Israel Folau?

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Israel Folau?

He needs to switch from being a power athlete to an endurance athlete. They can't teach him to run 15 km at pace overnight.

How far would he run during an NRL game?

FWIW, I think he could certainly make the step up. Obviously, it's dependent on the type of role they foresee him playing, but certainly room for more 'power' athlete types in the game, and no reason at all why he can't increase his endurance fairly quickly, as he already comes from an elite training background.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Israel Folau?

He needs to switch from being a power athlete to an endurance athlete. They can't teach him to run 15 km at pace overnight.

I would be looking at him as a NicNat type -- can ruck due to incredible athleticism, can be used in mercurial bursts elsewhere. If we can teach NicNat to play, no doubt we can teach Israel to play.. the guy is a freak, and far more atheletic (and much bigger, if you can believe it, and still growing!!!) than even Naitanui, and would be a nightmare matchup in the forward half if his leaping skills transfer across (and I don't see why it wouldn't).

Only question will be around his disposal, esp. kicking.

My problem is more around the money being thrown at him -- other players in the system (AFL) have sweated their socks off to get here, only to have a player who has never played the game out-earning the lot of them based on performances in another code. Can't go down too well.

[mighty_west]

Re: Israel Folau?

My problem is more around the money being thrown at him -- other players in the system (AFL) have sweated their socks off to get here, only to have a player who has never played the game out-earning the lot of them based on performances in another code. Can't go down too well.

Thats just the way it is though, this along with WS being special cases, GWS would only pay him what, 30-40% of that money, the rest payed by the AFL to promote the team & game up there.

Plus all of the other allowances those teams get, the other players will be doing ok for themselves.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Israel Folau?

I would be looking at him as a NicNat type -- can ruck due to incredible athleticism, can be used in mercurial bursts elsewhere. If we can teach NicNat to play, no doubt we can teach Israel to play.. the guy is a freak, and far more atheletic (and much bigger, if you can believe it, and still growing!!!) than even Naitanui, and would be a nightmare matchup in the forward half if his leaping skills transfer across (and I don't see why it wouldn't).

Only question will be around his disposal, esp. kicking.

My problem is more around the money being thrown at him -- other players in the system (AFL) have sweated their socks off to get here, only to have a player who has never played the game out-earning the lot of them based on performances in another code. Can't go down too well.

Nic Nat isn't new to footy, he's was playing juniors in Perth.

Folau is 'only' 195cm. Ruck might be a bit of a stretch.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Israel Folau?

Folau is 'only' 195cm. Ruck might be a bit of a stretch.

Deep, power forward.

His leap and ball handling skills are good, and he's bloody solid. Seems to be able to read the ball ok in flight, and whilst teaching him when/where to lead may be an issue, it's something that I think can be taught/learned over time.

[Mofra]

Re: Israel Folau?

Deep, power forward.

His leap and ball handling skills are good, and he's bloody solid. Seems to be able to read the ball ok in flight, and whilst teaching him when/where to lead may be an issue, it's something that I think can be taught/learned over time.

Can it?

The converts to AFL I can think off the top of my head are Stynes, Kennelly, Marty Clarke, Tom Williams, Pyke. They all follow a player as defenders, with the exception being Stynes following the ball as a ruckman and Pyke trying to.

Forward instincts are much harder to teach, and even gun junior forwards like Lake & Presti have found homes in the backline as making the step up as a forward at the top level is not easy.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Israel Folau?

Frankly, I'm getting really sick of the rumours. Yesterday the Age had Issy signing with the Melbourne Rebels, now he's going to AFL???? I hope he stays at the Broncos, then they can't poach any Melbourne Storm stars.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Israel Folau?

Can it?

Forward instincts are much harder to teach, and even gun junior forwards like Lake & Presti have found homes in the backline as making the step up as a forward at the top level is not easy.

I believe so.

Like you say, there are many examples where it hasn't worked. There are a few who have made the transition though, such as Tippett who was not viewed as a natural footballer (or forward) but has done alright (although not fantastic this year).

I certainly think that it is something that can be taught and learnt. In my opinion the modern game makes it a bit easier. Quicker ball movement, more 'space' for forwards to work into on the back of a turnover etc. Like you say, not easy, but certainly possible, and not unrealistic IMO.

[Topdog]

Re: Israel Folau?

Whilst Falou is a good mark and also never has to deal with anyone punching / spoiling and he always is getting kicks from side on. Marking when running at the ball is a different skill.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Israel Folau?

Frankly, I'm getting really sick of the rumours. Yesterday the Age had Issy signing with the Melbourne Rebels, now he's going to AFL???? I hope he stays at the Broncos, then they can't poach any Melbourne Storm stars.

David Gallop has already said that even if all the Melbourne players agree to massive pay cuts to keep the team together the NRL will still insist that the team gets broken up.

You going to have to accept it, Suz, the Storm will be losing one or two very big names.

At least if the Broncos lose Folau and replace him with, for example, Ingless, they aren't really much better off.

[ledge]

Re: Israel Folau?

David Gallop has already said that even if all the Melbourne players agree to massive pay cuts to keep the team together the NRL will still insist that the team gets broken up.
You going to have to accept it, Suz, the Storm will be losing one or two very big names.

At least if the Broncos lose Folau and replace him with, for example, Ingless, they aren't really much better off.

Interesting discussion yesterday on SEN about this point and "Hungry" mentioned he would love to see the Storm go to court on that one, he gave the impression the Storm would win the case easily to keep players.

I missed his in depth reasons but it does make a good discussion on who are the NRL to stop a player playing for who they wish?

Discrimination comes to mind for a start.

[Sedat]

Re: Israel Folau?

Mike Pyke is a better physical specimen than Israel Folau - he is also taller and currently has better endurance levels, which makes him far more suited to the ruck role than Folau. And yet Pike is barely a fringe AFL player at best. AFL is very tough to learn and master for those who have not lived and breathed the game growing up. Having said that, it isn't beyond the realms of possibility given Folau's age that he could make the transition to a semi-decent player by his mid 20's, but anyone expecting miracles will be disappointed.

Karmichael Hunt did play AFL as a junior so at least he has some historical grounding - Folau has absolutely none. He will certainly raise eyebrows and interest levels in the sport in that region, which is exactly what the AFL desperately needs.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Israel Folau?

It wouldn't matter about the salary cap, because you can pay a player that hasn't been a registered AFL player anything and it's not included.

I mentioned in a post ages ago that the Dogs should go chasing some African American track and field guys because their built like brick shit-houses and are fast. We just need to teach them the game.

So a Rugby convert wouldn't affect their cap.

It happened with Hunt at the GC

Here

[LostDoggy]

Re: Israel Folau?

Interesting discussion yesterday on SEN about this point and "Hungry" mentioned he would love to see the Storm go to court on that one, he gave the impression the Storm would win the case easily to keep players.

I missed his in depth reasons but it does make a good discussion on who are the NRL to stop a player playing for who they wish?

Discrimination comes to mind for a start.

Wouldn't be possible for the NRL to dictate where each player must go & if it went to court it would be won by the Storm players, restriction of trade etc...

[Topdog]

Re: Israel Folau?

It wouldn't matter about the salary cap, because you can pay a player that hasn't been a registered AFL player anything and it's not included.

I mentioned in a post ages ago that the Dogs should go chasing some African American track and field guys because their built like brick shit-houses and are fast. We just need to teach them the game.

So a Rugby convert wouldn't affect their cap.

It happened with Hunt at the GC

Here

It's a bit different when the AFL helps to pay for half of the contract. I would be livid if my team payed a guy who has never player the game that sort of money.