Match Discussion: Round 22 vs Canterbury @ CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

[Nutz]

It's past time that Douehi received the respect he's due as a legitimate talent...for whatever reason or reasons he's been pigeon-holed as a useful utility which he's proven over and over to be utterly ridiculous. Arguments that he's underperformed over his time at WT are from some other alternate RL reality...he's spent the large proportion of that time recuperating from 3 fkn knee reconstructions! This has been his only un-torpedoed season he's had since coming back from south's. I've said it before and i'll double down on saying he's a uniquely calm and intelligent player...when others around him are losing their heads he keeps his...that ""effective"" composure is something we can't have enough of. Among the current and former rep players from both sides today he stood tall...Richo and Benji need to offer him a deal worthy of his efforts and CONTRIBUTION! He's coming into his best and is only 26 FOR FKS SAKE!!!!
Great win....best work by the coaching staff all season!

Well said mate.
I've said all last year that I bet Benji goes with AD. There's a bit of respect between the two and that so called dust up was way off kilter imo. Just mates blowing off steam.
All I ask for now is for Benji to try and cement a regular 17.
Changing halves is not good except in a rebuild to ascertain who we run with. Newcastle blew their season because of this and other teams who are starting to get it together is because they have their halves sorted, ie Panthers Cleary and Talagi. Young Talagi was way off at the start.
We saw the benefit of having good reserves in Nado today. I thought he was great considering his lack of recent NRL games. He's worth another year at a bargain price...is he signed already?
Das, what do you think is a fair contract for AD. After his showcase performance today, I don't think even 600k will even cut it.
I'm thinking 2 years with options at 650k if fair.
Thoughts?

 

[Nutz]

Benji deserves massive credit for this win. We've been getting belted in the forwards and he moved AD to the halves and Sione into the middle forward rotation. We then got some great go forward.

To'a looks to have been playing busted and he played Naden. Naden was huge out there as well. He can play. He just makes stupid errors but this time he played smart.

Twal was huge for us as well.

Feels great hey mate. Are there any more brothers out there that we can sign. Another May could be on his way to us.

 

[Tigerm]

Presser: NRL Round 22 vs Bulldogs | Wests Tigers

Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall chat to the media after their Round 22 clash with the Bulldogs

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Nutz]

He speaks so well for a raw coach.
I wish he stays long term because whilst some criticism has been warranted he has upside and will improve. You can't buy coaching experience but I think he can navigate around this, like on today's effort.

 

[Leigh Howlett]

Pretty chuffed with the result.....

 

[Tigerm]

Nearly 10/10 from AD. Well done big fella. As was said earlier, this game was likely a dress rehearsal for him getting a better contract...I think he achieved this, well done big fella.
After today, with this slim chance of making the play-offs, the team may be unchanged after our bye...pending on judiciary I guess.

I think he will stay, he'll know better than us what's happening here, we are finally on the up, he'll want to be part of that, as he is a club junior.
I don't know what he's worth, Benji said in the presser that they have given him an offer, and he has said in the past that he thought his value was $900k, so I think there will be a bit negotiating to be done, especially now he has that grub as his manager.

 

[Nutz]

I think he will stay, he'll know better than us what's happening here, we are finally on the up, he'll want to be part of that, as he is a club junior.
I don't know what he's worth, Benji said in the presser that they have given him an offer, and he has said in the past that he thought his value was $900k, so I think there will be a bit negotiating to be done, especially now he has that grub as his manager.

Agree. He has athleticism and a big body and usually a reliable GK.
My only fear is getting a balanced squad.
I feel we are disjointed. We seem to buy a lot of inside backs. If May is injured next year it will mean the year is gonesky.
We need a hard working better version of Hunt, as he's useless atm. This game today had a Hunt style of player written all over it, but alas, NO.
If Benji just settles on KPP next year that might indicate he's looking at a lighter squad where most of the team can play 80min and the middle are the Pole type.
I prefer a balanced side of all attributes.

 

[Tigerm]

Agree. He has athleticism and a big body and usually a reliable GK.
My only fear is getting a balanced squad.
I feel we are disjointed. We seem to buy a lot of inside backs. If May is out for the season it will mean next year is gonesky.
We need a hard working better version of Hunt, as he's useless atm. This game today had a Hunt style of player written all over it, but alas, NO.
If Benji just settles on KPP next year that might indicate he's looking at a lighter squad where most of the team can play 80min and the middle are the Pole type.
I prefer a balanced side of all attributes.

Did I miss something?
"If May is out for the season, it will mean next year is gone"?
What's happened.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

What a great week, James Pooper getting the sack, and then beating the Belmore Galvins.

 

[WA Tiger]

What a great catch by bulla to haul in AD’s pass for the try..Two handed too.. that was miles forward too…so good

 

[Front-rower2]

If we can keep up that intensity there is no reason why we can't win 3 of our last 4 games. I know it's a big stretch and the inconsistencies shown through the year probably say this doesn't happen. Though what a massive launching pad into next year it would be. Can be very reminiscent of the end of 2009 leading into 2010 and 2011.

 

[Nutz]

Did I miss something?
"If May is out for the season, it will mean next year is gone"?
What's happened.

No no mate I just edited it to be a bit clearer. I was saying if May is injured next year then our season is over, well in danger at least. We need a big strong hard working middle.

