2016 report card

[Kavi]

You are harsh as hell on Naqaima. He was one of our best players over the duration if the year. He was instrumental to heaps of our wins. He definitely could improve his defense but defense in my opinion is a reflection of coach and culture. Kev can tackle and has a good mind for the game, his x factor and attacking skill is very high level. In a good system and with good coaching his defense is a non issue.

He is a better player than Simona. More clutch, a better passer, more sensible.

Kev at the moment is better than Simona. There is no way that you would get rid of him. He can tackle as you state. It's our structure and I think mostly Moses that makes that edge poor defensively.

The problem is we are so small and unable to communicate on that side of the field… need a new system or new players, i dont want to see nofo and naqaima on the same edge

 

[TYGA]

Tedesco A - excellent season. Needs to keep developing combinations which have him working back through the ruck ala Ben barba.
Nofo B - progressing nicely, although needs to be mentally stronger particularly in defense
Simona C - tapered off as season progressed. Needs to find ways to be more involved when things aren't working to his side, like a hodges or Jennings. Better early ball would help.
Kev D - poor inconsistent season particularly in defense. Has the first 6 games in 2017 to prove he is a first grader.
Rankin C+ - toiled hard but to guarantee a place in 2017 will need to show he can handle a variety of positions. Possibly a bench utility if we can find an 80min hooker.
Moses B - needs to eliminate the all or nothing plays and improve one on one defense. Look at brad Fittler video.
Brooks C - needs to be stronger mentally and physically. Goes missing too often at crucial times.needs a big off season.
Woods A - developing nicely as a leader of men. Keep doing what you are doing.
liddle/ballin - position up for grabs for someone who prices that have the physical capability to grind of 50-60mins.
Sue B+ - good season but needs to give woods more support when the going gets tough. Needs to grow into a team leader.
Lawrence - C form waned possibly as a result of Farah saga, injury or first full season in forwards.
Aioli B+ - big off season and he could be anything
Et B+ - needs to continue to work on his combinations and become the swing player, either ball player, hole runner or defensive workhorse.
Ava B+ - progressing but needs to progress faster so he is a legitimate replacement for woods
Grant C - inconsistent. Why?
Lovett C - needs to hit and run harder.
Edwards C- big off season required. Needs to tighten up our ruck defense
Sirro E - bring a new attitude or you will be shopped
Jac b+ - plenty of potential but still major areas of improvement. Strength and mental toughness.
I would be trading hard to try and bring some more quality and allow room for younger players to come in. Trade rankin, Ava, Edwards, Kev, grant for a proper centre, impact bench prop and backrower

Good summary I would punt everyone C or under except simony who needs to be used on the wing.

 

[larrycorowa]

You just need to see the momentum change when woods leaves the field to understand hiS importance. He is double mark the whole time. That's why I rated him so highly, also the development of his passing game that has brought a new dimension to our attack. The bench props cede control of the match when they come on. Grant was great one week and not sighted other weeks.

Aioli improved considerably as the season went on as he got fitter. Very unusual for a first year player to do that. We could have goodun there once he does a full pre season.

 

[LCA]

You just need to see the momentum change when woods leaves the field to understand hiS importance. He is double mark the whole time. That's why I rated him so highly, also the development of his passing game that has brought a new dimension to our attack. The bench props cede control of the match when they come on. Grant was great one week and not sighted other weeks.

Aioli improved considerably as the season went on as he got fitter. Very unusual for a first year player to do that. We could have goodun there once he does a full pre season.

And the fact that you rate Woods so highly is the reason why we will finish mid-table again and again. If Woods is among even the best four things we've got going for us, then we're doomed.

 

[westTAHger]

Not sugar coating today:
Improved from 2015 Yes.
good enough in 2016 No.
Defence and knowing how to close out games, whether in last 15 min or golden point, still a major problem. 3 games, Storm, Bulldogs and Titans, comes straight to mind.

 

[supercoach]

We keep focusing on individuals and you only have to watch the Sharks, Melbourne and cowboys last night to see its all about 100% team work and communication especially in defence. Okay individual brilliance and blunders make a difference but the old saying a champion team will beat a team of champions still prevails.

From where i sit we give taylor one last year or even half a season if we are struggling and if we are still out of the eight than we head hunt the best available coach what ever the cost

 

[innsaneink]

We keep focusing on individuals and you only have to watch the Sharks, Melbourne and cowboys last night to see its all about 100% team work and communication especially in defence. Okay individual brilliance and blunders make a difference but the old saying a champion team will beat a team of champions still prevails.

From where i sit we give taylor one last year or even half a season if we are struggling and if we are still out of the eight than we head hunt the best available coach what ever the cost

Its something we've always done here… Focussed on individuals, I've notice it for a while now.
It's very rare we put in a really good performance where it's difficult to single out individuals because the team as a whole played well. Maybe once or twice a year.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Woods was strong at times, but overall was pretty disappointing. Wonder how much that has to do with the captaincy. Probably not a coincidence that it was his most average yr since he debuted. Although he did show great leadership at times. I'd still have Rowdy as captain personally.

 

[Newtown]

In general the team still has a lot of maturing to go through left before they can match it with the big boys. The only future captain in sight is Moses, the leader.

 

[Bird is the Word]

In general the team still has a lot of maturing to go through left before they can match it with the big boys. The only future captain in sight is Moses, the leader.

Spot on. We need a captain who is tenacious and leads by example… Players like Thurston and Smith would inspire the extra effort from their team mates. Moses has that same quality...

