Ashyford & Lawrence

[GNR4LIFE]

Lawrence's injury has stuffed him. I can't think of any reason why Ayshford floundered last yr but there is a reason why Lawrence did. There is a logical reason as to why Lawrence has been playing the way he has yet nobody acknowledges it

I agree, Lawrence is unfortunately finished, i guess the reason why there giving him extra time is that he was molded to be the future face of west tigers, but that hip injury ruined his career and noe everybody is being delusional that he will hit form.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

I feel sorry for the guy, he was on track to play for NSW, had it not been for the injury he'd just about be the best centre in the world right now, damn he knew how to hit a hole. I often think he's Simon Dwyer on a lesser scale. I think it is premature to be wriing his RL obituary, but i think the expectations people have on him need to be re-evaluated. Still think he has the potential to be a very good player, just think him being a superstar is beyond him now

 

[Newtown]

I am sure that all Wests Tigers fans are hoping that Chris finds his form.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

i wish they could ALL be on notice.
Potter says dont do it for the money.
Sheens would never say that.
Lets hope it sinks in. It did for the Bradford Bulls under Potters rule.

 

[Tbone]

I've always been a huge fan of Lawrence as a player and the way he conducts himself. That's why it's so hard to watch him struggle for so long. I'm not willing to give up on him just yet but I fear his injury has done more than just reduce his pace a yard or two.

If he can't get back to close to his best at centre I'd like to see him groomed for a position at lock. He has a good defensive technique in traffic, he's fit, strong and has a passing game. I can see him being successful as a ball playing lock in the mould of wade graham at the sharks or Kevin Sinfield in the ESL.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

i dont know if Lawrence can hold up in the forwards. More brutality there.

 

[Winnipeg]

Not prepared to write off Lawrence yet, I can't remember the last time I saw a playmaker give him a nice pass in some space

but there is no denying the injury has been a major setback.

 

[kh_canada]

Not prepared to write off Lawrence yet, I can't remember the last time I saw a playmaker give him a nice pass in some space

but there is no denying the injury has been a major setback.

Have to agree with this, he has potential to be a good player and I would go as far to say a potential superstar but he has to put in a lot of hard work as well as receive some good ball to do something with.

It's hard to come back from a season-ending injury, but it's been done before.

 

[everett]

Does anyone know how much pace Lawrence has lost since the hip injury?

If Lawrence continues to struggle in the centres should be bulk up and play in the scrum?

I am a big Lawrence fan and hope he comes good.

 

[Illek]

Does anyone know how much pace Lawrence has lost since the hip injury?

If Lawrence continues to struggle in the centres should be bulk up and play in the scrum?

I am a big Lawrence fan and hope he comes good.

He already has the chest of Gallen hahaha. He may follow the path of Luke Lewis, just a little earlier than we would have expected unfortunately.

 

[T-REXX]

Lawrence's injury has stuffed him. I can't think of any reason why Ayshford floundered last yr but there is a reason why Lawrence did. There is a logical reason as to why Lawrence has been playing the way he has yet nobody acknowledges it

I agree, Lawrence is unfortunately finished, i guess the reason why there giving him extra time is that he was molded to be the future face of west tigers, but that hip injury ruined his career and noe everybody is being delusional that he will hit form.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

I think u are being a little harsh on his results. He came back from injury which WILL take time to get back to his best. But in saying that he never had clean ball last year specially last half of the season. No one in the backs really excelled. It's the same with Ayshford.

With a proper half, benji in his natural position, this year, we should see the old Lawrence back to his best.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[innsaneink]

…..as long as the forwards go forward.

 

[snowleopard]

…..as long as the forwards go forward.

