Is it time for Israel Folau to go home? Should he leave behind the skinny red ball he has never looked comfortable holding, pick up the chunky white one he grew up with, and return to rugby league?
On his NRL debut at Melbourne’s Olympic Park in 2007 Folau scored the match winning try; a magnificent feat for a 17-year-old.
Just as amazing, considering his present struggles, was the way he scored it. With the MCG – where Folau had began to watch and grow fond of AFL – as a backdrop he soared high above his squat ground-based opponents taking a spectacular “mark” and executing the putdown that would seal the game.
If anyone had asked themselves at that instant: “Could this kid play AFL?”, the answer would most likely have been in the affirmative.
Five years later, however, it has become apparent that if any player could have been plucked from that Melbourne Storm side and made into an AFL superstar his name would have been Billy Slater, or perhaps Greg Inglis, but not – unfortunately – Israel Folau.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to be a successful AFL player”, said the quiet barnstorming centre on announcing his move to Aussie Rules.
Firstly, that has meant transforming a body that was built for short bursts of brute strength, into the lithe construction of the modern AFL footballer. To his credit he has probably succeeded as far as nature will allow. Craig Bellamy ran into his slimmer former charge recently and said he hardly recognised him.
With a league ball in hand Folau was an intimidating mixture of power and athleticism. Those T-rex thighs enabled him to plough through multiple tackles and to leap above defenders near the tryline.
His weakness was a lack of sideways movement and elusive skills hence he was a relatively poor defender and, unlike his fellow champion teammates Slater and Inglis, rarely scythed his way through opposition defences.
Even more significant though is his poor aerobic capacity which was a problem at the Storm, according to Bellamy. It’s a huge liability in the AFL.
It’s interesting to note that Folau’s coach Kevin Sheedy while at Essendon was poised to release Jobe Watson in 2007 due to his bulk and lack of aerobic fitness. As we now know Watson transformed himself into a star using a tortuous fitness regimen.
Folau could draw inspiration from Watson’s example but Watson has played AFL his entire life.
Adapting mentally to the game has caused Folau huge problems; having to re programme his mind that is attuned to the grid-like game he has played since childhood.
Folau has often looked all at sea in the middle of the frenetic and unrelenting activity of AFL – looking to lay single powerful tackles when he can. He will improve as time goes on but it’s unlikely he’ll ever be a significant force in the game.
He came to AFL for a number of reasons. Six million dollars over four years being the main one – not because he’s a mercenary but to support his family.
He wanted a challenge because success came too easily for him in league, and the grass probably seemed greener on the field of another code.
But when a superstar of league leaves to play AFL curtain raisers at Skoda Stadium, neither sport benefits.
For the sake of both codes perhaps it’s time for Izzy to go back to the NRL, where he belongs.
Jimbo
Guest
Issy reminds me of one of those boxers who were managed by Don King, like, 20 years ago. Heart's not in it, but he has to shut up, listen, & 'do as I say' via Demetriou. If he complains, he'd be reminded to check his bank account balance. His worth to AFL is purely as a marketing tool ... regardless of his athletic ability, which would in no way be worth that sort of money for a player with such limited background with AFL. I wonder how many fringe AFL players & juniors feel when they could be receiving that sort of money for their development.
micka
Guest
No worse than most sizeable first year key position players I have seen. I see Patton's getting dragged next week after doing bugger all. Wonder if he will be implored to retire. Jack Watts STILL seems to get a game...
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Mike, Ive seen Izzy live as well. When he spots up the correct option and its kicked to him, he's unstoppable one on one. He needs more preseasons and more time on the paddock, and its a tough gig playing forward in a team at the bottom of the ladder. Hunt is a fine inside midfielder who clears space, applies physical pressure and sometimes even gets the ball. For a second year player, he's doing well - I mean the fact that you are saying the Suns are a rabble but Hunt has battled well is prasising with faint damns.
Mike
Guest
Ian, Thats total rubbish. GCS need a whole new playing roster (Ablett excluded). The "kids" have gone backwards and the "experienced" players are a disgrace. Hunt has battled well but he is not a first pick AFL player at any club other than GCS and GWS and he will not improve playing with the rabble that is GCS. As for Folau: I have seen him on Youtube, I have seen him live, I have seen him on TV, he ain't gonna make it !!!! You can use any stats you like, and compare him to anyone you like, but the bottom line is he is not an elite AFL player and never will be.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Mike, The Suns problem isnt that they are unskilled - it's that they are too soft, too light, get tired too easily and are too easily pressured into bad decisions. When they allowed to play fast, slick football they are pretty effective, with their win over Port Adelaide last year being a great example. Unfortunatly, when you play a soft style you dont have margin for error when things turn against you. As fas as Folau, I'd recommend you watch the Youtube I put up earlier, and the clip of him goaling against Adelaide, and get some perspective by reading this. http://www.contestedfooty.com/2009/07/jack-watts-is-not-that-bad/
Mike
Guest
You can't be serious Ian. Hunt is easily holding his spot in a team that is an unskilled rabble (Ablett excluded). The only other team in the comp that would select him in their first 18 would be GWS. These blokes were bought purely for a marketing exercise. If you think Folau is tracking well for a first year KPF I suggest you stay in your day job, you won't be getting any offers soon as a talent scout.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Jimbo, Hunt has already turned into a good Australian Rules footballer. He is easily holding his spot in the side, and has been selected in the AFL's team of the week in round 6 (22 disposals and 6 clearances against Fremantle). With another preseason, he could go from good to very good. Folau is tracking with a number of other first-year KPF prospects for his performance in the first year. He's shown the ability to take a contested grab, has usefully filled in at the ruck and has all the physical tools you want in a KPF. Im happy to stick with him. So marketing tool ? Part of it, yes. Purely a marketing tool ? Not at all.
