The way the team has changed

[TrigaTheTiger]

Used to be provided we kept a team to less than 20 pts we would win the game.

Commentators used to love our style of play. We used to throw the ball around, play off the cuff and be a genuine threat from any part of the field.

What the hell has happened?

Our forward / back link man (Farah) is playing even better.

Sure our forwards arent dominating, but honestly, they never did. We all bemoan the lack of grunt and size in our forwards, but frankly, this pack isnt that much worse than 05.

Time for a clean out in the point scorers I reckon (backs).

1. Teddy
2. Someone fast - please!
3. Siro
4. Simona
5. Koro
6. Marshall
7. Miller

The interesting thing is that in 05 our centres would have been classified as average centres at best. So Im just really frustrated with where we are.

Also - and most importantly, I dont blame Potter at all. This is the rabble of sh*t he inherited. Will be very interesting to see what he does when the transfer market opens.

As an aside, Ive always thought Fulton at centre would be our Mark Gasnier. Big strong and defensively perfect.

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

Used to be provided we kept a team to less than 20 pts we would win the game.

Commentators used to love our style of play. We used to throw the ball around, play off the cuff and be a genuine threat from any part of the field.

What the hell has happened?

Our forward / back link man (Farah) is playing even better.

Sure our forwards arent dominating, but honestly, they never did. We all bemoan the lack of grunt and size in our forwards, but frankly, this pack isnt that much worse than 05.

Time for a clean out in the point scorers I reckon (backs).

1. Teddy
2. Someone fast - please!
3. Siro
4. Simona
5. Koro
6. Marshall
7. Miller

The interesting thing is that in 05 our centres would have been classified as average centres at best. So Im just really frustrated with where we are.

Also - and most importantly, I dont blame Potter at all. This is the rabble of sh*t he inherited. Will be very interesting to see what he does when the transfer market opens.

As an aside, Ive always thought Fulton at centre would be our Mark Gasnier. Big strong and defensively perfect.

The forward pack has shown more grunt over the last few weeks than it did in 10 years under Sheens' tenure. We have guys who run with aggression and dent the defensive line. In the past we relied on sweeping backline plays and opposition mistakes to get out of our own territory, now we have the muscle to drive the ball down the field like other teams. I'm weary of getting too carried over two performances - and two losses at that, but what I've seen bodes well for the future.

As to your point regarding the backs, while they've been ineffectual they've been hampered by the lack of stability in the halves. A good halves combination can make average players outside them look good. Yesterday we had a makeshift halfback and a rookie five-eight. In time, and with the return of key players, we'll improve. But it's important that Potter plays the best team and does not defer to particular guys on the basis of reputation or experience. When Koro is available he needs to slot back into the team in place of Reddy. Likewise, we have guys in State Cup like Simona who would be more worthy of a starting spot in the centres than Lawrence right now.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I agree with TV Ted. Our forwards have surpassed my expectations. Given how many props we have out they have shown more aggression and grunt than any period under Sheens. Our backline is the problem. We have zero speed and zero strikepower and we will continue to lose close games until we fix this. For me, I'd like to see this backline once everyone is fit:

1. Tedesco
2. Nofoaluma
3. Sironen
4. Simona
5. Koroibete
6. Marshall
7. Anasta

 

[gronkathon]

I still rate Ayshford. Hard to find his exact position though.

It has been suggested Anasta is out for in excess of 10 weeks

 

[hybrid_tiger]

It has been suggested Anasta is out for in excess of 10 weeks

:lol:

You have to laugh otherwise you will cry.

Can all these injuries be a coincidence? Really?

 

[gronkathon]

I don't think performance management and the like were in Skando's TAFE course

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

Used to be provided we kept a team to less than 20 pts we would win the game.

Commentators used to love our style of play. We used to throw the ball around, play off the cuff and be a genuine threat from any part of the field.

What the hell has happened?

Our forward / back link man (Farah) is playing even better.

Sure our forwards arent dominating, but honestly, they never did. We all bemoan the lack of grunt and size in our forwards, but frankly, this pack isnt that much worse than 05.

Time for a clean out in the point scorers I reckon (backs).

1. Teddy
2. Someone fast - please!
3. Siro
4. Simona
5. Koro
6. Marshall
7. Miller

The interesting thing is that in 05 our centres would have been classified as average centres at best. So Im just really frustrated with where we are.

Also - and most importantly, I dont blame Potter at all. This is the rabble of sh*t he inherited. Will be very interesting to see what he does when the transfer market opens.

As an aside, Ive always thought Fulton at centre would be our Mark Gasnier. Big strong and defensively perfect.

Fulton our Gasnier! Thats hilarious.


Wish there was a mid-season transfer window like other sports to combat injury tolls and give a team a chance to rebuild rather than just wiping out the season before its even halfway through.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

There's no way a coach will make multiple changes to the backline.

I think he will leave as is, even moving Moltzen to 7, if Anasta is out, means that a new winger is needed. Meaning who or what? someone new outside Lawrence?
Or someone who has played there before like Reddy? that means what bringing Utai back:lol: I don't think so.

Leaving as is means 1 change next week and that may be Miller to resume his U20's partnership with Siro. That combined with the swapping of Tedesco and Moltzen will work for me and believe me, it hurts me to say that Moltzen should be retained.

Thompson coming back and perhaps starting with he and Pettybourne would give Miller and Siro the opportunity to get the backs moving.

IMO

 

[benched tiger]

Comparing Fulton to Gasnier thats a big call .

