Chris Lawrence

[madunit]

metres per run is better now, he takes more hit ups now, line breaks are a bit lower now, tackle breaks are lower now, handling errors much worse, everything else is fairly similar.

Looking at raw figures alone I'd say
He used to be able to get outside his man which lead to more tackle breaks. He's in a transition phase now where he doesn't even bother trying to get around his man, rather he just tries to run over the top of him, which shows in more metres gained, and the heavy front on contact would also account for more handling errors.

He isn't using any step at all when approaching the line, hence the low number of line breaks, line break assists and try assists, he's just running straight. When he's been up against smaller centres, he's dominated them. Problem is, there's not many of those players around.

He is playing probably too straight, he needs to run angled lines and use his step at the line, as it should minimise the dropped ball in the initial contact and it may also allow him to get offloads away etc.

To me the stats are saying he's becoming a Fulton-type backrower and starving his winger of the ball.

 

[TYGA]

To me he is now a very average first grader at any position overpaid and because he is a good bloke everyone keeps supporting him. He is past it and entitled to all his money however, loyalist fans floating dumb ideas because of what he used to be is fanciful. Face it he is at best a bench player.

 

[Magpies Forever]

What do we do with Chris Lawrence in his last year of contract (2015 season)?

Should he stay at WT for next season (assuming no other club dangles an offer too good for him to refuse and WT amenable to his leaving early) where does he fit into plans?

Many posters here have opined that he looks to be in the start of a transition to the backrow having lost a large part of his agility probably from his hip injury in 2011. He certainly hasn’t regained his form as a centre compared to that prior to the injury.

1/ Do we shift him to the backrow and see how the goes there? WT certainly don’t have any strike backrowers. We have a few plodding, reasonable defenders but no real attacking backrowers. Could he fulfil that requirement and keep up the defensive requirement? If he makes a successful shift, do others think he would make a valuable player to offer a contract extension on reduced money to (as a forward, able to play centre if needed) after 2015?

2/ If Lawrence is not shifted to try out the backrow position does anyone see any continued future at WT after 2015 season? I don’t. I think we have potentially better centre options or can buy some. In 2015 if he wantsd to stay in the centres I think he will be spending a lot of time in the State Cup side as WT should blood others.

3/ As a long term player, does he offer a ability to provide leadership and train / mentor the younger ones? I have to say, I have not seen this displayed so far but others might know more.

I have nothing against the bloke and would love to see a long and successful career but I just cant figure out if his future is at WT anymore. What do others think?

 

[Old Time Tiger]

Just thinking out load :roll:
So he's signed for next year and unless Ricky doesn't come calling we may be stuck with him.

One player type we have really missed is the Garath Ellis wide running back rower type. Thompson has done OK and I at least don't think Siro should be that person so would Rowdy be OK? It does free up a centre spot and puts more pressure on the back rowers we have to perform in order to retain their position in the 17.

Looking at the player profiles it surprised me to see that both Lawrence and Ellis are the same height almost 187 & 189 cm the weight is different though.

Would it work? Thoughts?
Might be easier to teach him that type of role rather than the true back rower type.

 

[Matchball]

Only one more year and that nightmare will be over.
We are stuck with him. Backrow or bust.

 

[Tiger05]

Keep him in the centres. Try him at right centre and Austin at left centre.

 

[TYGA]

I would play him in NSW cup at prop.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Only one more year and that nightmare will be over.
We are stuck with him. Backrow or bust.

Doesn't he have 2 more years?

Blair only one.

 

[super_coach]

He has looked a little better with Moses playing inside him. Noticed against the Sharks he was running better lines mainly due to Moses passing game

 

[madunit]

Keep him in the centres. Try him at right centre and Austin at left centre.

And just drop our best centre at the club now in Simona?

Genius.

Austin's front on & one on one defence isn't good enough for a modern centre.

He is a genuine five eighth.

 

[Tiger05]

And just drop our best centre at the club now in Simona?

Genius.

Austin's front on & one on one defence isn't good enough for a modern centre.

He is a genuine five eighth.

Simona is first picked. Play him on the left wing. I think Austin is definitely worth having a punt on playing in the centres. I don't see his defence being a problem but if it is he will probably fix it. Moses has to be in the team as does Brooks.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

He has looked a little better with Moses playing inside him. Noticed against the Sharks he was running better lines mainly due to Moses passing game

He has, but I would still not play him at centre. This is also why I believe Austin should not be at #6 - for all the raving about him in recent weeks, he doesn't have a passing game. Our backs need service.

 

[madunit]

Simona outside moses, lawrence in the back row. Sironen at centre outside Brooks with Tedesco on his inside & Nofoaluma on his outside would be a dream but will never happen