hindsight

[B_Tiger]

sorry if this point has already been raised, but do you think it was a mistake to bring benji in through first grade? Coming from high school footy to first grade is a massive jump and benji obviously didn't have the upper body strength to stay healthy for an entire season. No one could blame sheens for putting him straight into the side but surely learning about first grade footy outside of the spotlight would have been ideal for benji (and balmain fans). It's not to say that the injury wouldn't have occured in lower grades, but I think it would definately be less likely. It's a massive blow for benji's development to have to spend the rest of the season on the sidelines. It was obvious that every week he was improving and was already a major threat to opposition. To have that progress hampered is a real shame.

 

[innsaneink]

I think the question that should be asked is was he brought back too soon from the original injury?
Dunno bout most people but I thought it was a VERY quick recovery.
Either way it dont matter a stuff what anyone thinks....2004 is history for him now.

 

[Gobbso]

Can the same thing be said for Karmichael Hunt? If anything, he looks leaner than Benji. I think the primary reason he is in the situation he now finds himself in, is due to his defensive technique and style. sure a bit more bulk, might have helped the kid, but just the way he positioned himself in a few tackles so far this season have made me cringe, seeing him getting smothered. He is still extremely raw, he has no fear which can be a positive, but now he's been sideline, Wests fans can now see the negative implication it has.

 

[tracietiga]

DITTO Gobbso ,
Benji could have done the same injury playing sg ball .
Benji hasnt hit his straps just yet , so it could be a blessing in disguise for our side .
Thats if our star halfback decides to turn up and play to his best ability every week .
Kerr gets the break he needs , he has been killing them in the reggies and now he gets the chance .
Kerr to half and Prince to 5/8 .
Halatau to number 3, merely to plug the defensive holes out wide .

 

[simon says]

Agreed.......this is hard news but could be a blessing.Spot on about his tackling guys,he is not scared at all,just needs to learn to read his defense a bit better.Can fault his keeness though.

And he did seem to recover a little quickly........ahhhh,hindsight, if only.

 

[Tigerpete]

You guys cant be serious in thinking that Benji's injury is a blessing in disguise!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Geez, this has put the kid back 12 months, Sheens made this point on sports tonight. What the kid needs is not time away from the field, he needs match time, experience can only come with this, he cant gain that experience by watching tapes or training.

You cant blame his tackling style for this either, yes in hindsight perhaps he should change his style to something similar to Halatau take the legs out style. The injury is simply down to bad luck and perhaps a little bit of over exuberance .

 

[Gobbso]

Tigerpete, this isn't meant to spark argument, but how can it be put down to luck? The way you go into a tackle isn't luck. It comes down to defensive style and pattern. Marshall's was eratic and fearless. He is effective, but it was only matter of time before he was going to cop injury. Sheens only admitted last week, that he is still very raw, especially when it came to his defence, and that is his coach talking. Nevertheless, he will be missed, as he provided Wests Tigers with great options and another dimension in attack.

 

[Tigerpete]

Yeah, i see ur point but when i said "Luck" i was referring to the fact that it could've happened to anyone. While his defense does need work, it wasnt the cause of the injury, if it had he would've sustained that injury after 5 mins not 75. A player with such a slight frame is always going to be at risk of injury no matter how he tackles a player.

 

[simon says]

its not the inury,its how he did it.He has to learn that he is only 80 kegs and you cant just throw an arm out and hurt someone.His technique when he wants ta tackle very good,when he gets his body in the right postion...

He will learn,,,,,and our kicking game HAS just got a lot better.I am sure we will go better next week....

 

[Tigerpete]

Kicking game, that i'll agree with you about. It simply wasnt of first grade level last night.

 

[Gobbso]

Yeah, i see ur point but when i said "Luck" i was referring to the fact that it could've happened to anyone. While his defense does need work, it wasnt the cause of the injury, if it had he would've sustained that injury after 5 mins not 75. A player with such a slight frame is always going to be at risk of injury no matter how he tackles a player.

Ahh i see. Point taken! 8) It could have been prevented. But its pointless looking back, gotta keep movin' on :arrow: