Rowdy Backrower

[madunit]

Lawrence has been a revelation and proving what I said, that he would be our best back rower in a short period of time. I know that's not a big accomplishment, but his stats back up what we see on the field.

I've done a comparison with his other starting back row partner since he moved to the forwards

Lawrence 92 touches
Others 82 touches (Sironen 21, Lovett 61)

Lawrence 63 runs for 497 metres - 7.89 per run
Others 60 runs for 423 metres - 7.05 per run (Sironen 13 runs for 92 metres, Lovett 47 runs for 423 metres)

Tackle Breaks
Lawrence 4
Others 4 (Lovett 4)

Off Loads
Lawrence 3
Others 3 (Lovett 3)

Line Breaks
Lawrence 1
Others 0

Hit ups
Lawrence 35 for 313 metres - 8.94 metres her hit up
Others 42 for 313 metres - 7.45 metres per hit up (Sironen 11 for 82 metres, Lovett 31 hit ups for 231 metres)

Tackles
Lawrence 143 tackles made, 5 1 on 1 tackles, 3 ineffective, 4 missed - 95.33% effective
Others 173 tackles made, 7 1 on 1 tackles, 5 ineffective, 13 missed - 90.56% effective

Given Lovett is a defensive backrower, he has had one less game than Lawrence in the above stats, Lawrence is only 5 tackles behind Lovett, so he certainly isn't shirking responsibilities in defence.

But one thing the stats don't show is the great lines that Lawrence runs now. He hits them straight and hard and his pace which was a burden in the backs is proving to be an absolute asset in the forwards.

As his confidence in the role grows and he gets comfortable in the role, I expect him to really become a more than competent back rower, worthy of any NRL pack.

While this is great, it highlights a huge problem too.

If a centre can switch to the back row and start outperforming the natural back rowers we already have in just over a month, then those guys are nowhere near good enough.

This is the most pressing issue that needs to be rectified before anything else.

 

[Magpies Forever]

I'll give Lawrence his due- he does seem to be able to successfully transition to backrow and compete on a level playing field with them. Unfortunately he hasnt been able to settle in as continued injury to the backline forces his recall to the centres game after game. Maybe he will flourish as a backrower capable of filling in as a centre as Danny Galea once did for us- versatility is not a bad thing, as as long as one of the roles is dominant and done well. Lawrence was no longer a first class starting centre.

 

[gronkathon]

To think how good he may be as a backrower if he were shifted a few years ago like we were talking about on here

 

[madunit]

To think how good he may be as a backrower if he were shifted a few years ago like we were talking about on here

I know.

I know this may seem like an exaggeration, but he would've covered Ellis or Dwyer comfortably.

 

[gronkathon]

I agree. He has that quickness and the greater his commitment level grows running courage lines and if he can develop an offload he could easily be of that level

 

[TimmyB]

Still time, only 26. Think luke lewis only moved at a similar age.

 

[Radical Rat]

He's been a highlight in this disgraceful season.

 

[roostersrule2]

I'm not a tigers fan but I'm happy Lawrence has come good in the backrow.

He was a beast centre until he had his injuries.

 

[Tiger05]

He has been very very good.

 

[Vic Mackey]

To think how good he may be as a backrower if he were shifted a few years ago like we were talking about on here

100%

It's a shame he will more then likely be squeezed out of the club at the end of next year, as he has been a rare shining light in the backrow for us. If he had of moved there 2 years ago he could be a rep quality edge forward by now.

 

[Tigers Tale]

It's sort of funny how we are all calling for better second rowers...if my memory serves me correctly we had Ellis a few times, Fulton and probably Lawrence all playing there and being our player of the year....we'll Teddy may have something to say about that this year but the point being Lawrence has really come good in the second row. Speaks volumes for the rest of our team.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Has been pleasing. Needs 5 to 7kg in offseason and a bit of footwork at the line instead of every ball a crashball.

 

[Tigerted]

No surprise that rowdy is excelling in back row.He is one of few players that has integrity in an age when there's an abundance of under-performing wankas playing.

If we had 17 players with rowdy's dedication & output we would be playing finals footy regularly.

 

[magpie guy]

100%

It's a shame he will more then likely be squeezed out of the club at the end of next year, as he has been a rare shining light in the backrow for us. If he had of moved there 2 years ago he could be a rep quality edge forward by now.

You don't think that the club would retain him as a backrower on a more reasonable salary?

Then again, this is the Tigers...:crazy:

 

[BrotherJim05]

I don't think there is a single WT fan who isn't happy to see Lawrence perform well in the back row.

Most other players would have been crucified by now with the drop of form we saw for many years, but we persisted with him because we all love him.

It is a bit frustrating because we have been saying for years he needs to move to back row. Give him an off season hitting the gym and he will be a f**king beast (he already looks like he has put on a few kg).

MU's point above is spot on. In the short space he has transition he is already better than our current stock of 2nd rowers. We should have persisted with Sue at 2nd row, he was really starting to come along nicely.

Lovett and Sironen show promise but for 2016 we need an established 2nd rower to partner Lawrence. Doubt it will happen though