Official Matt Ikuvalu

[Shortfin Mako]

He is finding his groove.

 

[apezza]

He has some good size on him too so can hold his own.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Very happy with his game tonight. Did his chances of more minutes or a starting gig elsewhere no harm.

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

Impressive again.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

He has some good size on him too so can hold his own.

Yeah, I never really realized that until tonight. He is 184cm and 100kg (source: Sharks website)

 

[MMsharks]

solid everytime he plays FG

 

[Gumby]

Good depth!

 

[snowman]

So you haven't seen Sharks play the last two years?

Connor Tracey dreams of having a game like Ika did.
For all of Traceys “heart” he is bang average

 

[Gal The Goat]

I would actually feel more comfortable going into the Finals with this bloke as our winger.

Not a knock on Tracey, he does a good job when he plays on the sting but Ika just seems like a more all rounder winger with his experience. Has size out there, smarts and looks safe defusing kicks too. Gets through some good work too, think he’s ran for 200m every first grade game for us.

 

[The Punisher]

I would actually feel more comfortable going into the Finals with this bloke as our winger.

Not a knock on Tracey, he does a good job when he plays on the sting but Ika just seems like a more all rounder winger with his experience. Has size out there, smarts and looks safe defusing kicks too. Gets through some good work too, think he’s ran for 200m every first grade game for us.

Yeah i agree.
A genuine winger, with decent pace and size who can make the hard yards.
Hasnt put a foot wrong in last 2 weeks and takes his opportunities well

 

[Thresher]

Feisty too. Doesn't mind getting into a tangle.

 

[The Punisher]

Ikky outside Ramien along with Ronnie outside Talakai gives us some serious size, speed and arial ability

 

[SF]

His height is perfect for the long cut-out passes too. But Tracey has had some blinders this year in proper tough games (like vs the Storm). Tough call.

Edit: according to sharks.com.au, Connor Tracey is 1.83m, Ikuvalu 1.84m tall... so I guess height not a factor... he looks taller though!

 

[The Punisher]

His height is perfect for the long cut-out passes too. But Tracey has had some blinders this year in proper tough games (like vs the Storm). Tough call.

Problem is i dont actually know what Tracey's best position is.
Hes a perfect 14 from the bench as he can cover Fb, Wing, Centre, Halves if needed for injury cover - but id rather genuine positional players ahead of him

 

[Gumby]

His height is perfect for the long cut-out passes too. But Tracey has had some blinders this year in proper tough games (like vs the Storm). Tough call.

Edit: according to sharks.com.au, Connor Tracey is 1.83m, Ikuvalu 1.84m tall... so I guess height not a factor... he looks taller though!

I thought you’d be bigger….

 

[bort]

His height is perfect for the long cut-out passes too. But Tracey has had some blinders this year in proper tough games (like vs the Storm). Tough call.

Edit: according to sharks.com.au, Connor Tracey is 1.83m, Ikuvalu 1.84m tall... so I guess height not a factor... he looks taller though!

The extra cm makes all the difference!

Because NRL players on average fairly tall and he's quite solid before we signed Ikuvalu I actually would have guessed he was closer to 174 than 184

He has jumped Tracey as winger for me, or at least for that right wing

 

[apezza]

The extra cm makes all the difference!

Because NRL players on average fairly tall and he's quite solid before we signed Ikuvalu I actually would have guessed he was closer to 174 than 184

He has jumped Tracey as winger for me, or at least for that right wing

Yeh I think he has jumped Tracey for a starting winger spot.

For me Tracey is ideal when you need a reserve in your 17 that can cover multiple backline positions (a bit like how we used Beale in 2016).

 

[Tiger Shark]

Yeh I think he has jumped Tracey for a starting winger spot.

For me Tracey is ideal when you need a reserve in your 17 that can cover multiple backline positions (a bit like how we used Beale in 2016).

Yep, he's good for his utility value but not sure he's a full time starter over alot of our players.

I hope we go with Ika and Ronnie as our wingers but will get why he goes with Tracey. Though Tracey might be rested with the head knock he copped.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Yep, he's good for his utility value but not sure he's a full time starter over alot of our players.

I hope we go with Ika and Ronnie as our wingers but will get why he goes with Tracey. Though Tracey might be rested with the head knock he copped.

Another head knock on his return game from a head knock.

Would need to play it safe and rest him for at least 1 if not both games leading into finals.

If he cops another one, it could be the rest of the season (finals included) or career.

 

[uglydingo]

Thought that he played great the other day. In hindsight another good depth signing by Fitzy. How many teams have 3rd or 4th string wingers who can just come in and play that well?