Young dog Oloapu doing everything right

[Dawain87]

ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴅᴏɢ ᴏʟᴏᴀᴘᴜ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʀɪɢʜᴛ⚪

Via SMH Sport Michael Chammas

Karl Oloapu, the young superstar halfback the Bulldogs lured from Brisbane this year, has made a huge impression at his new club.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has told the 18-year-old all about the professionalism of Nathan Cleary, including that Cleary was always the last player on the field after training working on his craft at the Panthers.

Since that conversation, Oloapu has been the last player off the field at Belmore. The Herald watched him train last week.

Not only did he spend the most time on the paddock, he helped pack up all the equipment when he was finished before shaking hands with all the staff and thanking them for their help.

It seems his attitude matches his talent. While Kyle Flanagan has been given first crack at the No.7 jersey, the club is growing more and more comfortable with the prospect of Oloapu debuting in the NRL as a teenager if the opportunity presents.

 

[Glenn L]

ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴅᴏɢ ᴏʟᴏᴀᴘᴜ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʀɪɢʜᴛ⚪

Via SMH Sport Michael Chammas

Karl Oloapu, the young superstar halfback the Bulldogs lured from Brisbane this year, has made a huge impression at his new club.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has told the 18-year-old all about the professionalism of Nathan Cleary, including that Cleary was always the last player on the field after training working on his craft at the Panthers.

Since that conversation, Oloapu has been the last player off the field at Belmore. The Herald watched him train last week.

Not only did he spend the most time on the paddock, he helped pack up all the equipment when he was finished before shaking hands with all the staff and thanking them for their help.

It seems his attitude matches his talent. While Kyle Flanagan has been given first crack at the No.7 jersey, the club is growing more and more comfortable with the prospect of Oloapu debuting in the NRL as a teenager if the opportunity presents.

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So good to hear. I'm sure he'll be there in a few rounds once the losses start to mount.

 

[Dogzzz of War]

I would give him at least half a season in NSW cup before assessing whether he is ready to go. Looking forward to seeing him in first grade in the back end of 2023.

 

[LordSidious66]

I wouldn't rush him in just yet. Give him all the time he needs. I know Flanno isn't the best, but I just don't want the club to ruin Karl's confidence by rushing him in straight away.

 

[Glenn L]

He's al

I wouldn't rush him in just yet. Give him all the time he needs. I know Flanno isn't the best, but I just don't want the club to ruin Karl's confidence by rushing him in straight away.

He's already better than the Kyle will ever be so no loss at all. The more experience the better. They clearly didn't pay a $500,000 transfer fee to see him sit in 2nd grade for too long. Probably just ticking all the duty of care BS around Flanno for a few weeks until he gets the tap.

 

[B-Train]

If Flanagan, Perham and Averillo keep struggling in the next few weeks then hopefully they're replaced by Oloapu, Papalii and Skelton respectively with Kiraz to centre and Skelton to wing..

They might ideally need more time in Reserves, but they also all look much better than those they'd be replacing.. Flanagan and Averillo especially have had more than enough chances..

Those three are our most exciting prospects in Reserve Grade.. There's no time like the present..

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Don't rush the kid. We ain't gonna shake the fuckin comp this year. Let the kid bulk up, get use to the grind and work on his game in cup. Nice and fuckin slow like I took it with your sister last night

 

[Snake]

shouldn’t bring him into first grade until we have some forwards back in action from injury and the engine room humming.

 

[TroopSalute]

Firstly, ... aren't we all sick of hearing about this $500k transfer fee? ... we allegedly paid for his release ... deal was done behind closed doors, so let's not get brainwashed by supporting what the media tells us and keep an open mind. History will show we have had good relations with the Broncs by releasing players to return to Brisbane on compassionate grounds.

Karl Oloapu is definitely a young talent who played exceptionally well the longer the game went in his first game out in our colours, the maturity he showed particularly in that second half with Grub off the field surely gave Ciraldo + staff confidence that the kid is on the right track of his development and have no doubt he would do the job 'Flunkagain' keeps on failing to do ... it's only natural that KO needs to earn the respect from his peers and the rugby league community before he gets elevated to the NRL where added pressure comes naturally, let alone an 18 year old kid.

 

[jordansaba]

rush him in and rush him in now. wasting time by playing flanagan he ain’t a long term option but that’s just me.

 

[Scoooby]

Don’t want to rush him, but bring him in and let him have fun for the year, Pair him up with JRs passion , get some practice in first grade, this years a loss anyway. And the fact he can have fun and just preen with no pressure will be a huge confidence builder.

 

[Robbothedestroyer]

By all reports he is a special talent, with plenty of natural ability, the right attitude and physical presence to handle the step up.
Can’t say this about all 18 yr olds but he is ready and if he struggles initially will learn a hell of a lot more at nrl level than he would playing reggies or flegg.
Just play him !!

 

[sifter6]

If Flanagan, Perham and Averillo keep struggling in the next few weeks then hopefully they're replaced by Oloapu, Papalii and Skelton respectively with Kiraz to centre and Skelton to wing..

They might ideally need more time in Reserves, but they also all look much better than those they'd be replacing.. Flanagan and Averillo especially have had more than enough chances..

Those three are our most exciting prospects in Reserve Grade.. There's no time like the present..

You should be the selector; they are great choices.

 

[MOVE.80]

No point rushing him in at this point. Maybe once all our forwards are available and the rest of the team (barring Mahoney) recover from their heartilage injuries.

 

[chemdog]

If Flanagan, Perham and Averillo keep struggling in the next few weeks then hopefully they're replaced by Oloapu, Papalii and Skelton respectively with Kiraz to centre and Skelton to wing..

They might ideally need more time in Reserves, but they also all look much better than those they'd be replacing.. Flanagan and Averillo especially have had more than enough chances..

Those three are our most exciting prospects in Reserve Grade.. There's no time like the present..

is papalli in top 30? but agree the other 2 should come into the first grade side within the next 3-4 games

 

[B-Train]

is papalli in top 30? but agree the other 2 should come into the first grade side within the next 3-4 games

Good point about Papalii.. Might have to wait til round 11 for him. The other two should hopefully be in FG in the next few weeks. If Katoa can start for the Dolphins instead of Milford, then soon enough Oloapu can replace Flanagan.

 

[chemdog]

Good point about Papalii.. Might have to wait til round 11 for him. The other two should hopefully be in FG in the next few weeks. If Katoa can start for the Dolphins instead of Milford, then soon enough Oloapu can replace Flanagan.

if we have no intention of resigning Flanagan than surely we give oloapu a go by round 5 or 6

 

[Powerslide]

I think he needs a little experience being the dominant half and playing on the right side of the field... I think they have plans but probably fulltime first grade towards end of year. First Game they had JR playing dominant right side than when JR went off, KO was still primarily on the left but was mostly first receiver calling the shots. Suspect they will eventually have him on right as the dominant half for several games before they would consider bringing him in to replace Flanno. They are trying to develop him into that rather than just throwing him into it.

 

[jordansaba]

No point rushing him in at this point. Maybe once all our forwards are available and the rest of the team (barring Mahoney) recover from their heartilage injuries.

yes there is. flanagan is dog poo poo

 

[capt obvious]

If your good enough your old enough, but cant see it happening, ffs ciro played flange in front if reynolds, it doesn’t fill me with any confidence at all.
Ciro played the bench wrong, ffs waddell before pele, this week team list must change dramatically or groundhog day again.