Make no bones about it, Folau was a star during his time in the NRL and would have been in the Queensland team last night had it not been for the fact he plays another code altogether nowadays.
There’s no doubt in my mind if New South Wales were to end Queensland’s recent domination and win the 2011 Origin series there’d be an increasing groundswell of pressure on Folau to return to league as soon as possible.
It’s in this context, that Folau’s four-goal performance as a forward for the Greater Western Sydney Giants on the weekend came as welcome relief for the former Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos man.
He’d previously been struggling big-time to adjust to Aussie Rules when played as a defender.
I witnessed his performance in the Foxtel Cup a few weeks ago against the Northern Bullants and the signs were bad as he appeared completely lost in defence.
You might argue it’s still early days in Folau’s Aussie Rules adventure so what else should we expect. And that’s fair, in many ways.
Nevertheless, it was startling to hear from the man himself in an interview with the Herald Sun earlier this week where he revealed he has questioned his own ability to succeed in his huge task.
“Yes, there has been (times I doubted myself). I’ve always had confidence in myself when I was playing rugby league,” Folau said. “When I first came here, I told myself, ‘I can do this.’ But the next day I am asking myself, ‘Can I do this or not?’ I was constantly questioning myself.”
It was an admission which made me ponder that perhaps he’d bitten off more than he could chew.
Okay, he says he’s got his mind focused on the job again, but it is a big job and he has a long way to go to become an AFL footballer, let alone a star like he was during his rugby career.
And that’s an interesting point which will always dog Folau as long as he toils away at his AFL career.
Yes, he’s a fantastic athlete with all the attributes to be an AFL star, but his understanding of the game is way behind where it needs to be.
Will he ever dominate the AFL like he did the NRL? I very much doubt it. Just look at code-hoppers Karmichael Hunt, Mike Pyke or Lewis Roberts-Thomson who have become role players (although Jim Stynes provides a unique example which may offer him hope).
So if he can’t match his NRL feats then how long can Folau, as a professional athlete, put up with not being able to utilise his talent and capabilities? Especially when he’s missing out on occasions like last night’s State-of-Origin.
Well, he’s signed a three-year deal with the Giants, of course. So if he’s not on his way to becoming an AFL superstar by then, does he just toss his AFL career away?
That’d suggest the whole thing was just a gimmick. And, deep down, maybe that’s the truth for Folau who surely can’t wait to one day put on the maroon guernsey once again.
In his interview with the Herald Sun, Folau added: “I miss the hype that goes through State-of-Origin because I’ve played rugby league my whole life.” It’s only natural for him to feel that way.
tru blu
Guest
WHO CARES? Hes a traitor anyway who shouldve been playin for the Blues but opted to play for Qld who just happened to be winning team at the time. So it doesnt surprise me that he'd want to swap again when his team starts losing. Traitor all the way!!!
scarface
Guest
South of France or South Australia well lets face it the croissants on the South Australian Riviera are to die for.
kick to kick
Guest
Beacuse he has the capacity to be a star in the Paul Kelly mold and was Sydney's best and fairest last year - ie the team's best player for the year.
Bayman
Guest
S-B-F, I agree completely, it's not how, it's how many. I remember being very happy to see the ACT boys get up. It didn't bother me in the slightest that it was against the third team.
Jaceman
Guest
Whitechurch (great name) There was an element of NRL trying to match AFL offers to key players in the Hulau signings but one of a multi pronged strategy. If GWS was coming to your WS school, would you get excited. probably not - If Izzy was coming - yep especially if you are polynesian...The SOO ratings were good of course but the ads were infrequent but oddly therefore intrusive to give little value for money for advertisers. As packer went for cricket with 30 second ads after six ball overs (remember 8 ball overs) every 3 mins or so (probably demanded that the Aussies play 2 spinners), so the NRL needs a new game plan. The AFL has 30 second ad breaks after every goal (20 goals a game) and 30 seconds is not long enough to get a beer or get end the lease of a beer (if you know what I mean) so a captive audience. An ad executive suggested that NRL go for 3 hours played over 4 quarters with many breaks. There should be a compulsory ad break after each succesful kick at goal
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
@Bayman, you are right of course that when ACT did beat Victoria that VIC was playing 2 other states, but a win is a win is a win. I conveniently forgot to metion that fact !!
