Young dog Oloapu doing everything right
- Thread starter Dawain87
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Several back-up halves reminded their respective NRL coaches what they have to offer with dominant performances — especially teenage prodigy Karl Oloapu who was a class above for the Bulldogs.
Karl Oloapu was especially impressive in the No.7 jersey for the Dogs, setting up three tries in their 44-12 win over the Magpies in sweltering heat at Belmore on Sunday.
Oloapu also got a linebreak, two linebreak assists and ran for 130 metres. Although he did miss six tackles.
It’s the second time in the first three rounds that Oloapu has stolen the show
Darcie from foxsports
I think weve got ourselves a hb for next year. So glad we are going in this direction than spending on some overpriced hb.
Karl Oloapu was especially impressive in the No.7 jersey for the Dogs, setting up three tries in their 44-12 win over the Magpies in sweltering heat at Belmore on Sunday.
Oloapu also got a linebreak, two linebreak assists and ran for 130 metres. Although he did miss six tackles.
It’s the second time in the first three rounds that Oloapu has stolen the show
Darcie from foxsports
I think weve got ourselves a hb for next year. So glad we are going in this direction than spending on some overpriced hb.
With enough development time and good coaching he can without a doubt be able to shift into the halfback role. It just comes down to his personality. If he can direct a team around, if he has the presence to demand the ball and if he has the mindset to see something and build towards unlocking it.
Playing eyes up football is all well and good, but the best halves like Johns, Stuart, Langer etc would set up plays 3-4 tackles before with a few prop runs, then try to break a team down. That cant be taught, you either have it or not. Anyone can be taught to kick pass and run (perfect example is Cronk) but you need to have the personality before anything. It is what Flanno lacks, doesnt have the personality to demand the ball, to direct a team, to take on the opposition. He was just a kid who did well and had a influential father. In some systems he will work, but when he needs to be the man he more then likely falls apart.
Jackson_1994
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⚪‘ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴏ’ꜱ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴄᴀʀᴠɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ’: ᴡʜʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴜʟʟᴅᴏɢꜱ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴜᴄᴋ ɢᴏʟᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʀɪꜱɪɴɢ ꜱᴛᴀʀ ᴋᴀʀʟ ᴏʟᴏᴀᴘᴜ⚪
Via CODE NRL Brendan Bradford
He’s only played three senior games of footy in reserve grade but Karl Oloapu already has billionaires, club captains and rookie teammates raving,
Karl Oloapu was a happy kid walking out of the sheds at Belmore Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The 18-year-old was instrumental in guiding the Bulldogs to a 44-12 New South Wales Cup win over the Magpies in brutally hot conditions, and he emerged from the sheds accompanied by longtime Doggies backer, Arthur Laundy.
The billionaire publican has taken Oloapu under his wing with the Bulldogs keeping their prized recruit out of the spotlight since his highly publicised move from the Broncos in the off-season.
He’s just three games into his senior career at the Bulldogs, but Oloapu shows all the signs of being a success.
He debuted at five-eighth in reserve grade in round one, chiming in with a try and a try assist in a win over the Sea Eagles. Shifting to halfback a week later, he was dangerous again in a 34-4 win over the Dragons.
In temperatures that approached 40 degrees on the field at Belmore on Sunday, Oloapu – in the No. 7 jersey – put in arguably his best performance so far. He took on the bulk of the kicking, made 130 metres in 20 runs, laid on three tries and two line break assists as the Bulldogs claimed a third win of the season to sit alone at the top of the NSW Cup ladder.
“He’s only, what, 18 or 19? And the bro is already carving up, scoring tries and setting them up,” Bulldogs NSW Cup captain Jackson Topine says of Oloapu.
“He’s just a professional, and he works on his craft every day. He’s mad to play outside – he’s a gem.”
Oloapu threw the last pass for Topine’s first-half try on Sunday, with the skipper sending a warning shot to the rest of the competition.
“It’s still a bit clunky – we’re always striving for perfection,” Topine said. “He (Oloapu) only got to us about two weeks before the season started, but he’s just slotted in like a glove.
“If that’s what we can do when we’re a bit clunky, just wait until we start firing. With more connection and more training, we’re only going to get smoother and get even better.”
Oloapu’s halves partner, Lebanon World Cup playmaker Khaled Rajab, also sings his teammates praises.
“When Karl came in, he was just a ball of energy,” Rajab tells CODE Sports. “He’s a strong boy, he’s big for his age and he’s tough to tackle.
“It’s a blessing to have him in our side, and if we can just keep building that combination, we’re gonna be good.”
The Bulldogs understandably don’t want to rush their rising star, but Oloapu is in the top 30 squad and could be in line for an NRL debut at some point in 2023.
