I'll go out on a limb and say Katoa is an even better finisher than Val.
Don't get me wrong, Val was definitely the better winger overall though, while with us anyway.
I've thought about this sometimes trying to compare Katoa to Val
Katoas hit rate of finishing of a movement is remarkable. He scores it so often and hardly ever bottles it or makes a mistake/wrong decision. Is more capable working in a narrow corridor as well IMO
Val was handed some trys on a plate in a superior squad. Katoa seems to have had to work harder for alot of his coming up with some very special finishes (Val was elite too though and scored many crackers with great put downs in the corner)
Vals defense was/is crap but he is quicker than Katoa and has more of a kicking game. Less tackle breaks than Katoa but on balance prob more of a line break threat around the ruck. Both can get smashed on kick returns or alternatively get some momentum for us, Val more likely to create an opportunity.
Vals passing game inconsistent but more developed but has had the benefit of playing in various positions in the spine.
Both can have some moments in the air but Val can be pretty dodgy under the high ball, Katoa not perfect either but seems safer and takes some absolute spekys at times. Katoa was shaky to begin with ball handling wise a few years back but these days I would say is less error prone than Val.
Who is the better bloke with a bigger heart? - no contest The Big S
Val was crucial to our success over a number of seasons and he worked brilliantly for us at the time (i don't think another winger would have contributed or performed in the same way as him for those seasons) but I don't really miss him these days and Katoa is the more consistent player while costing alot less
I'm already worried about Gards, the multi quote posts have fallen dramatically since the new site commenced.
pretty sure this was the reason for the new site
He did miss a few tackles last year.
Perhaps father time is catching up in a faster game .
Will turn 34 this year
Tolman made most of his tackles though, prob had the highest tackle % of our middle forwards.
I like Tolman, glad he part of our club and available for depth and he is a good bloke and honest hard working player but he is too slow now and provides little impact with the ball
Gal got old and slower too but still had the leg drive and upper body strength to make effective hit ups for us and gain metres, pop the odd pass/offload
If a younger more mobile forward can't out perform Tolman then yea they don't deserve a place in the 17. If Fitz wants consistency, durability and reliability Tolman might have the advantage over a green inexperienced forward
