FUTURE’S BRIGHT AT THE TIGERS DESPITE CURRENT WOES

[weststigers]

This narrative started on here lately that the kids do no wrong and the experienced guys are the reason we are last again, gives me the shits.
It is incorrect. The kids F*ck up a lot. They are all to blame.

I think people expect the kids to mess up given their lack of experience and adjustment to NRL. That's the path we've chosen, so there is an element of accepting that their development will include some less than stellar performances and highlight some weaknesses.

I think Sam Fainu is the only guy I can't really pick fault with. On a side note, jeez we are lucky to have picked up such a talent.

It's just tough when the guys you rely on for consistency to offset the inevitable issues that come with blooding multiple young guys, can't get it together. In fairness, the older guys are playing exactly the same as they were at their previous clubs, so not sure what the Tigers expected.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Do they though? Really?

Well its simple. Canterbury rebuild(s) are much much quicker. Look at them today. It was only yesterday they were on the sea without an anchor.

 

[Vicious]

Well its simple. Canterbury rebuild(s) are much much quicker. Look at them today. It was only yesterday they were on the sea without an anchor.

I would have said as recently as the end of last season they were up poop creek without a paddle.
Due to a clean out and smart recruitment, 12 months later they look certain to make the top 8 and some of the media talking them up as an outside chance for the 2024 title.
Yes the Bulldogs are getting a lot of mentions in this thread, the simple reason is they were no better off than us at the end of 2023.
They have turned it around very quickly, proving it doesn’t have to take long if done right.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

AMEN

 

[Nonotmeagain]

Its all about money. This is what has become of us. The human race.

Easy money !!!

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I wish it for all of us.

 

[Newtown]

It’s not hate , it’s how he talks the talk , but we have seen no action , he releases papa , but no replacement, he lets Bateman walk when we still had a chance of avoiding the spoon , his continued statement if we can bring kids throw to fill the gap , then u watch the NSW cup side getting slaughtered, that’s why I am along with some others , worried about where he’s going

I think that Richo is still following South Sydney.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

I think that Richo is still following South Sydney.

Newtown. Why do.you.always make sense?

 

[Tucker]

I challenge you to find one single post that backs that up. No one has once said anything of the sort in regard to the youngsters doing no wrong. Your getting yourself worked up over something that isn't even there and taking it out on people who have had enough of the experienced players not performing.

Ive had it with experienced blokes not performing just as much as I have had it with 18 and 19 year olds running around in first grade without earning the right to.
Its the collective that have failed, from Benji through to the trainers.

 

[king_sirro]

Ive had it with experienced blokes not performing just as much as I have had it with 18 and 19 year olds running around in first grade without earning the right to.
Its the collective that have failed, from Benji through to the trainers.

I agree. But your saying that your angry people are saying the young ones can't do wrong. It's not that, its just that most are more forgiving of a youngster making a mistake because it's somewhat expected, than they are of the experienced guys.

I think there is a sneaky hope that the pain we are enduring this year with too many youngsters thrown in too early will reap rewards next year. I know that's what I'm hoping. I'm not expecting it, just hoping.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

 

[Vicious]

I agree. But your saying that your angry people are saying the young ones can't do wrong. It's not that, its just that most are more forgiving of a youngster making a mistake because it's somewhat expected, than they are of the experienced guys.

I think there is a sneaky hope that the pain we are enduring this year with too many youngsters thrown in too early will reap rewards next year. I know that's what I'm hoping. I'm not expecting it, just hoping.

Wouldn’t it more be a matter of saying our group of players u/23 that have played NRL this season have generally been satisfactory, some exceeding expectations, where our NRL players over 23 as a group have badly under performed ?

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

According to statistics no. Tucker? You there?

 

[Tucker]

For your sentiment on the juniors messing up, personally I’d rather them make mistakes trying than not. When we are on, we are on and it’s extremely hard to stop but that comes from Bula, Galvin, Da Silva, Api, Fainu. Last week all Papalii had to do was hold the ball but he lost us the momentum. The errors the young ones make are from trying which is all you can ask. As they get more experience more often than not they can nail those plays and gain consistency. It is still early days.

As you singled out Papali'i last weekend, lets see what his returns were apart from that error: In 54 minutes he ran for 106m - the second best of the whole pack, with the guy who beat him playing a full 80 minute game. He made a game high 38 tackles and did so at over 90% efficiency. I think that is having a go.

 

[Tucker]

I agree. But your saying that your angry people are saying the young ones can't do wrong. It's not that, its just that most are more forgiving of a youngster making a mistake because it's somewhat expected, than they are of the experienced guys.

