Does anyone think next years side will be better than this years?

[king_sirro]

We're definitely a better side in 2016\. Much better depth and quality.

Galloway is a loss. Richards was pedestrian for the 2nd half of the season. Another winger would have scored 20+. We'll miss those 10 mins were Taupau tried, but then we'll have McConacchie who can do the same for much longer.

Brooks and Moses the best young halves combo in the comp. Both had solid seasons - brooks in the first half, moses the second. Brooks was 5th in the comp for try assists after his supposed 'poor' year afterall. If he has a good year he could be level with Thurston for try assists this season.

Lawrence will bulk up now he's permanently in the back row and i think our back row stocks look really good. The best for many years. Lawrence, Edwards, Sirro,Sue, Chee Kam and McConnachie+Griffin could all provide a combination of power, workrate and impact. Throw in some of our other young forwards who could get a shot too.

We're light on experience in the front row and depth if injuries hit could be our weakness. But Woods, Sue, Ava are 3 very good props, capable of decent minutes. Throw in the likes of McConnachie, Graham, Griffin and there's some rotation there. Albeit unproven.

For those who don't realise - **Billy McConnachie in the QLD Cup grand final played 67 mins, for 30 hitups, 270m, and 40 tackles in a powerhouse display which got him man of the match**. How many players at any level have we ever had who could produce those sorts of numbers? Woods occasionally. Otherwise no-one. Our nsw cup forwards (lower level than qld cup) rarely got up to even half of those stats.

Training fulltime in a professional environment could see him improve his speed and strength and perform at even higher levels.

I agree with all of that. The backrow is a positive for us in 2016 provided Siro and Lawrence stay fit.

I think Kevin Naqaima will be a key player. He could go one of 2 ways. He could fade away with luxury of having a 2 year deal locked in, or he could really nail that right centre spot and make it his own. His power is very good for a small guy, runs hard and hits hard, and if he can improve his defensive combination with Nofo, that will go along way to us improving.

 

[Masterton]

I agree but its not that simple. I'm worried about the game plans JT dishes up. He appeared to have learned from his early season Taylor ball approach but if that happens again he deserves to get sacked immediately.

He'd be an idiot if he didn't think he'd get sacked after a NQ disaster. Thankfully, I suspect that lesson has been learnt.

 

[ghost]

im normally pretty upbeat about our chances but that side looks ordinary!

im sorry but i fear the worsst.

that team looks weaker than last years.

lacking grunt and superstars teddy aside!

 

[happy_tiger]

We're definitely a better side in 2016\. Much better depth and quality.

Galloway is a loss. Richards was pedestrian for the 2nd half of the season. Another winger would have scored 20+. We'll miss those 10 mins were Taupau tried, but then we'll have McConacchie who can do the same for much longer.

Brooks and Moses the best young halves combo in the comp. Both had solid seasons - brooks in the first half, moses the second. Brooks was 5th in the comp for try assists after his supposed 'poor' year afterall. If he has a good year he could be level with Thurston for try assists this season.

Lawrence will bulk up now he's permanently in the back row and i think our back row stocks look really good. The best for many years. Lawrence, Edwards, Sirro,Sue, Chee Kam and McConnachie+Griffin could all provide a combination of power, workrate and impact. Throw in some of our other young forwards who could get a shot too.

We're light on experience in the front row and depth if injuries hit could be our weakness. But Woods, Sue, Ava are 3 very good props, capable of decent minutes. Throw in the likes of McConnachie, Graham, Griffin and there's some rotation there. Albeit unproven.

For those who don't realise - **Billy McConnachie in the QLD Cup grand final played 67 mins, for 30 hitups, 270m, and 40 tackles in a powerhouse display which got him man of the match**. How many players at any level have we ever had who could produce those sorts of numbers? Woods occasionally. Otherwise no-one. Our nsw cup forwards (lower level than qld cup) rarely got up to even half of those stats.

Training fulltime in a professional environment could see him improve his speed and strength and perform at even higher levels.

I agree with all of that. The backrow is a positive for us in 2016 provided Siro and Lawrence stay fit.

I think Kevin Naqaima will be a key player. He could go one of 2 ways. He could fade away with luxury of having a 2 year deal locked in, or he could really nail that right centre spot and make it his own. His power is very good for a small guy, runs hard and hits hard, and if he can improve his defensive combination with Nofo, that will go along way to us improving.

I can't see Naiqama being a key figure

Whenever teams focus on his defence / and or high balls he struggles

 

[guyofthetiger]

The fact our expectations are so low can go at least some way to making next year better than this year…

Any victory will be of Everest proportions...

 

[Paris_Cobbs]

The coach must go, then, with a good run without injuries, we can do ok in 2016.

Taylor has failed to develop a working relationship with the team captain, SOO rep and club legend. That is Taylor's failure. Dealing with a player of Robbie's status in the club is not about 'showing him who is boss', it's about bringing him, with all his skills and experience, into the new regime.

We all knew that there were concerns about Taylor's past in terms of people management. Being decked by one of your own players is not a good sign, Rusty took appropriate action. The one thing he came to us with was a reputation for being a good tactician. Not once in an entire season did he demonstrate this. His tactics were the same against every opposition.

