Reni MAITUA [
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Fri September 9, 2011
by Gee Gunaidi
With the recent holding of the Dally M Awards - the prestigious awards that have been boycotted by the players and that Willie Mason ridiculed as "awards that are way behind the Rugby League Professionals Association (RLPA) awards - in prestige and recognition" - I have decided to create a new set of awards that no one cares about which also fall behind the RLPA awards in prestige.
Welcome to the inaugural "Gee Star Awards". These awards reflect my observations of the 2011 NRL regular season. In time, I hope that the awards might catch one day and become an event one day where the players and their WAGS are invited to attend the community television extravaganza (I am making my pitch to screen on TVS right after Vasili's Garden).
So let's get right into the Annual Gee Star Awards for 2011 -
Gee Star Player of the Year - Billy SlaterRunner Up: Benji Marshall
For once the Dally M judges were right on the money - Slater has been the most dynamic and consistent player, for the best team all season and has left most of his fullback rivals way behind. He is vital to the Storm and this season his consistency, thrust in attack, his speed and the speed at which he plays and a willingness to do the dirty work is what has made him the best player week after week. He affects games every week in different ways and adds a touch of class to the Melbourne system of play overall a great season and the Gee Star Player of the Year.
Benji Marshall also had a great year and without him the Tigers are a very average side. With him in the side, and in the form he has been in, it is a team that can beat anyone at anytime and there are many times when the Tigers were languishing and some Benji magic turned it around in 10 mins. One of his best seasons but just not consistent enough to beat out Billy Slater.
Gee Star Rookie of the Year: - Daly Cherry-EvansRunner Up: Matt Srama
Pretty easy choice, especially as Cherry-Evans has been a playmaker for one of the best teams in the NRL this season in Manly. He has grown into the role and over the season has developed from being 'functional' to a player who has no issue with trying to take over and put his stamp on the game and forcing the play should his team need it. He relishes the challenge to take more responsibility. That's a good sign. A really good rookie season, doesn't look like a superstar, but looks a consistently good halfback for years to come.
Srama has been a revelation for the Titans. So much so, that their star hooker Nathan Friend has been let go. Thrust into the role of hooker, due to injuries, he teases and challenges the defence, has good speed and is a crafty hooker with the ball with good timing on the pass. Crafty, energetic and full of energy as well as being a good defender, the Titans have their 1st choice hooker for the next 5 seasons.
Gee Star Team of the Year: - Melbourne StormRunner Up: - Manly Warringah
Without a doubt the Melbourne Storm have been the surprise of the season. I predicted them to finish in the top 6 and possibly be a threat in the semis, but to be clear minor premiers has been a remarkable achievement. Essentially it's been done with a bunch of cast-offs and a few stars (The Bellamy Formula). The Storm's success has always been down to their willingness to work harder at the minor details and nitty gritty plays of the game that make a difference on game day. They are professional, work hard and turn up every week every season, all season. No one saw this coming though but it's really a vindication that the Salary Cap didn't play the part in their success that bitter fans from other teams think it did.
As for Manly, with a rookie halfback, a still green playmaker in Foran, B Stewart an unknown, an aging pack and aging side in general, you knew they would turn up each week, and maybe sneak into the semis based upon their experience. However to come second, was a great achievement and a wonderful effort. Their performances were aided by the development of Foran into a possible NRL Superstar, and Cherry-Evans performing way above expectation and Will Hopoate playing like a veteran first grader built around a solid, tough and hard working pack. Hasler though accepts nothing less with the NRL so close, it almost guarantees a top 6 position.
Coach of the Year: Craig BellamyThe last two years have been in my opinion, one of the great coaching performances from Craig Bellamy. Last year with zero to play for and the catch cry of "we just didn't turn up" emanating regularly from other players and teams the Storm would have run 5th! Amazing!
In 2011 with the team losing Finch, Inglis who is the best centre when he is in the mood, and half their forward pack being made up of other teams retreads, Bellamy cobbles together the overweight Maurice Blair, Sisa Waqa, Bryan Norrie, Jamain Lowe, Todd Lowrie, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Rory Kostjasyn, and many players whom other teams would be happy to have languishing in the local park footy teams, to a clear minor premiership. A fantastic performance from the team and a marvellous coaching achievement along with keeping the unofficial NRLWWC (National Rugby League World Wrestling Championship).
