Blake Austin's future.

Demps

Demps

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I'm a big fan of Blake Austin.
I believe he should be our #6 instead of Anasta up until Moses is ready but what do I know?

He's a hard runner from dummy half no doubt but Robbie has that locked down rightfully so.
So where does that leave B. Austin when Moses takes over at #6

In my opinion… he has a massive future.
He isn't a long term #6 or #9 for us and he's wasted as a bench utility, I think we have two options for him to make his own and further develope as a player.
**Option 1: Ball playing lock**
Think, Hinchcliff, Glen Stewart, Wade Graham, Corey Parker...
He has the potential to be better than all of those guy.
He's on the field for most of the game. Making metres and tackling and it'd be good having him there as another attacking option too. He can also kick field goals and he's a good defender.
**Option 2: Attacking centre**
Think Jamie Lyon, Dylan Walker, Greg Inglis.
They all have that flashy 5/8 flare but play centre and absolutely carve up.
They make the oposition think and worry when they have the ball.

"Austin has the ball, chips kick into the corner for his winger"
Creative.I reckon he'd kill it at this position. It'd be my preference, with him replacing Lawrence.

What do you reckon?
Other suggestions?
 
im not a big fan of austin tbh.

he is not big enough or strong enough for the forwards or #9 and never will be.

his passing and kicking game is not good enough either for a half imo. he's a bit like josh reynolds as in he runs around as a headless chicken.

you can never doubt his efforts though and i think the spot on the bench is well justified.

hope to be proven wrong though.
 
I have said it plenty of times, Austin needs to play center.

1\. Tedesco
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Austin
4\. Simona
5\. Richards

Then Hoeter & Seve can fight it out for Richards spot when he has retired.
 
No answer for me yet..I wan't to see him play a whole game in a position or you might say just a bench player. It is one thing to come on with tired players and make a mark another to make a mark over 80, I do think there is a spot for him at the club though but will he be given a go or end up in Melbourne!.
 
I think he is too small for the forwards. I think he could be a good centre but at this point I view him as a utility player.
 
I have been a big fan of Austin since i looked him up after reading he had signed with us.
He didnt disappoint when i did see him play either. He looks confident, plays hard and with self believe too.
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But in all honesty at this stage i think he is suited off the bench. Comes on with lots of energy and purpose.

Also makes him go harder pushing for a starting role.
Plenty of times we have seen players lose their punch once a regular starter in the team
 
@Love the WestsTigers said:
I have been a big fan of Austin since i looked him up after reading he had signed with us.
He didnt disappoint when i did see him play either. He looks confident, plays hard and with self believe too.
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But in all honesty at this stage i think he is suited off the bench. Comes on with lots of energy and purpose.

Also makes him go harder pushing for a starting role.
Plenty of times we have seen players lose their punch once a regular starter in the team
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Just out of curiousity….
who?
 
Austin and Moses are quite difficult to split. They both have dominated NSW Cup at about the same level this year so far. Moses maybe fades out of games a little less than Austin and Austin has a couple of years on him so Moses is probably the better player long term. Austin could be a utility but I liked our four big forwards rotation. We won games with it and we shouldn't go away from it just to keep Austin in the side.
 
@MacDougall said:
Austin and Moses are quite difficult to split. They both have dominated NSW Cup at about the same level this year so far. Moses maybe fades out of games a little less than Austin and Austin has a couple of years on him so Moses is probably the better player long term. Austin could be a utility but I liked our four big forwards rotation. We won games with it and we shouldn't go away from it just to keep Austin in the side.
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Agreed. Austin in for Anasta and back to the 4 forwards on the bench. Easy.
 
You can not have Austin coming of the bench as the bench has shown it has needs 4 forwards and to he honest unless there is a major drama with injuries why would you go back to sitting a back on the bench,I do see this as an issue for the coach down the track. With the inclusion of Hopefully Moses next season that leaves Austin in limbo but a few players could sign elsewhere which would open up a position but that could be second row or lock .
 
@Milky said:
I have said it plenty of times, Austin needs to play center.
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I agree milky. I've said it a few times too. I think he would excel at centre.
As much as I like Lawrence, his renaissance seemed brief and if he can't lift I'd like to see potter give Austin a go there.

But whatever role he gets I think he is really good value to the team and would really hate to see him leave. I think he's a good player.
 
@Snake said:
You can not have Austin coming of the bench as the bench has shown it has needs 4 forwards and to he honest unless there is a major drama with injuries why would you go back to sitting a back on the bench,I do see this as an issue for the coach down the track. With the inclusion of Hopefully Moses next season that leaves Austin in limbo but a few players could sign elsewhere which would open up a position but that could be second row or lock .
Click to expand...

I feel wary of him being moved to the forwards because he seems to have reinvented himself by losing weight and being fit. I just wouldn't want him to go back to the player the panthers let go.
 
Centre would work. Especially in attack. He'd need time in NSW cup to master the finer points of defending in the centres. He'd kill it in attack. Centre is one position we are thin in.
 
@Tigerdon said:
Centre would work. Especially in attack. He'd need time in NSW cup to master the finer points of defending in the centres. He'd kill it in attack. Centre is one position we are thin in.
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Totally agree but as you said he'd need to spend at least 6 months in NSW Cup mastering defence

Possibly as a winger with a roving commission in attack as well
 
He can't defend, end of discussion. I was excited about his signing at the start of the year but given Moses' progression I can't see him holding a spot in the top 17\. He'll be handy depth but I wouldn't begrudge him moving elsewhere at the end of next year.

The only option I can see for him is if we see a drastic improvement in our prop rotation/we lose Keef. Woodsy and Taupau to start; Gavet, Sue/Akauola, Ava/Lodge, and Austin on the bench. It'd rely on a bit more flexibility in our rotations from Harry, but I think in that sort of set-up Austin could have a huge impact late in each half spelling Bodene, Sirro or Blair in the back row.

Not big or defensively efficient enough for starting second row; and too slow for centre with a question mark on his ability to beat his man one on one for mine. I'd have Simona, Lawrence, Fine and Taukafa at the very least over him.
 
5/8 please. Will take on the line and doesn't mind calling for the ball which means the guys on the right edge won't catch a cold.
 
With Anasta offering little in attack and the pairing of Anasta/Brooks being so ineffective together, Moses not nearly ready, I would have Austin in a heartbeat.
 
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