My view on our current X factor players;
Kikau, he can pull an amazing play out of nothing, there's no space, no gap in the defence and BOOM he is open space setting up the LHS centre or winger with a deft pass. Then there is his game changing kick chases, puts the fear of god into fullbacks, they know he is coming to get them, every time. Then there is the charge downs, which turn defence into attack in a millisecond.
Burton, with one kick he can change the momentum of the game, be it a 40/20 (at which he is the best in the NRL) or a well place end over end bomb, or the fullback's nightmare floater that no one knows where it's going to land. He turn and average set of 30 metres into 60/70/80 metres many times each game. Land kicks like clockwork on the ~10 metre line which lets our defence stifle and strangle the life out of the opposition.
Crighton, he makes game winning plays regularly, when the game is on the line he steps up, take charge. Be it stifling the other team with his defence (at which he is the best centre in the NRL) or attack, where he plays the whole field, pops up on the left side, up the middle, running an angle or straight down the RHS. Watch the Parramatta game to see his X factor at work, 2 tries, 1 try assist and 2 line breaks. Kicking, left foot right foot it doesn't matter. Crighton can win a game for us single handed.
KIraz, for an honourable mention, the opposition can never slacken off for an instant when he has the ball, he will make them pay for a poor kick chase or a non straight line in defence. Tired defenders are his victims, he's lanky, with flailing arms and legs, very hard to handle and has an unconventional running style that puts defenders into 2 minds, they have no idea WTF he is going to do. His unpredictability is his X factor.
And a prediction for 2025, Xerri, this is his year to show his full potential, he has had X factor since Under 6's. This season is his opportunity to fulfil what should have been his 4 years ago, looking forward to watching it.
Team First
