Does Moga have the maturity to hold down a first grade spot next year

[fletch]

after hearing a few whispers during the offseason and just watching that off-season training video, it strikes me that Moga doesn't yet have the maturity that is required to hold down a first grade spot, Roosterfarian quoted Smith saying as much at the recent training clinic.

there is no doubt about his physical attributes, the guy is an absolute freak, but as we have seen so many times before, physical talent doesn't mean anything if you don't have the dedication/focus required to be an elite athlete.

I really hope he doesn't become another talented youngster that doesn't make it in Sydney and ends up walking away from the game.

the club is in a really difficult situation with Moga, if we don't play him he will get unsettled and there will be any number of other clubs drooling to get their hands on him, especially a certain Queensland based team that was rumoured to be offering monopoly type money to get him, or on the other hand we throw him to the wolves when he is not mentally ready and we stunt his development.

[Guest]

I hope he Is nurtured, goes well and is retained on that basis, some of your points are valid and you are usually on the money.Smith as most know is pretty good with these type of players.

[Guest]

He will likely play a couple of games then go back to Newtown for a week or whatever. Like what Smith did for Moseo, Tasi etc.

[Guest]

He must play some first grade this year, or I reckon we'll lose him.

To an extent, it's sink or swim.

[Guest]

I think Smith would be wise to start him in first grade from the beggining of the year, probably on the wing. He did this with BJ and now BJ is ready to take his spot in the centres. I have heard the opposite of Moga, I have heard that he is a good trainer and a good guy to match. He my struggle a little bit at first in the top grade but I think once his confidence grows and he gets used to the intensity of first grade he will go well.

[Guest]

It's a balancing act Fletch no doubt, but it's one Smith has walked many times before with young guys. And with Elliot on board I think we'll see a much better attitude next year especially from the young guys.

Chook.

[melon....]

Moga will get 4 or 5 games on the Wing in 2012. Share teh position with JCarney who has the experience. Like it or lump it, they are the options we have unless Tugaive is a bolter in the trials, but i cant see it.

[Billy Gunn]

He will be given a chance early and depending how he goes he will either stay or drop to the 20's

Let's not forget he isn't 18 yet

[Red.]

after hearing a few whispers during the offseason and just watching that off-season training video, it strikes me that Moga doesn't yet have the maturity that is required to hold down a first grade spot, Roosterfarian quoted Smith saying as much at the recent training clinic.

Mate is there any chance you can expand on that? What did he do in the video that suggested that he lacks maturity? Is he shy? Is he a lout?

[melon....]

Mate is there any chance you can expand on that? What did he do in the video that suggested that he lacks maturity? Is he shy? Is he a lout?

Was a Labrador involved?

[Guest]

what kind of whispers have you heard fletch?

[melon....]

Mate there are no whispers. The kids 17. He just hasnt matued mentally yet.

Why does everything at Easts have to be tainted with innuendo and drama.

The kid is young in teh head, thats all.

[fletch]

Melon is spot on he is just a kid, unfortunately due to the way the NRL is setup and every clubs need for instant success they are pushing kids that maybe physically ready but not mentally ready into the top grade and expecting them to dominate like they have in their junior careers.

what Smith was hinting at was the increased awareness/expectations of Moga had started getting to the kid and he didn't have the maturity to focus on the task at hand, it must be really hard for kids his age with the increased coverage of the NYC and also the huge amount of money being thrown at the elite young talents.

all I was saying is I had heard that due to his youth/lack of experience his focus isn't 100% all the time, which is perfectly normal, but the club needs to be very careful the way they manage him as they have a very poor track record of nuturing young talent into consistent first graders.

infact i'm a massive fan of his, but I think expectation have got way out of control before he has even played 1 first grade match.

[Headless Chook]

A good mate of mine has been manager of the Aussie Schooboys teams for the last few years and he speaks glowingly of Tau Tau, or 'Little Issie' as he calls him. Said he's a terrific person, very humble, very polite, very level headed and supremely talented.

[Geohood]

He couldn't keep a straight face in the interview lol maybe there were shenanigans going on behind the cam?