If ever a player has flown under the radar, it would be new Eels recruit Siosaia Vave. Few NRL fans would realise that the 27 year old prop has accumulated 78 top grade appearances in a career that stretches back to 2010 and across three NRL clubs. In all likelihood his role as a bench player would contribute to his lower profile, but with his move to the Eels it’s unlikely that he will remain a player in the shadows for much longer.
Experience
When a recruit joins a club at nearly 28 years of age and with almost 80 first grade games, experience is just one of the benefits. With two stints at Cronulla and a stint at Melbourne in his resume, Vave has now played under both 2016 grand final coaches. Indeed, the powerhouse forward was a part of the 2012 premiership squad for the Storm, and though he missed out on a grand final appearance, he did come off the bench in the preliminary final and featured in the 2013 World Club Challenge.
Acquiring players who’ve experienced success can be a crucial component in assembling a squad and Vave will prove a valuable addition to the Eels playing ranks.
Career Breakdown
A Penrith junior from Mt Druitt, Vave transitioned into grade football through the Titans NYC team before signing with Cronulla in 2010. After playing two seasons at the Sharks and clocking up 17 NRL games, he switched to the Storm for the next two years. His 23 top grade appearances for Melbourne confirmed his role as an impact player off the bench. A return to the Sharks in 2014 preceded his move to the Sea Eagles and those 23 games for the maroon and whites completed what was probably his strongest season to date.
Since making his NRL debut, Vave has also earned international representative honours with Tonga. Few will forget the spectacle of this year’s clash between Tonga and Samoa, and Vave was in the thick of it. The battle was not for the faint of heart. It will be great to see Vave line up alongside our favourite firebrand, Manu Ma’u, in 2017.
Vave will add an extra dimension to the Eels pack.
The Statistics
Prior to the 2016 season, Vave famously shed 12 kgs after being told by new coach Trent Barrett to either get fit or get out. At 6ft 2 and 117 kgs his frame posed a challenge for defences to wrap up throughout the season and attracted the attention of rival clubs, including the Eels.
His 2016 statistics were as follows:
* 16.91 tackles per game
* 10.83 hit ups per game
* 104.26 run metres per game
Considering his role as a bench player limits his game time, an average exceeding 100 run metres per game is exceptional, especially in a team which did not win enough games to qualify for finals football.
Strengths
Undoubtedly Brad Arthur was looking for a middle forward capable of bending the line, especially after losing Junior Paulo to the Raiders. Vave stands taller than Paulo and is not quite as broad, but much like the ex-Eel he has the ability to get the defence back pedalling. Dominance in the ruck is essential for any premiership tilt and adding the aggression of Vave and Brown will address that area for Parramatta.
The development of Vave’s passing game has been an interesting aspect from the 2016 season. Manly’s pack had an inconsistent season but the big bloke demonstrated his offloading skills in a number of key moments. Throw in a step as he hit the defensive line and you have a player ready to take his game to the next level. It’s the ideal time for him to join the Eels. Certainly Manly weren’t happy about losing his services.
As mentioned earlier, Vave also brings some big match experience to the Eels. Unlike a number of the Eels forwards, he has played in an NRL Preliminary Final and has played in the World Club Challenge during his time with the Storm. For an Eels club that has not played in a final series in seven years, having players that have been on the big stage is vital.
Vave during his time with the Storm.
What To Expect In 2017
Although his size makes him a difficult proposition to tackle, I’m expecting Vave to trim down prior to next season. Going out on a limb, I’d predict a playing weight of around 110 kg by round 1. With enhanced fitness levels we could also see greater game time from him.
Having witnessed the work that goes into the ball skills of all Eels players, fans should witness a prop capable of initiating second phase play in the middle third of the field. Parramatta players are trained to be able to play what’s in front of them. The forwards specifically work on offloading both before the line and in the tackle. I’m certainly looking forward to how Vave’s passing game improves under Arthur’s coaching. I’m also certain that Joey Grima will be imparting some of his expertise during the skills sessions.
