Andrew Webster

[SpaceMonkey]

Yep, I get that, but even his efforts at the Warriors are spotty, right? Some really good stuff... some less so... I'd prefer a future oriented approach, but Webster is mixed on that anyway, so the non-selection of TMM is weird. But rough season this year regardless imo

I think his efforts for us as a primary half have been plenty good.

 

[JJ]

To be fair, gameplan seems to have contributed to that

Agree, but can say that about pretty much everyone

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Yep, I get that, but even his efforts at the Warriors are spotty, right? Some really good stuff... some less so... I'd prefer a future oriented approach, but Webster is mixed on that anyway, so the non-selection of TMM is weird. But rough season this year regardless imo

Spotty, yes. But he's a natural organising 7, of which neither Metcalf or CHT are.

Let's be honest, we have nothing resembling top NRL quality halves. TMM isn't the answer, either. But to me, he's the best answer we have.

Geez, we really look like we have a bog average squad with a coach that hasn't figured it out yet. Round 1 and I'm already quite depressed about our prospects

 

[Meth]

Agree, but can say that about pretty much everyone

the gameplan works for some people in that it either suits them or it directs play their way. For example, last year we were climbing into TMM for essentially being anonymous, until we realised that it was Webster who was shackling him.

 

[JJ]

the gameplan works for some people in that it either suits them or it directs play their way. For example, last year we were climbing into TMM for essentially being anonymous, until we realised that it was Webster who was shackling him.

Yep, I agree the TMM should be in the team, but he’s a journeyman at best, we need a quality 7 everyone agrees on that. Re TMM being shackled I just see TMM’s career tbh, bouts of good, and lots of meh…. Not restricted to Webster’s coaching

Re gameplan, that seems to be the rationale for playing CNK at 1 ahead of RTS, which remains to me unbelievable. RTS remains easily the best fullback we have, and indeed we have (imo) three world class players atm, JFH, Barnett and RTS, and RTS on the wing for an effort guy or a younger promising player is just weird for me

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

As insipid a performance as that was, part of me hopes he doesn’t make changes.

I think most of us agree he doesn’t have a handle on a few things (in our opinions at least). But one thing he’s always had going for him is the strength of his convictions.

If he suddenly makes a bunch of changes after just one round, and a very unusual round at that, then the one redeeming factor he has is gone. And we’re left with both an inexperienced and indecisive coach.

If that’s the case, the year is fked. It may already be, but there’s a chance he’s seeing things we’re not and the players will get better at executing. But if Webster loses his nerve, he’ll lose the squad too and there’s no coming back from that while he’s still there.

I'm not saying he should remain as stubborn as he's always been for the rest of the season. But whatever plan he had for that game, a plan he presumably spent all preseason designing... if he doesn't have the resilience and belief to back it for at least the first 3-4 rounds, we've got bigger problems than just the roster.

 

[Izz]

Personally, I don't mind if he picks the same 17 for the next couple games. I just want him to use the bench effectively.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Sydney media starting to take notice

Dally M-winning coach ‘gambling with his own career’ as big calls loom — Crawls

Dally M-winning coach ‘gambling with his own career’ as big calls loom — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Meth]

Yep, I agree the TMM should be in the team, but he’s a journeyman at best, we need a quality 7 everyone agrees on that.

Definitely. Any combination of TMM, Metcalf and CHT is not premiership winning. TMM is arguably just the best we have. Not good enough

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Just listening to levels long post mortem of the game, Willie has seen enough that Metcalfe isn’t a 7 and TMM has to come in, Horo says they have no communication out there and Egan needs to step up in that regard

Interesting quotes from Webster that suggest to me there won’t be any change coming soon

“I have no doubt he will play some football at some stage. Te Maire is a world class player and we are very lucky in that sense, if he gets his opportunity I know we are a good chance at winning that week if he plays, that’s what other clubs don’t have”

 

[JJ]

“I have no doubt he will play some football at some stage. Te Maire is a world class player and we are very lucky in that sense, if he gets his opportunity I know we are a good chance at winning that week if he plays, that’s what other clubs don’t have”

Wow... yeah... nah.... is there a single part of that sentence that reflects reality?

