Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis-style enforcer

Masterton

Well-known member
Balmain legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach believes the Wests Tigers have lacked an enforcer since the departure of Gareth Ellis, saying that they won’t make the top eight until they sign one.
Ellis left the Tigers in 2012, with the club’s finals drought stretching back to 2011.

Speaking on the Countdown to 2020 podcast with Braith Anasta, Roach argued that the Tigers pack had all the hallmarks of a modern forward unit – mobile, industrious and durable.

Crucially, he believes they lack the bite and nastiness to be a realistic prospect of making the top eight and suggested a compatriot of Ellis could turn them into the force the want to be under Michael Maguire.

“You’ve got to have an intimidator,” said Roach.

“I don’t care what anyone says. All sides that have won premierships have one. I don’t think the Tigers have been the same since Gareth Ellis left, I think he was their best buy for a long time. He was a hitman and went out and put pressure on the opposition.

“You’ve got to have an enforcer, someone who will go out there every week and make the opposition have a bit of a look.

“I’m really excited to see Zane Musgrove play, he’s a monster and he’s aggressive. I think they should go out in the market and get [Alex] Walmsley the big front-rower from St Helens to start a roll on.”

Walmsley is a five-cap England international who took the challenge to the Roosters in last week’s World Club Challenge. The 195cm, 115kg prop ran for 189m and made four tackle busts against the Chooks.

Roach also wants to see more growth from Luke Brooks. Admittedly, that is tough in a side which doesn’t always fires.

While the former Dally M halfback of the year has some obvious qualities in his game, Roach says he wants 2020 to be the year he really takes ownership of Maguire’s side.

“You’ve got to own the team. I see Broosky and he does some great things, but he doesn’t look like the great halves,” Roach said.

“They own the team, tell them where to go, and I don’t know whether that’s in his DNA.

“He’s a great kid and a fantastic player. But to go to the next level he’s got to own a football team.

Asked for his tip of where the Tigers would finish, Roach added: “I love the Tigers, but I don’t think they can make the eight. It hurts me to say it, I think they’ll finish around ninth or tenth.”
 
McQueen and Musgrove together this year could be mouth watering, but he is right, we haven't had a consistent enforcer for 10 years.
 
careful blocker you dont have a lot of admirers on here
Frizell might be good option but don't think he is the enforcer type
 
@Tigerdave said in [Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis\-style enforcer](/post/1122349) said:
Blocker Roach, special subject, the bleeding obvious.

But more importantly, we need a hooker.

If Robbie Farah has a role with the Tigers, and he looks after our Hookers will that make him our Pimp
 
I think Mikaele Musgrove and Aloiai all have it in them to fill that role...this year..
 
Eels have a lot of aggression...Broncos have speed and raw power... I think next year with stefano coming and possibly Elijah and packer going hopefully Madge can get a dynamic power forward to add to our pack
 
@MtWarrigalTiger said in [Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis\-style enforcer](/post/1122370) said:
Eels have a lot of aggression...Broncos have speed and raw power... I think next year with stefano coming and possibly Elijah and packer going hopefully Madge can get a dynamic power forward to add to our pack

There's always next year.

Should be the Tigers motto
 
@The_Patriot said in [Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis\-style enforcer](/post/1122369) said:
I like our pack, I wouldnt swap it for many in the league.

More worried about the spine.

We have argubly the weakest pack in the comp and you wouldn't swap it for any.
I'd swap it for a full strength Titans pack tomorrow, at least they have a hooker (actually 2)
 
Yep I agree with him totally ...... there are 4 things amiss in our current roster which sill has us on “struggle street” as far as making real inroads into the top 8.

1. Lack of quality hooker,
2. Size, speed and power on/in our wing 3/4 starters.
3. What Roach alluded to, and
4. At least 2 players (Smith and McIntyre) and possibly 4 if you count possible ongoing Injury problems to Packer and Liddle all of which are taking spots on our 29 man roster with little hope of making it on the NRL team sheet this year.
 
If it were up to Blocker, every player would be 110kg and thick as bricks. The only reason he still has a job is to cater to those less intelligent, older fans.
 
@Hangonaminute said in [Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis\-style enforcer](/post/1122383) said:
@The_Patriot said in [Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis\-style enforcer](/post/1122369) said:
I like our pack, I wouldnt swap it for many in the league.

More worried about the spine.

We have argubly the weakest pack in the comp and you wouldn't swap it for any.
I'd swap it for a full strength Titans pack tomorrow, at least they have a hooker (actually 2)

Understand where you are coming from but I reckon our pack is highly underrated. I reckon they will shock a few critics this year. Stefano in 2021 with the addition of another aggressive forward will only help to build on the guys we have there now. Musgrove will do well.
 
@Hangonaminute said in [Blocker: Tigers need an Ellis\-style enforcer](/post/1122381) said:
Completely agree, Twal isn't scaring anyone. Our forwards wouldn't intimidate a park footy side.

Twal is solid...
He can be the workhorse every pack needs.

Young and hungry too.
He's bulked up.
Gonna be a good year for him.
 

Members online

Back
Top