Austin

[Tiger05]

At least Austin provides some spark in attack ,our whole attack has become so one out it is predictable ,where as the Storm had players in motion and decoy runners supporting their ball carriers all game worrying our defence.

The thing is though I think Austin contributes to our dud attack. He takes the wrong option too many times. He can create a play and he can set someone up. The problem is that at the same time he has a lot of mistakes or poor options in him.

Moses has the best passing game in the squad and he is solid with flair as well.

I like Austin as a player. I think he does a lot of good stuff out there. I just don't think we are a club who can pick a player who is inconsistent and takes the wrong options at times at 6. Compared to Anasta he is great but he still isn't the right player for our needs at 6.

Initially I thought play him at 13 however now I think we need a 3rd prop like Blair & Sue in that role. Maybe he can slot into one centre position or he can come off the bench and give us some spark.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

I like Austin and have been pleasantly surprised by him his year.
But I dont know if he will ever hold down a first grade five eight spot.
Talented but not good enough for long term spine position or top 17 position.
Great top 25 player though.

His destiny is journeyman.

 

[benched tiger]

Thinking long term he may be a good choice for the hooker role once Farah quits if no one else surfaces.

 

[madunit]

The problem with Austin as I see it, is that there isn't one position he belongs to. He doesn't have a good enough kicking game or decision making skills to be a half, he doesn't have the defensive ability to be a hooker, lock or centre.

 

[Matchball]

The more I think about it the more I realise we have another Tim Moltzen type player again.
Except with a heart of course.

 

[madunit]

I'd say he's our second coming of Tom Humble instead of Moltzen.

Humble and Austin are capable at every position they are put in, without being brilliant.

Moltzen has been more woeful than capable in nearly every position he's played at.

 

[TheFrog]

A fill in player at best, and easy to see why Penrith let him go.

We'll take him back if you don't want him. Like Wade Graham, a player who should not have been let go.

I doubt Gould and Cleary rated him poorly, it was just that we seemed to be pretty well served for back-up halves. Not well enough as it has turned out.

 

[chrisD]

True. Ivan Cleary and Phil Gould must be terrible judges in that case...

For some perspective, both Austin and Moylan were told to look for other clubs at the same time, injury forced Moylan into FG.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

We'll take him back if you don't want him. Like Wade Graham, a player who should not have been let go.

I doubt Gould and Cleary rated him poorly, it was just that we seemed to be pretty well served for back-up halves. Not well enough as it has turned out.

Back-up is exactly right. He's a back-up half.

 

[Tiger05]

http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2014/08/06/press_conference_blake_austin.html

He speaks really well and I like the guy a lot however I still feel that we need to find a role for him outside of the halves.

 

[Fordy20]

At least Austin provides some spark in attack ,our whole attack has become so one out it is predictable ,where as the Storm had players in motion and decoy runners supporting their ball carriers all game worrying our defence.

This. Half the time it looks like Austin is the only one out there trying. If you were in his position, you'd probably run it yourself as much as he does, given how much ball we drop and the lack of pace in our outside backs.

It seems lots of people have their hearts set on a Brooks/Moses halves combination and are unfairly judging Austin because of it. I reckon the bloke has served his time and deserves a decent crack at playing where he wants to play. Later on next year he'll have a decision to make about his future and I wouldn't be surprised if another club snapped him up.

 

[Leaguelegend20]

Blake Austin is a great player. He would make first-grade at the majority of the clubs in the NRL. I was very critical of his defense early on, particularly in the Auckland 9's (which I will be attending this year on January 31-February 1). However, he has improved in this field throughout the season. He would be my five-eighth going into the future, with Moses at Fullback & Tedesco in the Centres or at the Raiders. Interesting times this. It's a shame this season has gone kapoot, I was really starting to enjoy the way our youngens were coming into their own. Ah well.

 

[Tiger05]

It seems lots of people have their hearts set on a Brooks/Moses halves combination and are unfairly judging Austin because of it.

I don't see this as the case however if you look at Moses game its just more solid than Austin is. His passing game is more controlled and he seems to be in the right spot and take the right option more than Austin does.

In saying that I really like Austin. He does a lot of things really well and he has impressed me this season.

 

[madunit]

Blake Austin is a great player. He would make first-grade at the majority of the clubs in the NRL. I was very critical of his defense early on, particularly in the Auckland 9's (which I will be attending this year on January 31-February 1). However, he has improved in this field throughout the season. He would be my five-eighth going into the future, with Moses at Fullback & Tedesco in the Centres or at the Raiders. Interesting times this. It's a shame this season has gone kapoot, I was really starting to enjoy the way our youngens were coming into their own. Ah well.

You have a time machine?

 

[Front-Rower]

Sorry but he is a bench player at best. His best games where when he was injected in at hooker off the bench when Robbie was injured or playing origin.

In saying that I love his energy and the way he likes to get involved.

 

[BalmainBoy_1969]

You boys expect alot from a young guy playing in a team ravaged by injury and loaded up with youth and players playing out of position around him. Give him a shot at 6 in a close to full strength side before judging him too harshly.

 

[Fordy20]

I don't see this as the case however if you look at Moses game its just more solid than Austin is. His passing game is more controlled and he seems to be in the right spot and take the right option more than Austin does.

In saying that I really like Austin. He does a lot of things really well and he has impressed me this season.

The reason why it appears that way is because as a fullback, Moses has the luxury of choosing when he comes into the line.

 

[Vic Mackey]

He has a very good show and go, decent footwork and a good short ball. Average kicking game and doesn't seem to be able to throw a cut out...in fact the only guy I've seen throw a cut out all year is anasta.

I remember him playing a nsw cup game at center for penrith against balmain and scoring 4 tries. When tedescos back he might be better off at center. For now though he is our best option at 6.

 

[Tiger05]

The reason why it appears that way is because as a fullback, Moses has the luxury of choosing when he comes into the line.

I don't think that this is correct. Moses just looks more controlled.

I like Austin I just think Moses looks a better prospect especially in the halves however I do think Austin can slot into the team somewhere.

 

[madunit]

He has a very good show and go, decent footwork and a good short ball. Average kicking game and doesn't seem to be able to throw a cut out...in fact the only guy I've seen throw a cut out all year is anasta.

I remember him playing a nsw cup game at center for penrith against balmain and scoring 4 tries. When tedescos back he might be better off at center. For now though he is our best option at 6.

Anasta's flat passing game has always been stellar. When backlines went from playing flat to deep, the use of fast & flat cut-out passes died