NRL Summertime - Wests Tigers recap

[ucantseeme]

Just watched NRL Summertime on FoxSports and it was a half hour show dedicated to the Wests Tigers pre-season. A lot of the show was just cliche but a few tidbits were:

- Tim Sheens plan to sign one rep level player every season for the next 3 seasons. 2009 pick being Gareth Ellis.
- Tim Sheens has advised the recruitment people that if a player can't tackle then don't sign him. That's why there's no Matt Head in 09 for us.
- Royce Simmons went to the Christchurch S14 club to get tips on their handling skills.
- Sheens is still unsure whether Benji will play 6 or 7 this season but is leaning towards 7.
- John Morris said he doesn't mind his utility tag but says he will be playing in the halves this year.

Decent show overall. I would have liked them to talk about if they've focused more on their kicking game and 5th tackle plays as most of the training footage was just touch footy and rowing machine.

 

[Marshall_magic]

- Tim Sheens plan to sign one rep level player every season for the next 3 seasons. 2009 pick being Gareth Ellis.

Excellent, this proved to work very well for Manly when Des took over, as each year since they have improved. I'm not saying it'll turn us into world beaters, but Manly are a much much better side now, than they were 5 years ago when Des got the job.

- Tim Sheens has advised the recruitment people that if a player can't tackle then don't sign him. That's why there's no Matt Head in 09 for us.

I'm so-so on this point, whilst our defence does need improvement, I will take a turnstyle halfback if he can set up as many tries as Head did. However halfback is the only position I would have a turnstyle at. If we can pick up a Carney type player to play halfback (unless Dunley, Lazarus or Marshall make a fist of it this year), then I can forgive the club for letting Head go.

- Royce Simmons went to the Christchurch S14 club to get tips on their handling skills.

Our handling was up there with the best in 08. We made less errors than most sides believe it or not (we ranked 2nd or 3rd for this I believe). Royce is wasting time here.

- Sheens is still unsure whether Benji will play 6 or 7 this season but is leaning towards 7.

Trials will be more important than ever this year

- John Morris said he doesn't mind his utility tag but says he will be playing in the halves this year.

I just hope Sheens has more sense than this.

 

[macnaz]

- Sheens is still unsure whether Benji will play 6 or 7 this season but is leaning towards 7.
- John Morris said he doesn't mind his utility tag but says he will be playing in the halves this year.

.

Im just dreading this season already, sheens u moron:crazy:
What about a policy if they cant coach DONT SIGN THEM !!:x

 

[Magpies Forever]

It was a good snippet for WT fans- it was interesting to hear the hype for 09 now versus the doom and gloom end of last season with the tap on shoulder talk etc.

The thing I marvel at is that Teflon Tim can get away with so much spin and not be pulled up with hard questions. I know that particular show was probably not the forum for it, as it was a good news bit for the club, but so many other times glaring things just seem to go over the top of the questioners.

This show was the emphasis this year on defence, our past weakness has been defence and letting other sides score, Teflons plan for 09 is to give Simmons greater role and say, thats why they have included Gentles as another assistant coach. I cant help but think - isn't Simmons the DEFENSIVE coach and thus he has to bear responsiliity to Sheens (and others) for the discovered problem in defence???

Guess what- Teflon's plan is to give the "problem" coach a GREATER role. Simmons- fix the defense first (your existing job) and then maybe you can aspire to filling Teflons shoes when he is packed off.

This cosy little club atmosphere that has developed amongst the coaching and recruitment staff has to be addressed.

 

[super_coach]

Its all spin, throw the punters some crumbs to generate some interest in the up comming season, no negatives and be upbeat. All clubs do it and we do it better than most. Our man Teflon has spent the best part of his life doing it so he knows the tricks better than anyone.

1- Putting Royce in charge of anything but the witches hats is dangerous
2- Gentles what has he done since he been at the JV
3--Buy a quality player a year-brainstorming at its best
4--Morris to been seen maybe as half--god forbid

Folks its all spin---our real prospects will be clearer in just over month, till than like every other year I take all the media releases from Camp Concord with a grain of salt

 

[westie]

Gentle took over a Magpies side that was struggling mid-season to a premiership force in 2003. No one was ever going to beat Canberra, but he had us as arguably the second best team in the comp. We beat a Parra side containing, Ryan, Richards, Tonga and many other FGers and only lost out to a Dragons side which we had well and truely dominated until Sims and Byrne put it on in the last 15.

Not bad for someone with next to no experience.

 

[super_coach]

Westie---2003 was a long long time ago

 

[westie]

Westie---2003 was a long long time ago

Are you saying he would have become less skilled as he serves his apprenticeship?

 

[super_coach]

no what Iam saying he has done bugger all since

 

[brook]

Are you saying he would have become less skilled as he serves his apprenticeship?

Given who he has served that apprenticeship under...I wouldn't write it off

 

[ucantseeme]

One thing I forgot to mention:

-Tim Sheens said the bench selections will be big on defensive ability. He said in 2008 he was happy with the defense of the starting 13 but once the bench players came into the game they started to look a bit too ragged in defense. This was part of the "if they can't tackle don't sign them" bit about recruitment.

So I suspect the bench for 2009 will be totally different from 2008. The usual suspects on the bench were Fulton, T'eo, Payne, Moltzen/Laurie.

 

[super_coach]

I wonder if he plans to give his 17th man more than 3 minutes game time in 2009!!!!!

 

[brooksy19]

1. I can't believe HE is still considering Morris for the halves.

2. I can't believe HE is still considering Marshall for HB, he needs space let him roam you dickhead.

3. Our forward pack look like they have bulked up heavily, but does this mean they will run harder ? probably not...

4. Whats the plan with TnT this year, is he gonna be a winger still ?

Also no mention of the failure to secure a 1st grade quality prop forward.

 

[TiggaPlease]

Morris shouldn't even be on the bench as a utility, let alone starting in the halves.

What a disgrace.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Why should we be surprised at Teflons actions / thoughts? He is not going to change his spots now, nor will he admit he has made errors in recruitment, team selection and positioning of players, tactics and coaching staff.

This season will be interesting- I hope no-one can hide from the microscope that the teams performance will be under and that decisions should be made no later than 1/2 way through the season on key issues eg player and coaching staff retention so we can activelyt bid for the good ones out there, not the leftovers.

 

[NZtiger]

From proof of last year, Morris' role should be on the bench, mainly as backup to Farah at hooker (as no doubt Farah's back is still troublesome), and also to cover the halves, if need be. I can't see any greater role for him tbh.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

We can all see it but we all know Morris will probably start the season in the halves.

He should start the season playing for BRET, but he won't.