Hasler’s hell is just what this kid needs

[gong_eagle]

Hasler’s hell is just what this kid needs

31 Oct 08
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/hasler-s-hell-is-just-what-this-kid-needs/

PLAYING rugby league in 2008 with loose and undisciplined teams like Parramatta and now Tonga is hardly the right preparation for Manly’s new 19-year-old signing, Tony Williams.

If ever a player looked in need of the Sea Eagles’ rock-hard regime of coach Des Hasler it is the highly promising, soon-to-be backrower.

Williams agreed to sign with Manly early in the 2008 season while still a relatively unknown in Parramatta’s under-20 Toyota Cup side. Used mostly as a winger by the Eels, the youngster made 11 NRL appearances in his rookie season and scored four tries.

Parramatta were little more than a rabble at the end of the season as they imploded into a side with little spirit.

It was hardly the environment needed for Williams to gain valuable experience before his switch of clubs.

Young stars like Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo actually went backwards in their careers after promising so much the previous season.

Once Parramatta failed to make the finals, Williams targetted the World Cup and his selection in the Tongan side as his next challenge.

And if Tonga’s performance against Ireland last Monday is a guide, then there is little to be gained by Williams in the blood-red jersey of the South Pacific island. Tonga play a power game with no signs of discipline and if the bully-boy tactics don’t work then there is no fallback.

To be fair, Williams did his job and didn’t get involved in a lot of the rubbish that went on in the game.

Williams looks to me to be a young player looking for a pathway in the game. He will get it the moment he steps into the Manly system.

Exactly 12 months ago Josh Perry came to Manly looking to revive his career. As a youngster Perry carried everything before him and played in a premiership-winning side and State of Origin before he was 22. But, like Williams, he was in need of a change and all the hard work has paid off with another premiership and selection in the Australian World Cup side his reward.

Williams has a summer like never before ahead of him. But come March he will be ready to embark on an exciting career with a football club which believe the harder one works the luckier one gets

 

[Brownie.Kougari]

He played great last night.

I really hope Des allows this kid to play to his natural ability and doesn't coach it out of him as do many NRL coaches.

 

[Daddycool]

I'm looking forward to seeing this bloke in a Manly jumper. In fact , I think/hope Des might train him up to be a centre.

We have plenty of back row options, but are a bit thin in the centres. Matai and Lyon should be first choice, outside that though, an injury could leave us short.

 

['The Snake' Brett Stewart]

In fairness to Feleti Mateo, he has not gone backwards this year. In a poor year for Parra, you can probably say he was the only shining light.

Tony Williams in the backrow for mine.

 

[CHRIS SANDOW]

Yeah I agree williams will be in the backrow but used off the bench.

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Hasler’s hell is just what this kid needs

31 Oct 08
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/hasler-s-hell-is-just-what-this-kid-needs/

PLAYING rugby league in 2008 with loose and undisciplined teams like Parramatta and now Tonga is hardly the right preparation for Manly’s new 19-year-old signing, Tony Williams.

If ever a player looked in need of the Sea Eagles’ rock-hard regime of coach Des Hasler it is the highly promising, soon-to-be backrower.

Williams agreed to sign with Manly early in the 2008 season while still a relatively unknown in Parramatta’s under-20 Toyota Cup side. Used mostly as a winger by the Eels, the youngster made 11 NRL appearances in his rookie season and scored four tries.

Parramatta were little more than a rabble at the end of the season as they imploded into a side with little spirit.

It was hardly the environment needed for Williams to gain valuable experience before his switch of clubs.

Young stars like Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo actually went backwards in their careers after promising so much the previous season.

Once Parramatta failed to make the finals, Williams targetted the World Cup and his selection in the Tongan side as his next challenge.

And if Tonga’s performance against Ireland last Monday is a guide, then there is little to be gained by Williams in the blood-red jersey of the South Pacific island. Tonga play a power game with no signs of discipline and if the bully-boy tactics don’t work then there is no fallback.

To be fair, Williams did his job and didn’t get involved in a lot of the rubbish that went on in the game.

Williams looks to me to be a young player looking for a pathway in the game. He will get it the moment he steps into the Manly system.

Exactly 12 months ago Josh Perry came to Manly looking to revive his career. As a youngster Perry carried everything before him and played in a premiership-winning side and State of Origin before he was 22. But, like Williams, he was in need of a change and all the hard work has paid off with another premiership and selection in the Australian World Cup side his reward.

Williams has a summer like never before ahead of him. But come March he will be ready to embark on an exciting career with a football club which believe the harder one works the luckier one gets

Article is full of crap IMO – playing for FG and playing in the World Cup is definitely beneficial for his development and going into next year he knows what level he needs to play at, what he needs to improve.

He play of the bench.