Defensive Hookers
- Thread starter softlaw
- Start date
sheer64
Well-known member
Mcilwrick is owning his spot
McIlwricks a tough little bugger and didn't put a fit wrong and Liddle is a fine young prospect
N
newtiger
Guest
Great effort from both guys tonight I think McIlwrick could be the buy of the year
jirskyr
Well-known member
@ said:
I can't believe how much better McIlwrick is than his reputation suggested.
Club_Sandwich
New member
You beat me to it Softlaw. Was going to start a topic praising both of them but now the question remains, who do we start? They're both playing well and based on tonight's performance they both deserve to start.
Can Liddle play 5/8 or halfback alongside Brooks? Would that work?
Can Liddle play 5/8 or halfback alongside Brooks? Would that work?
nrlcountrytiger
Active member
Mcilwrick is playing awesome he's one of our best defenders and he's choosing his runs well and liddle made some cracker tackles and is probly future origin 9
WestsBenTigers
New member
@ said:
Can either MM or Liddle go the 80?
If so, do we drop one or put one to the halves?
All I know is Ballin should retire as he is never going to play another NRL for the tigers or any other NRL club.
McIlwrick and Ava did a lot of damage to the Cowboys middle. I don't think Liddle could have done what McIlwrick did as a starting hooker, just yet. I think he is still a bit to learn defensively. He got his head in the wrong spot a couple of times. If he keeps doing that he might be out of the game for periods of time. McILwrick seem really composed and right on top of his game. If he can keep that standard up he should be in 1st grade for years.
Matt has been impressive, great find and hope he is rewarded with a contract extension quickly.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
@ said:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. McIlwrick has done nothing to warrant being benched.
glebe_tiger
New member
McIlwrick has been one of the shining lights so far in 2017\. Him and Liddle will secure us in the 9 for some time to come. Ballin shouldn't see first grade.
@ said:
He had great reputation before he got here nothing wrong being stuck behind Ennis last year or before that Jake Friend from east and before that Glen Buttriss was a good hooker as well… Matt was state cup hooker of the year last year he is a good player just had a few great players in front of him
jirskyr
Well-known member
@ said:
I am aware of who he was behind at former clubs, honestly though not a great reputation. Great reputation means general footy supporters know who he is and are excited about him coming to the club. I think it's fair to say most forum readers, who are generally keen students of the game, didn't know much about MMc's game except he'd been around a while and never quite made it. And being signed as a Farah replacement, there was even more scrutiny on what type of footballer he was.
Of course not to take away, he's been behind some quality hookers as you note, but this is his 6th season since debut - he's played at least 2 FG games every year since 2012, but never more than 8 games total (i.e. if he plays 3 more matches for us this season and it's his best ever year).
He's only started 13 times of the 29 games before coming to Tigers and only scored 1 previous try.
And beyond all that, I'm not doubting he's had a good career in ISP with some first-grade time, but he looks to me to be a legitimate full-time FG player. Not just passable, not just gap-filling for Ballin like JLJ, actually the best form hooker we have at the club and for me as good so far as anything Farah's done this year or last year. Different styles of course, but I just love seeing a hooker who can deck the opposition rather than just holding onto the footy and hoping. Robbie's getting on, not quite the fleet foot, MMc has made some really judicious runs this year and doesn't waste his time constantly trying to pull ruck penalties. MMc doesn't kick but I can hardly find fault with his first 6 games for us, really way above anything I expected of him.
southerntiger
New member
He has been just what we needed. An uncomplicated hooker who just lets the ball sing.
Watched the Bunnies game on Friday and seeing the number of passes 3 metres above Reynolds head I was happier than ever about our decisions in the last 2 years re hooker.
Watched the Bunnies game on Friday and seeing the number of passes 3 metres above Reynolds head I was happier than ever about our decisions in the last 2 years re hooker.
I really like what he is doing and have to put my hand up and say i thought he was destined for a year in ISP. He came to my sons school with Brooks and a couple of others in the pre-season and made a big impression with the kids. Now that he is starting I can see him in the 17 for quite a while.He is a tough bugger and i wouldn't be bothered having him playing lock and Liddle at hooker if any of the forwards need a rest. He certainly uses his shoulders to tackle which is a pleasant change.