An interesting observation.

Stagger eel · Dec 29, 2003

As Jess rightly pointed out the official website has listed profiles for 30 of the NRL players in our squad. Not inluded in this squad are three of our recruits Wise Kataverata, Craig Stapleton and Fui Fui Moi Moi. I assume those 3 players will be part of our part time squad not yet finalised untill after the trials.

Chosen ahead of those players mentioned above are 4 of our local juniors Chris Armit, Justin Tsoulos, Matt Gruzka and John Williams.

WHO SAYS WE DON'T GIVE OUR JUNIORS A FAIR GO?????...If these 4 blokes realise their full potential and beat other established first graders for regular spots in firstgrade our depth will be nothing short of orgasmic!!..to say the least.

Hurriflatch · Dec 30, 2003

your forgetting Chirs Thorman, although his may not be there as he isn't in the country.

Moi Moi may have the same problem.

but I'd agree with you on the rest even tho that deosn't mean thewy will make the top grade as Steve Witt for example had his profile up there for the last 2-3 years but didn't get a game

MR GEORGE · Dec 30, 2003

give the young guys a go.

Twizzle · Dec 30, 2003

Lets not get too excited.

Posting their profile on the official website doesn't mean they wont get they Steve Witt treatment.

AlexTheEel · Dec 30, 2003

Well if players play as inconsisent as Steve Witt did than they dont deserve to be in grade.

Stagger eel · Dec 30, 2003

Thats a good point you make Alex. I was [still am] a big Steve Witt fan but he did have a very inconsistant year on top of injuries which really disrupted his chances.

Redback71 · Dec 30, 2003

if i remember correctly the majority of our team were inconsistant last season so i dont know why S. witt could not get a run especially with the injurys in the position he could have filled.

Twizzle · Dec 30, 2003

Yeah...............he was always a better option at 5/8 than Wags.

One of Smithy's mysteries that I will never understand.

Freak · Dec 30, 2003

Steady on Twizzle
Wags has played 5/8 for his state!!

I know we didn't see the best of Wags last year, but I honestly believe the reason for that was because he was rushed back from injury after Hindy's round 1 injury.
IMO he carried his pre season wrist injury for most of the season.

If I could have any player in the comp defend for my life it would be Wags.
Expect a huge improvement in 2004 mark my words!!

For the record I agree he is out of his position at 5/8, but he can be very handy their playing up against a Barrett or Fiddler.

wittyz chick · Dec 30, 2003

Twizzle said:
Yeah...............he was always a better option at 5/8 than Wags.

One of Smithy's mysteries that I will never understand.

This was on the site a while ago and Smith said to S.Witt that no matter how bad parra played or how bad our injuries were he would never play first grade for parra while he was coach

bartman · Dec 30, 2003

Interesting that Wags has stated his position in the new profiles as Lock. Hopefully that means that he'll be kept out of the backs and be able to concentrate on doing what he can do well?

It's a long time since Wags would be considered in the running for a state backline. He used to be a winger too in his younger days, but I don't think we should play him there! However there has been a trend in international matches of late of playing any old goat at five-eighth...

Twizzle · Dec 30, 2003

Freak said:
Steady on Twizzle
Wags has played 5/8 for his state!!

I know we didn't see the best of Wags last year, but I honestly believe the reason for that was because he was rushed back from injury after Hindy's round 1 injury.
IMO he carried his pre season wrist injury for most of the season.

If I could have any player in the comp defend for my life it would be Wags.
Expect a huge improvement in 2004 mark my words!!

For the record I agree he is out of his position at 5/8, but he can be very handy their playing up against a Barrett or Fiddler.

He played 5/8 for the Banana Benders because Jason Smith was injured.

I've got no problems with him standing at 5/8 in defence.

But in attack, he don't pass the ball.

Any way, i hope your right, I hope he has a better 2004.

Maybe now that his wrist is better, Smithy can teach him to pass the ball.

bartman · Dec 30, 2003

He doesn't even offload in that new NRL computer game!! :lol:

I'm sure they built that feature in on purpose - when Wags gets the ball he goes to ground, or passes it over the sideline. Well he does when I'm playing it anyway....

Freak · Dec 30, 2003

Twizzle in all honesty I am a firm believer in the reason we did not use our backline as much as we should have last year falls directly on our halfback.
Unfortunately Witty struggled to pass left handed last year and a lot of the time went for the "Safety First" option rather than going left. Which isn't such a bad thing and more than likely directed from the coaching staff.

This in turn left the our best attacking weapon and best centre in the world not seeing enough ball.
Others may have different opinions which is fair enough, but I think Witty will have more confidence this year and we may see some more attacking football, especially down Killers side of the field. (WE ALL HOPE [-o< )

I still agree Wags is not the player to be putting people through holes unless its an offload!! If he could pass it could have been 20-0 after 20 minutes at Penrith park in R26 and you just never know!!!!! :shock:

IMO our best attack in 2003 was when Morris moved to 5/8. Webster deserved more credit than he got playing at Hooker last year. His quick ball service from the ruck was great which gave our forwards like Armit and Peek a little roll on which in turn gave Witty and Morris more time to do things in attack. I would have liked to have seen Morris stay there instead of Dykes. Anyway that is history now.

The Colonel · Dec 30, 2003

Actually you will find that the only time Lyon lined up for us on the left was against Gasnier (after the Test against NZ where he also played left centre). The quality ball of 2001 was definitely lacking however a 19 yr old kid should nt bear that responsibility. Once Morris was moved and we had good service out of dummy half from Dunley and Webster did we start to see an improvement. If anything the 14 tries Petersen scored on the LEFT wing showed where more of our attack was headed.

bartman · Dec 30, 2003

In some ways Freak, I agree with you. But I blame the forwards not going forwards, and Dykes and Wags at five eighth for the backline not being used.

The turn around in our attack only came when Morris went to five eighth, partnering Witt. Webster did what he was asked, which was quick service out of dummy half. I think the backline improved with Witt, and then again with Morris at five eighth. Though in Dykes final two games he did OK spreading the ball as well.

The rercuitment suggests the forwards will be "fixed up" for 2004, and hopefully it'll all flow from there.

Freak · Dec 30, 2003

Colonel Eel said:
Actually you will find that the only time Lyon lined up for us on the left was against Gasnier (after the Test against NZ where he also played left centre). The quality ball of 2001 was definitely lacking however a 19 yr old kid should nt bear that responsibility. Once Morris was moved and we had good service out of dummy half from Dunley and Webster did we start to see an improvement. If anything the 14 tries Petersen scored on the LEFT wing showed where more of our attack was headed.

Colonel I know where Lyon played. The side he played on (Right) you need to pass left handed too. Try it some time. I know it is my weaker side, and Petersen scoring plenty of tries only backs up my point. (EG Passing right handed to the left side)

The Colonel · Dec 30, 2003

So your actually talking about passing out to the right as opposed to left handed. And yes I have tried it and yes it can be difficult - even some of the greats have struggled in that area.

Twizzle · Dec 30, 2003

I don't believe that Witt cannot pass the ball in both directions.

He may be better on the right than on the left, but he can still pass it, otherwise he would not be playing first grade.

The gentleman to which we were referring previously, don't pass the ball in any direction.

Freak · Dec 30, 2003

Twizzle I agree.
It is all about confidence. I am sure from his first year in grade he will now have confidence to pass the ball both ways. Last year he did not.

An interesting observation.

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