Comeback Player of the Year: Reni Maitua and Matt UtaiCant split them - with Maitua out of the game for two years, training with jungle kickboxers (wonder if they trained Jean Claude Van Damme) in Thailand and not attending full moon parties like he probably did in the past and saving swimmers at Maroubra, the jury was out on his signing by Parramatta. However, it could be considered a bit of a coup, he has looked sharp, explosive and a threat in attack as well as being defensively sound. Most importantly he has played with vigour and commitment over 80 mins in every game - he is on the way back. Good luck to him and good luck to Parra for giving him a chance.
As for Utai, he has been a key member of the Wests Tigers, who made the top 4. Jettisoned by Kevin Moore because he 'wasn't up to it anymore', written off for being too small, he was playing park football in 2010. He didn't have a proper pre-season before being signed by the Tigers this year. He isn't the same explosive pocket rocket he was in the mid 2000s, but Utai has added good metres, and bar the occasional mistakes, he has been a solid contributor to the Tigers in a year they may win the comp. All this after many thought his career was finished welcome back to Matt Utai and if he can produce his Bulldogs semi-final form, he may make a huge difference in the semis.
A few other random Gee Star Awards for 2011:
NRLWWC - National Rugby League World Wrestling Championship: - Melbourne StormFor the best wrestling performances in 2011 and for remaining the undisputed wrestling champions of the NRL.
King Pyrrhus Award - for the greatest Pyrrhic Victory in 2011: - NSW State of Origin TeamI mean seriously, NSW celebrated like they won the series because they won 1 game and they got closer to QLD, close is relative. Most origin games are close anyway, NSW may have gotten closer, but they really are still way behind.
Eric Grothe Jnr Award - for the most disappointing utilisation of talent: Team - Gold Coast Titans. Individual - Todd CarneyThe Titans had a deep squad and some skill in their side but never bedded down what style they wanted to play and Scott Prince looked like he wanted to finish building his house rather than get dirty on the field a dreadful underachieving season.
As for Todd Carney - a beautifully balanced runner with vision and all the rugby league skills, his lack of off-field skills, affected his performance on the field. Instead of another player of the year season from Carney, we got a 'playa' of the year season. What a waste - only positive is the limitations of Mitch Pearce were shown up, hopefully NSW sees the same thing next year.
Eternally Damned Award - for the player who can't please anyone: - Jarryd HayneAmazing talent, great vision, wins game on his own, makes amazing plays, skilful, appears casual, frustrates fans, commentators, and selectors whilst also making them dream of all the magic he can conjure every week. No matter what he does it's either too much or never enough. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
The Inception Award - for a decision as baffling as the movie: - Ricky Stuart - NSW SOOThe lead up to Game 1 of SOO was dominated by discussion of Jarryd Hayne being a 5/8 and not a fullback and that he may not be selected at fullback for NSW and that he needs to move closer to the action. This came from many parties, after a few injuries, Jarryd Hayne gets selected - on the wing! Make sense of that!\\
The NSW Token Award - for the random Dragons player that undeservedly gets picked in SOO: - Trent MerrinEvery year there has to be a new 'Dragons' Superstar that comes onto the horizon. They perform solidly and are touted as NSW stars of the future and get a free ride into rep teams. This year - Trent Merrin! Could have even been Dean Young. Good luck to the kid, he didn't do too badly, and he has potential, but how he jumped straight to the queue ahead of about 5 other props that deserved it on playing form explains the loss of 6 series in a row.
Teams of the Year - First XIII, Second XIII, The New Stars XIII and Eric Grothe Jnr All-StarsNow to finish off the 1st Gee Star Awards - I have compiled some teams based upon performances throughout 2011.
The First XIII - for the best team of the year, The Second XIII - for the players who were great couldn't crack the first team, The New Stars XIII - the best rookies in 2011 and the Eric Grothe Jnr All Stars XIII - for the 13 most talented players who failed to deliver in 2011.
