Karl Oloapu cleared to return

He's so tough too handle for such a young kid. I can only imagine what he'll do when he plays the role of a distributor but decides to take on the line.
 
Great news for him personally and most importantly, but will also be good to have in back in the squad. We're going to have too many locks and edge forwards though to know what to do with next year (what a problem to have though!).

If KO fulfils his potential I don’t think it poses a problem. He’d be a clear front runner, but he can also play in the halves so there are options. As far as locks go, Mann and Heyward have been good, but KO would be better eventually. Not in all ways perhaps (i.e: Mann is a beast tackler) but he has more natural ability.
 
Just thinking about this and Karl was probably the forgotten man for a long time. Hearing this news is a massive bonus on what has already been a fun season. Just to think a kid we took a big chance on, had a career threatening disorder and has now been cleared to play again.

Not just a huge win for him personally, but the club and fans too. And then you think of all the other young guns on the rise… remember when people actually criticised Gus and Ciro? hahahaha.
 
Im hoping he can overcome the mental battle when he returns to the field. His brain is going to try to protect his neck, so its going to be a case of getting that confidence back. That will come with repetition of tackles and runs.
 
Would be interesting to see how Oluapu and Woods combine next season, maybe in NSW Cup if there's an opportunity?
And possibly with Conti as well who is already playing Flegg.

I remember going to watch Thurston and SBW play reserves and completely destroy opponents.
And Thurston in Flegg at the Showground as well, when they used to have all 3 grades on the same day.

Followed by the Willie Mason show later in the evening.
I think my point is 2025 is definitely going to be a good season for watching the lower grades.
It's such a shame they don't play Flegg the same day/ground as well anymore. Maybe they could at least do that for Belmore games?
If players of the calibre of Oloapu, Woods and Conti were in Flegg it would definitely be worth turning up early.
How old is he, s he still eligible for Flegg next year ??
 
I love his ability to break tackles, we saw what he did to Parra last year to setup Burton. Will add another dimension to our attack.
 
There were many on here deathriding him as soon as we signed him.

I still think he is going to be special.

Me too. He has as much talent as any other young half in the comp. The different is that he is so much bigger and stronger than the average half.

I still think he is best suited to a halves role but lock could suit him nicely in todays game. No matter where he plays I would want him with his hands on the ball a lot.
 
Outstanding news. The kid could be absolutely anything as I believe he has the talent
 
IDC about his footy, i'm just happy for the kid and that he is out of danger and fit and healthy for him self and his loved ones. Football comes a distant second to everything else. So wrapped for him. Loved seeing the smile on his face, aslo big UPS to the club and admin for the care and support they have been providing him.
 
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