Disjointed backline

[Cobarcats]

Our backline has not fired on all 4 cylinders for years. Think you can break it down into two areas, 1. Attack 2. Defense
Yeh I know Einstein hey.
Brooks in my opinion is a support player and solid defender for a little bloke and Jackson Hastings is an organizer and talks heaps on the field which may help Brooks. Marshall was the same but at times his defense let the team down, is Hastings a better defender because in the modern game 5/8's often become edge defenders when they are forced inside. Can Oliver Gildart provide that extra spark out wide, I love his highlight packages. Pat Richards was quoted saying, “He’s had a good start to his career over in England — he’s won a couple of titles and played for his country.
“He’s got a good attitude and he’s turned up to training ready to go and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.” Big question is can he defend at NRL level? Can Daine Laurie with a full pre-season under his belt organise defense better from the back. Sheens has a habit of throwing into the team young talent, look at 05 squad, so is Junior Tupou going to be a starter with Roberts as a backup, or the other way round? For me personally I like to have a tall gun in the centres so I think when Adam Doueihi returns he will partner Gillard because it can give you a 5/8 either side of the ruck to throw those long balls and kicking options, he's a good runner and a real competitor and for me maybe future captain.
A massive win for us this year is going to be Tyrone Peachey, he is such a versatile competitor and will create and stiff out gaps left by tiring opponents for Daine and co to run into, he is also a solid defender, better than Mbye IMO. I have reservations about Tommy and Asu both in both defense and attack.
We have what we have so no point getting upset or anxious about it, let's be nice to each other this year on this forum, we are afterall Tiger supporters hey! Happy new year everyone 🙂

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It hasn’t fired because we haven’t had the cattle and still don’t. The fact Gildart looks to be a walk up starter is an indictment on the state of the backline.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Our backline has not fired on all 4 cylinders for years. Think you can break it down into two areas, 1. Attack 2. Defense
Yeh I know Einstein hey.
Brooks in my opinion is a support player and solid defender for a little bloke and Jackson Hastings is an organizer and talks heaps on the field which may help Brooks. Marshall was the same but at times his defense let the team down, is Hastings a better defender because in the modern game 5/8's often become edge defenders when they are forced inside. Can Oliver Gildart provide that extra spark out wide, I love his highlight packages. Pat Richards was quoted saying, “He’s had a good start to his career over in England — he’s won a couple of titles and played for his country.
“He’s got a good attitude and he’s turned up to training ready to go and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.” Big question is can he defend at NRL level? Can Daine Laurie with a full pre-season under his belt organise defense better from the back. Sheens has a habit of throwing into the team young talent, look at 05 squad, so is Junior Tupou going to be a starter with Roberts as a backup, or the other way round? For me personally I like to have a tall gun in the centres so I think when Adam Doueihi returns he will partner Gillard because it can give you a 5/8 either side of the ruck to throw those long balls and kicking options, he's a good runner and a real competitor and for me maybe future captain.
A massive win for us this year is going to be Tyrone Peachey, he is such a versatile competitor and will create and stiff out gaps left by tiring opponents for Daine and co to run into, he is also a solid defender, better than Mbye IMO. I have reservations about Tommy and Asu both in both defense and attack.
We have what we have so no point getting upset or anxious about it, let's be nice to each other this year on this forum, we are afterall Tiger supporters hey! Happy new year everyone 🙂

Thanks for your effort Cats, but please edit your post and separate the points into paragraphs with spacing, as hard to read and understand properly in that format.

Edit: Oddly it looks different to me when looking at the quoted above, which has paragraphs without spacing. Whereas your original came up as the screenshot below with the middle a jumble and may not be of your doing.


 

[Newtown]

It hasn’t fired because we haven’t had the cattle and still don’t. The fact Gildart looks to be a walk up starter is an indictment on the state of the backline.

Latest from the Official Wests Tigers site; "Gildart’s NRL debut. Another star recruit, Oliver Gildart will make his NRL debut for Wests Tigers this season. An England international, the centre is looking forward to playing in Australia."

Gildart is an England international centre, still young and should not be scoffed at until we actually see how he plays. Give him an Aussie "Fair Go".

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It hasn’t fired because we haven’t had the cattle and still don’t. The fact Gildart looks to be a walk up starter is an indictment on the state of the backline.

Latest from the Official Wests Tigers site; "Gildart’s NRL debut. Another star recruit, Oliver Gildart will make his NRL debut for Wests Tigers this season. An England international, the centre is looking forward to playing in Australia."

Gildart is an England international centre, still young and should not be scoffed at until we actually see how he plays. Give him an Aussie "Fair Go".

I’m going off where we are as a club. I doubt he’d be a walk up starter at many clubs.

 

[Cobarcats]

Point taken about paragraphs but that screenshot is not from me, phone must have COVID. Try to write something nice hey, end of paragraph.

 

[Newtown]

It hasn’t fired because we haven’t had the cattle and still don’t. The fact Gildart looks to be a walk up starter is an indictment on the state of the backline.

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

Our outside backs are below league average and have been for a few years. It wouldn’t matter who you had in the halves they lack the strike power out wide to take advantage of opportunities

 

[Cobarcats]

It hasn’t fired because we haven’t had the cattle and still don’t. The fact Gildart looks to be a walk up starter is an indictment on the state of the backline.

