Anasta at 7, is it possible...

[madunit]

That the decision to move Anasta to halfback wasn't a solution to current form of the team, or of Miller, but an attempt to get a dominant seniour voice in the halves to force Benji to change his style of play, so that Miller come back in and have an easier transition into organising the team?

Miller's first few weeks were tentative but not overly bad. However every week that passed Benji started starving Miller of more and more ball.

Even if tonight Moltzen is shifted to the halves, he has somewhat of a combination with Benji in the halves, and Benji generally plays wider, like he's supposed to, when Moltzen is at 7.

I think the Tigers problems of the last 18 months has been poor forwards more than anything, and f**king with the halves unnecessarily. Potter doesn't come across as an idiot, I think his decision to drop Miller may have been in Miller's best interests and the teams as well.

thoughts?

 

[phenisha]

that is what he said in todays nrl website article.

it is also obvious he see that he need to make changes piecemeal rather than all at once.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

I agree MU.

I recall seeing on the nightly news last Thursday I'm sure, I think it may have been 10's showing the Tigers training and it was Anasta who was doing all of the pointing and yelling.

As you said, a dominant senior voice.

Now, if I was Potter I'd fly Miller down south and have him sit in the box next to me so I could point out some things 1st hand.

 

[Magpies Forever]

That the decision to move Anasta to halfback wasn't a solution to current form of the team, or of Miller, but an attempt to get a dominant seniour voice in the halves to force Benji to change his style of play, so that Miller come back in and have an easier transition into organising the team?

Miller's first few weeks were tentative but not overly bad. However every week that passed Benji started starving Miller of more and more ball.

Even if tonight Moltzen is shifted to the halves, he has somewhat of a combination with Benji in the halves, and Benji generally plays wider, like he's supposed to, when Moltzen is at 7.

I think the Tigers problems of the last 18 months has been poor forwards more than anything, and f**king with the halves unnecessarily. Potter doesn't come across as an idiot, I think his decision to drop Miller may have been in Miller's best interests and the teams as well.

thoughts?

Agree, but teasing out your thoughts further- I think Benji has been as much a problem for WT as much as a winner for them.

I've begun to consider that for some time now. My thoughts are now something like this- the free ranging remit Sheens gave Benji has cruelled any structure in the halves pairing the team would field. One minute Benji could be calling the shots, then next quietly in the backline waiting to be fed the ball- in those instances what hope does any halfback have of settling in, getting a feel of the play and setting up plays?

I think Benji has to settle back into a more traditional role- he has to- its not as if his brilliant form of 2005 has gone on to better and brighter things in the intervening years (IMHO).

 

[Matchball]

Miller didn't assert himself. Prince did.
Benji tries to do too much since we lost Prince, who was our leader and steered us around, including Marshall.

Benji isn't a leader, even Kearney saw that and stripped his captaincy. I think he is on to something.
Maybe Anasta will assert to role and do what's asked. At least he will take on the line.

 

[macnaz]

Ive said it before and ill say it again. Benji was 2nd to Cronk for try assists in 2012 while playing for a bog average side . IF Benji was and is to sit back and let someone else share that duty i would ask WHO ? . If Benji didnt produce those stats then id hate to see how we would have gone in 2012 or how we will perform in 2013

 

[Matchball]

He does something great followed by something terrible.
You never know what Benji you'll get on any set. Its always a Lottery.

 

[Tigers Tale]

He does something great followed by something terrible.
You never know what Benji you'll get on any set. Its always a Lottery.

I don't think anyone is necessarily arguing that point Macnaz but I think Matchball sums it up well. If you look at stats on Benji his attack is generally our best and often he leads the comp in try assists but if you look at his errors or just dumb stupid plays I'd suggest he'd lead the way there too.

I know he handles the ball a lot but he is too prone to reckless or chancy plays....

 

[benched tiger]

Benji can create tries but gee he let a lot in last year not only through his bad defence but his errors applied continual pressure to our defence. As we know our pack hardly puts fear into the opposition which is a main part of our problems for any half or 5/8 to continually shine.

