Official Connor Tracey

[Gards]

he's not a 6 but at least he is looking more comfortable and confident in the position after a few weeks there. even put up a kick that got us a result

As for Katoa, that's not enough to drop him. a tough solid player for us that does alot well every week for us . it's frustrating that the opposition found some space around him to the tryline but we see these types of trys in the corner in every match every round, they are a common thing and if we want to address it shouldn't be too hard to get ramien and katoa making some defensive adjustments but end of the day if you get caught short for numbers out wide this often starts from the middle/back row and you are ultimately gunna have problems defending it and defenders need to make decisions about hanging out or attacking the ball carrier or intended ball carriers very quickly.

agree today though that Katoa got it wrong and should have trusted Ramien more whos defense has stepped up lately and was having a good game. inside defenders can still be a chance of pushing out and covering off the ball player that steps back inside or passes it further out wide even but once it's passed Katoa who is the last man it's over and he left them just enough room to stay in the field of play and get the ball down

 

[CrazyMatt]

I think his defence has picked up a little bit. Its probably the biggest hole in his game if he’s going to end up playing centre, which if you believe the rumours, is what Fitz wants him to do. So its good to see steady improvement in that area. He should of started at centre today.

 

[slide rule]

I wouldn’t write anyone off in any position until we get the proper coach in.

This season is just yuck.

 

[Wiz]

To be honest I prefer Katoa to fight for his spot back. He didn't trust his inside man, and didn't mark up his winger who scored twice.

Bad defence is a rare occurance for Katoa, he also saved a try too don’t forget. Katoa was immense yesterday especially helping us get out of our own half, he didn’t shy away from nothing one bit, I wouldn’t be suprised if he topped the metre count or run count he was that involved for us, it’s what we need more of from our backs this year.

As for Ronaldo he’s barely noticeable

 

[Wiz]

Traceys best spot for the team is centre. Ronnie on the wing is less of an issue than Talakai or Chambers at centre.

I don’t disagree that Talakai or Chambers are a liability at centre but in saying that, centre was also Ronaldo’s position coming up but Hannay ain’t that bright

 

[HaroldBishop]

I don’t disagree that Talakai or Chambers are a liability at centre but in saying that, centre was also Ronaldo’s position coming up but Hannay ain’t that bright

May as well give him a shot there, doesn't provide much on the wing.

 

[bort]

Bad defence is a rare occurance for Katoa, he also saved a try too don’t forget. Katoa was immense yesterday especially helping us get out of our own half, he didn’t shy away from nothing one bit, I wouldn’t be suprised if he topped the metre count or run count he was that involved for us, it’s what we need more of from our backs this year.

As for Ronaldo he’s barely noticeable

Kennedy (21), Ramien (19) and Ronaldo (18) all ran more than Katoa (16). (Trindall (16) only other player to have 16 runs or more)
They also all made more meters and more meters per run - 8.1, 8.7, 7.7 vs 7.3
Ronnie also did that in 3/4 the time on field as Katoa.

I agree Katoa is our better winger of the two atm, also agree neither is so good they are undroppable, but seems like you noticed Katoa playing the full game and a few tackle breaks more than the fact Ronaldo actually did more running.

I reckon you put 90+% of peak Fifita and Graham in the side with at least one if not both of SJ and Moylan in some form and Ronaldo or Katoa on the wings suddenly look a hell of a lot better. Tracey probably also look good at centre.

While they certainly aren't immune to criticism because of it I think, for example, not many teams are picking their winger based largely on defence and rather are just winning the forward/possession battle more so their line is attacked less. Teams work hard to find ways to beat other teams down the edges, we play like **** and keep giving other teams opportunities so eventually they will likely score down our edges because both Katoa and Ronaldo will struggle to repeatedly stop another professional athlete (likely considered comparable or better) from finding a chance to stretch out an arm at some point.

 

[bort]

Take out the kick returns and consider the field position mate…

Whenever the Knights kicked left it was from better field position and Katoa was getting bombed and smashed as he grabbed it. Twice by chasers who were WAY offside. Two of his play 1 runs were also from 1m out from his own line.

In general the Knights kicked right from farther out. The Sharks left winger got way more space on kick returns, and took his play 1 runs from a better field position than Katoa.

