Robert Mears

[gr8_1]

Why do people keep bagging the bloke ?

I thought he was outstanding in the first 25mins he was on against the Raiders. He provided our forwards with great go-forward I thought and our backs with plenty of ball.

I thought after he went off we slacked off. Our momentum died down and we looked average around the play the ball.

When he came back on later in the 2nd half we found our way again and we played better football. I also thought he combined well with Senter when they were on the field at the same time late in the game.

Am I the only one seeing this ?

 

[innsaneink]

I saw someone else post something very similar, and thinking about it, I agreed as well, whether it was just coincidence I dunno, but doubt it.
He played solidly I feel on Sunday, nothing to write home about but he did what was asked of him, minimal errors from my recollection....a good all round contribution.

 

[brook]

I could be wrong but I don't think I've seen anyone really bagging him.

A lot of people don't think he should be our first choice hooker (including me) but most people tend to think he's a good player regardless.

imo Mears would be a consistant first grader at 90% of clubs however we have a lot of good hookers and I don't see him ever becoming more than a fringe first grader for us.

For that reason I'd release him so he can cement a spot at another club but I've certainly got nothing at all against him

 

[Snide the Tiger]

It is not that Mears is all that bad - but the fact remains he does have fundamental flaws in both his passing technique and option taking ability - and we have a better option in Robbie Farah waiting in the wings!!

Otherwise - if Senter is to be accomodated in the 17 (which remains debatable) - we cannot afford to have another specialist hooker in the squad - so it should be one or the other!

And I believe Senter or Farah offer more!

 

[innsaneink]

I could be wrong but I don't think I've seen anyone really bagging him.

A lot of people don't think he should be our first choice hooker (including me) but most people tend to think he's a good player regardless.

imo Mears would be a consistant first grader at 90% of clubs however we have a lot of good hookers and I don't see him ever becoming more than a fringe first grader for us.

For that reason I'd release him so he can cement a spot at another club but I've certainly got nothing at all against him

It seems to me like you have something against him.

You say you dont see him becoming anything more than a fringe first grader....that sounds like a reserve grader your talking about whos on the way up, yet to make his mark....last time
I looked Robbies in first grade regularly, and is MORE than a fringe first grader right now.

 

[brook]

I disagree

I very much doubt if Mears will play more than 50% of his games in first grade this year - to me that is a fringe first grader

and he gained his spot because of injury

I have nothing at all against him whatever you think - I think he is a good player and he certainly does try his heart out...I just think we have better players who play the same position - I don't consider it bagging robbie to say so

 

[innsaneink]

I suppose only time will tell.....but to say he only gained his spot though injury is denigrating I feel.....its a part of footy. Its called depth.
Prince only got his spot in the maroons squad through injury.

 

[brook]

and prince is a fringe rep player ;-) - he's certainly not an automatic rep selection

Doesn't mean he's a bad player though

 

[SouthernTiger]

I wont be polite like Brook has been. Mears was terrible on the weekend. I used to be a big fan of the bloke but this year he has been pathetic, and despite what Brook says he wouldnt make first grade anywhere else.
Gr8-1 I suggest you get a replay of the game and see how substandard mears was from acting half. It was close to his worst performance for the club and that comes off his poor effort against the roosters. This isnt about Farah, I like the guy but havent seen enough of him to say he is a champion. The point is de gois would be doing a better job for us than Mears and that is saying a lot considering the number 9 is far from de gois' best position. Even if Mears had made a few breaks on sunday, and he didnt, he would have had a poor game. Terrible service and frigging stupid options

cheers

s. tiger

 

[Tigerpete]

I dont think Mears is a hinderance for us at hooker, i just feel that we're better off playing Darren or Farah there? we do have some great hookers at this club so its not that Mearsey is crap but rather just a little behind what the other guys offer in bringing to the team.

 

[Gus22]

Is Mears fit?

He looks overweight to me.
I don't recall him looking as podgy in previous years as he currently does.

Is it just my perception or has anyone else thought along these lines?

 

[simon says]

Its funny how we can all watch the same game and have so different opinions of it.

I thought Mears was ordinary too.No breaks freom dummy half and no spark.I thought it was his worst game for us.Now he wasnt hopeless,just didnt offer much in attack.

To be honest with you,my issue is more about having 2 hookers in the side than Mears' ability.I think we need to go with Senter,Farah,Mears,DeGois.....whoever,just stick with him.Im not a fan of the two hookers.