Interestingly, although Vave racked up impressive running metres in 2016, he did so without breaking the line. Joining an Eels team boasting a stronger pack than the Manly line up of 2016, we will see that statistic change in 2017. I have no doubt that this will be one of his goals going forward.
A Final Word
The recruitment of Vave couldn’t come at a better time, for both the forward and the Eels. The powerhouse prop is ready to take his game to the next level and the Eels are primed to lay a finals assault for the first time since 2009. Look out opposition packs!
Update – February 2017. Siosaia is looking in fantastic shape. His rehab, following a shoulder operation in 2016, is progressing really well. Whether or not he’s ready for round 1 remains to be seen, but based on his current conditioning, we are going to witness a fit and fiery front rower with a point to prove.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Nice work Sixties
Thanks Vince.
Great stuff! Looking forward to a few more of these write ups.
In Ba we trust!
We’ll keep them coming mate.
Good report as usual 60’s.
Since the rumour mills got going I made an effort to try and watch as many manly games as I could on the box, but interestingly before the rumours had come about the eels move, I had wondered about who the big bloke was when he came on as a replacement, one thing that was obvious was that he really ran hard and also tackled hard.
I really look forward to seeing him next year especially as you say if he can get down a bit in weight he should have more mobility and hopefully power, yet at 6’2″ tall, he can take a higher weight than the 110Kg you suggest,
Perhaps his weight may stay similar but in different proportions. Either way, I think he will be a fitter player in 2017.
It’s been mentioned that Vave dropped his weight significantly for the 2016 season and is the main reason that he had such a good year?
I am sure that he realises the difference carrying quite a few less kgs made to his performance and he will keep his weight at around the mark you have suggested, sixties?
The best thing about his signing is that the Manly faithful were indeed livid that he was leaving. I heard a couple of silvertail supporters ringing in on radio sports shows wanting to know why they had let go one of their most destructive forwards!
You’ve got to love that!
Dedication to improved fitness helped O’Brien to play NRL this year. The difference in his body shape was incredible. Even if Vave carries similar weight, I reckon his body shape will change.
Yes.
This bloke could be everything Fifita is but without the appendage on his forehead, like Fifita has!
Roll on the 2017 season and go you eels! I will enjoy watching our new recruits efforts next year. Only 4-5 months of biased ch 9 cricket commentary to get through 😉
Interesting comparison Grunta. Yeah, everyone could appreciate a Fifita without the baggage.
This is a great read sixties. This type of article is the reason I used to buy newspapers. We find out about what he brings as a footballer without any gossip. A proper football article that is as rare as hens teeth these days. Great stuff
Thanks PT. We have aimed to focus on the footy (though we had some distractions at the club this year). Appreciate your kind words.
Sixties another enjoyable read, much better than anything of the so called journalists efforts.
I believe yours and the others involved with TCT efforts will increase membership as supporters reading these articles. The supporters are getting a better understanding of what this club is capable of achieving when we have people who are loyal to the Eels.
Thank you for TCT efforts..
What a compliment anonymous! We’re just fans, the same as all of our readers. Nonetheless we are proud of the regard that we are held in by the Parramatta club and indeed by the Journos who read our site. We aim to be bigger and better next year. Spread the word!
Yeah I’m excited about this guy.
There’s going to be some great competition for places in the team.
Yeah I reckon both Parra and Wenty will be strong in the middle.
Great read Sixties. It’s good to get a proper run down of a players history.
I’ve noticed “other” websites have player profiles that are limited to height, weight and the names of former clubs but not much more.
I’m not sure if I should be feeling contempt for others at how little effort has gone into their (paid/money generating) sites or in awe of how much the TCT team put in gratis
Cheers mate. Our mindset when we started the site has always been, “what would the fans like to read on an Eels site?” As massive fans ourselves, that’s not such a tough question to consider. We’ve got some posts coming up from our contributing authors. They should prove to be great reads.