No part of that means Katoa topped the meter count or run count which was what I was responding to
Was just saying Ronnie seems to have done more work than I think Wizard had realised, not trying to criticise Katoa or make a huge case for Ronnie

I said I think Katoa is the better winger of the two atm

 

[bort]

Yeah I know, and I agree. I just don’t think quoting the metres adds anything to your argument.

But my argument was literally just pointing out Katoa didn't make the most meters, quoting the meters added everything to it!

Well that and that Ronnie did get a bit of running done in his 60 mins, whether you want to hold better opportunities against him or not is another issue

 

[bort]

Sorry. I mean adding the metres per carry isn’t an indicator of work rate because it includes kick returns, which are situational. If you guys are just talking about who lead the stats column rather than who actually added more value, carry on.

I was more just pointing out that firstly the stats don't support what he thought they might and secondly that I think Ronnie did a bit more than he was probably being credited with given his workload over 60 mins seems decent on the stats sheet.

You can perhaps assume that when I said I thought Katoa was better that I thought he brought more value than Ronnie.

I just responded to a statement about stats with a statement about stats but I do agree with both your points edited in earlier that stats for tough runs and exactly what a run is could both be more useful.
If you were really mad you could go back and tell me Ronaldo only made more pcms because he ran at smaller players than Katoa but that Katoa made more meters because he ran at players with worse line speed or god knows how many other factors.

Perhaps if you need to show on paper that Ronnie actually made pretty good meters in 60 minutes that actually proves Wizards comment he was barely noticeable than disproves it...

 

[Wiz]

I was more just pointing out that firstly the stats don't support what he thought they might and secondly that I think Ronnie did a bit more than he was probably being credited with given his workload over 60 mins seems decent on the stats sheet.

You can perhaps assume that when I said I thought Katoa was better that I thought he brought more value than Ronnie.

I just responded to a statement about stats with a statement about stats but I do agree with both your points edited in earlier that stats for tough runs and exactly what a run is could both be more useful.
If you were really mad you could go back and tell me Ronaldo only made more pcms because he ran at smaller players than Katoa but that Katoa made more meters because he ran at players with worse line speed or god knows how many other factors.

Perhaps if you need to show on paper that Ronnie actually made pretty good meters in 60 minutes that actually proves Wizards comment he was barely noticeable than disproves it...

Was coming from more of Burgess point but I get how it might not of come across that way - Katoa and Ramien were doing the tough runs for us.. we lack in a lot of games coming out of our end and big props to them for rolling their sleeves up and making it easier for us getting out of the danger zone.... in that regard Is where I barely noticed Ronaldo

Anyway moving on

 

[bort]

On your point I still didn’t see anything that suggests Tracey is an ok option at centre. Zzzz

We all know what Tracey is doing well, can you explain what he needs to do better to be an ok option at centre

 

[Wiz]

We all know what Tracey is doing well, can you explain what he needs to do better to be an ok option at centre

I don’t think there is anything he can do tbh.. it is what it is, not everyone can play another position. I just hope he’s not first pick at centre next year as he is now, I don’t see what he brings for us there. Maybe he trains and gets better there in the preseason not sure.

I like him at wing because his energy isn’t wasted, he’s quick, has more space usually especially on kick returns, his defence is suss at times worry about him against bigger centres and he doesn’t have to pass if he’s at wing.

Let me flick the question back to you, in the last two games what has he done to say he’s ok there ?

 

[puma1355]

Great effort every week. Like him in centre better than halves

 

[apezza]

I agree with Wiz - love the bloke in our side but he does miss some one on one's in the centres. No.14 or as a backup winger

 

[Proud Shark]

I don't think he is required to make less 1 on 1 tackles on the wing though, if anything he makes more. The only argument I can see to move him there is if Ronnie was a fantastic centre, but we have no evidence of that.

I don't think Tracey beats Ronnie out in any category except speed, and its not by that much.

 

[Gards]

Damn....

Did Jack Williams call Tracey out in the gym?

 

[andrew's_sharks]

Damn....

Did Jack Williams call Tracey out in the gym?

He ain't even that big

 

[Rob]

Not surprised he has added some size, last offseason he was training as a fullback now he is seen as a Utility/Center.

 

[Sparkles]

Really glad he's earned a spot in the squad. Hopefully he keeps his speed and endurance; combined with a bit of size he'll be an absolute weapon