 

[Tigers Tale]

I'd like to see this backline once everyone is fit:

1. Tedesco
2. Nofoaluma
3. Sironen
4. Simona
5. Koroibete
6. Marshall
7. Anasta

In a perfect world I'd take that backline Hybrid. I like the speed on the wings and call me crazy but I can genuinley see Sironen (at the moment) in the centres. He is big and while not super fast he has skills to set up his man on the outside (Nofualuma) or an inside ball to Marshall or Tedesco following through. I think Sironen could be similar to Paul McGregor (using Rod Wishart) from the old Steelers.

With Simona he runs hard and has enough pace to be a true centre, he only has to half beat his man and create space and Kiroibete can do the rest.

Anasta (if fit) can stay at half until Brooks is brought through (a year or so). It appears Miller is now definately on the outer so if not Anasta I guess Moltzen can go to 7 to allow Tedesco the 1.

Sadly I have not seen a lot of Tedesco playing juniors or early games but I take everyones word he is a better fullback than wing but he needs to show his defence is improving to move him to 1...I guess time will tell.

I just feel Lawrence, Reddy and Ayshford don't have the pace to make or importantly finish off the half breaks we create. I think our centres have reached their use by date in our backline. If they can be used elswhere so be it but 3 and 4 isn't it.

 

[Mario chalmers]

Tigers tale/ hybrid
The forwards are the main area of concern in my view. Backs need to get the ball with the defence on the backfoot. This hasn't happened because of lazy/ small/ soft forwards. Players who for various reasons can't skittle defenders include Blair, Bell and Fulton. These guys are on the field for large portions of matches

The way matches are being played the centre is becoming a redundant position. There is too much wrestling (exhibit 1 our game v melb with a terribly slow ruck speed throughout) and block plays. Wingers are given instruct to rush up on centres meaning the only way any sides can score is to spread the ball to the wing and beat the defence rushing up. There isn't a centre in the game who is lighting up the NRL this year.


It's too early to write off Lawrence and Ayshford is what I'm trying to say

 

[Tigers Tale]

The forwards are the main area of concern in my view. Backs need to get the ball with the defence on the backfoot. This hasn't happened because of lazy/ small/ soft forwards.

Mario, I am not saying our backs are the sole problem and while I can't speak for Hybrid I don't think he is saying that either. We are both really identifying there is potential to perhaps improve our current backs.

I certainly acknowledge there are serious issues with our current forwards but my comment was more I liked the look of the backline named by Hybrid. I think there are points in that backline but really it is a moot point because most are out injured....not unlike our current forwards.

I hope over the next year or so we purchase some go forward. Who that is though is the big question. I like Buchanan as he has heart but gee a few more forwards to equal the figures Woods is producing would be beautiful.

Just as an aside, I am hoping the recognition Sironen and Tedesco get from being chosen in a senior rep team (no matter the level of it) will give them confidence for when they return to play for the Tigers.

 

[deemac77]

As much as what i hate the jerk, Moltzen hasn't actually played to bad so far this season.
Chris Lawrence is just hopeless now. Hes never recovered from his injury back in 2011.

I also still think Ayshford is useful, but as for another winger to replace Utai, im not sure who to go for? Noafoluma perhaps.?

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

I think Ayshford on the wing could work. Is much quicker than people give credit for, has power, can defend, can leap, can be elusive. Just a gut feeling. On the end of a good backline I can see him as very useful on the wing.

In the short term that would leave us needing two new centres.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Well, Ayshford would not need to pass so he could certainly be more effective on the wing...

I don't think he is quick enough to be a quality winger, however.

 

[Mario chalmers]

As much as what i hate the jerk, Moltzen hasn't actually played to bad so far this season.
Chris Lawrence is just hopeless now. Hes never recovered from his injury back in 2011.

I also still think Ayshford is useful, but as for another winger to replace Utai, im not sure who to go for? Noafoluma perhaps.?

Deemac - if you're willing to accept more efforts from moltzen which are 'not too bad' then you'll likely be disappointed when we miss the finals.

If tedesco plays well for city then that may force potter's hand

 

[deemac77]

Mario mate, dont worry we will not be playing finals football this year champ.

I never said i want Moltzen at fullback, im just saying, as much as what i bag him and have done for a few seasons hes actually had an ok start to 2013.

Id love nothing more than to see Ted at fullback.

I actually wish Sheens had never gotten rid of Jake Mullaney.

 

[BuffaloRules]

It's taken a year and six rounds to go from genuine premiership contenders to bottom 4 certainties.

That's an impressive fall from grace.

 

[Mario chalmers]

Buffalo you're too quick to write us off.

As long as benji was pulling the strings under the sheens game plan we were only ever likely to win as many games as we lost. Benji has been a rocks or diamonds player as long as he's been in first grade. Potter has spoken publicly about playing percentages and earning the right to try risky plays by making metres first (something our last coach had no time for).

An nrl coach is to an extent unable to drop highly paid underperformers as that reflects terribly on his own ability to spot talent. WT under potter don't have this predicament. Potter has the luxury of dropping established players as he can then tell mgmt 'they were sheens' players not mine'

With a bit of luck there'll be changes for the Brisbane game (based on form not just injuries)

 

[Magpie Tragic]

Heard a rumour on the radio (2GB) that Sam Kasiano is leaving the Dogs, doubtful they would let him go, BUT, he would be nice pick up for WT's ailing front row stocks.