Will 2014 be any better?

[Armageddon.]

I don't believe in the too small for FG stuff anymore about u20s players.
Mess plays against some massive units in Holden Cup and if he can handle them he can handle first grade.
Not to mention there's been some very slight players have successful NRL careers.

 

[gronkathon]

I am looking for progression. We have a lot of guys exposed to a lot earlier then expected.

The thing so far is that the guys who were fringe forwards last season or hopefuls are hitting the gym already because they now see themselves as NRL players

 

[DanOz]

Im not sold on Tapau yet....he could be another work in progress ....he'll likely take a while too...same with gavet

The little I saw I liked, but talking to Dogs supporters they rated him but with their pack he was not in line for regular grade.
Paterson is another one. He could be good if his head is right, or he might be another in a long list of dead weight.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I really like the look of taupau, was shocked he didn't get more game time at the dogs over guys like Browne etc. he is a big unit who runs bloody hard but like most dogs forwards can pass before the line. Think he will be great off the bench for us.

 

[Radical Rat]

I really like the look of taupau, was shocked he didn't get more game time at the dogs over guys like Browne etc. he is a big unit who runs bloody hard but like most dogs forwards can pass before the line. Think he will be great off the bench for us.

Agreed. I like the look of Taupau. I see him as a regular in the 17.

 

[Shanghai Charlie]

In 9 months time everyone will be laughing at Patterson and Taupau and saying how poor our recruiting is.
Lets be realistic....neither are first grade material. Neither is Halatau and neither Richards.
All are fringe first graders at best.
Horrible recruiting.

Need our front row healthy.
Still got shit backrow.
NEED Brooks to fire. Shit five eight options.
Need young outside backs to continue to fire and still improve even more.

Tough year ahead.

 

[madunit]

we've signed depth players pretty much.

Needed big boppers though.

Can only hope we've put something in front of Tom Symonds.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Halatau I don't get, although he did look very good in 2012 before his injury.

Btw I got told by someone who works at the club that humphreys was the one who signed Richards and potter had no input into it whatsoever...so I don't think he is guarenteed a wing spot.

 

[douglasfisher]

For me, 2014 will be better. I've lowered my expectations from the 2010-11 seasons. Lets face it, we've only made the top 8 three times in the last 14 seasons.

 

[douglasfisher]

in saying that, i will ride every game like its a sudden death qualifier!

 

[R2Coupe]

In 9 months time everyone will be laughing at Patterson and Taupau and saying how poor our recruiting is.
Lets be realistic....neither are first grade material. Neither is Halatau and neither Richards.
All are fringe first graders at best.
Horrible recruiting.

Need our front row healthy.
Still got shit backrow.
NEED Brooks to fire. Shit five eight options.
Need young outside backs to continue to fire and still improve even more.

Tough year ahead.

This is the most realistic appraisal of our recruiting and prospects for 2014 that I have read. I rate Taupau but our chances rest entirely on the improvement of our younger players and emergence of more young talent. At least we have talent emerging to fill vacancies.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

but our chances rest entirely on the improvement of our younger players and emergence of more young talent.

R2 can I add that it does not entirely depend on that. Plenty will come back to the man management and coaching skills of Potter and his support team.

Kidwell for me will be very important http://www.weststigers.com.au/news-display/Kidwell-expects-hardened-edge-in-2014/89188

Payten also with his knowledge of the U20 players.

Just saying ;-)

 

[R2Coupe]

Well written. I neglected to mention the coaching! I am very pleased KIdwell and Payten are involved.

Both have plenty of talent to work with at the Club.

 

[Matchball]

If Kidwell can't get Blair to fire, nobody can.

 

[douglasfisher]

If Kidwell can't get Blair to fire, nobody can.

True! I think he is an impact player, 20min bursts. Playing him for 80mins a game doesn't justify his price tag.

 

[Old Time Tiger]

If Kidwell can't get Blair to fire,

plenty of press relating to the Tigers in the past week.

Including this - lets hope Kidwell can inspire him.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ear-of-criticism/story-e6frf3ou-1226807807554

 

[BuffaloRules]

Nice bump.

Reread the first few pages. We were all so bitter back then.

It's January and confidence is high!

 

[The Rosco]

I still think Tapau will be an absolute beast for us.
The limited on-field time he got at the dogs last year gave us a little window to his ability. His time was limited only coz he was behind a quality pack, of course.
He runs hard at the line, and when he gets there, he runs straight through it as if it were chalked on the grass.
We really need some mongrel in the forwards. I know we have Keith and Woodsy . . . . and at the risk of being shot down as a traitor to the WT cause . . . if big Keith and Woodsy ran at the line with the same venom and lunacy that Tapau does . . . we wouldn't all be whining about our forward pack.
When does this bloody January end ?!?! BRING ON THE FOOTY !!!!!!

 

[DanOz]

In 9 months time everyone will be laughing at Patterson and Taupau and saying how poor our recruiting is.
Lets be realistic....neither are first grade material. Neither is Halatau and neither Richards.
All are fringe first graders at best.
Horrible recruiting.

Need our front row healthy.
Still got shit backrow.
NEED Brooks to fire. Shit five eight options.
Need young outside backs to continue to fire and still improve even more.

Tough year ahead.

I look at it from another angle. None of our recruits would be on big dollars, but all have the potential to kick on beyond expectations and become a real bargain buy. And if they don't, they are not killing the salary cap and are not signed up for long contracts.

I am not a fan of Mayer but even if he had a hand in this I call it shrewd recruitment until the right big name comes along.

 

[gronkathon]

As much as I rate him if all our recruits and young players who got experience last year continue growing I think Fulton may see some NSW Cup action during the season