Official Samuel Stonestreet

Sparkles said:
Came away a little underwhelmed by Sam today. He's more your speedster build, but

Are they also trying to buy time for their players to get back? I'm still unsure if it's to our advantage or the oppositions if Sione bounces around for a minute before being tackled (regardless of the metres made)
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this was part of the walkers theory. they didnt care about metres more about how long you hold the ball and how many second efforts you have them make
 
Jasonstevenswedgie said:
this was part of the walkers theory. they didnt care about metres more about how long you hold the ball and how many second efforts you have them make
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Interesting theory.
I was thinking specifically about the kick return run. If you have three players back (wingers and fullback) do you slow things down intentionally for your players to get back and support (which helps the defence get set) or quickly get through your first 3 hitups to try and take advantage of a less structured defensive line?
 
Sparkles said:
Interesting theory.
I was thinking specifically about the kick return run. If you have three players back (wingers and fullback) do you slow things down intentionally for your players to get back and support (which helps the defence get set) or quickly get through your first 3 hitups to try and take advantage of a less structured defensive line?
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It also allows you to get closer to the middle of the field.
 
Sparkles said:
Interesting theory.
I was thinking specifically about the kick return run. If you have three players back (wingers and fullback) do you slow things down intentionally for your players to get back and support (which helps the defence get set) or quickly get through your first 3 hitups to try and take advantage of a less structured defensive line?
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The further you bring it back, the less your middles have to retreat to get behind the ball saving them energy.
 
Proud Shark said:
The further you bring it back, the less your middles have to retreat to get behind the ball saving them energy.
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That was my thought, too. Get up the field as fast as you can. So we don't think Sione 'Pinball Wizard' Katoa gives us extra value eating up time.
 
Sparkles said:
That was my thought, too. Get up the field as fast as you can. So we don't think Sione 'Pinball Wizard' Katoa gives us extra value eating up time.
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I don't think the extra time is of as much value as the extra effort expended by defenders in making tackles. Over the course of the game that adds up. I also think he often does make extra metres doing this which is obviously more valuable.
 
When I played we were coached to allow a quick play the ball on tackle 1 after a kick return specifically because it meant the opposition burned through their tackles quickly and before the forwards could get involved.

I asked Matt Gillett once whether this was still a thing. He is answer was something along the lines of "yes, but we will have a different call and slightly different way of playing it in defence based on where it is on the field".
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
When I played we were coached to allow a quick play the ball on tackle 1 after a kick return specifically because it meant the opposition burned through their tackles quickly and before the forwards could get involved.

I asked Matt Gillett once whether this was still a thing. He is answer was something along the lines of "yes, but we will have a different call and slightly different way of playing it in defence based on where it is on the field".
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And maybe different now that the back three are taking so many of those carries... you might only have a forward take one up in the set.
It does make sense that you would play it differently in defence based on your kick chase. If you have a good line you'd want a fast PTB. If you're Newcastle, you'll need to slow it down to let your plodders catch up.
(the transformation into Footy Me is complete)

Cheers mate, good answer.
 
Sparkles said:
And maybe different now that the back three are taking so many of those carries... you might only have a forward take one up in the set.
It does make sense that you would play it differently in defence based on your kick chase. If you have a good line you'd want a fast PTB. If you're Newcastle, you'll need to slow it down to let your plodders catch up.
(the transformation into Footy Me is complete)

Cheers mate, good answer.
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Also your markers will play differently in these situations. Much more aggressive on tackle 1-2 after a kick (the Broncos call for this is "Taipan").

I always love the old "markers work" call from dads on the sideline in junior/school games. Outside of kick pressure on the last and these Taipan situations the markers' job is to not chase hard.
 
I'm surprised by how much pessimism there is around Sam from the fanbase at the moment. I'm not sure if people are just unreasonably expecting him to be the finished product already, or have short memories, but it feels a bit harsh to me.

He's still a developing player, but has already shown a high skill ceiling that we can benefit from. We've had plenty of other wingers (including our current first choices) who hardly set the world on fire in their first 20 games.

The big test for Sam this year is going to be raising his floor. Stronger work in yardage, safer hands under the high ball. If he can improve in these areas, he'll be more than servicable for us. I don't think trial form with a few errors is enough to say he's had no improvement here just yet. In his 16 games he's scored 16 tries. That strike rate alone is enough to get excited about.

3 years ago, people didn't want Hiroti near our side; now we're disappointed to be losing him, and many want him starting. I'm still very optimistic about the player Stonestreet can become with the right attitude and work.

I'm backing him for a big year and to be the leading try-scorer in the NRL at the time Ronnie is becoming available.
 
Proud Shark said:
I'm surprised by how much pessimism there is around Sam from the fanbase at the moment. I'm not sure if people are just unreasonably expecting him to be the finished product already, or have short memories, but it feels a bit harsh to me.

He's still a developing player, but has already shown a high skill ceiling that we can benefit from. We've had plenty of other wingers (including our current first choices) who hardly set the world on fire in their first 20 games.

The big test for Sam this year is going to be raising his floor. Stronger work in yardage, safer hands under the high ball. If he can improve in these areas, he'll be more than servicable for us. I don't think trial form with a few errors is enough to say he's had no improvement here just yet. In his 16 games he's scored 16 tries. That strike rate alone is enough to get excited about.

3 years ago, people didn't want Hiroti near our side; now we're disappointed to be losing him, and many want him starting. I'm still very optimistic about the player Stonestreet can become with the right attitude and work.

I'm backing him for a big year and to be the leading try-scorer in the NRL at the time Ronnie is becoming available.
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Agree with all this.