 

[Masterton]

Grant C - inconsistent. Why?

Harsh on Grant, IMHO. I often see him doing the tough work when others are shirking.

Very much looking forward to Felise & Aloiai being stronger and keen come round 1.

 

[larrycorowa]

Woods was strong at times, but overall was pretty disappointing. Wonder how much that has to do with the captaincy. Probably not a coincidence that it was his most average yr since he debuted. Although he did show great leadership at times. I'd still have Rowdy as captain personally.

I think woods and rowdy would have carried the burden of the robbie Farah saga. It will be interesting to see the vibe In The place next year without the drama that follows him. I do think the club would have dealt with robbie the way it did if his influence was neutral to positive.

 

[stryker]

Lol well done Larry we are now blaming Farah for other's poor seasons?
This guy is the devil incarnate.

 

[Kavi]

Grant C - inconsistent. Why?

Harsh on Grant, IMHO. I often see him doing the tough work when others are shirking.

Very much looking forward to Felise & Aloiai being stronger and keen come round 1.

He cant bend the line and gets dominated every tackle is prob why… was good in the early rounds but dropped off a bit

 

[larrycorowa]

You are harsh as hell on Naqaima. He was one of our best players over the duration if the year. He was instrumental to heaps of our wins. He definitely could improve his defense but defense in my opinion is a reflection of coach and culture. Kev can tackle and has a good mind for the game, his x factor and attacking skill is very high level. In a good system and with good coaching his defense is a non issue.

He is a better player than Simona. More clutch, a better passer, more sensible.

Kev at the moment is better than Simona. There is no way that you would get rid of him. He can tackle as you state. It's our structure and I think mostly Moses that makes that edge poor defensively.

The problem is we are so small and unable to communicate on that side of the field… need a new system or new players, i dont want to see nofo and naqaima on the same edge

No way is Kev better than simona. I think you are blinded by the poor end to season and his lack of opportunities on left side when brooks was injured. Simona is a nrl player who needs to be more consistent, Kev I'm not so sure about. Seems to be panic stations whenever the ball went two or three passes to the left from the ruck in defence and Kev was a big part of that.

 

[larrycorowa]

Lol well done Larry we are now blaming Farah for other's poor seasons?
This guy is the devil incarnate.

If you don't think it played some part you obviously have never been in a team with fractured leadership. It's is a distraction and takes an emotional toll. Woods and Lawrence were heavily invested in Farah but also in trying to improve the club, that's all I am saying.

 

[Kavi]

You are harsh as hell on Naqaima. He was one of our best players over the duration if the year. He was instrumental to heaps of our wins. He definitely could improve his defense but defense in my opinion is a reflection of coach and culture. Kev can tackle and has a good mind for the game, his x factor and attacking skill is very high level. In a good system and with good coaching his defense is a non issue.

He is a better player than Simona. More clutch, a better passer, more sensible.

Kev at the moment is better than Simona. There is no way that you would get rid of him. He can tackle as you state. It's our structure and I think mostly Moses that makes that edge poor defensively.

The problem is we are so small and unable to communicate on that side of the field… need a new system or new players, i dont want to see nofo and naqaima on the same edge

No way is Kev better than simona. I think you are blinded by the poor end to season and his lack of opportunities on left side when brooks was injured. Simona is a nrl player who needs to be more consistent, Kev I'm not so sure about. Seems to be panic stations whenever the ball went two or three passes to the left from the ruck in defence and Kev was a big part of that.

Yeah if simona was playing at melbourne or sharks I think you would find he would really be pushing for rep honours

 

[stryker]

Lol well done Larry we are now blaming Farah for other's poor seasons?
This guy is the devil incarnate.

If you don't think it played some part you obviously have never been in a team with fractured leadership. It's is a distraction and takes an emotional toll. Woods and Lawrence were heavily invested in Farah but also in trying to improve the club, that's all I am saying.

I couldn't find my car keys this morning….I don't know him, never met him and live thousands of kilometers away but it stands to reason Robbie had something to do with their disappearance. Dammmnnnn him!!!!!

 

[stevetiger]

Kev at the moment is better than Simona. There is no way that you would get rid of him. He can tackle as you state. It's our structure and I think mostly Moses that makes that edge poor defensively.

The problem is we are so small and unable to communicate on that side of the field… need a new system or new players, i dont want to see nofo and naqaima on the same edge

No way is Kev better than simona. I think you are blinded by the poor end to season and his lack of opportunities on left side when brooks was injured. Simona is a nrl player who needs to be more consistent, Kev I'm not so sure about. Seems to be panic stations whenever the ball went two or three passes to the left from the ruck in defence and Kev was a big part of that.

Yeah if simona was playing at melbourne or sharks I think you would find he would really be pushing for rep honours

I love Simona and rate him highly but he was really poor this year.

 

[larrycorowa]

Lol well done Larry we are now blaming Farah for other's poor seasons?
This guy is the devil incarnate.

If you don't think it played some part you obviously have never been in a team with fractured leadership. It's is a distraction and takes an emotional toll. Woods and Lawrence were heavily invested in Farah but also in trying to improve the club, that's all I am saying.

I couldn't find my car keys this morning….I don't know him, never met him and live thousands of kilometers away but it stands to reason Robbie had something to do with their disappearance. Dammmnnnn him!!!!!

Don't want to turn this into another robbie lovers bs haters thread. But there is a reason we are paying a big chunk of his salary for him to play against U.S. and it's not his ability. Go figure. And if you don't think this had some impact on our season you would be wrong.