 

[gr8_1]

I wont be polite like Brook has been. Mears was terrible on the weekend. I used to be a big fan of the bloke but this year he has been pathetic, and despite what Brook says he wouldnt make first grade anywhere else.
Gr8-1 I suggest you get a replay of the game and see how substandard mears was from acting half. It was close to his worst performance for the club and that comes off his poor effort against the roosters. This isnt about Farah, I like the guy but havent seen enough of him to say he is a champion. The point is de gois would be doing a better job for us than Mears and that is saying a lot considering the number 9 is far from de gois' best position. Even if Mears had made a few breaks on sunday, and he didnt, he would have had a poor game. Terrible service and frigging stupid options

cheers

s. tiger

Ive been to the last 3 games and also seen them on replay. I dont agree on any of your points sorry to say. I think his service from dummy half has been consistent without been flash. He can only do what is put in front of him ie pass to forwards when they are there or give it to the halfback when he asks for the ball. I admit his running from dummy half hasnt been as good as in the past, which might be because he hasnt played much this year.

I dont think Senter has done anything better than Mears in the past two games. In fact I thought our game went downhill when he came on against the Raiders.

But, I will watch the replay again and try to pick faults in his game. Maybe Im missing the obvious. :?

Our future hooker is Robbie Farah, but until then I cant see why people are calling for Mears to be axed IMHO.

 

[mikey]

I think Mears was the better of the two because the forwards seemed much more organised.

He didn't make any huge runs or break the line himself but it seemed to me the forwards did the work for him. Whether that was because he was organising them or someone else was calling the shots I don't know.

On the other hand, to his credit , Senter did make a couple of reasonable runs. However, when Senter was at dummy half it seemd to be back after back after back and no forwards doing the work. It was at this stage (and not just becuase of Senter) I thought we were going to get rolled from behind.

Coincidence? I don't know, but I thought it was the same scenario last weekend.

I can't watch the game this weekend because I'm going overseas but I would appreciate if people could fill me in about this one next week when I check what's happening.

 

[Snide the Tiger]

gr8-1- you are f**king kidding about Mears service from dummy-half!!!!

Both he and Senter stumble - cannot pass of the ground and waste time in that area - while Farah is a natural!!!

If we want to see our team attacking at its best - we need the best possible service from dummy-half and Farah is that man!!!

Previously Mears greatest asset was his work rate - and this has plummetted from the 35+ tackle-man he was to being a borderline defender in the middle of the ruck!!!

He is wholehearted - but his journeyman status belies the flaws in his game!!! He played some wonderful games for Canterbury & the Warriors - but was never the best man for the job - and that is why they all released him!!!

 

[Gobbso]

Is Mears fit?

He looks overweight to me.
I don't recall him looking as podgy in previous years as he currently does.

Is it just my perception or has anyone else thought along these lines?

He's one of the fittest in the team Gus. He put on some much needed size in the off-season and so far, has continued to maintain it. Apart from Rex Wright floggin him at training throughout the week, Mearsy also plays oztag in the Liverpool Competition at Wattle Grove. He just loves the game. In my opinion he is the best hooker in the club at this moment in time. I'm glad Sheens hasn't dropped him just because Hollywood is back. Mears has been in superb form for Wests Tigers since returning from injury.

 

[Mighty Tiger]

I don't rate Mears at all however at the moment even with Dazza back he does look like our best option in at Hooker ATM, against the Raiders you could see a drastic improvment in ball distribution quality when Mears was in at dummy half instead of Dazza who did throw more than his share of bad passes.

If Sheens continues to use 2 hookers in his side then to be honest I could see a great advantage to having a player like Fitzy coming off the bench when the oposition forwards are getting tired he really does cause all sorts of problems running out of dummy half and he can pass when he isn't running in circles!

 

[Snide the Tiger]

Gobbsy - get your black and white glasses off mate!!!

Just because he plays PL for the Maggies does not make him the champion you describe!!!

He needed weight - but that has cost him his running game and his work-rate in defence!

I have never advocated Hollywood as a genuine top-grade class hooker - but the muscle and mongrel he adds means that if Farah is out of contention - Senter whould be the no. 9!!

As for being glad that Sheens stuck with him despite the return of Daz - you and I both know we cannot afford two hookers in the 17 - so a choice needs to be made rather than wasting a bench spot as we are doing currently!

 

[simon says]

Mears has been in superb form for Wests Tigers since returning from injury.

Superb form....cmon.Surely superb is a little over the top.He has been stable,without being brilliant.And he may or may not be the best hooker in the club.......but SUPERB????????

Gobbsie what are you smokin mate?????? :lol: :lol:

 

[Snide the Tiger]

.... it sure ain't powdered truth serum!!!