Big League Preview

[madunit]

Many things to come from it, none really bring much hope though.

Firstly, the strongest line-up:
1 - Shannon McDonnell
2 - Taniela Tuiaki
3 - Dean Collis
4 - Chris Lawrence
5 - Peni Tagive
6 - John Morris
7 - Benji Marshall
13 - Dene Halatau
12 - Chris Heighington
11 - Gareth Ellis
10 - Todd Payten
9 - Robbie Farah (c)
8 - Bryce Gibbs

14 - Keith Galloway
15 - Liam Fulton
16 - Daine Laurie
17 - Danny Galea

Next, the squad. Now Liam Fulton is still included in this squad of 24, which has just 4 debutants for the club. Blake Ayshford, Wayde Dunley, Gareth Ellis and Blake Lazarus.

Arrivals: Gareth Ellis (Leeds), Josh Lewis (Titans), Liam Roach (Bulldogs)

Losses: Brett Hodgson (Huddersfield), Ben Te'o (Brisbane), Ryan O'Hara (Celtic), Stuart Flanagan, Bronson Harrison (Canberra), Tevita Metuisela (Rugby Union), Matthew Head (Dragons), Luke Harlen (Manly), Ryan Tandy (released).

Now the article. Here are some key lines/phrases:

"Just how long can a club dine out on a premiership?"

"The Tigers are unashamedly threatening to clean house if performances aren't lifted and they have ensured there is plenty of size in the youth they are bringing through the ranks to increase their defensive strength to compliment their attacking prowess."

"We have been fairly transparent in our objectives as far as recruitment goes," coach Tim Sheens says.

"There are a number of players coming off contract so we have room to move over the next 18 months but if we win eight out of 10 to start, then you're not so worried, are you?"

"There are players that can offer a hell of a lot more to this football team and need to really step up this year. A 23-year-old player in the system for 5 years with around 100 games has no excuses anymore," Sheens says.

"You can't say he's young or inexperienced anymore. There are a couple in the bracket and it's now or never."

There is also a feature on Gareth Ellis, which also mentions that he is a capable utility capable of filling in at centre, five-eighth and the back row.

And finally, most of the tipsters they got to nominate the top 8 and wooden spooners, half of the tipsters tipped the Tigers to pick up the spoon.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Yep- read it with interest last night. I was interested to see no mention of WestsTigers perennial problem with halfback recruitment except that Benji Marshall's moved there. No analysis of our achilles heel.........

Also noted they said Marshall and Farah have to be on the field and sparking for 80% of total games for WT to have a chance- that is a big ask of Benji going on his past injury & recouperation periods.

Still no sign of the 25th player and no mention of Lazarus's supposedly season ending injury- with Fulton going (I'm assuming that is still going ahead) that means the squad is down in numbers- no analysis of that difficulty and what it means in terms of outside players perception of WT.

Ellis really seems to be getting a good rap with great things hoped from him. I suppose the funniest thing in the strongest lineup is seeing Gibbs in the starting side and Galloway on the bench. I'd have it the other way around- Gibbs deserves the backward step and Galloway the promotion. I'm hoping McDonnel was named fullback because Gallant is not named in the NRL squad.

At very best I can only see WT repeating the last 3 seasons of going nowhere but no wooden spoon- however, if the halfback experiment with Benji ends in tears or Farah injured- wooden spoon. We are very vulnerable in the halfback area and Sheens lack of respect for any other option apart from Benji will not engender any great desire by those capable of filling in............

 

[super_coach]

Looking at the rosters of all the clubs its hard to see us finishing much above the bottom. Our top 17 can mix it with most clubs but one injury or suspension and we are in big big trouble and of course it will happen. We are skinny in experienced back up players especially in the key postions. Also will Sheens take 3/4 of a season to react if plan A dosn't work like in seasons gone past. On a positive Ellis will make a big difference to the forwards and thats where we have been falling short over the past few years.

PS__no hogo

 

[brooksy19]

"There are players that can offer a hell of a lot more to this football team and need to really step up this year. A 23-year-old player in the system for 5 years with around 100 games has no excuses anymore," Sheens says.

This has to be in reference to

Collis
Gibbs
Halatau
Galloway
Galea
Payne

 

[Perth Tiger]

I don't know if i would include Galloway in that list. I thought he really stood up in a sh*thouse forward pack last year. If he has an injury free year i think he will have a great year

 

[Magpies Forever]

I don't know if i would include Galloway in that list. I thought he really stood up in a sh*thouse forward pack last year. If he has an injury free year i think he will have a great year

Fully agree- in a lack lustre season (08) he provided some hope and stood up where others did not.

 

[Marshall_magic]

I don't know if i would include Galloway in that list. I thought he really stood up in a sh*thouse forward pack last year. If he has an injury free year i think he will have a great year

Problem for Galloway is, whilst he is a solid starting prop, he's not good enough to be the leader of the pack for us. He'd be a great #2 prop for a side, but when he's #1 it says a lot about the front row strength. We need to sign a front rower to lead the pack and perform at a high level ie Origin/International or there abouts.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Unfortunately, finding a front rower of such quality for WT is a problem seeing as we want to pay them peanuts and sign them long after everyone else has picked over those whose contracts aree expiring................

 

[The Gambler]

Problem for Galloway is, whilst he is a solid starting prop, he's not good enough to be the leader of the pack for us. He'd be a great #2 prop for a side, but when he's #1 it says a lot about the front row strength. We need to sign a front rower to lead the pack and perform at a high level ie Origin/International or there abouts.

I think Galloway is capable of being the number #1 prop, what he needs is more time on the field. Last season he was lucky to get more than 40 minutes, now I don't know whether this is because he is not fit enough to play longer or whether this is how the Tigers interchange system works, but he needs to play closer to 60 minutes.

 

[westie]

Both Gibbs and Galloway have the ability - they just need confidence and experience to be leading props. It takes time. They are front-rowers.

 

[joel caine number 1 fan]

"There are players that can offer a hell of a lot more to this football team and need to really step up this year. A 23-year-old player in the system for 5 years with around 100 games has no excuses anymore," Sheens says.

This has to be in reference to

Collis
Gibbs
Halatau
Galloway
Galea
Payne

no needto have Galloway or Halatau in that list both went very well last year

 

[fulleightyminutes]

no needto have Galloway or Halatau in that list both went very well last year

Just going on the maths (05/06/07/08/09) Tim Sheens is talking to Collis and Gibbs (and Fulton). They already got rid of the other one, Harrison.

He's right too. They need to play well.

What worries me is our depth, and excpet for 05 we've never had any luck with injuries so depth will be an issue.

 

[westie]

Halatau? Seriously? What did he actually do that was good. He dropped the ball more than he caught it in the centres!

 

[matty-ducati]

Unfortunately, finding a front rower of such quality for WT is a problem seeing as we want to pay them peanuts and sign them long after everyone else has picked over those whose contracts aree expiring................

thats not out only problem 6/7 :crazy: