Who was harsh on him? Most here were blown away by his early season form and really impressed with his late season form. He didn't play quite as well in the middle of the season, but he was really good for us overall.
A fair percentage of fans in general. May not have been on here, although many were happy to let him go during his down period because they thought he was replaceable. Which to a point he is, but for someone of his age + potential, and players available, it just means we’re bringing in another new player and hope they at least can match that level.
Thinking about it, we’ve developed 3 quality props in about 6 years and one didn’t even reach his potential til he got a start at a different club.
We’ve had a lot of busts between signing or shoehorning ‘old’ blokes into prop. Hala (who I still have a soft spot for), Dodds (injury), Timu (Mission/RU), Kennedy (drop kick), Green (potato), Anderpson, Gavet (another drop kick), Molo (shoulders), Lui (one of the worst players ever), Slyney (who I didn’t think was too bad).
Between them we’ve had Petero for a year, Hannant who wasn’t that great, Thaiday getting belted and ruining him imo, Parker who managed to still be great and Blair who was mostly good but not fantastic. I don’t think we should have let a good prospect so (what seemed) easily when every club wants good props which I think he’ll be.
I dunno, just felt like at times I was one of few campaigning for him to be kept/ in the 17 every week.
That became a much larger and probably over-informed response than I planned