Continue With Change

[R2Coupe]

The result last night only confirmed the need for change. Pleasing was the performances by our younger players. We have a core of prospects gaining experience at the back end of the season. The players we knew may fail did fail and the only question now is whether they continue to play in the NRL.

The performances of the younger players confirms that Potter is delivering the right message. Perhaps he only needs to send a firmer message to Anasta and co.

By the way, who was Doust having lunch with yesterday?:lol:

 

[Tiger05]

Watching that game and most of this season shows me why we had to get rid of Ayshford and keep Simona. Simona always looks dangerous whereas Ayshford has his moments but he isn't really going to trouble many defences,

 

[Mario chalmers]

Simona plays on the left side exclusively. He's not a direct replacement for Ayshford.

Lawrence could be on borrowed time unless he can find some pace.

Last night, Brandy said it looked like he had cement in his shoes when Stewart flew past him

 

[Mario chalmers]

The result last night only confirmed the need for change. Pleasing was the performances by our younger players. We have a core of prospects gaining experience at the back end of the season. The players we knew may fail did fail and the only question now is whether they continue to play in the NRL.

The performances of the younger players confirms that Potter is delivering the right message. Perhaps he only needs to send a firmer message to Anasta and co.

By the way, who was Doust having lunch with yesterday?:lol:

Sue in particular was great. Ava is a better player than Buchanan IMO
Galloway and Blair can hopefully lead the forwards next year

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Watching that game and most of this season shows me why we had to get rid of Ayshford and keep Simona. Simona always looks dangerous whereas Ayshford has his moments but he isn't really going to trouble many defences,

Completely agree, I don't know what the fuss is about Ayshford. He had one good year in 2011 but is otherwise a very, very average first grader. Not quick, hardly ever passes the ball, does not threaten in attack at all, and does not scare in defense. He won't be missed in the slightest.

 

[Mascot Tiger]

Sue in particular was great. Ava is a better player than Buchanan IMO
Galloway and Blair can hopefully lead the forwards next year

I think Buchanan could use some time in Reserve Grade. Always tough for an Under 20s prop to star right away.

 

[magpie guy]

I think Buchanan could use some time in Reserve Grade. Always tough for an Under 20s prop to star right away.

Buchanan isn't quite there yet. A season of state cup will do him good. Woods, Galloway, Blair, BMM and Ava all look the goods at prop. Especially impressed with Blair and BMM in tight lately. BMM could use some more minutes to get his fitness up and 500k/season is a bit much for a prop but Blair looks to be performing more consistently now. Really just need a gun second rower to round out the side. Makes you lament the loss of Ellis and Dwyer really.

 

[R2Coupe]

He has done really well considering he is young. No doubt he will be better for the experience and will be stronger next year.

 

[Tiger05]

I'm not sold on Buchanan. We have some forwards with great leg speed or drive and I'm not sure if he fits that criteria. Ava, Blair, Woods, BMM, Sue etc all look like they can bust through the line. Galloway is slower but he is a big tough player who can belt it up and get a roll on for us.

I wouldn't be picking him in our top team at the moment. I think Ava, BMM and Sue are all better players than him at the moment.

 

[BrotherJim05]

I like Buchanen. Didn't play fantastic against Manly but still quality.

Sue is off contract by end of this year...I really hope he stays.

 

[brooksy19]

Happy with how Blair has been going, not worth 500k yet though.

 

[Perth Tiger]

I think Buchanan is a very good prospect, has handled himself very well given his age for a prop.

I think the big problem is that he is very similar to Woods (ie high minutes, high work rate but minimal explosive impact) and having two players of the same style as Woods isn't the best balance for the prop rotation

 

[FootynRacing]

The Tigers have stated in twitter tonight that the club will be announcing two new players signings tomorrow. Any ideas on who they might be ? Hopefully two big back rowers !!!

 

[innsaneink]

Buchanan was thrown into the deep end before his time, at the start of the year he really wasnt expected to play much NRL at all....goes from that to starting prop in many games.
Been a long year for him....starting to feel the pinch now imo.....hes done OK

 

[Mixmasterreece]

The Tigers have stated in twitter tonight that the club will be announcing two new players signings tomorrow. Any ideas on who they might be ? Hopefully two big back rowers !!!

Not exactly top notch signings if what ive heard is correct - Blake Austin and Corey Patterson.

 

[dumpy]

I also think that Buchanan has gone ok considering he played for the under 20's last year. A big ask for a prop.
He is similar to Woods in that they have no leg speed together with sloth Gallaway making the trifecta.

 

[Tiger05]

I think Woods has good leg speed. Galloway doesn't but he is a big unit and typically gets good metres.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

Not exactly top notch signings if what ive heard is correct - Blake Austin and Corey Patterson

Had to google Blake Austin as there was certainly a blank there.

Blake Austin (born 1 February 1991) is an Australian rugby league footballer of Portuguese descent, who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL. His choice of position is either Second-Row, Five-Eighth or Halfback.

In late February, 2012, The Penrith Panthers announced a two-year deal with Blake. This contract will allow Austin to keep playing with the Penrith Panthers until season 2014

So he is 22 years old. His choice of position is interest, there's backup there as another utility but will no doubt be playing plenty of NSW Cup, you'd assume.

Could not recall Paterson playing for the Knights or anyone else this year. A quick check, shows us that:
He is 26, he currently plays for the Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League (SSL). He previously played 77 NRL matches for the Newcastle Knights. His usual position is in the second-row.
At the end of the 2008 season, Paterson was selected in the Prime Minister's XIII - OK for a 21 year old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Paterson

 

[FootynRacing]

Blake Austin was being talked up at having a big future a few years back but havent really seen much of him since so not sure how he has come on. Corey Patterson goes ok but you are right, not exactly top notch signings. I guess at this point of the season though none of us were really expecting the signings to be gun players... beggers can't be choosers as they say

 

[magpie guy]

From what I gather from other comments is that Blake Austin is young and probably not on much coin and has potential to improve. He will likely be backrow and half depth where we are a bit light on.

Patterson seems to be again a depth signing for the backrow. Wouldn't be on too much money and with him only signed for one season would have plenty of incentive to perform.

At worst with these signings we have some depth players to cover for injury that are not on too much coin. If we don't need them then we don't play them. They seem like better signings than the usual Penrith/Parramatta retirees we get and still have potential to be better than just depth signings.

Also, if it happens that Patterson has an average season, we can choose not to sign him to 2015 and instead go after a big marquee second rower. It is a little bit late to be able to grab good signings for next season so I think this is the smart move to have two "budget" signings with a look to getting into the market aggressively for the 2015 season.