 

[WA Tiger]

I’m a Luai fan again.. how about that slick pass to fainu for the try.. fainu shot out like a bullet to get the try.. forward pass too ..so good
And the fast along the ground kick from Luai that somehow stopped in time for a drop out coz it was so wet .. clever

 

[AKA Das Hassler]

Well said mate.
I've said all last year that I bet Benji goes with AD. There's a bit of respect between the two and that so called dust up was way off kilter imo. Just mates blowing off steam.
All I ask for now is for Benji to try and cement a regular 17.
Changing halves is not good except in a rebuild to ascertain who we run with. Newcastle blew their season because of this and other teams who are starting to get it together is because they have their halves sorted, ie Panthers Cleary and Talagi. Young Talagi was way off at the start.
We saw the benefit of having good reserves in Nado today. I thought he was great considering his lack of recent NRL games. He's worth another year at a bargain price...is he signed already?
Das, what do you think is a fair contract for AD. After his showcase performance today, I don't think even 600k will even cut it.
I'm thinking 2 years with options at 650k if fair.
Thoughts?

I think moving AD to 7 today was crucial as the atrocious conditions were going to separate the men from the boys so far as game management / decision making was concerned. We absolutely needed that steady hand there. Freed Luai to play eyes up a bit as well. Maybe in the dry Latu's back there but today's conditions were not for him figuring things out. Ironically the player the dogs most missed in today's conditions was Toby Sexton. As for AD's contract value I'd go along with your guess...I can only compare his value to us with what we pay Sullivan ( if he was playing for us)...Hunt? . I'd be offering him between 6-700 for 3 years and letting him know it's because we believe in him...I really think he'd repay the faith ( any further knee injuries permiting)

 

[Nutz]

AD has a powerful kick. He was actually better that Burton. Usually you play the smaller half in the wet to scoot around the big men but that usually happens late in the second half. So it was good coaching if you look at it that way.
I agree with you on the need for experience today and if I knew we were a mathematical chance of making the 8 I would have said whoever trains well during the week gets the nod.
Benji said AD trained really well and was motivated, so it was a no brainer in the end. He was contract motivated too.
Can't wait for next week because I think we'll win that one too ha ha

 

[WA Tiger]

I think moving AD to 7 today was crucial as the atrocious conditions were going to separate the men from the boys so far as game management / decision making was concerned. We absolutely needed that steady hand there. Freed Luai to play eyes up a bit as well. Maybe in the dry Latu's back there but today's conditions were not for him figuring things out. Ironically the player the dogs most missed in today's conditions was Toby Sexton. As for AD's contract value I'd go along with your guess...I can only compare his value to us with what we pay Sullivan ( if he was playing for us)...Hunt? . I'd be offering him between 6-700 for 3 years and letting him know it's because we believe in him...I really think he'd repay the faith ( any further knee injuries permiting)

I think we are hamstrung with cap restrictions untill start of 27 when Sullivan’s $ is freed up etc I think for AD maybe $450 on a good day and a higher figure from ‘27 .. locked in on this contract

 

[Tigerm]

AD has a powerful kick. He was actually better that Burton. Usually you play the smaller half in the wet to scoot around the big men but that usually happens late in the second half. So it was good coaching if you look at it that way.
I agree with you on the need for experience today and if I knew we were a mathematical chance of making the 8 I would have said whoever trains well during the week gets the nod.
Benji said AD trained really well and was motivated, so it was a no brainer in the end. He was contract motivated too.
Can't wait for next week because I think we'll win that one too ha ha

We are a mathematical chance, though it is very very slim. And obviously depends on other teams completely falling over, but it's there.
Probably more 9th than 8th. And 9th would be fabulous after the last 3 years.

Dolphins currently 8th on 26pts had 3 byes play the rorters next week.
Rorters currently 9th on 24 had 3 byes play dolphins next week
Eagles currently 10th on 24 had 3 byes play Raiders next week
Drags currently 11th on 20 had 3 byes play Sharks next week
WT currently 12th on 20 have the bye next week

Our run home is:
Bye
Eagles
Cows
Raiders
Tits

 

[Nutz]

We are a mathematical chance, though it is very very slim. And obviously depends on other teams completely falling over, but it's there.
Probably more 9th than 8th. And 9th would be fabulous after the last 3 years.

Dolphins currently 8th on 26pts had 3 byes play the rorters next week.
Rorters currently 9th on 24 had 3 byes play dolphins next week
Eagles currently 10th on 24 had 3 byes play Raiders next week
Drags currently 11th on 20 had 3 byes play Sharks next week
WT currently 12th on 20 have the bye next week

Our run home is:
Bye
Eagles
Cows
Raiders
Tits

All those games are winable based on today's performances.

 

[The Rosco]

Just imagine, if you will . . .. the amount of lathering that the media would have given to Galvin, Ciraldo, Gould, the bloke who cleans the dunnies at Belmore station, and all of the doggies bro fans . . . . if they would have won.
It would have been vomit inducing, and we would have been forced to watch it for days on end.
Now the phrase " eat a dick" is honestly childish and beneath me as a 60+ yr old bloke.
But, eat a big fat one, all you doggies people.

 

[Nutz]

I was a massive fan but he has been inconsistent and defensively extremely poor at times. I've written him off this season and probably last season due to him not getting the job done way too many times.

He has been massive this year and that was his best game ever. He was also showing all the traits of a leader out there.

Just a great performance.

Man of the match for sure. To put the game into perspective he didn't play a classic ½ back's style of game. He actually did a lot of short passing and very much like a lock.
Often being close to the action he was very much an opportunist.
His goal kicking gameevery good. Kicks a lot further that anyone else on 5th tackle.
I'd like this to happen.
1. Get another bookend middle.
2. AD to play lock
3. Eventually settle on Latu and Luai as our halves
4. Bula at the back.
Tura and Skelton on the wings.
As far as reserves go, I'd like to have them to be position preferred. Eg. Naden, a clasic centre, played great today.
This gives us more strike all over the paddock, just like today. AD can also cover every backline position, something that is very valuable in the game these days.