I have found this topic very interesting indeed. Is the regular fullback the problem or is the problem the replacement? Is the regular guys defence good enough? Is the replacemennt guy's attack? Can the both leap?
I have a very good friend who talks with his heart when it comes to the Tigers and keeps saying we will win this year. He like Tigem above, says
we have the same team as last year, which was good enough.
but I actually say to him but can we improve on last year with what we have in the squad.
I'm a Meaney fan but maybe the Tigers and that is West Tigers and Balmain Ryde Tigers have actually spoken about the fullback position and do see Mullaney as the future after all, Meaney was switched to 5/8 this year for Balmain. Brown after his very good year last year was playing on the wing for Balmain and Mullaney has been playing fullback so who knows?
As for other points:
Yes maybe Sheens is trying to manufacture a dynamic fullback in Moltzen, who knows? but we actually have questionably the most dynamic back in the comp in Marshall, do we need another? Lui is capable of playingthe dynamic role and they are both complimented by Farah who can also be dynamic. Mullaney provides the team with the safe option of having a true fullback who can kick goals and score tries. McKinnon & Moltzen may be able to score tries but they cannot kick. Mullaney will always be the better option before Moltzen.
Beau Ryan, OK he may have been a regular last year but so what, was he and is he the better option, again who knows and plenty of people have opinions. I believe Matt Ryan is a better option and he has Tiger blood. I think the better option is Ratu Tagive who has now returned from injury, there's the pace we need.
Are the backs too slow? I must say that Ayshford is deceptively quicker than what he appears (OK Thaiday ran him down on Friday night but over 100 metres he is fast). Utai well he has provided more on the wing then most supporters have and would have expected so i don't believe that the team has lost anything based on his height and speed. If he had a true fullback supporting him and a regular centre supporting him it may not even be a discussion point, saying that, I think Brown would be best there when CL & LT return.
My final point is this thing about Moltzen and Marshall being best mates.
So what, I would have hoped that there are many guys in the squad who have others in the squad as best mates, so what the point? Acuallt Gibbs and Fulton are best mates, they are business partners as well. People say if Sheens goes, Marshall will follow. Sorry but where will Sheens go?
I think other than Bennett the coaching scene has changed and it's the yound guys and fringe coaches that are going to be given a chance going forward, so as Sheens wasn't offered the farm to go to Souths maybe his next home will be the retirement home, so will Marshall follow him there?
Come the end of the regular season and hoping that CL can return and play with confidence which will be a big ask. I'd like the backline to be.
1. Mullaney (McKinnon as backup)
2. Brown (Ratu & Utai as backups)
3. Ayshford
4. Lawrence (Brown as backup)
5. Tiquiri
6. Marshall
7. Lui (Moltzen as backup)
The forwards, well that's another topic all together.