Napa released

[Tommy Smith]

I think we're underplaying the fact that Napa was RELEASED, rather than simply not re-signed.

He was accounted for under our 2019 cap and yet Robbo had no issue releasing him. If both he and the club genuinely thought his best days were ahead of him and he was JWHs heir apparent then surely we would have retained him.

As it is I reckon Robbo, Fitzy and co see Napa for what he is. A huge underperformer when you measure what he has been capable of (the Souths game) vs his actual output.

Maybe they see enough in Lindsay and Butcher. Or maybe Josh Curran is ready to tear it up at lock forward and Liu does shift into frf.

Either way Robbo highly values and knows his pigs well. And he just let Napa walk so I'm sure he's confident in our internal replacements.

Also if that money goes towards re signing the two best centres in the game then that'd be massive. Re-signing Guerra for 2016 perhaps cost us RTS and he gave us nothing. Maybe they've learned from that and decided that Napa's money should go to Mitchell and Manu who are genuine superstars that give us a massive edge over the entire competition out wide.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Hopefully you are right TS. I'd be putting the money towards long term upgrades to Manu and Latrell. It should be a no brainer

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Normally 1-2 people on here with genuine inside intel would state who our replacement player will be.

Been very quiet apart from opinions expressed.

any inside knowledge?

Darkone called the Tapau deal very early in the piece.

[Thirteen]

At the fan day at Fox just prior to the GF I chatted to Tapau and I told him I’d love to see him in a Roosters jersey. He said to me, “You never know mate”, and was winking at me very obviously. From this day I have believed that he will be at the Roosters one day.

[Cockadoodledoo]

You are missing the point I'm highlighting JWH's ability to mature as a sign anyone can under the right guidance and with time.

I was never comparing their ability. You've taken that well out of context.

I love the way you twist and turn every argument. You said he was clearly a late bloomer, without any basis to substantiate that comment. The next comment was that he was undisciplined like JWH. My point was even if he improved his discipline, what do you have? Not much really, just another Kane Evans who promised much but doesn't deliver.

The key difference between JWH and Napa when it comes to discipline is that JWH's issues were onfield. Napa also has had off field issues to the extent he was almost released in the last offseason. Like Pearce, he has spent his last season at the club without the trust and support of his coach. I am once again in complete agreement of our 2 time premiership winning coach that we are best off releasing him and spending his money more wisely for 2019 and beyond.

[Half time]

At the fan day at Fox just prior to the GF I chatted to Tapau and I told him I’d love to see him in a Roosters jersey. He said to me, “You never know mate”, and was winking at me very obviously. From this day I have believed that he will be at the Roosters one day.

Maybe the wink was because he fancied you?

[Rooster_6]

I love the way you twist and turn every argument. You said he was clearly a late bloomer, without any basis to substantiate that comment. The next comment was that he was undisciplined like JWH. My point was even if he improved his discipline, what do you have? Not much really, just another Kane Evans who promised much but doesn't deliver.

The key difference between JWH and Napa when it comes to discipline is that JWH's issues were onfield. Napa also has had off field issues to the extent he was almost released in the last offseason. Like Pearce, he has spent his last season at the club without the trust and support of his coach. I am once again in complete agreement of our 2 time premiership winning coach that we are best off releasing him and spending his money more wisely for 2019 and beyond.

I never compared Napa to JWH in anything other than discipline issues and you twisted it to I compared their abilities because 'one comment followed another'... that's a stretch. I hope the irony isn't lost on you.

[Rooster_6]

I think we're underplaying the fact that Napa was RELEASED, rather than simply not re-signed.

He was accounted for under our 2019 cap and yet Robbo had no issue releasing him. If both he and the club genuinely thought his best days were ahead of him and he was JWHs heir apparent then surely we would have retained him.

As it is I reckon Robbo, Fitzy and co see Napa for what he is. A huge underperformer when you measure what he has been capable of (the Souths game) vs his actual output.

Maybe they see enough in Lindsay and Butcher. Or maybe Josh Curran is ready to tear it up at lock forward and Liu does shift into frf.

Either way Robbo highly values and knows his pigs well. And he just let Napa walk so I'm sure he's confident in our internal replacements.

Also if that money goes towards re signing the two best centres in the game then that'd be massive. Re-signing Guerra for 2016 perhaps cost us RTS and he gave us nothing. Maybe they've learned from that and decided that Napa's money should go to Mitchell and Manu who are genuine superstars that give us a massive edge over the entire competition out wide.

I think you've nailed it on the head and hence why I said earlier this decision was most likely made with consideration of the cap pressure we may face in the future.

Although I disagree slightly I think Napa being released had less to do with his performances and more to do with the fact that he was part of a squad that had 3 representative props trying to fit into 2 positions and he just had the least runs on the board out of the 3 and the club had probably already had that discussion with him about looking elsewhere in 2019. I don't think there's any value in the modern day game in paying top dollar for a bench prop when there are so many fringe players ala Tetevano who can step up and more than fill a role for you at a fraction of the price. As you said that money is far better invested into Manu & Latrell.

I say this with absolutely no inside information and just a hunch but I reckon when we were looking at Pangai-Junior & Tapau we were looking for a replacement for JWH should he not be able to prove himself post ACL reco, the pressure on JWH in the first half of the season was immense. If it wasn't for his 2nd half of the season I reckon he would've been the one who made way for either TPJ or Tapau. I think losing Napa and reinvesting the money elsewhere in the squad was always part of the long term plan. Again just a hunch looking at it from the outside in.

[ROC181]

Maybe the wink was because he fancied you?

Hahaha yeah I tell my GF that I'd like to see her in my Roosters jersey and she winks at me too...

[Halcro]

For the best. Napa really failed to hit the heights expected of him if we're to be honest.That performance vs Souffs in 2016 will go down as one of the greatest individual performances I've seen by a front rower for our club.

Consistency was the issue for him here and he just didn't produce often enough in our colours. Think this move will suit all parties.

All true and well said....
And if you calculate the minutes he played per game (particularly 2018)....he is unaffordable at his asking prIce...

[Moose]

I have been told Blake Lawrie may be on his way?

Seems out of left field, but I'd take him as a back up.

If I'm being honest though it might just be because I enjoy seeing a footy player of the rounder physique in first grade.

[stephenj]

i particularly like the way napa after grand final wouldn't take his playing gear off its as if he just knew it was last time hed wear it?

[Serenader]

i particularly like the way napa after grand final wouldn't take his playing gear off its as if he just knew it was last time hed wear it?

Yes maybe that was the case

[RoosterChick]

Interesting interview with Napa on Fox where he states one of his reasons for leaving was he wasn’t getting enough game time. Well, if he had given his all in games he would have been a starting prop. His interview is total BS. Making excuses and not facing the fact that he underperformed this year and that’s why he didn’t get a lot of game time and also why he was released. Disappointing cause for whatever reason he did give his all when he played Origin.

[zac]

'By the end of the year I wasn't getting many minutes ...' Yeah, he only played 20 mins in the last 4 games. Classic Dylan.

But I don't think he was meaning to be disrespectful and they ask him why he's left and he can't just say they offered me more money for longer. Good luck to him.