2021 Trials

[Fraze23]

Plenty of positives for some blokes who haven't played footy in over a year.

**Stefano** was impressive, played long minutes and really bent the line back.
**Laurie**, really encouraging signs. He has to be in the side somewhere. Looks far to good to be playing reggies.
**Simpkin** looked sharp out of dummyhalf and strong defensively. He'd be somewhere in my side for round 1.
**Simpkins**, played big minutes and looked strong defensively. He'll get better once he becomes more familiar with the nuances of the game. Still has some rugbyisms in his game, but he looks a real prospect.

Tuilagi looked alright as did Seyfarth.

Madden showed some glimpses of promise, but I wouldn't hand him the keys to the kingdom just yet.

Of the 3 mentioned for earning potential development or first grade contracts, Fitzgibbon is the only one I'd consider. I wouldn't feed Docker-Clay and Roberts-Davis didn't do anything to impress.

We didn't give too much away with the ball in hand. But I am a little concerned at how easily the Roosters gained an overlap down the wings. This has been a huge problem for the last 10 years.

Plenty of positives and I'm looking forward to seeing how they line up against Manly next week.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

Wouldn’t be a good decision regarding media bashing and potential eggshell drama and if he isn’t in our top team it’s just not gonna sit well with his unstainable aura that the players/media feed off of.


Fair enough. It just seems strange to me both from a pr and on field perspective. He’s a club legend and means so much to many and obviously still has a lot to offer in a team that now has a very unproven and inexperienced spine

Yep and what happens when we lose a game , and one of the starters has a bad game ? It’s “bring back benji time” or , even if he plays 1 game in CC cup and we win . It just undermines everyone

 

[The-moP]

I was impressed with Mavoni Tuifua (#32) he made heaps of post contact meters. Yep Davis Roberts good bye. Edenn Rogers-Smith looked handy .. i thought he was a 5/8 he played in the forwards tonight. Yes both Simpkin and Simpkins played well. Simpkin for sure on the bench round one. Fitzgibbon has butter fingers/hands but he has plenty of speed .. worth keeping.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

Wouldn’t be a good decision regarding media bashing and potential eggshell drama and if he isn’t in our top team it’s just not gonna sit well with his unstainable aura that the players/media feed off of.


Fair enough. It just seems strange to me both from a pr and on field perspective. He’s a club legend and means so much to many and obviously still has a lot to offer in a team that now has a very unproven and inexperienced spine

Yep and what happens when we lose a game , and one of the starters has a bad game ? It’s “bring back benji time” or , even if he plays 1 game in CC cup and we win . It just undermines everyone

That’s true, good point

 

[jadtiger]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

Because he is not fg standard and plays far too many low percentage plays,also he cant tackle

 

[JC99]

Laurie won the battle to play #6 in round one. Tuki Simpkins will get himself a debut this year sometime and Stefano was excellent. Tuilagi, ZDC, KIAH Cooper the best out of the non top 30 guys

Looking forward to seeing Liddle and Simpkin share the hooking role. Both played well

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?


Because he is not fg standard and plays far too many low percentage plays,also he cant tackle

Plus he was obviously destabilising the club off field as well. He would have certainly been good to keep on as a back up but his ego would not allow it.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Plenty of positives for some blokes who haven't played footy in over a year.

**Stefano** was impressive, played long minutes and really bent the line back.
**Laurie**, really encouraging signs. He has to be in the side somewhere. Looks far to good to be playing reggies.
**Simpkin** looked sharp out of dummyhalf and strong defensively. He'd be somewhere in my side for round 1.
**Simpkins**, played big minutes and looked strong defensively. He'll get better once he becomes more familiar with the nuances of the game. Still has some rugbyisms in his game, but he looks a real prospect.

Tuilagi looked alright as did Seyfarth.

Madden showed some glimpses of promise, but I wouldn't hand him the keys to the kingdom just yet.

