling ok now dude?

 

[Vancent]

I probably see vailea as a closer fit to Blackmore (gun player for sure).
Berry to me… gonna be big and strong- skillful with some vision- don’t wanna get carried away but I guess Matt gidley would be one to come to mind.

Matt Gidley is a good comparison, potential to be a little bigger and more powerful also.