Heath Mason #288

[Joelcainenumber1fan]

They can and should co-exist.
Latu as our starting 7 with a big focus on making big improvements to his kicking game, Talyn taking over from an ageing Api as our starting number 9 from 2027 onwards and Mason continuing his development as a halve and part time number 9 in NSW Cup, while being our NRL back up halve and back up number 14 and likely becoming our regular NRL number 14 from 2027 if we allow Api to head to the Perth Bears.

i hope this happens but i dont think this is benji plan

 

[Vicious]

i hope this happens but i dont think this is benji plan

Benji’s plan is in his backside.

 

[mtd#2]

I think the issue was that everyone knew he had massive defensive issues from the previous game, and yet he was still picked this week.

He did his best but he’s just not up to first grade at this stage of his career.

I also think Benji needed to play him to reward him for his efforts..

Tonight he was found out..

And heath will now know he has stuff to work on, so he won't be upset if he's pushed back to NSW cup to focus on these areas

Not bad coaching imo

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

I also think Benji needed to play him to reward him for his efforts..

Tonight he was found out..

And heath will now know he has stuff to work on, so he won't be upset if he's pushed back to NSW cup to focus on these areas

Not bad coaching imo

100%. He earned those games. But now he lost the credit he had.

 

[Buttface]

That would 100% be a top 8 side maybe even top 4. You learn more from your losses than wins.

We’re should be the smartest club in the world going on that. We are not.
We’re a srf, run on prop, and/or (preferably and), a lock short of top 4. If we get lucky we might jag 8 with just one of them, which we have one srf on the way. I reckon we need another quality run on prop so pole can come off the bench, and would be less pain come injuries etc.

 

[Tom Shines]

That would 100% be a top 8 side maybe even top 4. You learn more from your losses then wins.

Win, learn or draw,,, there are no losses … someone needs to run with that ..

 

[happy_tiger]

hope latu doesnt have a bad game or they will turn on him just as fast

Mason gas had more than one bad game and tried in two positions
What are Masons strengths

 

[rihannafan1]

Win, learn or draw,,, there are no losses … someone needs to run with that ..

Yeah they should start a podcast or something

 

[gregjm87]

I think the issue was that everyone knew he had massive defensive issues from the previous game, and yet he was still picked this week.

He did his best but he’s just not up to first grade at this stage of his career.

I agree his defence isn't up to 1st grade yet and that everyone knew this prior to Friday night.
Even still I don't see him being picked as a huge problem (even if I wouldn't pick him at the moment).
What I believe is a big problem is not that he was picked but that he was picked with no defensive plan of hiding him in the line. We've seen plenty of small/young/injured halves that struggle in defence but there are plans and structures to hide them. They aren't just left 3 in and told to do their best. Most are pushed to the wing to minimise the workload then moved inside the backrower close to the line so they can't be then isolated one on one. Marshall himself was hidden on a wing for much of his early career.
Some halves have been given body guards that do their tackling for them, though I don't think we have anyone who could do this role.
Again we had no plan and Mason was given no help. He was essentially set up to fail. We need to do better by our younger players.

 

[TYGA]

Mason is only 20 he looks to me a Connor Watson type player. Ideal 14 when we have the starting lineup in order. I can see him being a key player down the track just not yet.

 

[Tiger Woods]

Sub player to bring energy not a starter

 

[orange&black]

Not sure what Benji could do here. I believe the coaching team is trying to follow a rehab protocol with Latu building him up to 80 mins consistently at NRL level - it’s a longer term view than many on here aren’t seeing. If you listen to his comments when asked about replacing Galvin in the 17 he always prioritises Latu as the future.
His options for 5/8 during this time have been limited - bring in AD and manufacture a decent centre, which he has tried and didn’t work, or give Mason another crack because he’s keen and willing, and developing.
The Galvin saga has derailed our progress for the last 4-5 games particularly in this area.
Never an easy ride at the Tigers, there is also a problem with TDS, which selection decisions are being made on. We don’t know the whole picture so I’m prepared to give Richo and Benji the benefit of the doubt as I think they probably know better than i do!!
As for our performance as a team. It’s obvious they are a tight group still playing for their coach and club. They are showing much more resilience and effort than in past seasons. Management know too well where our missing pieces are and Richo is working on it in a constant game of cat and mouse in an ever changing player marketplace. These are generally long term choices and he’s been doing it for many years successfully so let’s just be patient and hope they can get us fans some joy.
In the meantime we need to step up as a group and play teams that have been far more settled, with better squads and depth and more experience of winning under their belts.

 

[coivtny]

Mason gas had more than one bad game and tried in two positions
What are Masons strengths

They have the secret handshake which always impresses.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Mason is only 20 he looks to me a Connor Watson type player. Ideal 14 when we have the starting lineup in order. I can see him being a key player down the track just not yet.

Mason looks like the better prospect to me than Tallyn da Silva.

 

[Demps]

Mason looks like the better prospect to me than Tallyn da Silva.

Both have their positives
Different players

TDS will be a loss

 

[stephen]

We have to remember Mason has only just turned 20 and returning to play in the frontline after the club spent 2 years trying to convert him to a fullback.

Really he should just play 5/8 in NSW Cup for at least a full season to develop his game there until he is ready for 1st grade.

We've had worse in our top 30. He seems a good kid who has put in a lot of effort to try and make it. Still has a long way to go & needs reps against men in reserves. In my view he's shown enough to persist with in terms of development at least. It's only fair considering how long we've persisted with others currently in our 17!!

 

[stephen]

Another young player who was promoted to first grade before he was ready due to our lack of depth at the club. We need to fill out our squads with suitable players and depth so that our young players can properly developed and be promoted when they are ready, not before their time.

Well said, Wiz.

 

[happy_tiger]

We've had worse in our top 30. He seems a good kid who has put in a lot of effort to try and make it. Still has a long way to go & needs reps against men in reserves. In my view he's shown enough to persist with in terms of development at least. It's only fair considering how long we've persisted with others currently in our 17!!

Well as long as he is a good kid ......forget the fact he can't catch bombs or tackle

 

[phil1986]

Sub player to bring energy not a starter

Agree not yet.

Not physically there for 80mins, which is completely expected for a smaller 20 year old.

He’s worth investing in, has plenty of big wraps, has shown he has talent. And most of all he’s extremely dedicated.

These are definitely some of the development. players we need in our squad. Improving year on year and able to add more.

 

[stephen]

Well as long as he is a good kid ......forget the fact he can't catch bombs or tackle

Needs a lot of work & should be developing in reserves, as others have said. However, does seem to have the right attitude, and definitely has a few positive attributes.