I thoroughly understand your frustrations gnr4life as I've followed the same mess since 05.
I also understand your scepticism about Gildart but fail to understand why you think he's that bad. Are you saying Adam is isn't good enough?
Before we signed Gildart who was available?
I think our focus was more on getting our pack sorted and we're starting to do that don't you agree?
I know we missed out on Cotric but something might turn up before our 2023 assault.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Gildart shoukd go OK no world beater but pretty solid with pace out wide. His defence might be an issue but he is not alone with that, Nofo Gildart etc ate not great defenders.
Jury out a bit on Hastings nowt confident on how he will go in NRL as a 6 or 7 hope he fires but time will tell. I am hoping what Hastings does give is take some pressure off Brooks
Not sure where Douhie will ultimately fit in likely centre for 2022

 

[Cobarcats]

Western Suburbs and Balmain have had a lot of success in the past with the Poms, Lee Crooks, Andy Currier, Dave Bolton, Ellery Hanley, Gary Schofield and of course my favourite Gareth Ellis.
I'm hoping Gildart doesn't prove me wrong with my faith in him.
I'm pretty sure of one thing though, he'll give it is all which is more than I can say about some of our players. Time will tell.

 

[crazycat]

Our outside backs are below league average and have been for a few years. It wouldn’t matter who you had in the halves they lack the strike power out wide to take advantage of opportunities

I dont think you have exactly nailed the point.
Our Backs had 2 Premiereship Finalists and a massive try scorer. Are our backs below league average? We paid 700k for each Center and are paying 500k for Noffa and a good amount for Ken.
Oh we still had Mbye popping in as well for 750k

Honestly we may have had the most expensive back row last season. If we exclude Fullback we Definately did. Yet we did not perform!

Strike power though, it was there. We scored.we dinnit combine well but still scored. Sure not the best but we wernt the worst. Its our defense that really let us down.

Ultimately our backline did not gel. We had 5 individuals. Most teams have combinations going and we have lost that. Lets hope 2022 is not a repeat of 2021

 

[Roar_Power]

It really wouldn't surprise me to see Kepaoa and Tupou as the centres for part of the season. Doueihi will slot straight back into one spot should the halves (Brooks and Hastings) have some success. I have reservations about Gildart and ideally don't want to see Roberts in 1st grade again.

 

[Cobarcats]

I was disappointed with Kepaoa tbh, he looked hesitant and ran like he was on roller-skates.
He looks to be hitting the weights as per the recent pics and his injury maybe a thing of the past.
Let's hope he can pressure the others with a bit of competition for a centre spot because bar injuries the wings are full IMO.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Western Suburbs and Balmain have had a lot of success in the past with the Poms, Lee Crooks, Andy Currier, Dave Bolton, Ellery Hanley, Gary Schofield and of course my favourite Gareth Ellis.
I'm hoping Gildart doesn't prove me wrong with my faith in him.
I'm pretty sure of one thing though, he'll give it is all which is more than I can say about some of our players. Time will tell.

I think the only dud pommy between wests Magpies and balmain tigers was Winger John Bentley in 1994 for Balmain. He played 10 games for 1 try came over from rugby union British Lions and then Halifax to Balmain
He seriously could not defend

 

[TigerLouis]

What’s wrong with this backline
Laurie
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Douiehi
Maumalo
Brooks
Hastings

I think it can compete with most backlines if they all play at their best.

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

Our outside backs are below league average and have been for a few years. It wouldn’t matter who you had in the halves they lack the strike power out wide to take advantage of opportunities

I dont think you have exactly nailed the point.
Our Backs had 2 Premiereship Finalists and a massive try scorer. Are our backs below league average? We paid 700k for each Center and are paying 500k for Noffa and a good amount for Ken.
Oh we still had Mbye popping in as well for 750k

Honestly we may have had the most expensive back row last season. If we exclude Fullback we Definately did. Yet we did not perform!

Strike power though, it was there. We scored.we dinnit combine well but still scored. Sure not the best but we wernt the worst. Its our defense that really let us down.

Ultimately our backline did not gel. We had 5 individuals. Most teams have combinations going and we have lost that. Lets hope 2022 is not a repeat of 2021

Last year’s outside backs:
Nofoaluma - an inconsistent player who can score a try but also let in a try.
Ken M - joined late in the season played well
AD - shifted between centre and 5/8
MBye - played all over the place
Tommy T - inexperienced and still finding his feet in top grade
AJ - eye issues, inexperienced and working on becoming a first grader
Joey - disinterested
Roberts - tried hard but is a few levels below his best
Cini - 2 games was enough.
Pauga - inexperienced and finding his way in first grade

We had players moving in and out of the side because no one owned their spot. No one on that list individually or as a unit played well last year expect AD.

I don’t think having played in a grade final or being paid top dollar is relevant to a player’s performance. As a unit I think our outside backs are below league average.

 

[Demps]

What’s wrong with this backline
Laurie
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Douiehi
Maumalo
Brooks
Hastings

I think it can compete with most backlines if they all play at their best.

AD > Brooks.

Guy is a #6

Too many Sheens types on here wanting to play people out of position.

 

[TigerLouis]

We need centre’s & Douiehi can fill that role when he gets back it’s a team sport not an individual one

 

[Cobarcats]

What’s wrong with this backline
Laurie
Nofoaluma
Roberts
Douiehi
Maumalo
Brooks
Hastings

I think it can compete with most backlines if they all play at their best.

AD Brooks.

Guy is a #6

Too many Sheens types on here wanting to play people out of position.

Not from me Demps, I'm looking at solutions whilst AD is out injured but I'll contradict myself by saying I think he could be a future ball playing lock because whilst still young his body is developing and certainly has the tenacity to be great.
At the moment he's a good 5/8 and leadership group at the least.