Cameron Ciraldo has entrusted Kyle Flanagan to play alongside Matt Burton in the halves in first grade, with Hayze Perham awarded the fullback role. Ciraldo has plenty of options throughout his squad, with Jake Averillo, Josh Reynolds, Fa’amanu Brown and Declan Casey all able to fill various spine and bench utility positions, but injury, form and Origin selection could all throw the New Zealand-born Oloapu into the mix too.
It’s no wonder Laundy is so keen to guide his fledgling career.
Laundy placed his hand on Oloapu’s shoulder after they walked out of the sheds on Sunday. They spoke briefly, before the publican tapped him on the cheek, told him how proud he was of him and let Oloapu walk down the tunnel to watch first grade.
Via CODE NRL Brendan Bradford
He’s only played three senior games of footy in reserve grade but Karl Oloapu already has billionaires, club captains and rookie teammates raving,
Karl Oloapu was a happy kid walking out of the sheds at Belmore Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The 18-year-old was instrumental in guiding the Bulldogs to a 44-12 New South Wales Cup win over the Magpies in brutally hot conditions, and he emerged from the sheds accompanied by longtime Doggies backer, Arthur Laundy.
The billionaire publican has taken Oloapu under his wing with the Bulldogs keeping their prized recruit out of the spotlight since his highly publicised move from the Broncos in the off-season.
He’s just three games into his senior career at the Bulldogs, but Oloapu shows all the signs of being a success.
He debuted at five-eighth in reserve grade in round one, chiming in with a try and a try assist in a win over the Sea Eagles. Shifting to halfback a week later, he was dangerous again in a 34-4 win over the Dragons.
In temperatures that approached 40 degrees on the field at Belmore on Sunday, Oloapu – in the No. 7 jersey – put in arguably his best performance so far. He took on the bulk of the kicking, made 130 metres in 20 runs, laid on three tries and two line break assists as the Bulldogs claimed a third win of the season to sit alone at the top of the NSW Cup ladder.
“He’s only, what, 18 or 19? And the bro is already carving up, scoring tries and setting them up,” Bulldogs NSW Cup captain Jackson Topine says of Oloapu.
“He’s just a professional, and he works on his craft every day. He’s mad to play outside – he’s a gem.”
Oloapu threw the last pass for Topine’s first-half try on Sunday, with the skipper sending a warning shot to the rest of the competition.
“It’s still a bit clunky – we’re always striving for perfection,” Topine said. “He (Oloapu) only got to us about two weeks before the season started, but he’s just slotted in like a glove.
“If that’s what we can do when we’re a bit clunky, just wait until we start firing. With more connection and more training, we’re only going to get smoother and get even better.”
Oloapu’s halves partner, Lebanon World Cup playmaker Khaled Rajab, also sings his teammates praises.
“When Karl came in, he was just a ball of energy,” Rajab tells CODE Sports. “He’s a strong boy, he’s big for his age and he’s tough to tackle.
“It’s a blessing to have him in our side, and if we can just keep building that combination, we’re gonna be good.”
The Bulldogs understandably don’t want to rush their rising star, but Oloapu is in the top 30 squad and could be in line for an NRL debut at some point in 2023.
Cameron Ciraldo has entrusted Kyle Flanagan to play alongside Matt Burton in the halves in first grade, with Hayze Perham awarded the fullback role. Ciraldo has plenty of options throughout his squad, with Jake Averillo, Josh Reynolds, Fa’amanu Brown and Declan Casey all able to fill various spine and bench utility positions, but injury, form and Origin selection could all throw the New Zealand-born Oloapu into the mix too.
It’s no wonder Laundy is so keen to guide his fledgling career.
Laundy placed his hand on Oloapu’s shoulder after they walked out of the sheds on Sunday. They spoke briefly, before the publican tapped him on the cheek, told him how proud he was of him and let Oloapu walk down the tunnel to watch first grade.
H-dog
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Let him get us the trophy in nsw cup this year and a few games of the bench in first grade to get a taste
Agree mate. Thats why i said next year
sifter6
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He is already on serious overtime.
Psycho Doggie
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Burton now has Mahoney, and every game those two play together their combination will grow.
Psycho Doggie
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I'd still like to see better defence from him. The step up from cup to NRL is biggest for defence.
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Mason talked about his defence being something he needs to work on, in particular his wrestling and learning our system. Said he hits hard but doesn't have the experience in other areas because he hasn't had a full NRL preseason.
InGusWeTrust
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Uncle Arthur: “Never go against the family”.
He’s not a Bulldogs fan right? It amazes me how anyone can be so passionate and willing to pay huge sponsorship dollars to a club that’s not passionate about winning, but I suppose it’s a different type of support.