His first few years he was quite good as the leader of their pack. He might not have had the same impact defensively playing longer minutes but he had some massive games for them.Good player but was definitely better playing second fiddle as a bench prop. He never hit the hits at Souths when he was their main man as he did at the Dogs coming off the bench.
i have always said this also...Good player but was definitely better playing second fiddle as a bench prop. He never hit the hits at Souths when he was their main man as he did at the Dogs coming off the bench.
For some reason I literally laughed at the wording you used bro... “In what world” ... but you’re rightWhat a forward pack we had back those days.
We were so spoiled for riches back then, we didn't know what to do with it. Look at the GF bench we had. In what world is it normal to have Asotasi, SBW and Thurston coming off the bench!?
Haha thanks bro! Honestly though especially with SBW and Thurston, those names whether we like it or not will in Australian Rugby League folklore past our lifetimes. Before then, while we're still functioning, we'll be telling the great-grandkids how they played in our team in the 2004 grand final off the bench hahahaFor some reason I literally laughed at the wording you used bro... “In what world” ... but you’re right
True. Mind you, that wasn't even our full-strength team. I recall the Jamahl Lolesi was injured and Ben Harris took spot. I'm also certain that as well as Steve Price, Dennis Scott was a regular off the bench and also suffered a season-ending injury. That's 3 of out top 17 in 2004 out and we still won the GF with those 3 legends on the bench. Even Corey Hughes was a very handy rotation hooker to have off the bench.Haha thanks bro! Honestly though especially with SBW and Thurston, those names whether we like it or not will in Australian Rugby League folklore past our lifetimes. Before then, while we're still functioning, we'll be telling the great-grandkids how they played in our team in the 2004 grand final off the bench hahaha
Amazing team. Yet still only just won the decider. Proves how far away we are.What a forward pack we had back those days.
We were so spoiled for riches back then, we didn't know what to do with it. Look at the GF bench we had. In what world is it normal to have Asotasi, SBW and Thurston coming off the bench!?
Exactly. Was a good player. But think of the props we had before or after him. Britt, price, mason, omeley, cziwloski, graham, klemmer. Is in a tough class. But was a vital piece for us in a star studded 2002-2005 team. Did his job. Made his impact off the bench. Probably would struggle to lead a pack. But coming off the bench after Omeley, price, Mason, Sonny did the early destruction he got into his element destroying teams with his 25-30 mins a game.Good player but was definitely better playing second fiddle as a bench prop. He never hit the same heights at Souths when he was their main man as he did at the Dogs coming off the bench.
The Chooks finished 1st in the regular season, had the short cut to the GF and we lost the first finals game to the Cowboys, which they beat in the qualifier, as a result we had the long route to the GF. They had an unbelievably favourable draw during the season, which went down in infamy, they did not play one single regular season game in Qld. They had a pretty good line up in Minichiello, Hodges, Fittler, Finch, Wing, Crocker, Morley, Cayless, Fitzgibbon, Tupou with Stuart as coach. They were also suspected of breaking the salary cap and were favourites for the wooden spoon mid season as result. Somehow, hardly amazing, they managed to wriggle out of it.Amazing team. Yet still only just won the decider. Proves how far away we are.
Probably the pick of the bunchcziwloski
Agree 100% with this. I think our cap position forced us to decide between him and the bus driver at the time as our forward leader. In hindsight we chose wrong given the bus driver pissed off in the wee hours of the morning when the squad needed him badly.He was one of my favourites of that era of teams. It's funny you made this thread as I was just thinking of how Renouf reminds me of Roy, just a taller version who doesn't hit as hard. But Renouf has that great footwork and an offload that Asotasi had.
Roy was an animal in defence and definitely a staple in our Dogs of War teams with Shrek and Willie. I was devastated when Souths signed him and he was the best signing they made after years of overpaying for hasbeens. I think it was the signing of Asotasi that really started to change their fortunes before they got Burgess and Inglis.
I disagree with this. He became their forward leader until injury crueled his career. Saw a documentary about how many shoulder reconstructions he had and it was a huge number.Good player but was definitely better playing second fiddle as a bench prop. He never hit the same heights at Souths when he was their main man as he did at the Dogs coming off the bench.
Agreed again. He lead from the front and did so because he had a huge will to win. Thats a priceless attribute for any team.His first few years he was quite good as the leader of their pack. He might not have had the same impact defensively playing longer minutes but he had some massive games for them.
He definitely brought a winning culture to Souths and was someone who led by example which was in stark contrast to frauds like Adam Muir, Tim Brasher and Bryan Fletcher etc that were only there for money and an early retirement.