Anonymous said:
roopy, the game this year against newtown was against a jets side compromised primarily of jim beam cup players.
i think the us should play some meaningful games rather than games like last year where they got served thrashings in front of poor attendances ie. vs Parra PL/JF.
The Tomahawks should play the NSW Police, perhaps the Students, Greece and the Jets. If time permits a couple of matches against a-grade opposition could also be scheduled.
The Jets and Dragons last year showed the Tomahawks can pull a crowd so the games should be promoted as a event.
When you really look at the objectives of these tours, results on the field are really not that important.
The last touring party included guys who were/are the main organisers and motivators behind the league comp in America - Astill and Balachandran from the Knights, Niu from the Bulls, Mulvihill from the Wildcats, Preston from the Fight etc etc. Of that lot, only Mulvihill and perhaps Preston would be in the top team the USA could field. Despite the fact that the squad wasn't the best playing outfit that could be named, they managed to 'network' with clubs and officials in Australia and I'm sure they picked up many coaching, training and organisational ideas from the tour. They also managed to bring over many of their rising young players to see how the game is really played.
To sum up, I don't think the games are as important as the 'fact-finding' and 'networking' opportunities, but, of course, the games are a chance for players to learn. IMO it is less important for them to win than it is for them to see what standards they need to achieve, therefore, I believe they should play the highest standard team they can without being humiliated. I wouldn't mind if they get beaten by 50 every game, as long as they learn as much as they can.