Agree on the go forward and would add some more structure in attack. When I look back on 2010 & 2011 they were served with some quality ball and this gave them time and a bit of space. Last year I think the opposition figured that if they just focussed on Benji (and Robbie) and waited for the runners we could be shut down easily. And I think they were right. Whilst it's early days yet that game against Roosters showed the same Benji/Robbie pattern and the same result. The only tries we scored from kicks and didn't break the line many times, if at all. This is why for Lawrence & Ayshford to be effective in attack this year I think we need players like Miller & Anasta allowed to play a distribution role in attack and Tedesco to add a bit of x factor trailing around the middle of the ruck. Just on Tedesco..I was really impressed with the way he attacked the high ball from Benji's bombs and very nearly got one of them out of mini's hands. The only other full back I have seen do this is regularly Slater. Just to finish..as Ink said.. the overriding factor is..the forwards must find a way to go forward

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Lawrence was poor last year, but Jesus writing him off is a bit ordinary for a lad who suffered ridiculous injuries that have affected his speed. Same with Ayshford, carried back and wrist injuries most of the year and now we want to punt him as well… Chuck in a generally poor 2012 with poor service with a halves pairing that changed on a weekly basis (of which they both featured at five eighth for three games each,) and a forward pack that got flogged near on every week, and now these blokes are on the scrapheap?

It's only speculative, but I'd imagine they'd have faired a whole lot better playing for Souths or the Dogs in 2012.

 

[Newtown]

…..as long as the forwards go forward.

Quick play the ball by the forwards would help also.

 

[T-REXX]

Lawrence was poor last year, but Jesus writing him off is a bit ordinary for a lad who suffered ridiculous injuries that have affected his speed. Same with Ayshford, carried back and wrist injuries most of the year and now we want to punt him as well… Chuck in a generally poor 2012 with poor service with a halves pairing that changed on a weekly basis (of which they both featured at five eighth for three games each,) and a forward pack that got flogged near on every week, and now these blokes are on the scrapheap?

It's only speculative, but I'd imagine they'd have faired a whole lot better playing for Souths or the Dogs in 2012.

I don't think people realize the seriousness of his injury. The main concern for him when he did it was not how long he would be out for or if he would play again. They were concerned for his life. The injury was that serious

He has done well to get back to what he is.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[yeti]

Lawrence was poor last year, but Jesus writing him off is a bit ordinary for a lad who suffered ridiculous injuries that have affected his speed. Same with Ayshford, carried back and wrist injuries most of the year and now we want to punt him as well… Chuck in a generally poor 2012 with poor service with a halves pairing that changed on a weekly basis (of which they both featured at five eighth for three games each,) and a forward pack that got flogged near on every week, and now these blokes are on the scrapheap?

It's only speculative, but I'd imagine they'd have faired a whole lot better playing for Souths or the Dogs in 2012.

I don't think people realize the seriousness of his injury. The main concern for him when he did it was not how long he would be out for or if he would play again. They were concerned for his life. The injury was that serious

He has done well to get back to what he is.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

Geez, I never knew that T-Rexx! Obviously his was a major injury, but I didn't know it actually endangered his life. For the record, I believe he will make it back to something like his best. Just needs a bit more time and an injury free run - oh, and as Ink reiterates - forwards going forward.

 

[jirskyr]

I think people are overdoing it with Lawrence. Certainly his strength is powerful hole-running, not the evasive feet or jigging of a Gasnier or Hodges. Rowdy will surely end up as a wide-running backrower as his career progresses.

One thing to keep in mind is that whilst Benji might have served up a comp-high number of try and LB assists last year, he also topped the league in errors. Basically he throws a lot of good balls and a lot of crap ones. If you are lucky to be on the end of the good ones, you look good. In 2012, Lawrence was not one of those.

For me, 2012 was best summarised by a lack of options in attack. The Robbie Farah toe-poke or Benji sideways jink have become obvious to opposition; they have learned to hang back and wait for us to commit. Tigers 2012 never hit the line with numbers/options, so the defence was rarely pressured into making rapid decisions.

And here is the point of my post: go back to the reels for last year and Lawrence almost always gets the ball as the sole runner, or out in front with little to do other than take a hit up. Ellis was mostly out injured, Dwyer gone… give me someone else who could bust through a half-hole other than BMM and his 20 minutes per week. Basically the defence saw Lawrence coming every game and always covered him.
Granted his speed was down a little since he debuted, but let’s recall Robbie Farah with the 2011 groin and remember how persistent injury can temporarily affect your capabilities.