Some days though I see him and think "Bash Stonetreet" must be on the opposition tip sheet each week.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Agree with all this.

Some days though I see him and think "Bash Stonetreet" must be on the opposition tip sheet each week.
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Understandably so though isn't it? I'm sure it's not much different for any rookie coming into a side. Particularly in the back 5.

I think the physical stuff will come, I'd really love to see him ice the catching though. If he could take a ball effectively above his head AFL style, he could be up there with the most dangerous wingers in the comp. Easier said than done, but he's got the height and reach for it.
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
Yeah 100%.

As you said I think it is worth persisting with him because the Sharks don't have any of this style player in the pipeline.
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We have probably been blessed with how Fitz was able to introduce KL Iro slowly into first grade so by the time he came into the team he was more than ready

I'm sure Fitz would have loved to do the same for SS but unfortunately he didn’t have the same luxury.

I have no doubt SS has the potential to be a good NRL player. However, there's no doubt at this point in time it is a big step down from Ronnie.

We need to give him the good chunk of time between now and when Ronnie gets back to fully find his feet in first grade - and not judge him one game at a time. There will be some hiccups along the way which we need to expect.

We will know in 3 or 4 months time if he is a going to be a good long term prospect.
 
Proud Shark said:
I'm surprised by how much pessimism there is around Sam from the fanbase at the moment. I'm not sure if people are just unreasonably expecting him to be the finished product already, or have short memories, but it feels a bit harsh to me.

He's still a developing player, but has already shown a high skill ceiling that we can benefit from. We've had plenty of other wingers (including our current first choices) who hardly set the world on fire in their first 20 games.

The big test for Sam this year is going to be raising his floor. Stronger work in yardage, safer hands under the high ball. If he can improve in these areas, he'll be more than servicable for us. I don't think trial form with a few errors is enough to say he's had no improvement here just yet. In his 16 games he's scored 16 tries. That strike rate alone is enough to get excited about.

3 years ago, people didn't want Hiroti near our side; now we're disappointed to be losing him, and many want him starting. I'm still very optimistic about the player Stonestreet can become with the right attitude and work.

I'm backing him for a big year and to be the leading try-scorer in the NRL at the time Ronnie is becoming available.
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I made a comment that Ron is a big loss. That certainly doesn't mean I don't like Sam, just more how much I rate Ron.

I'm looking forward seeing how Sam goes this season.
 
apezza said:
We have probably been blessed with how Fitz was able to introduce KL Iro slowly into first grade so by the time he came into the team he was more than ready

I'm sure Fitz would have loved to do the same for SS but unfortunately he didn’t have the same luxury.

I have no doubt SS has the potential to be a good NRL player. However, there's no doubt at this point in time it is a big step down from Ronnie.

We need to give him the good chunk of time between now and when Ronnie gets back to fully find his feet in first grade - and not judge him one game at a time. There will be some hiccups along the way which we need to expect.

We will know in 3 or 4 months time if he is a going to be a good long term prospect.
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Completely agree. A perfect world for Fitz would likely have been Sam getting those 16 games slowly across these two years and plying his trade in cup the rest of the time, with an eye on taking over the role in 2027.

This is another reason to temper expectations, and as you say not judge him one game at a time, or as some people like to one error at a time. Some of the negativity in that first trial with the limited squad we had was laughable.
HaroldBishop said:
I made a comment that Ron is a big loss. That certainly doesn't mean I don't like Sam, just more how much I rate Ron.

I'm looking forward seeing how Sam goes this season.
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For sure. The question has always been more whether Sam could be a replacement/upgrade for Katoa in the short term rather than Ronaldo. Ronnie is one of the top wingers in the comp at his best.
 
Proud Shark said:
I'm surprised by how much pessimism there is around Sam from the fanbase at the moment. I'm not sure if people are just unreasonably expecting him to be the finished product already, or have short memories, but it feels a bit harsh to me.

He's still a developing player, but has already shown a high skill ceiling that we can benefit from. We've had plenty of other wingers (including our current first choices) who hardly set the world on fire in their first 20 games.

The big test for Sam this year is going to be raising his floor. Stronger work in yardage, safer hands under the high ball. If he can improve in these areas, he'll be more than servicable for us. I don't think trial form with a few errors is enough to say he's had no improvement here just yet. In his 16 games he's scored 16 tries. That strike rate alone is enough to get excited about.

3 years ago, people didn't want Hiroti near our side; now we're disappointed to be losing him, and many want him starting. I'm still very optimistic about the player Stonestreet can become with the right attitude and work.

I'm backing him for a big year and to be the leading try-scorer in the NRL at the time Ronnie is becoming available.
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Some good points, I think all on here would want him to go well, if he’s going well it means are team are probably or collectively going better.

With his 16 tries in 16 games, it’s a bloody good strike rate but to be fair (I could be wrong) I don’t think Sam did anything extraordinary to get them, ie, plucked a try out of nowhere himself, that said, kudos to him for finishing off some nice inside work that went towards creating the opportunity for us to score.
 
Bundy Shark said:
Some good points, I think all on here would want him to go well, if he’s going well it means are team are probably or collectively going better.

With his 16 tries in 16 games, it’s a bloody good strike rate but to be fair (I could be wrong) I don’t think Sam did anything extraordinary to get them, ie, plucked a try out of nowhere himself, that said, kudos to him for finishing off some nice inside work that went towards creating the opportunity for us to score.
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Supporting Brailey up the middle vs Warriors in 2024 and reeling in Trindall's pass bound for row 3 vs Manly are a couple that come to mind.

Also had plenty (and bombed a few) where he just had to catch and put down.

Good prospect. Just needs to get better at the little things (like most young players) and he will be a full time starter.
 
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