Pathetic WT media spin

[Magpies Forever]

Is this the best that they can do? Get nearly a 12 month old story (Feb 08) and quote out there again for the sake of saying something positive? I'd say we are in for a bleak year............. Admittedly its from the Camden pressm but I have no doubt where its genesis is from.

What about the 25th player for the squad? Let me guess McDonnell is scouring the world seeking cheap / young / old / breathing males capable of lifting their arms to be WT's newest star for the front row.

http://camden.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/general/ellis-brings-bite/1393793.aspx

Ellis brings bite
7/01/2009 4:00:00 AM
WESTS Tigers will have international player Gareth Ellis for three years from 2009.
Ellis, a second-rower who was signed from Leeds Rhinos, has played 19 Tests for Great Britain and is regarded as one of the best forwards in the English Super League.
He was named as the best second rower in the World XIII team and was one of five nominees for the famous Golden Boot award for the world's best player.
The 27-year-old said he was looking forward to pulling on the Tigers' jersey.
``I want to mount the personal challenge of proving myself in the NRL with the Wests Tigers, who have impressed me with their ambition to repeat their Grand Final success of 2005,'' Ellis said.
``Highly respected head coach Tim Sheens has recently extended his contract with Wests Tigers and he has fired me up with his plans for the team and myself as an individual, playing alongside established top players and some of the most promising young talent in the southern hemisphere.'' Former Wests Tigers captain Mark O'Neill played against Ellis in the English Super League and described Ellis as ``a champion''.
``He is the best player in the English Super League in my opinion,'' O'Neill said.
``He has the desire and the attitude of wanting to do well in Australia and he really wants to test himself in the word's best rugby league competition. ``Gareth has the ability to bust a tackle, he has a great offload and defensively he is very good.
``He has the complete package as far as I'm concerned.''

It was the bit I bolded that gave it away- my immediate concern that WT had done it again and secretly extended Teflon gave way to amusement when I realised it sounded familiar................

 

[madunit]

Jeez buckets has an eye for talent doesn't he?

After the World Cup performances, the best English player at the moment isn't a forward.

Rob Burrow was the only player who looked world class in that team, the rest look like regular club players not worthy of test status

 

[Magpies Forever]

I dont mind the signing of Ellis. The only thing I have always wondered is that of all the positions backrow was never one of the ones we were weak in. I suppose that means potentially:

Galloway. Farah & Payten (front row), Ellis & Heighington (2nd Row) and Halatau / Fulton (lock)

That means relegating Gibbs to bench or lower grades- just after we have re-signed Gibbs to an extended contract to end 2012. Great thinking WT's. Surely Gibbs will be one of the players shopped around for another club for 2010 onwards or else we will have a very expensive player on the bench.

 

[super_coach]

Well what else are they going to spin on, nothing else has happened since the end of the 2008 season. Its a wonder they are not bringing up 2005. If they are looking for positives not much has happen and is likely to happen in the near future

 

[westie]

Jeez buckets has an eye for talent doesn't he?

After the World Cup performances, the best English player at the moment isn't a forward.

Rob Burrow was the only player who looked world class in that team, the rest look like regular club players not worthy of test status

Watch the patches where England get their game on, particularly that spell in Melbourne were they really got rolling. Our piss-weak pack had nothing.

Our success, like theirs will depend entirely on ruck interpretations.

 

[Magpies Forever]

Well what else are they going to spin on, nothing else has happened since the end of the 2008 season. Its a wonder they are not bringing up 2005. If they are looking for positives not much has happen and is likely to happen in the near future

yeah, I suppose but it was lazy journalism- regurgitating a 11 month old story literally word for word from the original WT press release.

2009 positives-

*WT seem to have filled the long standing halfback problem with several potential options.
* the new faces vying for fullback.
* a good forward pack (but dont mention the lack of depth for front row)
* a solid group of backs.
* the new up and coming players vying for selection- Tagive, Moltzen, Ayshford, Lazarus, Laurie, Dunley.
* new WT CEO manager- new perspectives

2009 negatives-

* it would seem WT are having real problems signing the 25th player- that either means left recruitment action too late for the specialist position they require (prop) or worse, no-one wants to sign on to WT's after seeing their existing line up.
* upcoming tap on shoulder at seasons end for non performers- speculation will be around all year.
* will Teflon Tim, Simmons and McDonnell survive the increased pressure for better results- more of the same is not acceptable.
* continued speculation (at least early in season over Marshall and Farah)- if they sign for elsewhere I'd move them on to bench and blood new players for their roles.