First XIII - The Best of the Best1 Billy Slater
2 Akuila Uate
3 Matt Cooper
4 Jamie Lyon
5 Jason Nightingale
6 Benji Marshall
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Aidan Tolman
9 Cameron Smith
10 Matt Scott
11 Simon Mannering
12 Corey Parker
13 Paul Gallen
Second XIII - The Best of the Rest1 Ben Barba
2 Nathan Merritt
3 Will Hopoate
4 Blake Ayshford
5 Jharal Yow Yeh
6 Kieran Foran
7 Johnathon Thurston
8 Ben Ross
9 Andrew McCullogh
10 Sam Thaiday
11 Gavin Cooper
12 Alex Glenn
13 Glenn Stewart
The New Stars XIII - The Best Rookies1 Gareth Widdop
2 James Roberts
3 Jack Reed
4 Tim Lafai
5 Michael Oldfield
6 Shaun Johnson
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Mitchell Allgood
9 Matt Srama
10 Sam Kasiano
11 Taniela Lasalo
12 Tariq Sims
13 Joel Edwards
The Eric Grothe Jnr All Stars XIII - Talent that Failed to Deliver1 Darius Boyd
2 Daniel Vidot
3 Greg Inglis
4 Jamal Idris
5 Justin Carney
6 Todd Carney
7 Matt Orford
8 Nate Myles
9 Mark Riddell
10 Carl Webb
11 David Taylor
12 Greg Eastwood
13 Trent Waterhouse
That's a wrap for 2011 and I am almost certain that many people will disagree with many of the listings, and feel free to add your own awards or suggest your own teams. Until 2012 when many players will up their games to be listed as a Gee Star, enjoy the finals!
Tue August 9, 2011
Source: www.parraeels.com.auPirtek Parramatta Eels coach Stephen Kearney has retained prop Justin Poore on his interchange for this Saturday's Round 23 clash with Manly at Parramatta Stadium.
Poore made his return from a long-term knee injury in last night's loss to Souths. Forward Reni Maitua is expected to take his position in this week's side after withdrawing from last night's match with a virus.
In other news, a Police Charity Game will be held prior to NYC and NRL matches on Saturday, with club legends Brett Kenny and Eric Grothe Snr set to take part.
The match has been played for the past four years to support NSW Police Legacy - a charity that supports the families of Police officers that have been killed on duty.
Below is the Pirtek Eels side to play the Manly Sea Eagles at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday 13 August at 7.30pm:
1. Luke Burt
2. Etu Uaisele
3. Justin Horo
4. Ben Smith
5. Jordan Atkins
6. Jarryd Hayne
7. Casey McGuire
8. Tim Mannah
9. Matt Keating
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Nathan Hindmarsh [c]
12. Taniela Lasalo
13. Reni Maitua
15. Shane Shackleton
16. Mitchell Allgood
17. Pat O'Hanlon
20. Justin Poore
Coach: Stephen Kearney
INJURIES: Jeff Robson (cheekbone) season, Ryan Morgan (hamstring) 1-3 weeks, Justin Poore (knee) indefinite, Jacob Loko (knee) season, Joel Reddy (pectoral) indefinite
Toyota Cup v Manly at Parramatta Stadium at 5.15pm:
1. Marmin Barba
2. Chris Ulugia
3. Josh Tuitupou
4. Trent Jennings
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Jason Wehbe
7. Cameron Breust
8. Peni Terepo
9. Dean Blackman
10. Ava Seumanufagai
11. Kyle Fraser
12. Matthew Eisenhuth
13. Rory Brien [c]
14. Daniel Mahoney
15. PJ Asiata
16. Joseph Ualesi
17. Toby Key
Coach: Matt Cameron
Wentworthville team to play Auckland in Round 23 of the NSW Cup:
1 Tom Humble
2 Ken Sio
3 Troy Savage
4 Danny Howard
5 Henry Raiwalui
6 Daniel Mortimer
7 Brendan Waters
8 Pele Peletelese
9 Matt Hunt
10 Manase Manuokafoa
11 Joseph Paulo
12 Matthew Ryan
13 Mitch Stanfield
14 Simon Greaves
15 Nathan Armit
16 Benson Tupou
17 Valu Nasio
19 Aaron Fluke
Please see below teams competing in the Police Charity Game, kick-off 3.55pm
Hawkesbury Masters
1 Tony STRAUF
2 Mark KING
3 Peter MANNING
4 Peter ALFORD
5 Marty LINDSAY
6 Gary LONDON
7 Jamie SMITH
8 Billy LAULU
9 Ron KING
10 Jason DIXON
11 Keith VINCENT
12 Brad DREW
13 Brett KENNY
14 Steve PARKER
15 Eric GROTHE(Snr)
16 Paul TAYLOR
NSW Blues
1 Daniel WIGGINS
2 Bob O'REIRDON
3 Colin MATTHEW
4 Matthew WEBB
5 Richard BATTERSBY
6 Wesley ELLIOT
7 Carig LAMB
8 Andrew BULLOCK
9 Peter CLARKE
10 Jim STEWART
11 Graham FAAUINGAEE
12 Damian GOODFELLOW
13 Andrew GRACE
14 Allan CLARKE
15 Jim TAGGART
16 Jeff LOY
17 Dean HOWARTH
18 Jason PLEVEY
19 Bob HEPBURN
======================================================================================================
 2011 NRL Telstra Premiership
Parramatta Eels
9 games; 3 tries, 12 points.
