[Poll] 2015 Fullback

[Ari Gold]

Got to laugh when Kahu says he needs to lose a few kilos. Since the Griffin era I don't think I've seen a player of ours saying anything about their weight that didn't suggest they were carrying too much.

 

[subsbligh]

I love Jordan's enthusiasm for the club, his story and his determination. I would love for him to produce a breakout 2015 and be the Ben Hunt of 2015 (fringe first grader breaks out in his preferred position with a full off-season under his belt).

The fact that he hasn't been able to knock Maranta or Vidot out of their wing positions or Hoffman, Norman or Barba out of fullback in the past 3 years, has to amount to some sort of evidence against his ability as a player.

That's particularily telling in any comparison to Maranta for the 1 jersey in 2015. Especially because Kahu was one of Griffin's favourites and pet projects.

To mine, reality says he a Denan Kemp prospect - great guy, loves the club, the fans all absolutely willing him to be great, but hampered by a combination of circumstances and lacking that edge.

Good but not great.

 

[Alec]

Yeah, I hope he doesn't turn out like Kemp. We all jumped aboard that train for a long time, but it turned out he really was a nuffy who went through a bit of a purple patch.

 

[subsbligh]

Also, the psychology of being a placeholder for Boyd I think will effect Kahu more than Maranta.

Whoever gets the fullback spot is warming the jersey till Boyd returns.

Anything short of Kahu leading the Dally M points tally mid-season and he's still not going to hold down the 1 jersey over Bennett's son.

 

[Broncoman]

Good stuff to hear. It's good to see someone who is willing to put their hand up and give them all.

 

[Morkel]

I love Jordan's enthusiasm for the club, his story and his determination. I would love for him to produce a breakout 2015 and be the Ben Hunt of 2015 (fringe first grader breaks out in his preferred position with a full off-season under his belt).

The fact that he hasn't been able to knock Maranta or Vidot out of their wing positions or Hoffman, Norman or Barba out of fullback in the past 3 years, has to amount to some sort of evidence against his ability as a player.

That's particularily telling in any comparison to Maranta for the 1 jersey in 2015. Especially because Kahu was one of Griffin's favourites and pet projects.

To mine, reality says he a Denan Kemp prospect - great guy, loves the club, the fans all absolutely willing him to be great, but hampered by a combination of circumstances and lacking that edge.

Good but not great.

To be fair to Kahu, he's been injured pretty much all the time. He hasn't really gotten out of rehab / qld cup match fitness mode before he goes down again. If he was fit for 2013 I'm sure he would have had a shot - Maranta himself said he was complacent because he was Last Winger Standing.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Those 3 years were plagued with either season ending injuries or injuries that made it difficult to really build on, I think with a good offseason and the opportunity to display that in the lead up to round one you would get a far better perspective on him as a player then evaluating unfairly on seasons plagued with factors well out of his control.

 

[Porthoz]

I love Jordan's enthusiasm for the club, his story and his determination. I would love for him to produce a breakout 2015 and be the Ben Hunt of 2015 (fringe first grader breaks out in his preferred position with a full off-season under his belt).

The fact that he hasn't been able to knock Maranta or Vidot out of their wing positions or Hoffman, Norman or Barba out of fullback in the past 3 years, has to amount to some sort of evidence against his ability as a player.

That's particularily telling in any comparison to Maranta for the 1 jersey in 2015. Especially because Kahu was one of Griffin's favourites and pet projects.

To mine, reality says he a Denan Kemp prospect - great guy, loves the club, the fans all absolutely willing him to be great, but hampered by a combination of circumstances and lacking that edge.

Good but not great.

In the last 3 years, he had 2 ACL (season ending) and 1 MCL injuries, all at the start of the season. That's probably got more to do with why he didn't break through than lack of talent, which he has... in spades!

 

[Ari Gold]

Agreed that injuries are a major factor here. Also, Ben Hunt wasn't able to get ahead of Corey Norman either, so maybe being judged as worse than Norman is actually good for your career long term!

