Do we consider Maitua for 25th Spot?

[Magpies Forever]

I suspect we are not going to get a good prop for the 25th spot now at this stage of player availability. (Well done WT recruitment- again!!!!!).

Do we accept probability we will have to limp by in 2009 with covering prop positions with Galloway, Laurie, Gibbs and Payten and hope to hell not many injuries occur and groom (with intensive one on one training) a couple of props from lower grade to cover if needed.....

We could then make a bid for Maitua- with strict behaviour clauses? Lord knows some fo the backrowers in the existing 24 man squad have not been able to lift to the NRL standard expected eg Trimarchi, Payne & Galea. Maitua could be useful............

I dunno, could either be a boon or a bust signing.

 

[tiger_nick]

ive always liked matuia as a center, if sheens insists on this ridiculous idea of 7. marshall 6. lawrence then we could do worse then having him partnering collis.

i read this morning he may have to play next year for $50,000, surely we must have a bit more then that in the kitty?

 

[Magpies Forever]

Its sure tempting- he can play well (backs and backrow) and if he performs and behaves WT have the ability to upgrade contract for 2010 as we are going to have that famous clean out / tap on shoulder epoch making event..............

 

[westie]

Longmuir appeared on NRL News the other day. More than a little mirth in his voice when denying that they wouldn't go down that path.

 

[SCOB]

Longmuir appeared on NRL News the other day. More than a little mirth in his voice when denying that they wouldn't go down that path.

Whats mirth?

Plain english please i'm from Queensland

 

[westie]

He seemed to find the idea laughable.

 

[Magpies Forever]

I reckon that WT's will NOT be able to recruit for the 25th spot- if they haven't been able to sign anyone by now- prop or otherwise- it would seem that they will have to promote from within.

How do we stand for young props at Wests and Balmain? I know Liam Roach has come over from the Dogs.

This recruitment problem has been long standing with the club- we need to do something for the players to want to come to play with us- we had that after winning in 2005 but the intervening time has been too long and not enough has changed. Its the image and perception that needs uplifting (as well as when we publicly declare we are looking for players). No point in blaming McDonnell for that.

 

[SCOB]

He seemed to find the idea laughable.

OK cool.

I suppose he didn't want us to go from the squeeky clean image (Bryce not included) to a haven for rat bags.

If carney comes on board it might look like we are throwing a life line to a lost soul, but with Maitua, we will look like desperados after everyones elses throw outs.

Maybe he is a smart hombre

 

[Spank]

He seemed to find the idea laughable.

As do i !

 

[brook]

How do we stand for young props at Wests and Balmain? I know Liam Roach has come over from the Dogs.

Matt Davidson may figure if his recovery continues to go well, its got to be considered a risk though. Its fantastic that he's even back and training but you wouldn't want to put too much pressure on the kid.

Aaron Woods is a great prospect but way too young, he's still eligible for Ball next year, even though he'll play NYC I really wouldn't like to see him in first grade till 1010 at the earliest.

I haven't seen Liam Roach play in a few years, based on what I've heard though he's not NRL standard at least not yet.

I'm not sure who the magpies have that may be good - hopefully theres someone because things are looking pretty dire.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Matt Davidson may figure if his recovery continues to go well, its got to be considered a risk though. Its fantastic that he's even back and training but you wouldn't want to put too much pressure on the kid.

Aaron Woods is a great prospect but way too young, he's still eligible for Ball next year, even though he'll play NYC I really wouldn't like to see him in first grade till 1010 at the earliest.

I haven't seen Liam Roach play in a few years, based on what I've heard though he's not NRL standard at least not yet.

I'm not sure who the magpies have that may be good - hopefully theres someone because things are looking pretty dire.

Thanks- as I refered to earlier I just cant see any miracle prop coming forward now ont he transfer list- we will have to do it from within now. With some one on one tutoring from the "senior" props- the juniors should hopefully be able to cover any need provided it is only for a short time. A serious injury to the senior props will bring them unstuck though..................

 

[westie]

Good job we got rid of O'Hara.

Although, I hear there's a good young talent in Harold Matt's. Apparently he's even mildly related to a bloke who used to be good when one of our clubs used to be good. We should probably give him a go.

 

[innsaneink]

Waste of time until he learns some footwork.
He's easy pickings.

 

[Highlander]

Good job we got rid of O'Hara.

Although, I hear there's a good young talent in Harold Matt's. Apparently he's even mildly related to a bloke who used to be good when one of our clubs used to be good. We should probably give him a go.

That would make him a abit young to be playing grade dude.

 

[madunit]

westie, in 2 and a half years, with f**k all front rowers at the club, O'Hara failed to hold down a regular spot in the team.

He was a waste of money time and space.