Get Moses and Brooks to swap jumpers, and let Moses run the show from 7\. Aim to win games by scoring more than the opponent, by attack not defense. Get the ball to the outside backs, especially Simona, who saw no ball in 2015.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The coach must go, then, with a good run without injuries, we can do ok in 2016.

Taylor has failed to develop a working relationship with the team captain, SOO rep and club legend. That is Taylor's failure. Dealing with a player of Robbie's status in the club is not about 'showing him who is boss', it's about bringing him, with all his skills and experience, into the new regime.

We all knew that there were concerns about Taylor's past in terms of people management. Being decked by one of your own players is not a good sign, Rusty took appropriate action. The one thing he came to us with was a reputation for being a good tactician. Not once in an entire season did he demonstrate this. His tactics were the same against every opposition.

Get Moses and Brooks to swap jumpers, and let Moses run the show from 7\. Aim to win games by scoring more than the opponent, by attack not defense. Get the ball to the outside backs, especially Simona, who saw no ball in 2015.

You do realize there are other ways to win games then relying on attack and throwing defence out the window? Its time to move on.

 

[Geo]

I think we this years team will surprise a few…the team had some good wins last year ...but with a young team consistency is an issue...despite the naysayers I think we have recruited well with lots of blokes looking for a shot at NRL esp the Ipswich boys much prefer that type of recruitment than paying overs for flash with no substance...

 

[happy_tiger]

I think we this years team will surprise a few…the team had some good wins last year ...but with a young team consistency is an issue...despite the naysayers I think we have recruited well with lots of blokes looking for a shot at NRL esp the Ipswich boys much prefer that type of recruitment than paying overs for flash with no substance...

3 Ipswich boys now

Another 14 Ipswich boys and this club might be half a chance

 

[stevetiger]

The coach must go, then, with a good run without injuries, we can do ok in 2016.

Taylor has failed to develop a working relationship with the team captain, SOO rep and club legend. That is Taylor's failure. Dealing with a player of Robbie's status in the club is not about 'showing him who is boss', it's about bringing him, with all his skills and experience, into the new regime.

We all knew that there were concerns about Taylor's past in terms of people management. Being decked by one of your own players is not a good sign, Rusty took appropriate action. The one thing he came to us with was a reputation for being a good tactician. Not once in an entire season did he demonstrate this. His tactics were the same against every opposition.

Get Moses and Brooks to swap jumpers, and let Moses run the show from 7\. Aim to win games by scoring more than the opponent, by attack not defense. Get the ball to the outside backs, especially Simona, who saw no ball in 2015.

You do realize there are other ways to win games then relying on attack and throwing defence out the window? Its time to move on.

I think we all do. The problem is that the opposite approach doesn't work either and that is what was employed for a fair chunk of last season.

Taylor is a massive concern and there is a lot of really good points in Paris post.

 

[Curaeus]

Paris makes a number of good points. Especially liked his proposal to switch Brooks and Moses positionally. As for Taylor, If we are hanging around the bottom of the competition table say 6 to 8 rounds into the new season, I think he might be on very shaky ground.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Brooks will never be a 6, and there lies a big concern. He is a 7 that needs his forwards to go down the park. If we can't provide that for Luke, I'd suggest he might have a quiet 16 and so will Simona.

I do like the idea of Mitchell moving to 7 and playing both sides as he see's it. This style of structure will also suit the likes of Lioleveve who can park himself on an edge all day. How that works for Taylor I'm not sure?

Again, these structural changes will need to be decided by January!

 

[Pawsandclaws]

The coach must go, then, with a good run without injuries, we can do ok in 2016.

Taylor has failed to develop a working relationship with the team captain, SOO rep and club legend. That is Taylor's failure. Dealing with a player of Robbie's status in the club is not about 'showing him who is boss', it's about bringing him, with all his skills and experience, into the new regime.

We all knew that there were concerns about Taylor's past in terms of people management. Being decked by one of your own players is not a good sign, Rusty took appropriate action. The one thing he came to us with was a reputation for being a good tactician. Not once in an entire season did he demonstrate this. His tactics were the same against every opposition.

Get Moses and Brooks to swap jumpers, and let Moses run the show from 7\. Aim to win games by scoring more than the opponent, by attack not defense. Get the ball to the outside backs, especially Simona, who saw no ball in 2015.

Well written Paris. Taylor should go now and for the reasons you have outlined. As you have written, Rusty had had enough of Taylor and moved him on. Ironically, didn't Taylor squeal about his legal rights and threaten to take Rusty to court?

 

[Pawsandclaws]

The coach must go, then, with a good run without injuries, we can do ok in 2016.

Taylor has failed to develop a working relationship with the team captain, SOO rep and club legend. That is Taylor's failure. Dealing with a player of Robbie's status in the club is not about 'showing him who is boss', it's about bringing him, with all his skills and experience, into the new regime.

We all knew that there were concerns about Taylor's past in terms of people management. Being decked by one of your own players is not a good sign, Rusty took appropriate action. The one thing he came to us with was a reputation for being a good tactician. Not once in an entire season did he demonstrate this. His tactics were the same against every opposition.