 

[Rich102]

As insipid a performance as that was, part of me hopes he doesn’t make changes.

I think most of us agree he doesn’t have a handle on a few things (in our opinions at least). But one thing he’s always had going for him is the strength of his convictions.

If he suddenly makes a bunch of changes after just one round, and a very unusual round at that, then the one redeeming factor he has is gone. And we’re left with both an inexperienced and indecisive coach.

If that’s the case, the year is fked. It may already be, but there’s a chance he’s seeing things we’re not and the players will get better at executing. But if Webster loses his nerve, he’ll lose the squad too and there’s no coming back from that while he’s still there.

I'm not saying he should remain as stubborn as he's always been for the rest of the season. But whatever plan he had for that game, a plan he presumably spent all preseason designing... if he doesn't have the resilience and belief to back it for at least the first 3-4 rounds, we've got bigger problems than just the roster.

I think we saw from the team's performance during the game that things are seriously wrong - people playing in positions they are unsuitable for. He is granting jobs for the boys and those boys didn't respond. If the coach doesn't make changes, he is indicating he is satisfied with the effort - or at least accepts it. What does that say to the rest of the squad?
Of the team on show in Vegas about 3 or 4 looked to be of NRL quality - after a full off-season of training. And many of the others are still showing the same errors they had last year. I seriously doubt the current coaching staff's ability to improve standards.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Yep, I agree the TMM should be in the team, but he’s a journeyman at best, we need a quality 7 everyone agrees on that. Re TMM being shackled I just see TMM’s career tbh, bouts of good, and lots of meh…. Not restricted to Webster’s coaching

Re gameplan, that seems to be the rationale for playing CNK at 1 ahead of RTS, which remains to me unbelievable. RTS remains easily the best fullback we have, and indeed we have (imo) three world class players atm, JFH, Barnett and RTS, and RTS on the wing for an effort guy or a younger promising player is just weird for me

RTS produced 180m from the wing and was our best player, that’s probably the least of our worries now. CNK had an off game but he’s normally top shelf and doesn’t deserve to be shuffled based on one game.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

He is granting jobs for the boys and those boys didn't respond. If the coach doesn't make changes, he is indicating he is satisfied with the effort - or at least accepts it. What does that say to the rest of the squad?

I gotta disagree there.

My doubts about the coaching staff’s ability are only getting stronger too – but I don’t believe they’re so fundamentally incompetent as to be satisfied with that performance, or accepting of it.

It’s not unusual for coaches to put the onus on players after a bad loss by giving the same group another crack at turning things around. Could probably find half a dozen examples just in the last couple seasons.

And yea there's a risk some players could start thinking there's preferential treatment, but IMO that'll only manifest if Webster lets it drag on too long. I don't think that's an issue after just one game.

 

[Rich102]

It happened plenty last season too.

 

[Izz]

Personally, I don't mind if he picks the same 17 for the next couple games. I just want him to use the bench effectively.

Actually, this isn't entirely true. If Ford is a starting middle again, then our season's down the toilet.

 

[JJ]

RTS produced 180m from the wing and was our best player, that’s probably the least of our worries now. CNK had an off game but he’s normally top shelf and doesn’t deserve to be shuffled based on one game.

I guess when I think top shelf at fullback I’m thinking of people other than CNK, who’s no doubt a good player. But RTS seems in better league shape, and I think he’s by far the best fullback option we have. But agree 100%, we have 99 problems, and they ain’t one

 

[Blair]

When Webster says, 'Martin's a world class half' is he not really being off track? He's not saying he's the best half in the world but that he'd be in any (club) side in the world.

Another Martin, Martin Crowe, would've made any cricket side during his playing days (including the mighty West Indies - although it'd be a nightmare who to leave out). That's 'world class' in the best sense of the phrase. But Te Marie would make any club side, I reckon.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

He's not world class, but we are a fair chance of winning when he plays - that was proven against the Panthers, Cows and Dolphins last year in that run where he was nigh-on our best player on the field in all three.