Jimbo
Guest
Micka, Mike Pyke was nowhere near the same class in Rugby as Issy & Khunt were in League. And I sincerely doubt anyone out of confined canadian rugby circles would have ever heard of him. Virtually no profile. And rugby is not as prominent a sport in Canada as league is in australia. And I have absolutely no intention of changing my argue ... Issy & Khunt were targetted by AFL purely as marketing tools. Only a boofhead would argue that
micka
Guest
No Jimbo, I was responding to this... "The proof of this; no other AFL club would recruit blokes of such limited AFL background." All the blokes I listed were recruited by AFL clubs from minimal to zero AFL backgrounds. Don't change your argument when you are given evidence that your statement is patently incorrect. As for..."None of the players you’ve listed (Mike Pike etc) were at the elite level of their sports before going to aussie rules." Mike PYke was a a Canadian National rep in Union... Setanta played at the very top level of Hurling. Exactly how do you define being at an elite level if not being a national rep or at the very top league in which the game is played? Stirling Mortlock, George Greagan and John Eales were national rep union players as well... they not elite? As for Karmichael and Izzy being paid overs for their talent. I'd agree with you. But then again nowhere did I argue against that opinon, so facing up to it won't be too much of a stretch. Its like you're saying that I'm denying the sky is blue. Best marketing exercise ever though. The rage in Matty John's voice on the radio proves it...
Truth 88
Guest
It is hard to watch Israel Folau play AFL when he was such a dominant force in League. Hopefully he comes back to league and doesnt skip a beat.
Jimbo
Guest
Hi Micka thanks for responding, but I feel you've missed the point ... None of the players you've listed (Mike Pike etc) were at the elite level of their sports before going to aussie rules. Further, I doubt that AFL would be paying an untried 'super athlete' a reputed $6Milll. to switch. Face it mate, both KHunt & Issy were calculated, yet expensive, marketing exercises ... and their fees are for the benefit the risk. Issy misses rugby - you can see it. He's got a gag order on him from Demetriou
micka
Guest
Oops 6 - Pendles and McNamara both Collingwood. My mistake.
micka
Guest
2 is enough to dissprove the incorrect claim that "no other AFL club would recruit blokes of such limited AFL background" Except Sydney with Mike Pyke from Canadian Union (0 AR experience) or, Shae McNamara picked up by Collingwood as a Rookie from College Basketball (0 AR experience) or, Setanta O' hAilpin who played gaelic footy when he was young but was recruited as a hurling player (0 AR experience although I will concede the minor Gaelic footy element). So thats 7 clubs out of 18 (inc GWS and GC) that have recrited players from minimal if any Aussie Rules background that have players currently in the system from memory. Maybe the AFL just uses a bit of imagination in the recruiting process. Can't blame a code for trying...
micka
Guest
Risking further (possibly increased) injury to a $6M player by rushing them back into the big game straight from injury is probably the last thing id do 81. There is a reason no one is rushed back into a side in the AFL.
Australian Rules
Guest
Would you have Billy Slater on the front cover advertising for Origin III? (if your answer's yes, you don't work in advertising)
oogles
Guest
Nic Nat is of Fijian descent. He's Melanesian, not Polynesian.
Jimbo
Guest
... r i g h t ... that's 2. But I'll bet that messrs Pendlebury n Brogan had some AFL background
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Jimbo, Like Collingwood taking Pendlebury out of the AIS ? Like Port recruiting Brogan from the Adelaide 36ers ?
81paling
Roar Rookie
I think that there is, if you have paid $6m for someone over 4 years be he injured or not if he is the most recognized player in the team and if he is still in the team with any chance at all of playing you would put him on the cover. The fact that he was it may show a shift in the agenda i.e amongst the most prevalent of topics surrounding GWS at the moment is the possibility that Israel Falou could be getting bumped by some extremely strong young talent, the obvious next question is who are they? Based on this would it not be a good move to put the rising stars on the cover?
Jimbo
Guest
Izzy just doesn't look happy. In fact, poor fella looks miserable. Especially now at Origin time. He misses tackling, & tucking the ball under his arm & running - the fundamentals of the rugby codes. I've stated it on The Roar before, but he (& K Hunt) are nothing more than performing bears, per se. Simple. Marketing tools for AFL to attain an audience for new clubs of non-AFL history. The proof of this; no other AFL club would recruit blokes of such limited AFL background. I suspect he'll stick out his contract ... the bottom line is how much he's earning. He's a piece of AFL meat