Get Moses and Brooks to swap jumpers, and let Moses run the show from 7\. Aim to win games by scoring more than the opponent, by attack not defense. Get the ball to the outside backs, especially Simona, who saw no ball in 2015.

Well written Paris. Taylor should go now and for the reasons you have outlined. As you have written, Rusty had had enough of Taylor and moved him on. Ironically, didn't Taylor squeal about his legal rights and threaten to take Rusty to court?

 

[foreveratiger]

The coach must go, then, with a good run without injuries, we can do ok in 2016.

Taylor has failed to develop a working relationship with the team captain, SOO rep and club legend. That is Taylor's failure. Dealing with a player of Robbie's status in the club is not about 'showing him who is boss', it's about bringing him, with all his skills and experience, into the new regime.

We all knew that there were concerns about Taylor's past in terms of people management. Being decked by one of your own players is not a good sign, Rusty took appropriate action. The one thing he came to us with was a reputation for being a good tactician. Not once in an entire season did he demonstrate this. His tactics were the same against every opposition.

Get Moses and Brooks to swap jumpers, and let Moses run the show from 7\. Aim to win games by scoring more than the opponent, by attack not defense. Get the ball to the outside backs, especially Simona, who saw no ball in 2015.

Well written Paris. Taylor should go now and for the reasons you have outlined. As you have written, Rusty had had enough of Taylor and moved him on. Ironically, didn't Taylor squeal about his legal rights and threaten to take Rusty to court?

The Irony :laughing:, forum's favourite word

 

[Russell]

Judging on the latter part of this season KS, it is more Nofa needs to work on his defensive combination with Kev. His reads were terrible and put Kev and the team under enormous pressure. I think that is more the problem.

I agree with you re: Rowdy and Siro - they could end up one of the best second row combinations in the NRL. Both can hit hard with their defence, Rowdy runs great lines and Siro can offload with the best of them. If we can get a few of the outside backs to follow them through eeeeyahhh! Think with both of them having 2015 in the back row - the gained experience will show through in 2016.

Not hijacking this thread but so much depends on the No:9 (quarter of the spine). The sooner that gets settled and worked on the better - it is crucial. Does not matter which two dummy halves as long as it is settled - one needs to be Manaia though. The other?
Won't start another debate I have my preference though. With those back rowers, Teddy, Moses, Brooks, Cherrington +1, we could do some serious damage to the opposition if they get quick ball.

However as we know - all will be to no avail if the big boppers do not stand up.
Woods, Ava, Sue to start with and then the three to follow whoever they will be - whether it be Graham, Lamar, Edwards, Chee Cam, Halatau, the Ipswich boys or ? Whoever they are they need to build the "go forward" foundation or the backs and winning won't matter.

I would play Hunt on the other wing - I have seen him play for St. George a few times on the left wing and he did an excellent job. He knows how to go forward and find the try line. I would start him there and let him play his way out of the team if that be the case.

All in all, if we can stay reasonably injury free and the boys play to the game plan (instead of throwing it out the window - happened a few times this year). JT has proven he is one of the better tacticians in the NRL over the years, but he needs players to do as they are asked.

I think we will go pretty well with the team we have. 8.9.10 wouldn't disappoint me.

 

[Russell]

Someone said "Moses to 7 and Brooks to 6"

Will not work - Brooks is NOT a 6 and never will be.

Better to swap during the game from time to time as the need be.
Forun and DCE have done this at Manly with great results over the years.

 

[Telltails]

I just think it is important for us to jag some early wins to build confidence and relieve pressure on everyone associated with the club. We are notorious for the mid season slump, when the better teams start to build. Injuries are key. Teddy must stay healthy and there is still an element of the unknown with the fringe first grade signings. We lack size and impact in the forwards - however hopefully the new lads will step up surprise.

 

[Masterton]

Not to belittle anyone's opinion, but swapping Brooks and Moses is a terrible idea. They really do have quite different games, with Moses being the numbers man wider deciding where the best chance is. At the end of last year they were swapping when needed anyways. The problem (IMHO) is that Brooks doesn't always do enough to direct the team around.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

We are a year alder and more experienced so combination (especially in defence) should be better and more consistent. Nofoaluma had many injuries which affected his reading and positioning, as well as his combination with Naiqama, we shall expect much better defence on our right side. We shall reduce number of MT to less than 20 per game.
Hopefully Moses can kick over 70%, and Addo-Carr, Kharwin, Hunt, Hoeter will score as many points as Richards.
Woods and Seumanufagai shall be our starting props, Woods (the best Aus prop) averaged over 150 m and Seumanufagai was close to 100 m, Sue shall step up and be more consistent and average at least 100m per game.
Replacement for Galloway and Taupau ? Edwards, Graham, Grant, Tatola, Falise, McConnachie, Griffin, Leolevave. Should be enough depth, hopefully some of them will step up.
Lawrence and Sironen (with hopefully less injuries) shall be better than last season.
As for any team injuries will play big role, Woods, Tedesco, Simona and Nofoaluma will be hard to replace.
Go Tigers