 

[bazza]

I can tell you, this kid is not a nuffie. Not even close. He's the most complete, well rounded fullback out of the competing bunch, and possibly at the club. I know that's a big statement, especially the last part, but he is something special.

He's never been played at fullback in first grade due to a variety of factors, but I'm confident he has what it takes to become an NRL star. He just needs that opportunity, just like Hunt did. I think Kahu's game will compliment Hunt and Milford very well.

He has great footballing instinct, something that can't be taught, he has speed, footwork, good under the high ball, a good running game, a good passing game, a good kicking game as well as being a goal kicker. Keep in mind he can kick with both feet very well, so he's another fifth tackle option besides Hunt or Milford.

He just needs a little confidence, some time playing consistently at fullback and he will become a star. He was destined for greatness, but injuries have hampered him over the last couple of years.

 

[subsbligh]

In the last 3 years, he had 2 ACL (season ending) and 1 MCL injuries, all at the start of the season. That's probably got more to do with why he didn't break through than lack of talent, which he has... in spades!

Noted.

I'm talking about when he was healthy.

 

[broncos4life]

Noted.

I'm talking about when he was healthy.

When he was healthy he was pretty much straight into the team. And by healthy I mean fully healthy not rehabing through Q Cup

 

[subsbligh]

When he was healthy he was pretty much straight into the team. And by healthy I mean fully healthy not rehabing through Q Cup

Nope.

He sat behind Maranta, Hoffman, Vidot, Gagai, Copley, Reed et al.

He's never been first picked, even when healthy.

 

[subsbligh]

Whatever, I hope he has a breakout season.

Seems to me though the evidence to support his freakish talent is based on either highschool football notoriety or Toyota Cup.

He's done some good things at NRL level (some quality finishes, that in and away from Morgan against the Cowboys), but that's about it.

Probably a B- overall in his 15 or so games for the Broncos.

 

[subsbligh]

Also, his build and playing style probably makes him a good analogue for the role Boyd will play when he comes back.

 

[subsbligh]

Also: Maranta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF0i_RA5mbg

He has improved from here but that was the most frustrating night of my life watching that game.

 

[Rabbir]

Hodges if the reports of Boyd being back by May/June are true.

 

[GCBRONCO]

http://www.broncos.com.au/news/2014/12/23/kahu_gets_his_injury.html

(Link is misleading, his not injured)

Jordan Kahu knows exactly how Darius Boyd feels.
But at least this time it might be Kahu benefitting from a serious injury rather than wearing the brunt of it.
The start of Kahu's last three years have been ruined by knee injuries, including missing almost the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons with reconstructions.
But after fullback recruit Darius Boyd went down with a serious Achilles’ injury early this month, Kahu has moved into the frame as a replacement.
He has played the majority of his 13 NRL games on the wing but plenty at the Broncos remember him being the best fullback of his age in the country at school.
But as always in the NRL, Kahu knows it is up to him.
"With Wayne (Bennett) coming in everyone wants to impress the new coach," said Kahu.
"I am one of those people.
"I just want to keep training hard and keep my head down and see if I can get a spot.
"I have a few games behind me now and have a bit more confidence and feel I can play anywhere now.
"I am happy to play fullback.
"Obviously that was devastating for 'Boydy', but I have been in those positions myself.
"I don't wish that on anyone.
"But I just want to put my best foot forward and train as hard as I can to hopefully put my hand up for the job."
Kahu said he was aiming for an injury-free pre-season to be in the best-possible shape for 2015.
If he is to meet the extra demands of playing at the back, he is going to need it.
"I don't think I have played round one for the last few years (because of injury)," he said.
"I just have to get my body right, and my fitness isn't where it should be at the moment.
"I'll get that up and hopefully come February I am 100 per cent.
"Obviously at fullback there is a lot of running involved so I need to be up there at the front with the boys."