60’s
Would love to see TCT have a couple of more direct access elements to it if, there is some way to control a continual input/reply aspect to it also another area in regard to the player profiles.
Firstly, the access. I know you fella’s have jobs and other areas of your lives as well as doing an excellent job with all the posts that you all do however, I would like to see a primary web page set up where the reports can be listed under a topic listing, once read and the reader would like to respond, rather than go through the subscribe to the particular post, the reader can post a reply in a simpler form.
While I am no great fan of the site ROAR, they have a format where you join the group and get new reports by email, which is fine and best for a large open all team/sports concept, one that we have in TCT could be accessed as required by those who subscribe to the site and receive notifications of new posts as it is now, or simply by a daily check of the site.
One thing I also love about this site is that those who are subscribers do not get into the funny stuff that we find on 1eeyed, which at times goes a bit far but, this site provides a much welcome sense type Eels page and interaction from those who follow, would be good to see that continue as well as somehow expanded without ending up with the havoc, but good luck on that one.
The next one is in regards to players. I have looked over quite a few other NRL club web pages and seems that they have all got a primary web design and likely has to have and use a standard NRL type home page that includes news, as well as player profiles. However its in the player profile where I notice a big difference between the clubs.
Some are identical to the eels in that they have around 35 or more players shown, likely includes the top 25 plus 2nd tier, along sometimes with those who are trialing with Wentworthville. Others just have 25 profiles, easy to see who they are. but nothing I could find of those on 2nd tier. The last difference is on the player profile, some give scant or basic details such as found on the eels page, while others have a listing of general interests and the like of the individual player, some like the eels have some short interview video interview with some of the players, which is also good. There is also a seperate profile page that takes in the NYC and same can be found for those players as with the eels.
I would sincerely love to see TCT put up their own player profile page that provides something a bit above the basics as found on the eels site. but have it listed in a top 25, 2nd tier, Wentworthville and then NYC player page, along with the Junior comps and players as well. Each player could have a link attached that takes the member to further information on the player, such as this one on Vave.
Would also love to see something in regard to the coaching and player support staff as well.
There certainly would be a need that those who can source the additional information should be members who sign up as members and even if it meant they are monitored in regard to behaviour as well as the “other” information about the players and staff etc cannot do a C&P of information off the page.
On another note, on Sundays SMH Phil Gould wrote about next years NYC comp is the last one before the new wiz bang whatever comes into play, to me it will mark a sad day for some areas of juniour development, only put this in as I have suggested there be a NYC profile page.
As always Colin, thanks for your in-depth reply. Forty is our site commandant, so I’ll leave him to answer what is and isn’t possible with TCT. Remembering that we aren’t aiming to compete with forum type sites and with this being a passionate hobby, there will always be some limitations.
In response to the top 25, that is never easy. It can be quite fluent as it incorporates the 25 highest paid players and that can change during a season.
We are still waiting to hear what the format of the NYC replacement grade will be. Hopefully we’ll find out soon.
Hi teach how ya going? Another great read, keep up the good work. I hope it will not be to long before we catch up. Reading about the new to our club personal on this site is like watching the young players in the junior reps, you get a feel about what to expect when they take the field in first grade. Thanks fellows.
Still plodding along “Borgie”. I’ve caught up with our mate Fieldsy lately. He’s been quite busy with junior rep trials and doing a great job ensuring that we continue to improve our playing stocks.
Good read and this fellow is my tip for a big year. I think he could be our best signing, and his size and running is important. Good read sixties.
Just on the trials you mentioned, would Bevans brothers be coming down ? I assume at least one may, and I utht I read the other will stay up at home….?
Cheers again for the quality read.
Not sure mate. I’ll check with Fieldsy next time I speak to him.
I look forward to watching Vave next year. If he puts his head down and works hard he could improve under Arthur like others in the squad have done so well. From memory he had 22 offloads for Manly in 2016. If he can control that and not make the errors, he could be anything.
Good read love your work Sixties and the rest of TCT.
I reckon he will thrive under BA. And thanks for the kind words John.