[View] Round 17 [01 Jul 11] L 12-16 v Broncos (H). [F8]
[View] Round 18 [08 Jul 11] W 22-6 v Wests Tigers (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 19 [16 Jul 11] L 22-23 v Panthers (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [22 Jul 11] L 7-8 v Canterbury (A). [CT]
[View] Round 21 [01 Aug 11] L 18-22 v Storm (H). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [13 Aug 11] L 20-26 v Sea Eagles (H). [LK]
[View] Round 24 [21 Aug 11] L 12-31 v Wests Tigers (A). [LK]
[View] Round 25 [26 Aug 11] L 12-13 v Roosters (H). [LK]
[View] Round 26 [03 Sep 11] W 32-12 v Gold Coast (A). [F8]
======================================================================================================
2009 NRL Telstra Premiership
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
8 games; [View] Round 2 [23 Mar 09] L 12-24 v Knights (H). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [29 Mar 09] L 6-10 v Dragons (A). [BE]
[View] Round 4 [05 Apr 09] L 12-24 v Bulldogs (A). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [11 Apr 09] L 14-24 v Raiders (H). [LK]
[View] Round 6 [19 Apr 09] L 10-34 v Cowboys (H). [LK]
[View] Round 7 [24 Apr 09] L 26-32 v Rabbitohs (A). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [02 May 09] L 12-19 v Roosters (H). [SR]
[View] Round 10 [16 May 09] L 22-26 v Panthers (A). [SR]
======================================================================================================
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
14 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Round 1 [15 Mar 08] L 20-28 v Eels (A). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [21 Mar 08] W 25-12 v Rabbitohs (A). [SR]
[View] Round 9 [10 May 08] L 4-30 v Panthers (H). [LK]
[View] Round 10 [16 May 08] L 20-24 v Gold Coast (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 11 [26 May 08] W 30-22 v Sharks (H). [LK]
[View] Round 12 [31 May 08] L 0-46 v Storm (A). [LK]
[View] Round 13 [07 Jun 08] L 12-22 v Knights (H). [LK]
[View] Round 15 [21 Jun 08] L 18-58 v Raiders (H). [LK]
[View] Round 16 [27 Jun 08] L 14-24 v Roosters (A). [LK]
[View] Round 18 [13 Jul 08] W 26-18 v Broncos (A). [LK]
[View] Round 19 [19 Jul 08] L 22-40 v Warriors (H). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [28 Jul 08] L 0-30 v Dragons (A). [LK]
[View] Round 21 [03 Aug 08] L 4-56 v Tigers (A). [LK]
[View] Round 22 [09 Aug 08] L 12-36 v Cowboys (H). [LK]
======================================================================================================
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
25 games; 6 tries, 24 points.