Yes we need props, but we need ones who can perform in first grade, not in reggies.

get over it

 

[westie]

Luckily Chn 9 have picked up SL for next year so you will be able to see why I think you know next to nothing. Obviously the lad will be at the bottom club (or there-abouts) but I'm quite certain that it will be another case of - promising young player, even a recognised one in this case... comes to Tigers, isn't given a proper go, cops a few injuries and is thrown on the scrap heap... heads to club not headed by twatty dictator and moves on to rep footy. Whilst he'll probably have to come home to play SOO again, it would hardly surprise me should he do so in the next couple of years.

I was beginning to prepare a similar rant about Te'o and Harrison, expecting to have to wait until at least a few games into the 2009 NRL season to blow a stack at Sheens. But the nobber (and indeed you and most others) were proven wrong only a month after they left, starring for teams we can no longer provide players to.

Te'o played his brand of footy and was slicing through with ease. Just because he wasn't smashing it up the middle after a slow play-the-ball doesn't mean he was ordinary. So what if he didn't make the dog tackles. Isn't that the holy one's job? Other premiership clubs, including ours in the days of O'Neill only needed one so there's no excuse there.

Harrison showed everything anyone who knows the slightest bit about anything already knew. Play him out wide (it's a new tactic i just came up with) and he will be world class. He out-played the famed Aussie forward pack who coincedentally play the same bullsh*t footy the holy one trys to pass off as valuable.

Just as these two and countless others have already shown, you leave our club, you'll almost certainly go to a new level at a club in a higher league position than ours.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Westie- I'm a fan of Harrison and wish him well at the Raiders- I feel he was badly misused at WT's by Teflon. As to T'eo- he had his very good moments but there were too many moments in the latter half of the 08 season where his heart went missing- I dont begrudge him moving on and I hope he does well at the Bronco's but his mental toughness was found wanting at WT's on more than one occassion - yes contract negotiations did not help, but he is supposed to be a professional footballer. So unfortunately I do discount T'eo's overall value to WT's.

 

[westie]

Isn't it the coaches job to keep his young players on track? I think we both know perfectly well he will go on to bigger and better things at the Broncos and will become one of many we'll regret.

 

[Eddie.]

I am probably the last person that would defend Sheens, but please don't go bigging up players such as OHara and Teo and blaiming Sheens for their demise.

There comes a point where players need to have responsibility and accountability for their own performances. Sheens is not their baby sitter and even if he is not liked im sure he is not some big bad monster that doesn't allow players to play well. Plenty of professionals out there im sure, dont love their coach or love the tactics or the training methods or whatever. However they get on with it still peform well. Isint that what being a professional sportsman is about??

Teo was a disgrace. Carrying on like a twat for months about how proud he was of himself doing his own negotiations. As well as his sulking and lack of effort on the pitch. OHara only has himself to blame. YOu don't have 3 years of bad luck, at some stage you make your own. His performances in First Grade were very poor. Or was Sheens playing him at centre, I must of missed that, lets blame Sheens then?

Harrison was poorly used. No one will question that. Although there were games he played wider and still did nothing.

If these players are all brilliant in 2009 then do we all blame Sheens for letting them go? I wouldn't like to think so. Probably just shows the player had a change of attitude and a fresh start. SOme players need to change clubs to spark them. Hodgo and Prince came our way because of it, but you can hardly blame their respective clubs for letting them go. Who is to say they both would of continued to be poor/injured at Parra and Brisbane.

If anything Sheens should do more culling. He has allowed attittues like Teos to fester through not taking more affirmative actions. If anything players such as Harrison, Teo and OHara were given too many chances. Several senior players should of been dropped at stages over the past 2 seasons. However they are in a comfort zone. I couldn't give a toss if Byrce Gibbs or Dean Collis are stars for the Huddesfield Giants in 2010. SImilarily if Teo is good at Brisbane I won't regret losing them. Facts are we canno't wait around for these players to come good or solely blaiming the coach for their performances.

Sheens should of been wielding the axe a couple of years ago, that fact this process seems to have started is at least slightly comforting.

 

[westie]

Put it this way. Had either of those players played under Bennett or Bellamy they would have been f**king stars. Bellamy has rejects (including our own) playing at premiership level whilst Sheens has some of the rawest talent without motivation to play.

Prince and Hodgo are poor examples. They didn't need a change, they just needed a run without broken legs etc.

Teo was a nobber. But so was Joey. Doesn't mean you wouldn't have them in your team. 90% of Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea et al are full of egotistical/immature wankers. But they win... why? Because they have top quality managers who get the best from their players. Sheens can only and will only coach players in form with at least 4 from the top shelf.

To be honest, I'm sick to death of good players leaving our club and going to others who consistently finish higher than us. We could name a team of players not wanted at our club who would put the cleaners through our current line up. Regardless of whether or not they are not perfect gentlemen, they win football games, whilst we do not.