Today's Tactics

[Johns Magic]

Dunno where you got your stats from JM?

Cross

Runs: 10.2 pg
Metres: 87m pg
Tackles: 24 pg
Missed Tackles: 3 pg
Errors: 4

Tolar
Runs: 9.7
Metres: 78.6m pg
Tackles: 22.1 pg
Missed Tackles: 1.5 pg
Errors: 2

nrl.com

They said cross played against the Dragons when he didn't so divided his aggregate metres by an extra game.

I just noticed they credited Tolar for an extra game as well in their averages so your Tolar average is right. But the Cross one definitely isn't.

 

[Johns Magic]

You said Tolar has been non existant this year, That is crap, he's been the best forward on field in plenty of games. I reckon Tolar just might have had his averages over a few more games than Crossy as well. I'm not bagging him by the way I'm saying he has been ordinary for us when he's played, and he has. Yep Tolar has been ordinary as well so has White, we don't have any stand out front rowers, but I'd have any of those three ahead of lard arse Wicks any day. My beef is with the dropping of White and the selection of Wicks. You can read anything else you like into my posts. I don't have any hate with Cross, they were other peoples words not mine.

How many times has Tolar made over 100m in a game this year? 3? In 20 games?

He's a starting front-rower. That's terrible.

If Cross had been playing week-in week-out I'm sure his averages would be higher with the fitness.

I don't like Wicks either.

 

[antonius]

How many times has Tolar made over 100m in a game this year? 3? In 20 games?

He's a starting front-rower. That's terrible.

If Cross had been playing week-in week-out I'm sure his averages would be higher with the fitness.

I don't like Wicks either.

Tolar has not started in all 20 games, far from it, I don't have the stats but he's come off the bench plenty of tmes. He's no world beater but I'd have him in front of some of the blokes Smith has come up with this year.

 

[Johns Magic]

Tolar has not started in all 20 games, far from it, I don't have the stats but he's come off the bench plenty of tmes. He's no world beater but I'd have him in front of some of the blokes Smith has come up with this year.

I reckon he'd have started in about half of them.

I'd say Wicks has more long-term value.

 

[BG]

My two cents on Cross and Tolar.

Cross's main attribute is yardage, and we're seeing neither more or less than I expected from him--if his injuries are taken into account. His first game of the year was a shocker and Melbourne also got the better of him. Other than that he has only played a handful of games but he has averaged well above 100m in those (95m aggregate runs was his worst outside of Bris and Storm games), and I would agree with JM that given uninterrupted footy there is little doubt his average would be a lot higher.

Tolar is not in the same class for yardage. I doubt he's earning the same class of money either. He's been mostly reliable for us this year. Generally his defence has been very consistent and he has improved his technique this year imho, making more dominant tackles than he used to. He is also pretty safe with his hands and gets a nice offload away occasionally while rarely throwing a silly one. Basically he's a toiler, but every club needs a couple.

 

[antonius]

I reckon he'd have started in about half of them.

I'd say Wicks has more long-term value.

On Wicks I can't agree. He was the same at the Dragons as he's been here. I don't see him changing at all. He is a defensive liabilty while ever he's on the field, and his workrate is abysmal.

 

[Pika]

Wicks has more potential. It will take a big turn around to see it though.

Tolar is a hard grafter. His workman like performances often go unoticed.

Most teams have them, after all there is a salary cap.

He may not make big meters, but he carts the ball when required, and its usually against fresh props at the start of the game rather than impact from the bench, which is far more effective when it comes to meters.

His tackling is excellent, and again, its against the fresh opposition.

Finally, he makes very few mistakes.

He is also the most improved wrestler in the middle, making him the best player we have.... ever... in the history of the Knights. haha, that bits not true.

 

[Karmawave]

Wicks has more potential. It will take a big turn around to see it though.

All crap aside, Wicks is a bloody natural if only he put a bit into realising his potential.

If he put in 110%, I've no doubt he is one of our best prop forwards.

Until that happens, and until he trims up a bit and while ever he remains a half a step too slow due to lack of fitness, then he will be a hindrance to this side defensively.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

agree 100%

X 2

 

[Big Tim]

All crap aside, Wicks is a bloody natural if only he put a bit into realising his potential.

If he put in 110%, I've no doubt he is one of our best prop forwards.

Until that happens, and until he trims up a bit and while ever he remains a half a step too slow due to lack of fitness, then he will be a hindrance to this side defensively.

75% would make him a solid player.....

 

[antonius]

Wicks is sh!t and that wont change. Smiths on drugs naming him this week ahead of Taufua and White.

 

[roopy]

Wicks is sh!t and that wont change. Smiths on drugs naming him this week ahead of Taufua and White.

But what do you really think?

I agree that the Wicks experiment has to end till he is at least down to 115kg. 125kg is bigger than Matt Parsons could carry.

 

[antonius]

But what do you really think?

I agree that the Wicks experiment has to end till he is at least down to 115kg. 125kg is bigger than Matt Parsons could carry.

I just wrote what I really think:lol:

 

[BG]

His tackling is excellent

Is it just me or has he made a bit of a technical improvement in this area? I don't know what the stats show, but especially in the last month or two he seems to be making more dominant style tacles--really getting in under the ribs and putting blokes on their backs. A little like Faaso's best hits or those of Sarg when he was going well last year. Tolar's don't have quite the same impact but he seems to be getting there.

 

[antonius]

Is it just me or has he made a bit of a technical improvement in this area? I don't know what the stats show, but especially in the last month or two he seems to be making more dominant style tacles--really getting in under the ribs and putting blokes on their backs. A little like Faaso's best hits or those of Sarg when he was going well last year. Tolar's don't have quite the same impact but he seems to be getting there.

Problem being if he has to step more than 500mm sideways to make it he doesn't! It takes him 5 mins to move sideways

 

[Pika]

Tolar and Royal have worked really hard on tackle tech this year.

I think it is a credit to both that they play serious minutes in the middle and miss an average of .88 and 1.36 missed tackles a game.