Jake Friend

[Waerea-Beast!]

Has got to be the most improved player in the comp this year.

He really has been exceptional and is a big reason we are doing so well.

I think Jake will eventually replace Smith in the QLD side.

[Guest]

I had him as MOTM last night, that try was just great to see

[Waerea-Beast!]

Absolutely.

[Danish]

He is the most improved player I've ever seen. Seriously some of the stuff he has pulled off this year he has never even hinted at being capable of in the past.

I put it down to his physical transformation. The bloke looks to have lost about 10kg of fat around his guts that he'd been carrying for years, and its clearly given him an added gear. His speed off the mark out of dummy half is something he has simply never had, and personally I think that extra yard of pace has given him the time he needs to think about what play to put on instead of looking run off his feet at the back end of games. The added fitness also means his defensive workload is no longer crippling his attacking game or leading to him giving away cheap penalties late in each half through exhaustion.

Essentially Trent has turned him into an 80 minute player... but restricts him to 60 mins per game so that he is completely fresh from his first to last touch. Completely at odds with how Smith treated him by just tossing him on for 80 minutes without so much as a back up plan.

I won't bother talking him up for origin as he is a LOOOOOONG way from that (that is Ballin's jersey to lose), but he is certainly making himself a tremendous asset for the Roosters.

Lets hope he can keep it up for 2014 and beyond, although I think with Trent at the helm we won't see the usual "good for 1 year, crap for 3" bullshit that we had to go through with so many players over the last 6-7 years.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I don't think he is playing much different tbh.

But its good.

[Guest]

I don't think he is playing much different tbh.

But its good.

honestly? his game has improved out of sight.
last year all we would see from his was dummy half runs down the blind side and slow service.
this year alone we have seen a dramatic improvement in his running game, thanks to the spells he usually gets before and after half time, an improved kicking game and the same old terrier he was in defence.
There have been quite a few stand outs so far this year but Friendy is a surprising one.

[melon....]

I don't think he is playing much different tbh.

But its good.

I reckon his service from dummy half has improved. The speed of his passing has lifted. It was always a criticism of him...slow service. And his kicking game, is on the up too. A 40/20 last week and good chips close to the line for repeat sets too. His biggest improvement is his football brain. He is more selective when choosing to run from DH or pass or kick. The try he scoed last night was good vision and the right decision to run. His defence has always been top shelf.

[Guest]

I don't think he is playing much different tbh.

But its good.

Agree... topped the tackle count again with 52. Still only young and has really played to his massive potential. Has always been a gun.

[Tom Verlaine's Ghost]

Not having to make 60 tackles every game has helped no end.

[Guest]

I guess why were finally starting to see the reason why he was fast tracked from SG ball into first grade in one season....