Of the 3 mentioned for earning potential development or first grade contracts, Fitzgibbon is the only one I'd consider. I wouldn't feed Docker-Clay and Roberts-Davis didn't do anything to impress.

We didn't give too much away with the ball in hand. But I am a little concerned at how easily the Roosters gained an overlap down the wings. This has been a huge problem for the last 10 years.

Plenty of positives and I'm looking forward to seeing how they line up against Manly next week.

Mate , the roosters were struggling for metres in that first half . They got a lot of piggy back penalties , most of which were justified . ( as a side note , why does Ben Cummins never give the defensive tram the advantage after a good kick chase / change of possession. He always gives away cheap penalties to teams who haven’t earned it . He really has no idea , to the natural ebb and flow of a rugby league game ). And those edge players outside of Talau , will be spending their season Wearing the magpies jersey. I think we need to chill out , with judging a trail too harshly.

 

[Tigers_Wests]

Tuki Simpkins best on ground for the Tigers. Exceeded my expectation and hope to see much more of him. Stefano, Tuilagi and Seyfarth (much improved from last year) good in the forward pack. Daine Laurie looked dangerous with the ball and threatening the line with most runs. Simpkin was impressive and I like that Madge is thinking ahead and trying to utilise him on the field with Liddle at the same time if necessary.

I actually thought Madden showed some promise with a few forced drop outs and some nice short passes with Tuilagi. Yes he made some errors, but you need to remember that the kid hasn't played a game in 12 months. No need to write him off yet.

Same as some of the other boys who maybe just overplayed their hands trying a little too hard in the limited time on the field that you get in a trial game.

Overall, the boys will be better for the hit out. Can't wait to see them against Manly next week!

 

[JC99]

Tuki Simpkins best on ground for the Tigers. Exceeded my expectation and hope to see much more of him. Stefano, Tuilagi and Seyfarth (much improved from last year) good in the forward pack. Daine Laurie looked dangerous with the ball and threatening the line with most runs. Simpkin was impressive and I like that Madge is thinking ahead and trying to utilise him on the field with Liddle at the same time if necessary.

I actually thought Madden showed some promise with a few forced drop outs and some nice short passes with Tuilagi. Yes he made some errors, but you need to remember that the kid hasn't played a game in 12 months. No need to write him off yet.

Same as some of the other boys who maybe just overplayed their hands trying a little too hard in the limited time on the field that you get in a trial game.

Overall, the boys will be better for the hit out. Can't wait to see them against Manly next week!

Great post. Too many people writing guys off after their first game in 18 months

 

[Cairnstigers]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

Man Benji is no saviour
He has done nothing since 2005
Years of hanging on for nothing
We haven't made finals for 10 years and this change was a must
Time for new blood now
Stop looking at the past and look to the future
Look at players like Cronk and Thurston
They knew when to stop
Benji doesn't and he needed to be told
But he is still hanging on
I love his passion but that is all he possess these days sadly

 

[Fraze23]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

Benji is done mate, it's time to move on. He couldn't get us to the finals consistently at 26. He's no chance at 36.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

Let it go, just let it go.

 

[tigger19]

Laurie- always looked dangerous,can see why the big wraps

Stefano-Good hitups and motor,might take Mikaele’s bench spot

Madden- Mixed bag,some rookie mistakes,needs more time to develop

Simpkin- Dangerous,a real smoky for rd 1 bench spot,good n attack and d,Liddle will be starting hooker but this guy is coming on quickly

Simpkins- Good motor and played really well in his first hit out,will get game time this year

Roberts-Davis- Poor performance,Laurie should of been starting fb and a big mistake was made here

Fitzgibbon- sorry Fitz lovers but at this time he is not fg level

Cini-See above

Seyfarth- Good game,high work rate and for a forward to score a try off a kick chase shows not just fitness but effort,2nd chance at fg sometime this year

Liddle-Solid without being spectacular,holding back a little,will be starting hooker