 

[Matchball]

Weird that anasta has the goal kicking.
Is that a sign of things to come?

 

[boonboon]

Benji was injured in the first 15 minutes that's why Anasta was kicking because played in pain for 70 minutes which was a huge effort -great game by everyone tonight including Benji

 

[Marshall_magic]

After that game tonight I don't mind Anasta at halfback, it allowed us to put a much more physically dominant pack on the field and he gets more involved than Miller.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Benji was injured in the first 15 minutes that's why Anasta was kicking because played in pain for 70 minutes which was a huge effort -great game by everyone tonight including Benji

Playing in pain or otherwise, I didn't notice any difference to last week. As for Anasta I was really pleased with his effort. His kicking style in ungainly but effective. He also showed a willingness to take the line on and in that respect he was better than miller. Playing Anasta in the halves is a damn lot more effective than playing him in the backdown.

 

[gUt]

He played not too badly against the best team in the comp. I don't think any fan of any team would nominate Anasta as a preferred halfback but if he plays at least as well as he did tonight he might provide real value.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Seriously, Round 14 and Pottsy is still persevering with Bwaith in the backrow?

He had as much penetration as Hugh Hefner a month after his last Viagra.

I was never a fan of the signing in the first place, but for Pottsy to keep picking him at 13 each week is now bordering on abuse!

 

[Mario chalmers]

Seriously, Round 14 and Pottsy is still persevering with Bwaith in the backrow?

He had as much penetration as Hugh Hefner a month after his last Viagra.

I was never a fan of the signing in the first place, but for Pottsy to keep picking him at 13 each week is now bordering on abuse!

It's one of royce's brilliant ideas. He was spruiking it on the Sunday footy show the other week. The idea is that he tightens up the defence in the middle playing lock.

There's no way we can carry Fulton, anasta and pettybourne as a starting back row. Far too small

 

[Billythekid]

After that game tonight I don't mind Anasta at halfback, it allowed us to put a much more physically dominant pack on the field and he gets more involved than Miller.

This is what i'm thinking. You can't expect to win a forward battle with Fulton and Anasta in the backrow especially with Blair in the props.

 

[magpie guy]

Is there anyone left though? With Blair playing prop (where he is forced to actually do some work) are there any other backrowers we have that are not injured or we are unable to play due to salary cap issues?

The few options I see are moving Siro to lock (though he has been going ok at 7) or moving Ayshford to lock/second row. Matt Bell returning soonish would be nice to have back in the 13 as well.

We just have players dropping like flies all over the place and nothing to replace them with considering we didn't have the strongest squad to begin with. Bell, Lawry and Robbie might be back in the next couple of games but that will leave us with something like.

1.Teddy
2.Nofo
3.Reddy
4.Lawry
5.Simona

6.Benji
7.Anasta

8.Woods
9.Farah
10.Blair
11.Ayshford
12.Fulton
13.Bell

14.BMM
15.Sue
16.Buchanan
17.Siro

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Is there anyone left though? With Blair playing prop (where he is forced to actually do some work) are there any other backrowers we have that are not injured or we are unable to play due to salary cap issues?

The few options I see are moving Siro to lock (though he has been going ok at 7) or moving Ayshford to lock/second row. Matt Bell returning soonish would be nice to have back in the 13 as well.

We just have players dropping like flies all over the place and nothing to replace them with considering we didn't have the strongest squad to begin with. Bell, Lawry and Robbie might be back in the next couple of games but that will leave us with something like.

1.Teddy
2.Nofo
3.Reddy
4.Lawry
5.Simona

6.Benji
7.Anasta

8.Woods
9.Farah
10.Blair
11.Ayshford
12.Fulton
13.Bell

14.BMM
15.Sue
16.Buchanan
17.Siro

Play Sue at 13.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Anyone naming Benji in the side is seriously kidding themselves.