Forward Pack Discussion

[colinbh]

You have answered my question above...

Momentum.

Hence the Slow plays of Klemmer, the brain sprays of Bateman.

All which disrupt momentum.


So does KPP + Bunty fit the above?
NZ used to do a stack of offloads. Then Kearney came in and focused on completions, making them boring and a spooner team. Bunty doesn't fit Webster's plans, and you have to say with Webster that whatever he is doing is working. Heck NZ performing better without Reece Walsh it's got to be good coaching.

LIkewise KPP. Known for offloads but hasn't done many under O'brien at Newcastle. Has mistakes and errors in his game, although has a high workrate.

So does the hiring of Bunty and KPP and the firing of Bird, et al fit the momentum line?
I think you have a point.

Disagree. KPP has few errors. Maybe DCE is available. Crickets from Easts about his signing.

 

[Vicious]

There is constant talk that our forward pack is not good enough and needs a big name recruit.
That is great in theory and I think all Wests Tigers supporters agree one good quality middle in addition to Bunty Afoa would be ideal, but whether or not the right player becomes available to us anytime soon is debatable.
In saying this when you compare our forward pack to the Melbourne Storm player for player including the bench and taking likely improvement into the 2026 season into the equation, I don’t think we stack up as bad as many of our supporters think.
Getting the best out of our current t players and getting them to produce it on a consistent basis is a bigger issue than simply needing another big name forward recruit.

 

[Merlot]

There is constant talk that our forward pack is not good enough and needs a big name recruit.
That is great in theory and I think all Wests Tigers supporters agree one good quality middle in addition to Bunty Afoa would be ideal, but whether or not the right player becomes available to us anytime soon is debatable.
In saying this when you compare our forward pack to the Melbourne Storm player for player including the bench and taking likely improvement into the 2026 season into the equation, I don’t think we stack up as bad as many of our supporters think.
Getting the best out of our current t players and getting them to produce it on a consistent basis is a bigger issue than simply needing another big name forward recruit.

Hass would look good in a WT jersey

 

[Merlot]

There is constant talk that our forward pack is not good enough and needs a big name recruit.
That is great in theory and I think all Wests Tigers supporters agree one good quality middle in addition to Bunty Afoa would be ideal, but whether or not the right player becomes available to us anytime soon is debatable.
In saying this when you compare our forward pack to the Melbourne Storm player for player including the bench and taking likely improvement into the 2026 season into the equation, I don’t think we stack up as bad as many of our supporters think.
Getting the best out of our current t players and getting them to produce it on a consistent basis is a bigger issue than simply needing another big name forward recruit.

their young, still on a learning curve, they look comfortable in each other's space,
A few years of yet ,its building

 

[The Chad]

I think if you spend your time & resources copying other teams blueprints, you're forever playing catch up.

Instead of finding reasons that some players are not fitting 'the modern game', I'd really like seeing coaches using those players strengths to exploit new weaknesses.

Small, mobile forwards are suddenly the trend? Load up on big mountains & out muscle them. Big guys are the way forward? Get a team of faster, mobile guys.

The trick isn't the system.

It's how well you use it.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I think if you spend your time & resources copying other teams blueprints, you're forever playing catch up.

Instead of finding reasons that some players are not fitting 'the modern game', I'd really like seeing coaches using those players strengths to exploit new weaknesses.

Small, mobile forwards are suddenly the trend? Load up on big mountains & out muscle them. Big guys are the way forward? Get a team of faster, mobile guys.

The trick isn't the system.

It's how well you use it.

Yeah go contrarian on the small forwards trend, I never liked the idea of small guys in your pack.

The old saying a big man is better than a small guy rings in your ears when talking footy especially if he's fit and has a ticker.

 

[Halbrowne61]

Sure,
then why is a 850k NAS being punted by the storm for a 500k subsity!

Your best coaches, Bellamy, Webster, Fitz... They are all moving to lighter, more mobile forwards. KPP seems to be a good pickup in that respect (if the knights did nothing with him).

Heck, I love the battering rams. I loved seeing Taupau or someone just ram through a defensive line.
So I don't get why they seem to be punted now.

Wouldn’t it be more that NAS doesn’t have the discipline that Bellyache prefers.
Maybe a bit too volatile and headstrong, similar to Cheese, I don’t think Craig will lose any sleep.