Will 2014 be any better?

[super_coach]

By all accounts he was a standout, but remember Tom Humble was the reserve grade player of the year,the year before he came to us. Iam not trying to be negative, but we are a long long way from being able to beat the teams that have been playing over the past few weeks and to beat these teams we need a couple of standout NRL players not standout reserve graders . Anyway Austen just might be the one exception and puts egg on my face, but we have been down this track so often with little or no success.

 

[BrotherJim05]

I think the biggest difference next year will be the new coaching strategy.

Realistically, Potter had to completely start from scratch not knowing the true value of each player. He now has staff and players of his own choosing, along with enough knowledge to know where our strengths as a team lie.

I don't think we will be up there as one of the best teams next year but if we get our shit together (and fingers crossed not too many injuries) we have a good shot at making the top 8.

 

[TYGA]

we wont make the 8

 

[Vic Mackey]

It wil certainly be better, but I think we'll fall short of the 8. I predict we'll be a bit like penrith were this year, surprise everyone with strong and spiritied performances. Upset a few more fancied teams, but ultimately fall short due to inexperience and lapses during games. Probably end up 12th-8th.

2014 is the year I think we'll give it a real shake. The likes of tedesco, nofoaluma, Korobiete, sironen, Simona, sue, taupau, Austin, brooks, seumanufangui etc will all be in their 3rd-4th year of first grade. If they progress like we expect and we just make 1 or 2 really good good signings I think we'll be right up there

 

[super_coach]

You look at most of the better team this year, their top 17 is mainly very experienced Fgraders with maybe a couple of talented young kids and these young kids are not in the spine.Its exciting to have so many good young kids coming through the ranks,but we are least two years away from the top six and it will also take some serious money to attract the quality we need to bolster our squad

 

[madunit]

Our issue next year will be defence.

Our attack is going to be structured for the first time since 2000.

 

[magpie4ever]

$64 question. Don't know the answer, but it couldn't be any worse (15 out of 16).

 

[madunit]

yeah and I'm sure I have read that a few players have purchased (invested) in Meriton Apartments over the years.

Sure someone said that Potter is in a Meriton Apartment on the water at Abbotsford.

Point is, we look like we have lost the sponsorship of Harry - maybe Tiger Air might be a good match?

Meriton today announced as the Tigers major sponsor for 2014

 

[macnaz]

Thank you Harry ... what a true supporter.

 

[BrotherJim05]

Packer just signed to Knights........I really hope we at least took a run at him. Need one more big ass Prop and Backrower

 

[FootynRacing]

I guess none of the Super League clubs were stupid enough to sign Moltzen. Tigers website just named him as a utility in our squad for next season.

 

[ucantseeme]

If the Tigers don't hit the ground running and get some wins in the opening rounds then the Potter getting axed articles will come thick and fast in the Daily Tele.

Benji was our biggest star but often his last tackle options were poor and goal kicking average. If they come up with better choices on the last and have a go in defense for the full 80 then making the Top 8 is a good chance. And Pat Richards is a very good goal kicker so going up by 6's instead of 4's will help snag a few wins.

 

[Mario chalmers]

Would like to see what rule changes come in before assessing our 2014 prospects. There's merit in reducing the interchanges in my view.

 

[madunit]

Brooks must be the 7 from round 1. Sironen the 6 before he makes a permanent move to lock in 2015

 

[bubblesunlimited]

MU. I think we may has Brooks at 7 and Austin at 6.

I reckon Sirro may be a lock next season and Anasta/Moltzen may play the 14 role.

 

[WT Unity]

Sirro was not named in the list of halves posted on WT website the other day. I would therefore assume he is definitely being considered as a back-rower for 2014 which I agree with. As for where in the backrow? The current thinking seems to be that the lock plays in tight, in the middle third (think G.Burgess @ Souths, G.Eastwood @ Bulldogs even Watmough at manly plays in the middle third allowing Horo and G.Stewart to play wider). Potter also seems to go along with this thinking based on him playing Sue at lock alot towards the end of last season. It will be interesting to see who ends up starting where in 2014 but I think we might see Sirro playing as an edge back-rower!

 

[madunit]

MU. I think we may has Brooks at 7 and Austin at 6.

I reckon Sirro may be a lock next season and Anasta/Moltzen may play the 14 role.

I can understand that decision.

My only reason for having Sironen at 6 was to give him one last full season to get his body ready for the rigours of NRL, before slotting him into the forwards.

 

[Tigers Tale]

I accept it is a level down but I will be taking some interest in how Blake Austin goes this weekend....

 

[magpie guy]

I also see Siro playing more of an edge backrower role next season. He would be playing near the Centre and 5/8 channel as well so he can easily take on some ball-playing from there. That way he can share the 5/8 duties with Austin (or whoever) whilst still being a hole runner. He would also be defending in a similar position to if he was at 5/8 so he can still be protected somewhat from the rigors of defending in tight.

Blair, Sue and BMM are better suited for lock at this stage imo. BMM especially I think is a stand out as he can do the tough work of a prop from that position when needed and he can pop up out wide to take crash balls near the line etc. The only issue would be that he isn't as strong a cover defender as someone like Fulton or Sue.

I also really do not want to see Anasta anywhere near the 17. We have better players for any role that he would fill and I would rather see a big bench with the likes of Taupau, Ava.S, Sue and Patterson.

 

[madunit]

Simply put, Anasta & fulton should never be in the same 17