By Paul Daffey
GREATER Western Sydney list manager Stephen Silvagni has defended Israel Folau against the most recent call that he should quit the AFL and return to rugby league.
Commentator Cameron Mooney, the Geelong premiership star, said on SEN at the weekend that the Giants' experiment with Folau has failed.
Folau has played 12 games and kicked one goal in his debut season.
During the Giant's 25-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday, he had three disposals and three hit-outs. He took no marks and had no tackles.
Silvagni said on SEN's Morning Glory that critics of the 23-year-old are jumping the gun.
"He's a player who's in his first year as an AFL player," Silvagni said.
"We've got to give him time to develop.
"If you have a look at a lot of talls at other clubs, they really only start to play reasonable football in their third year.
"I think we've got to cut him slack a little bit."
Silvagni admitted that Folau has areas of his game to work on.
"We're seeing some really positive aspects but he's got a long way to go, as do a number of kids," he said.
"Daniel Talia — pick No.13 for the Crows in 2009 — didn’t play a game in his first year.
"In his second year he played nine games and averaged 12 possessions.
"He's played 20 games this season and averaged eight possessions a game.
"We're in a position where we can give [Folau] time.
"And we've all seen what he can do when he's on song. Some of the marks he takes, some of his tackles …
"We're going to back him in, and Izzy's determined to make it himself."
