Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 8:38 am  

Seth wrote:

Respectably Shabs, that's BS. If you're putting olpherts anywhere near fusitua on ability you need to give your head a massive shake.

Not just about ability though is it. Look at Fusitua’s game percentage/injury record. Compare salaries. Fusi clearly much more talented, but worth 3x more in terms of productivity to the team?

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:13 am  

It is, because ACs post specifically mentioned ability and you said you disagreed.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:14 pm  

Shabino wrote:

Not just about ability though is it. Look at Fusitua’s game percentage/injury record. Compare salaries. Fusi clearly much more talented, but worth 3x more in terms of productivity to the team?

The thing is, the 2023 version of Olpherts wasn't some less talented but more reliable version of Fusitua. He was bought to deputise for Wing and Centre, and in a year when our first choice options - Fus, Handley, McDonald, Newman - missed 35 games between them, he was selected just 14 times, 3 less than either Newman or Fusitua. The reason for that was simple - the appearances he did make were generally calamitious. I know you listen to a lot of games on the radio (not knocking that) but if you'd taken in those 14 games in full you might have a different assessment of his abilities. BTW - I'm not privy to the details of players wages but I doubt very seriously that Fusitua will be earning 3 times as much as Olpherts.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:27 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

That's a very lazy comparison, in my opinion. They are poles apart in terms of ability.

I'm talking value for money I'm hoping Fusitua can showcase his undoubted talent he signed on big money but can't think of any wow moments/finishes like Makinson or Johnson produce almost weekly.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:46 pm  

I’d imagine Fus is on less on his new deal as well.

I think he consistently has finished the few chances we’ve sent his way. There some fault to be laid at our less than stellar attacking structure last year not giving him the opportunity to show off his finishing ability.

Having said that with all the other pieces sorted he should show much more this year, on the assumption he stays fit.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:06 pm  

Barrie’s Glass Eye wrote:

I’d imagine Fus is on less on his new deal as well.

I think he consistently has finished the few chances we’ve sent his way. There some fault to be laid at our less than stellar attacking structure last year not giving him the opportunity to show off his finishing ability.

Having said that with all the other pieces sorted he should show much more this year, on the assumption he stays fit.

Yep. I'm hopeful that we'll play in excess of 30 plus games next year, and if so, you'd have to think Fus would be playing 25 or perhaps more if he wants an extension. If his body can manage that I'm sure he'll score on a regular basis.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:59 pm  

If given the opportunity in the opposition 20 metres zone Fusitua will score plenty of tries. He hasn't the pace to score from Distance like Johnson or Handley. I'm not sure if he has scored a try for us from in his own half, or even finished of a move started in our half. He may have done but none springs to mind.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:35 am  

What I like about Fus are his skill level which is very high for a big man, and his D when he comes in off the wing and puts a shot on. He does lack outright pace but that’s the compromise (and his injury record). Probably one of the best all-round players in the whole team when he is fit.

I’m hoping that our new half-back combo will be working out how to set him free in 2024, we criminally under-used him at times.

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:49 am  

Fusitua is very good on form. It's just that Injuries mean he's out or not match fit for half the season.

I'm hoping he and Newman finally have some good luck this coming season

Re: Boxing Day | Wakefield Trinity : Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:06 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

What I like about Fus are his skill level which is very high for a big man, and his D when he comes in off the wing and puts a shot on. He does lack outright pace but that’s the compromise (and his injury record). Probably one of the best all-round players in the whole team when he is fit.

I’m hoping that our new half-back combo will be working out how to set him free in 2024, we criminally under-used him at times.

Hopefully plenty of cross field kicks for the big man as well. A tactic barely used last season