Moving forward

[The unknown]

Hopefully Clarke turns out to be near the same level as Twal so we can let Packer rot in reserves until he asks for a release. ESL beckons for him

I wouldn't bother resigning Matulino but atleast he puts in more than Packer so he's worth keeping in the side for now

 

[Vic Mackey]

I think Matulinos been pretty solid. He isn’t the offloading and massive hitter he was 5 years ago but he’s done a job for us.

Our team isn’t terrible, it’s more bland and lacking star power. We have some fairly good first graders in Matterson, Twal, Aloiai, Matulino, Brooks, Thompson and Marsters (when on). Mikaele, Liddle and Garner look the goods but I’d say still haven’t proven themselves.

You can carry the likes of Fonua, Jennings, McQueen, Taylor etc in a top side, and probably make them look good I.e Jennings last year. But in a side like ours where they’re surrounded by guys with similar limited ability they’ll get found out.

Some of the younger guys in Bradley, Talau, Madden, Cini and Dillon look like they could be stars however would all be at least a year or two away from first grade. Lealuga-Puhotau and Seyfarth have the makings of capable first graders.

We definetly need some pace in the backline and an enforcer or line break option in the forwards. As mentioned Matterson is the ideal type of signing. 24 proven first grader struggling for game time in the best side. Not a kid with potential, not a veteran. We need to identify more like this and get them, Curtis Scott is the ideal next guy. We might not be able to compete with other clubs on TPAs, facilities etc however what we can offer is guaranteed game time.

 

[The Charlatan]

Isaako, Scott and Rapana will stock up the backline beautifully I think. Esan can hang up the kicking boots and worry about scoring four pointers.

George Burgess would be a good buy but would be wanting good coin.

 

[Mario chalmers]

The hardest task we face is moving on a few contracts that still have a year or two to run. Our forwards are still a little below NRL standard but our backs are just about reserve grade standard, so what cap space we can free up has to be directed in that direction.

There will come a time when this club will crumble without a glimmer of success. Tigers fans are a resilient lot, but I know they will eventually walk away. I think the club is getting close to the cross roads. They have start being a lot smarter in who they recruit

You arent far wrong with that. 7 years of bottom half finishes is just not right.

McQueen Packer and Matulino are well past their prime and there is no space for small forwards like ET in the modern game. It won't be long until I see the DT running a Dad's army headline if last week's form keeps up.

I would have loved us to have hung on to Taniela Paseka and Junior Tatola, wow it is disappointing the quality players we have let go over the years.

 

[Mario chalmers]

I think Matulinos been pretty solid. He isn’t the offloading and massive hitter he was 5 years ago but he’s done a job for us.

Our team isn’t terrible, it’s more bland and lacking star power. We have some fairly good first graders in Matterson, Twal, Aloiai, Matulino, Brooks, Thompson and Marsters (when on). Mikaele, Liddle and Garner look the goods but I’d say still haven’t proven themselves.

You can carry the likes of Fonua, Jennings, McQueen, Taylor etc in a top side, and probably make them look good I.e Jennings last year. But in a side like ours where they’re surrounded by guys with similar limited ability they’ll get found out.

Some of the younger guys in Bradley, Talau, Madden, Cini and Dillon look like they could be stars however would all be at least a year or two away from first grade. Lealuga-Puhotau and Seyfarth have the makings of capable first graders.

We definetly need some pace in the backline and an enforcer or line break option in the forwards. As mentioned Matterson is the ideal type of signing. 24 proven first grader struggling for game time in the best side. Not a kid with potential, not a veteran. We need to identify more like this and get them, Curtis Scott is the ideal next guy. We might not be able to compete with other clubs on TPAs, facilities etc however what we can offer is guaranteed game time.

Really good post.

I reckon those 4 battlers you name should be permanently demoted. Jennings was a terrible signing. He's fat and slow. I've had about enough of Eisenhuth too. He's a decent enough defender but cannot split defences and his PTB is often very slow.

Trouble is we have very few replacements. I respect the effort of our squad but it is very light on for skill as highlighted by the Roosters last weekend.

I would be chasing Bevan French as opposed to Scott but would honestly take anyone as an upgrade in the backs.

 

[stryker]

Hopefully though it's just been bad luck. He is a better hooker than Robbie now. He just needs some stability on the field.

Liddle couldnt tie Robbies bootlaces. It is naive to claim differently. He has a shit body, low experience and a poor motor. IMO he has to go if he cant play 80 by seasons end. Weve waisted far too much effort on him.

 

[Tiger05]

Liddle couldnt tie Robbies bootlaces. It is naive to claim differently. He has a shit body, low experience and a poor motor. IMO he has to go if he cant play 80 by seasons end. Weve waisted far too much effort on him.

The problem is we look a lot more dangerous out of dummy half when Liddle is on the park. We need to give the kid some time because he looks good.

I think it's pretty clear that Liddle is the better player now. He is also young. I think it'd be mad to move him on if he can't play 80 by season end.

 

[Shredder]

Regardless of whether we punt or keep Liddle, we still need to sign another hooker.

We cant have band aids and super glue being the only genuine 9 in the roster.

 

[Tiger05]

We do need another option to support Liddle. I just don't understand punting him or anyone who seriously thinks that Robbie is a better option right now. I get that he is injury prone and he mightn't be able to play 80 minutes right now.

He is the type of talent who may become a quality NRL player. Not just someone who makes up the numbers. We have to try and bring guys like this on because it's hard going to market and getting these players.