Cooper- Did some nice things,one to watch in nsw cup

Kei- Not much game time but a bad miss read leading to a roosters try

Tuilagi- Good minutes,promising youngster

Rogers Smith- See above

Talau-Good In attack,but defence abit subpar

Hoffman- Strong,not a lot of opportunity but this guy could go either way

Dockar-Clay-Not bad but I wouldn’t be rushing to give him a top 30 spot

Cheekam- Got hurt early,Cheeks is a really likeable guy and really brings the team together,unfortunately this will be his last year at the tigers

Ben Cummins- Can’t believe this guy is still a first grade referee,disgusting performance and penalty count,Tigers had this guy referee a large amount of their games in 2020 and it is no surprise they lost them

 

[Tim Sheens]

So maybe the Madden fan boys will back off a bit after tonight
A few had him a walk up start for 5/8
Based on tonight a LONG way to go, if ever
People really have to stop talking up these kids with no FG experience, it’s tiring.

Thought he went okay for the half hour or so that Liddle was feeding him. Nothing special, but felt that he held his own during that period.

 

[JayT]

Does anyone know why we didn’t just keep benji on a low money contract as backup? Do we just put it down to another standard poor management decision?

I think the plan at the moment is Hastings or someone else external in that age bracket to go in halves if Brooks or Adam doesn't work out

 

[voice_of_reason]

Thought he went okay for the half hour or so that Liddle was feeding him. Nothing special, but felt that he held his own during that period.

He threw two really bad passes, other than that was OK. He's young and immature, I'm not cartwheeling with enthusiasm but I'm certainly not writing him off.

 

[diedpretty]

I know it was only a trial but if thats an indication of what the standard of refereeing is going to be like its going to be a very boring season. I'm not saying that he refereed only one side as his performance was poor for both sides. The problem is that referees seem to think the crowd comes to watch them. Let the game flow.

 

[cochise]

Just back after a good day at the footy, it was great to see some footy after couple of months break.

I thought Simpkins and Stefano were the standouts, Daine Laurie looked very elusive though I don't think I would be playing him at 5/8th.

Madden looks a long way off being ready and I would like to see him controlling a game like that before I was considering him for his debut.

Overall it was what you expect from a trial like that.

 

[cochise]

Laurie- always looked dangerous,can see why the big wraps

Stefano-Good hitups and motor,might take Mikaele’s bench spot

Madden- Mixed bag,some rookie mistakes,needs more time to develop

Simpkin- Dangerous,a real smoky for rd 1 bench spot,good n attack and d,Liddle will be starting hooker but this guy is coming on quickly

Simpkins- Good motor and played really well in his first hit out,will get game time this year

Roberts-Davis- Poor performance,Laurie should of been starting fb and a big mistake was made here

Fitzgibbon- sorry Fitz lovers but at this time he is not fg level

Cini-See above

Seyfarth- Good game,high work rate and for a forward to score a try off a kick chase shows not just fitness but effort,2nd chance at fg sometime this year

Liddle-Solid without being spectacular,holding back a little,will be starting hooker

Cooper- Did some nice things,one to watch in nsw cup

Kei- Not much game time but a bad miss read leading to a roosters try

Tuilagi- Good minutes,promising youngster

Rogers Smith- See above

Talau-Good In attack,but defence abit subpar

Hoffman- Strong,not a lot of opportunity but this guy could go either way

Dockar-Clay-Not bad but I wouldn’t be rushing to give him a top 30 spot

Cheekam- Got hurt early,Cheeks is a really likeable guy and really brings the team together,unfortunately this will be his last year at the tigers

Ben Cummins- Can’t believe this guy is still a first grade referee,disgusting performance and penalty count,Tigers had this guy referee a large amount of their games in 2020 and it is no surprise they lost them

Mate that is a pretty good summary, Cooper was in 15 wasn't he? I thought he did some really nice things with the ball in hand. Got moved into the centres at the start of the second half and held his own.