2014, new signings and thoughts

[Roysta59]

End of rd 9 last yr we were actually on 10 points, 2015 we are on 8 (2014 beaten by Saints, Warriors, Titans and Roosters although we did beat Titans, Souths, Manly, Cowboys and Parra…)
Are we really better off?? hard to say
I think we are... less injuries which is great (by round 9 we had Farah, Sirro, Teddy, Simona out injured)
The team seems a lot happier at the moment (not sure if that's just Farah)
I would have loved JT to of kept Brad Takairangi as he would have added more than Lawrence in the backs plus is a massive hitter in D.
I see Teddy as a massive player with untapped potential and a great team player as everyone seems to like being around him, although a little small for origin at the moment - hate seeing him run straight at a good defensive line from a kick.
Woods and Taupau are just brilliant but big Galloway looks really slow out there but is defending well and adds size/experience. Cant wait for Lodge to develop more.
Simona, Farah, Brooks, Sirro, Sue and a few others are very gifted but all seem to be a little hot and cold but in saying that when forwards go forward all these tend to shine
JUST MY THOUGHTS

 

[TrueTiger]

When our top squad gel and work out how to play football with or without a structure then they will be world beaters…..big,big emphasis on when......

 

[greatodensraven]

When our top squad gel and work out how to play football with or without a structure then they will be world beaters…..big,big emphasis on when......

Too right. Besides the game v Roosters our starting side have been world beaters for anywhere from 20-80 minutes. Consistency will come with experience & it looks as though our current board & coaching staff are prepared to wait.

 

[Flippedy]

When our top squad gel and work out how to play football with or without a structure then they will be world beaters…..big,big emphasis on when......

There's an even bigger emphasis on 'if' - there are no guarantees they ever will gel.

 

[Tbone]

That's true. I'm an optimist but I'm not sure any amount of time/experience for some of the young players or improvement in the young halves is going to compensate for our overall weak roster.

We picked up Naiqama this year but lost Austin, Koro, Fulton, Thompson, Blair, Gavet and (cough) Anasta so we actually had a much better roster last year. We need more than a few good buys for 2016 onwards or things won't get much better. Taylor's time at the club could well be defined by the quality of players he signs in the coming period.

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[supercoach]

Defense is still the real issue and that is in part caused by having four kids defending the edges,Siro,Lovett,Moses and Brooks. I am confident in two years time they will be good defenders but we will be leaking a few points especially to the good sides in the mean time

 

[Goose]

Defense is still the real issue and that is in part caused by having four kids defending the edges,Siro,Lovett,Moses and Brooks. I am confident in two years time they will be good defenders but we will be leaking a few points especially to the good sides in the mean time

We are actually getting beaten in the middle when our reserve middle players are on more than anywhere else.

 

[Tigerdon]

I Agree with Goose.
It happen with Raiders and Roosters losses.
Bench Keith and have him come on around the 20 min mark for Ava or Lodge. Sue needs to be our impact player off the bench.
ATM there is to much of a difference between our starting side and bench.

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[TurnStyle]

Defense is still the real issue and that is in part caused by having four kids defending the edges,Siro,Lovett,Moses and Brooks. I am confident in two years time they will be good defenders but we will be leaking a few points especially to the good sides in the mean time

We are actually getting beaten in the middle when our reserve middle players are on more than anywhere else.

i agree too. think it was the bulldogs game (?) when the middle section of the game cost the team because all the best forwards were on the bench! probably reasons beyond my knowledge, but it seems to have happened on more than one occasion…

 

[TurnStyle]

That's true. I'm an optimist but I'm not sure any amount of time/experience for some of the young players or improvement in the young halves is going to compensate for our overall weak roster.

We picked up Naiqama this year but lost Austin, Koro, Fulton, Thompson, Blair, Gavet and (cough) Anasta so we actually had a much better roster last year. We need more than a few good buys for 2016 onwards or things won't get much better. Taylor's time at the club could well be defined by the quality of players he signs in the coming period.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

well, in saying that, Taylor is bound by the financial situation he has inherited regarding the cap calamities of seasons past, so hopefully once they all clear up he will be in a position to strengthen the roster in key areas needed.

having said this, the main focus of the club atm seems stability as a club and getting back on its feet financially and it seems the cap was so unwisely spent they are still digging themselves out.

as for the squad as a whole, i think it is a good one with plenty of talent. things arent working out in the immediate but i think theyve done the right thing in securing the young players they have.

 

[Tbone]

That's true. I'm an optimist but I'm not sure any amount of time/experience for some of the young players or improvement in the young halves is going to compensate for our overall weak roster.

We picked up Naiqama this year but lost Austin, Koro, Fulton, Thompson, Blair, Gavet and (cough) Anasta so we actually had a much better roster last year. We need more than a few good buys for 2016 onwards or things won't get much better. Taylor's time at the club could well be defined by the quality of players he signs in the coming period.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

well, in saying that, Taylor is bound by the financial situation he has inherited regarding the cap calamities of seasons past, so hopefully once they all clear up he will be in a position to strengthen the roster in key areas needed.

having said this, the main focus of the club atm seems stability as a club and getting back on its feet financially and it seems the cap was so unwisely spent they are still digging themselves out.

as for the squad as a whole, i think it is a good one with plenty of talent. things arent working out in the immediate but i think theyve done the right thing in securing the young players they have.

No doubt he (and Potter) inherited a turd burger with respect to the salary cap situation. That goes without saying. Which means that when some funds eventually do become available, its critical how they are allocated.

 

[TurnStyle]

That's true. I'm an optimist but I'm not sure any amount of time/experience for some of the young players or improvement in the young halves is going to compensate for our overall weak roster.

We picked up Naiqama this year but lost Austin, Koro, Fulton, Thompson, Blair, Gavet and (cough) Anasta so we actually had a much better roster last year. We need more than a few good buys for 2016 onwards or things won't get much better. Taylor's time at the club could well be defined by the quality of players he signs in the coming period.

_Posted using RoarFEED 4.2.0_

well, in saying that, Taylor is bound by the financial situation he has inherited regarding the cap calamities of seasons past, so hopefully once they all clear up he will be in a position to strengthen the roster in key areas needed.

having said this, the main focus of the club atm seems stability as a club and getting back on its feet financially and it seems the cap was so unwisely spent they are still digging themselves out.

as for the squad as a whole, i think it is a good one with plenty of talent. things arent working out in the immediate but i think theyve done the right thing in securing the young players they have.

No doubt he (and Potter) inherited a turd burger with respect to the salary cap situation. That goes without saying. Which means that when some funds eventually do become available, its critical how they are allocated.

yeh definitely.

 

[tiga4eva]

Taupau changed the complexion of a Test match when he came on, I'm hoping JT will use him the same way. As Goose said its when Woods Galloway and Tauapu leave the field, that we begin to struggle

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