 

[Vic Mackey]

The problem is we look a lot more dangerous out of dummy half when Liddle is on the park. We need to give the kid some time because he looks good.

I think it's pretty clear that Liddle is the better player now. He is also young. I think it'd be mad to move him on if he can't play 80 by season end.

There’s a section of our fan base who don’t like Liddle purely because he plays Robbie’s position. They’d be against us signing Cameron Smith at the expense of Robbie.

 

[Tiger05]

There’s a section of our fan base who don’t like Liddle purely because he plays Robbie’s position. They’d be against us signing Cameron Smith at the expense of Robbie.

It just doesn't make any sense. We need some more quality within our team. Robbie has been a quality player in the past but he isn't a top line dummy half today because his service is poor, he still comes up with bad options and he lacks pace out of dummy half. Liddle will probably never have Robbie's play making ability but neither does Damian Cook.

Liddle now though is already a better option than Robbie. He has an impact when he comes on. If we can get 40 quality minutes out of Liddle per game we need that desperately.

 

[super_coach]

It’s all about fixing the biggest shortfalls in our roster first and working down the list till we run out of cap space. Liddle can do a job for us and IMO will be a top no9. So I would be looking at the backline first.

 

[The Charlatan]

There’s a section of our fan base who don’t like Liddle purely because he plays Robbie’s position. They’d be against us signing Cameron Smith at the expense of Robbie.

Not at all. I rate Liddle, and I think he has what it takes to play FG in terms of skill. My issue is that the poor merkin breaks when a light breeze hits him. I'm not against him getting game time this year, if anything it has to happen and a call has to be made on him this year if he breaks again.

We need another quality hooker regardless. I'm not sure Liddle will be an 80 minute hooker, and we'll definitely need another decent hooker when Liddle inevitably gets injured.

 

[Tiger05]

Liddle clearly needs a back-up option but I also think we need to focus on outside backs. Robbie for another year or Robson into the top squad would cover that back-up option. Personally I'd promote Robson.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Not at all. I rate Liddle, and I think he has what it takes to play FG in terms of skill. My issue is that the poor merkin breaks when a light breeze hits him. I'm not against him getting game time this year, if anything it has to happen and a call has to be made on him this year if he breaks again.

We need another quality hooker regardless. I'm not sure Liddle will be an 80 minute hooker, and we'll definitely need another decent hooker when Liddle inevitably gets injured.

This isn’t directed at anyone who has reservations about Liddle, I do aswell. His longevity it’s certainly up for debate. It’s a small but very vocal section of our fan base who seem to not like him purely because he might take minutes off Robbie.

 

[The unknown]

I like Robson and Liddle but there is no way we can go into next year without an established 1st grade dummy half in our squad. I think Peats, Seggy and the one from manly who's name escapes me are all off contract next year who id target

Seggy would be the one most likely to move on since Nulla have seemingly put their faith in the Braileys.

 

[Tiger Ted]

It’s all about fixing the biggest shortfalls in our roster first and working down the list till we run out of cap space. Liddle can do a job for us and IMO will be a top no9. So I would be looking at the backline first.

Yep our backline is clearly our biggest problem & it’s a gargantuan problem.From no.s 1 to 7 we don’t have anybody who can perform his specific functions pertaining to his position at an acceptable std consistently.Thommo is the only one who has the smarts & ability to play nrl albeit hes a little on the small side so I’d prefer to have him play fullback.The rest of them r not worth 2 bob & for all the Brooks lovers out there yep I certainly include him.Id luv to know if Madge actually believes that Brooks possesses the aptitude to command the team around the park coz if he does he will b unemployable as a coach once his tenure at concord is finished.

 

[Shredder]

Dont get me wrong, Liddle has something, but so do a lot of other players who never crack 50 games.

This game is more about size and speed than skill these days anyway.

And with his history, and given that Robbie will likely retire, we need two more hookers if not three unless we find an 80 min hooker. I think all of is are over the games where a non specialist plays hooker.

And say what you want about Robbie, his service isnt as crisp as it used to be, but he tackles his arse off and isnt made of glass.

 

[Tiger05]

I feel we have some quality players to build around.

Middle forwards:- Aloiai and Mikaele aren't perfect but they go forward and can create a roll on. Twal is pretty damn good. Eisenhuth is a toiler with some size.

Edge forwards:- we were poor here for years but Matterson, Lawrence, Chee-Kam and Garner give us good opions here/

Outside Backs:- Thompson to me is great but not a game breaker. He is the perfect role player though. Marsters can bust the line but he has so many mistakes and poor plays in his game I don't know what to do about him. This is clearly our weakest area.

Spine:- Liddle, Brooks and Mbye all have pace and skill. They all have holes as well but if they all get it together these guys can play. Reynolds is potentially a decent player but we've overpaid.

I think if we just get some gun outside backs our team would look a lot better. We need that plus we need those spine players to come good.

 

[Tiger05]

Dont get me wrong, Liddle has something, but so do a lot of other players who never crack 50 games.

This game is more about size and speed than skill these days anyway.

And with his history, and given that Robbie will likely retire, we need two more hookers if not three unless we find an 80 min hooker. I think all of is are over the games where a non specialist plays hooker.

And say what you want about Robbie, his service isnt as crisp as it used to be, but he tackles his arse off and isnt made of glass.

Robbie is robust and average quality. He is a creative dummy half and there aren't many of them around. Still his general play is average and he still has the hog play in him that kills the team.

He is a great back-up for Liddle or someone who can mentor Liddle. He shouldn't though be our no 1 option at dummy half.