My point is, of course they are making mistakes - they arent ready for first grade.
I mean seriously, did Luke Laulilii deserve to make his debut this year? Had he really been demanding selection through incredible football in the lower grades? A few days back someone told me Benji is a great coach for having the balls to play Galvin at 5/8 straight out of school. Really? Thats what we are passing for great coaching here now?

I think there is a sneaky hope that the pain we are enduring this year with too many youngsters thrown in too early will reap rewards next year. I know that's what I'm hoping. I'm not expecting it, just hoping.

We have to think this way because the club has given us no other option. I would much prefer Stef, Papa and Bateman to buy in on what our plan is and fully committ to laying platforms for Luai and Bula and co to rip teams apart next year.

 

[Vicious]

As you singled out Papali'i last weekend, lets see what his returns were apart from that error: In 54 minutes he ran for 106m - the second best of the whole pack, with the guy who beat him playing a full 80 minute game. He made a game high 38 tackles and did so at over 90% efficiency. I think that is having a go.

In a struggling team I believe Papali’i has held his end of the bargain by nearly always running hard, tackling hard and doing his best the make an impact with limited opportunities or assistance from his team mates.
I really don’t think he has been our problem and it’s still a puzzling decision why we released him early when quality back rowers are very difficult to find, let alone recruit.
I also whole heartedly agree that quite a few of our younger players were given NRL opportunities before they were ready and without earning them from playing consistently well in NSW Cup. That to me is a big coaching mistake as it isssending a message that you can play NRL for Wests Tigers without playing well or earning it.

 

[HowDugWT]

In a struggling team I believe Papali’i has held his end of the bargain by nearly always running hard, tackling hard and doing his best the make an impact with limited opportunities or assistance from his team mates.
I really don’t think he has been our problem and it’s still a puzzling decision why we released him early when quality back rowers are very difficult to find, let alone recruit.
I also whole heartedly agree that quite a few of our younger players were given NRL opportunities before they were ready and without earning them from playing consistently well in NSW Cup. That to me is a big coaching mistake as it isssending a message that you can play NRL for Wests Tigers without playing well or earning it.

I do agree. With our KOE team in shambles in terms of a completely different 13 every week it has been hard for them to gather momentum. Yet the NRL has been forver shifting due to suspensions and injuries. This has had a massive effect on lower grades. Until we sort out the NRL the rest will fall into place.
Despite some of the debutants this year having loads of potential many of them haven't even played great for KOE.
Miller was playing alright footy, nothing special.
Luke Laulili didn't put a foot wrong but never provided anything
Latu Fainu was rushed back after just coming back from injury and load managing in KOE the previous week
I think we can all agree Alaimalo isnt that great of a player
Sione Fainu was pretty solid at KOE
Porter excelled at KOE and definitely deserved a callup same with Johanssen

I think the difference between us and other clubs is that it is pretty easy to look half decent in first grade cause everyone around you is trash. The NRL team has changed almost every week and no security with positions has made it tough on everyone in the club from KOE to flegg

 

[Tucker]

In a struggling team I believe Papali’i has held his end of the bargain by nearly always running hard, tackling hard and doing his best the make an impact with limited opportunities or assistance from his team mates.
I really don’t think he has been our problem and it’s still a puzzling decision why we released him early when quality back rowers are very difficult to find, let alone recruit.
I also whole heartedly agree that quite a few of our younger players were given NRL opportunities before they were ready and without earning them from playing consistently well in NSW Cup. That to me is a big coaching mistake as it isssending a message that you can play NRL for Wests Tigers without playing well or earning it.

Yes we have to be very careful not to create a transit lounge whereby young guns gain some NRL experience before hitting the bricks for fame and fortune.
Take Galvin as an example...and no I am not saying this is the case, but it could be. If he signs elsewhere for 2027, his new club will be recieving a 21 year old half with 60-70 NRL games under his belt.

 

[Kelce68]

I think the real reason Papali'i, in particular, was released early, was that Richo had overestimated our capacity to be active in the player market and thought that his funds would bolster an already healthy cap position into next year and the money would nab someone else of quality by default in an attempt to balance the roster.

That may still happen and he may conjure up a quality signing or two, but if you're a betting man, it's not the smart money right now.

In hindsight, Papali'i in particular, is one we probably should've kept.

.... Especially with the Bateman fallout. And I'm an open fan of the way John plays football.

The others on the 'outer', almost to a man, I'm fine with.

 

[Lauren]

Suspensions and injuries obviously forced Benji's hand with team selections multiple times. At one point Galvin, Sullivan and L Fainu were unavailable. Alaimalo, Lobb, Tupou and Toa around the same time.

This speaks more of the club's poor depth, highlighting that we need to build a better roster and perhaps look at our strength and conditioning.