I don't know how many experts on this board have actually played the game, let alone being graded.
The thing is, high end football teams are full of primadonnas and drama queens - reading their own press and believing their own bullsh*t.
In order to effectively function however, the team needs the quintissential "team man" - an individual of lesser talent who nonetheless is there week in and week out, playing with 100% commitment - which in turn gives the "stars" some breathing room.
The two team men at Wests are Chris Hieghington and John Morris.
These type of guys are imo what the game is really about.
Sure, Morris is no Daley - we all know that. But in the modern game the 5/8 is generally used as an extra lock (as started in the 90's with Peter Jackson at Norths). Unless you are using it as your playmaker like Lockyer at the Broncos, it's largely a defensive role.
Wests defence is at the best of times shambolic. It's not necessarily their fault. Sheens is an attacking coach. Period. And not really his fault either. Look at the team he had in the mid 90's - Stuart, Walters, Daley. Clyde, Mullins, Croker, Nagas, Nadruku et al. Possibly the best attacking club side of all time. Defence? Who needs stinking defence?
So in 2005, thanks to a coach who thinks (and thinks pretty well) nothing but attacking architecture and an extraordinary halfback in Scott Prince, you guys get the bisciuts (and well deserved - take another look at the St George match if in doubt).
But the loss of Prince has been a death nell. Can you imagine a club like Brisbane or St George letting him go?
But I digress. IMO Morris is worth the salary. A genuine footballer.
While Halatau arm tackles, Collis daydreams and Gibbs is just Gibbs, this guy puts in.
Like I said, if you've played the game at a decent level you'd know that.
Jason
The thing is, high end football teams are full of primadonnas and drama queens - reading their own press and believing their own bullsh*t.
In order to effectively function however, the team needs the quintissential "team man" - an individual of lesser talent who nonetheless is there week in and week out, playing with 100% commitment - which in turn gives the "stars" some breathing room.
The two team men at Wests are Chris Hieghington and John Morris.
These type of guys are imo what the game is really about.
Sure, Morris is no Daley - we all know that. But in the modern game the 5/8 is generally used as an extra lock (as started in the 90's with Peter Jackson at Norths). Unless you are using it as your playmaker like Lockyer at the Broncos, it's largely a defensive role.
Wests defence is at the best of times shambolic. It's not necessarily their fault. Sheens is an attacking coach. Period. And not really his fault either. Look at the team he had in the mid 90's - Stuart, Walters, Daley. Clyde, Mullins, Croker, Nagas, Nadruku et al. Possibly the best attacking club side of all time. Defence? Who needs stinking defence?
So in 2005, thanks to a coach who thinks (and thinks pretty well) nothing but attacking architecture and an extraordinary halfback in Scott Prince, you guys get the bisciuts (and well deserved - take another look at the St George match if in doubt).
But the loss of Prince has been a death nell. Can you imagine a club like Brisbane or St George letting him go?
But I digress. IMO Morris is worth the salary. A genuine footballer.
While Halatau arm tackles, Collis daydreams and Gibbs is just Gibbs, this guy puts in.
Like I said, if you've played the game at a decent level you'd know that.
Jason