Bayman
Guest
Onlooker, Of course, back in the day, this was precisely what happened - an Australian Football Carnival featuring the key states. Originally, all states were involved, including NSW and Queensland (and in 1908, New Zealand) but over time it became a tournement for just the VFL, SANFL, WA(N)FL, Tasmania and the VFA. The VFA dropped off in the last few carnivals (from memory). Of course, there were also "one off" state games played each year so the carnival was simply bringing everyone together at the same time and place. I remember taking a week's leave to watch the carnival in Adelaide in 1969. I also remember listening to the carnival games in 1958 (Melbourne), 1966 (Hobart) and 1972 (Perth). By about 1975 the concept was struggling to maintain Victorian interest with noise about the impact on the clubs. That Adelaide carnival was, of course, pre-State of Origin. Poor old Tasmania had to cope with the Victorian spine of Hudson, Hart, Stewart, Lawrence and a Victorian born full-back. The carnivals were fantastic with the All-Australian team named immediately after the last game. S-B-F, I think you're right about the ACT beating the Vics but, to be fair, I seem to remember that there were three Victorian teams playing that day. One against either WA or SA (the big one), another against Tasmania and the third against the ACT. I was at the SCG that miserable night when NSW beat the Vics. I still remember the cheer which went up when a camera focussed on "EJ". Not happy Jan! It was a wet, grim night but, as a card-carrying South Australian, I loved being there to see the Vics get rolled. Well worth getting soaked.
scarface
Guest
How many AFL players have made it into the NFL over the last hundred years. Im only aware of seven. Hardly an "option" for AFL players on the back end of their careers. 1.1 mil for punting for the Phili eagles,great acheivement but Falou is getting I.5 mill to play in a minor AFL league and at least Rocca was bought for a specific football reason.
The Mad Arab
Guest
May well be a circus, BUT, both Hunt and Folau have joined the cause to make Aussie rules an even BIGGER league in Australia. The AFL wants a million registered footballers by 2016 apparently. They are part of the fight. They are akin to the converted Romans taking on the pagan gods. It is a just cause to bring these lost sheep back to their own nation's footballing code and away from the northern English game of RL.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
It was a very good game of football as well. Bloody Queensland, but they have quality players and NSW dont.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
if he can still play and play well, Queenslanders will forgive him. We Queenslanders are a pragmatic bunch.
Alitis48
Guest
I agree. Even if he does come back it will be hard for him to get back into a moroon jersey because he has lost the loyalty of the QLD selectors and RL fans
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It's still pretty big ratings.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
If the premise of this article is that Falou by missing origin is not on the big stage than I disagree. I work in an office where a lot of people follow rugby league, particularly with the footy tipping (admittedly they are mostly in the over 50 demographic). However, from listening in on conversations today I got the impression that most people didn't bother to tune into the full match. I can't help that think that origin has lost its lustre in NSW.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
GWS team for this weekend, taking on Eastlake at Manuka Oval in the NEAFL. Some good pics of Izzy as well. http://www.gwsgiants.com.au/giants-v-eastlake-squad.html'
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
couldnt agree more about the NEAFL.
Redb
Roar Guru
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Redb
Roar Guru
Pearce Hanley BOG in the Lions first win of the season.
Redb
Roar Guru
Ian, agree the NEAFL is super important and as you say its about building depth and creating as second tier alongside the SANFL, WAFL & VFL. If QLD in particular can use the NEAFL to build its player depth a 4 state Origin Carnival every 3 years could be possible in a relatively short period of time. The Foxtel Cup likewise a good vehicle for second tier teams like NT Thunder.
Redb
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how I proved your point, but if you want to spin it that way so be it. There has been articles about Folau's progress as well.