[View] Round 1 [18 Mar 07] L 24-25 v Knights (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t (17th)
[View] Round 2 [23 Mar 07] L 10-40 v Panthers (A). [LK]
[View] Round 3 [01 Apr 07] W 22-6 v Gold Coast (H). [LK]
[View] Round 4 [06 Apr 07] W 34-10 v Rabbitohs (A). [LK]
[View] Round 5 [14 Apr 07] L 14-16 v Sea Eagles (H). [LK]
[View] Round 6 [22 Apr 07] W 21-18 v Eels (A). [LK]
[View] Round 7 [27 Apr 07] L 18-34 v Tigers (H). [LK]
[View] Round 8 [06 May 07] W 30-16 v Knights (H). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t (5th)
[View] Round 9 [14 May 07] L 14-38 v Storm (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 10 [20 May 07] L 20-30 v Sharks (H). [LK]
[View] Round 11 [25 May 07] L 16-26 v Cowboys (H). [LK]
[View] Round 12 [03 Jun 07] W 40-20 v Warriors (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 14 [15 Jun 07] L 12-19 v Broncos (H). [LK]
[View] Round 15 [22 Jun 07] W 27-8 v Sea Eagles (A). [LK]
[View] Round 16 [02 Jul 07] W 38-6 v Roosters (H). [LK]
[View] Round 17 [08 Jul 07] W 14-12 v Sharks (A). [LK]
[View] Round 18 [14 Jul 07] L 20-30 v Panthers (H). [LK]
[View] Round 19 [20 Jul 07] W 36-12 v Gold Coast (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [28 Jul 07] W 28-24 v Dragons (A). [LK]
[View] Round 21 [03 Aug 07] L 22-34 v Eels (H). [LK]
[View] Round 22 [12 Aug 07] W 52-4 v Raiders (H). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [17 Aug 07] W 25-24 v Broncos (A). [LK]
[View] Round 24 [24 Aug 07] L 6-38 v Storm (H). [LK]
[View] Round 25 [31 Aug 07] L 32-38 v Cowboys (A). [LK]
[View] Finals Week 2 [15 Sep 07] L 6-25 v Eels. [LK]
======================================================================================================
2006 Tri-Nations Test Series
Australia
1 games; [View] Tri-Nations Match 1 [14 Oct 06] W 30-18 v New Zealand (A). [LK]
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2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
24 games; 6 tries, 24 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 06] L 22-24 v Panthers (H). [CT]
[View] Round 2 [17 Mar 06] W 47-12 v Tigers (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 3 [24 Mar 06] L 22-46 v Knights (A). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [09 Apr 06] W 30-12 v Raiders (A). [F8]
[View] Round 6 [17 Apr 06] W 26-18 v Rabbitohs (A). [F8]
[View] Round 7 [23 Apr 06] L 14-40 v Sea Eagles (H). [F8]
[View] Round 9 [07 May 06] W 30-14 v Roosters (A). [SR]
[View] Round 10 [14 May 06] W 22-18 v Eels (H). [LK] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 11 [21 May 06] W 32-24 v Sharks (H). [LK]
[View] Round 12 [27 May 06] L 6-25 v Broncos (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t (44th)
[View] Round 13 [03 Jun 06] W 38-22 v Knights (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 14 [12 Jun 06] L 26-28 v Raiders (H). [LK]
[View] Round 15 [18 Jun 06] W 20-12 v Cowboys (H). [LK]
[View] Round 16 [23 Jun 06] L 12-16 v Storm (A). [LK]
[View] Round 17 [02 Jul 06] W 32-10 v Tigers (A). [LK]
[View] Round 18 [09 Jul 06] W 22-18 v Warriors (H). [LK]
[View] Round 19 [14 Jul 06] W 22-16 v Dragons (A). [LK]
[View] Round 20 [22 Jul 06] W 25-0 v Roosters (H). [LK]
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 06] W 54-14 v Cowboys (A). [LK] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [13 Aug 06] W 26-10 v Dragons (H). [LK]
[View] Round 24 [18 Aug 06] L 0-30 v Broncos (H). [LK]
[View] Round 25 [25 Aug 06] L 20-21 v Sea Eagles (A). [LK]
[View] Round 26 [03 Sep 06] W 30-22 v Panthers (A). [LK]
[View] Finals Week Three [22 Sep 06] L 20-37 v Broncos. [BE]
======================================================================================================
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
11 games; 5 tries, 20 points.
[View] Round 6 [15 Apr 05] L 16-29 v Roosters (H). [BE]
[View] Round 7 [24 Apr 05] W 24-20 v Knights (A). [SR]
[View] Round 8 [30 Apr 05] W 30-16 v Eels (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (61st)
[View] Round 18 [10 Jul 05] W 26-24 v Warriors (A). [CT]
[View] Round 19 [15 Jul 05] W 18-16 v Panthers (A). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (19th, 32nd)
[View] Round 20 [22 Jul 05] W 29-22 v Broncos (H). [CT]
[View] Round 21 [31 Jul 05] L 24-37 v Souths (A). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (38th, 56th)
[View] Round 22 [06 Aug 05] L 13-28 v Knights (H). [CT]
[View] Round 23 [12 Aug 05] L 4-56 v Eels (A). [CT]
[View] Round 25 [28 Aug 05] L 6-28 v Panthers (H). [BE]
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 05] L 12-32 v Roosters (A). [CT]
======================================================================================================
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2 games; [View] Round 1 [13 Mar 04] W 48-14 v Eels (H). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] W 24-20 v Sharks (H). [BE]
======================================================================================================
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Maitua, Reni
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