The Tim Smith Situation

[Twizzle]

Hayne in the halves?

eela, Twizzle, Hellsy, Colonel, help?

we've only got one Hayne

we can't spread him too thin

I think we have enough halves to form a pretty good backline

 

[parra-matters]

Finch will do fine at no.7. There are 2-3 players that could stand next to him at 5/8 but I think Mateo should get 1st shot.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

"parra-all-the-way", unfortunatly I can not see your reasoning (your not the only one to suggest it) in putting Hayne at five eight.

Hayne is a good ball runner, much like Hodges and Gasnier. It is his ball running talent that makes him a good player, not his play making skills. Putting Hayne there is the same as putting Mark Gasnier at five eight, to put Gasnier at five eight would be a stupid move and any coach that dose that should be sacked......oh......wait.

 

[WA Eel]

IF the team's going well when he returns (say rd 18 as has been suggested) who do you drop? The only way he'll walk back into first grade is if the team really struggles without him - which I don't think will happen.

 

[mickdo]

IF the team's going well when he returns (say rd 18 as has been suggested) who do you drop? The only way he'll walk back into first grade is if the team really struggles without him - which I don't think will happen.

Injuries could pave the way. You just never know.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Rremember last year when Timmy got injured, Jason Taylor took over, Jermey Smith became halfback and we won something like 9 straight. Timmy walked back into that team but it was also at the same time that Jeremy Smith got injured, IMO, Timmy was always going to come back into the side.

 

[WA Eel]

Actually I think it was the infamous ref shove that openned the door for Tim to get his first grade spot back.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Actually I think it was the infamous ref shove that openned the door for Tim to get his first grade spot back.

I stand corrected.

 

[bartman]

I'm with MITS...I think people should quickly get out of their heads a "round" that Tim will be back.

Not something that can be rushed.

Hear hear. These things take as long as they take. I'd be surprised if Tim played this season, a few games second half of the year with Wenty maybe, and then possibly some gameday appearances at the Stadium to boost his confidence, sitting with the squad or on an extended bench might be all we're likely to see.

I'm sure the club would be planning around not having him back this season because Hages can only work with what he know's he's got, so we may as well do the same.

 

[Bigfella]

The biggest issue out of his injury and unavailability is going to be creativity.

Since 2005, our entire game plan has revolved around Tim. Our other tryscoring options have been limited.

If he is targeted, injured, or doesn't deal with the pressure of the occasion - we lose, and often lose badly.

The challenge for the team is to create combinations and opportunities elsewhere. Also to give more players than a 22 year old ownership of winning games.

Most of our players are good at keeping us in games - we have very few at present who stand up and win them when they are close in the manner of say Thurston, Bowen, Lockyer, Cronk, etc.

This could be the best thing for Tim AND the team. If he can address his off field problems I truly believe he can improve the mental side of his game - and thereby reach his enormous potential. I believe he is now the most talented halfback in the game. He is however, far from being the best.

But also the team can become a real premiership force if it can build the confidence to have more than one point of attack. Mateo I see as crucial to this wherever he plays. If we can develop that AND get Tim back playing to his potential we can unleash the talent we have seen glimpses of this year.

 

[The Colonel]

Hayne in the halves?

eela, Twizzle, Hellsy, Colonel, help?

Take the fifth option....... I'm not sure I can help on that one but I won't speak for the other three.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Rremember last year when Timmy got injured, Jason Taylor took over, Jermey Smith became halfback and we won something like 9 straight. Timmy walked back into that team but it was also at the same time that Jeremy Smith got injured, IMO, Timmy was always going to come back into the side.

The difference is that the Premier League team knew how to support each other and give Jeremy options and when he stepped up to NRL they all just watched and expected him to do it all himself. Tim Smith had the same problem that year and parts of this year as well.

 

[Eelementary]

Why do people think we'll struggle?

1. Burt
6. Mateo/Keating
7. Finch
9. Riddell

Perhaps not as much flair and creativity as with Tim in the side, but there's still plenty of options and skill there.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

Your Missing Maloney from that lot as well. I think he will be fine as a possible replacement half if need be.

 

[parra pete]

I don't think the side will struggle - in my opinion the team will gain more consistency even if it means sacrificing some flair...
Brett Finch is a SOO half back.

 

[The Colonel]

Why do people think we'll struggle?

1. Burt
6. Mateo/Keating
7. Finch
9. Riddell

Perhaps not as much flair and creativity as with Tim in the side, but there's still plenty of options and skill there.

Mateo looks to be the most creative of those main options but probably isn't at the point in his career yet where he is the main option in attack and only one of the four has the temperament at this stage of their career to really impose themselves on a game...... and that would be Riddell who, with no disrespect, hasn't done that often enough in his career.

Burt and Finch are better players when someone else is directing the orchestra....... as their career has shown in the past.

The skill is there. It is the exceution of thoise skills people are concerned about.

Keating may well be a surprise packet but still remains untried at the NRL level...... we've been lucky with rookies in the past few years and while we can hope it continues it doesn't mean it will.

 

[Eelementary]

Maybe I'm naive, but there are two things that give me great hope:

(1) If Burty can play consistently at fullback, I believe he will be our greatest weapon.

(2) Playing consistently at fullback, his bes spot, I truly think that, playing in that position and as a senior player, he will step his game up a notch and really lead the team.

But it's just a theory.

 

[The Colonel]

Brett Finch is a SOO half back.

Phil Duke was an Origin winger too...

 

[COACH STERLING]

Why do people think we'll struggle?

1. Burt
6. Mateo/Keating
7. Finch
9. Riddell

Perhaps not as much flair and creativity as with Tim in the side, but there's still plenty of options and skill there.

I'm not sure whether we'll struggle, but looking at your list, Burt and Finch are average in terms of player rankings from other teams in that position and Mateo / Keating are unproven at 5/8 although I'm sure they'll do OK.

Our strike weapon will definitely be our forwards running out wide offloading in tackles, and out 3/4 back line. If we pick up injuries in any of those positions, than we may struggle. Just makes you realise how important Timmy's health is to our teams performance.

 

[Bigfella]

Colonel those last two points are beautifully put.