How should the Tigers use Moltzen???

[tigertye]

I wanted to get some thoughts on what people are thinking about Sheens' use of Tim Moltzen at this point.

He played 28mins on Saturday and looked to be getting a little more confident. He came on at centre pushing Blake Ayshford into lock with Heigno coming off.

Personally i think he will eventually become fullback as Lui has been playing and maturing as a halfback next to Benji. McKinnon had a fairly good game on Saturday, and in form can be a great guy to have on your team although consistency could be an issue. I also believed Mitch Brown earnt the position last year although i think Sheens has gone with the 'specialised fullback'. It is great to see how much depth we have this season and that players are fighting for their positions!!!

In my opinion as much as i hate to say it, because he's one of my favorite and skillful backs we have, i would have Moltzen dropped to NSW Cup at fullback for a few weeks, to let him regain his confidence and allow him to work into a full time, fullback role. Until then i would bring Mitch Brown into the side as the utility.

My team around the finals without injury would look like this:

1\. Moltzen
2\. Tuquri
3\. Ayshford
4\. Lawrence
5\. Utai/Ryan
6\. Marshall
7\. Lui
8\. Gibbs
9\. Farah
10\. Galloway
11\. Dwyer
12\. Ellis
13\. Heighington

Interchange:

14\. Fulton
15\. Payten
16\. Fifita
17\. Brown

18th Man:

Woods/Murdoch-Masila

 

[Demps]

If he isn't full back, he is 14th man utility like Isaac Luke was to the 4 nations.
Used to inject speed & creativity into the game when plays are tired.
Let him just run around and do his thing like Preston Campbell or whatever.

 

[happy_tiger]

If he isn't full back, he is 14th man utility like Isaac Luke was to the 4 nations.
Used to inject speed & creativity into the game when plays are tired.
Let him just run around and do his thing like Preston Campbell or whatever.

At this stage Demps that is the perfect way to be using him No doubt at some stage he will be used as a injury replacement It will be then up to him for earn his place in that position

 

[Mona_Lolesi]

At the game I knew he was on the field but didn't notice him do anything of note.

I think there will be a time period while coaching staff and Moltzen tweak the best way to get the most out of him at 14.
I think resting Heighno was good as when he came back on he looked fit, strong and made big metres.

In my opinion Moltzen isn't much of a fullback and Lui has him covered at halfback.

 

[Demps]

At the game I knew he was on the field but didn't notice him do anything of note.

I think there will be a time period while coaching staff and Moltzen tweak the best way to get the most out of him at 14.
I think resting Heighno was good as when he came back on he looked fit, strong and made big metres.

In my opinion Moltzen isn't much of a fullback and Lui has him covered at halfback.

He is important to the team no doubt.
He will never be halfback with Lui around and some people have issues with him being at the back but he needs to be a part of the team for sure.
I say NO to Moltzen @ centre, however I feel 14th man is his go for the time being.
I would like to see him full time full back though.

 

[hammertime]

I really liked the way Sheensy used him on the weekend at center with Blake pushing into the 2nd row. Towards the end of the game when the forwards are starting to tire having two fast and skillful blokes on our right flank may just win us a few games.

We know what a good passing game Moltz has too and he could put Utai over a few times.

Sheensy has had his hand forced with the lack of 2nd rowers, but I like the ploy.

Lets face it, Lui and McKinnon won't be replaced. This is a brilliant way to capitalize at the tail end of the game and to have brilliant cover if any backs go down.

 

[cunno]

Agreed with the comments here that Moltzen is best used for his utility value at the moment, a very good player to have on the bench, which is nice. I suspect injury at some stage will dictate what happens in the long term. One thing I did notice on Staurday night was how tire Blake was when he moved into the forwards. Not knocking his game just commenting on how tired he looked hands on knees, helps him to appreciate how tough the forwards do it.

 

[hammertime]

Agreed with the comments here that Moltzen is best used for his utility value at the moment, a very good player to have on the bench, which is nice. I suspect injury at some stage will dictate what happens in the long term. One thing I did notice on Staurday night was how tire Blake was when he moved into the forwards. Not knocking his game just commenting on how tired he looked hands on knees, helps him to appreciate how tough the forwards do it.

With the backs doing most of the hit-ups, especially in the Warriors game, I don't necessarily think our forwards are doing it too tough. Especially when the majority are getting some Bench time.

It was a lot to ask of Blake to move into the backrow for 30minutes after already being on for 50 and he handled it very well, beat 4 defenders to score that try! He couldn't have been too tired.

 

[everett]

Agree to use Moltzen as a utility on the bench and move Blake to lock during periods of certain games.

I think a couple of full games in State Cup to improve his fitness would be of assistance.

 

[Guest]

In the final wash-up I'm not sure, the fitter he gets and the longer he stays injury free, the more pressure it's going to place on certain players, namely McKinnon and Lui. If either one gets injured, it could play a major factor in what position Moltzen spends the most time in this season.

 

[cunno]

Agreed with the comments here that Moltzen is best used for his utility value at the moment, a very good player to have on the bench, which is nice. I suspect injury at some stage will dictate what happens in the long term. One thing I did notice on Staurday night was how tire Blake was when he moved into the forwards. Not knocking his game just commenting on how tired he looked hands on knees, helps him to appreciate how tough the forwards do it.

With the backs doing most of the hit-ups, especially in the Warriors game, I don't necessarily think our forwards are doing it too tough. Especially when the majority are getting some Bench time.

It was a lot to ask of Blake to move into the backrow for 30minutes after already being on for 50 and he handled it very well, beat 4 defenders to score that try! He couldn't have been too tired.

The forwards did it tough on a heavy pitch against a rugged warriors pack who had greater possession. The defense the WTs had to put in took its toll and saw the need to rotate the forwards. Blake handled both positions well and scored a great try as you have mentioned HT. He scored in the 61st minute. My reference was to how he looked later in the game. Having said that he didn't look out of place in the backs or forwards.

 

[Juro]

I'm happy for him to play the utility role for the moment. Much better having him than Fitzhenry. Like others have said, injuries will happen at some stage during the season and he will probably get to start a fair number of games.

The only fear with this is if Moltzen isn't happy with this role. It may force him to look elsewhere for a regular starting position, which would be a shame…

 

[happy_tiger]

I'm happy for him to play the utility role for the moment. Much better having him than Fitzhenry. Like others have said, injuries will happen at some stage during the season and he will probably get to start a fair number of games.

The only fear with this is if Moltzen isn't happy with this role. It may force him to look elsewhere for a regular starting position, which would be a shame…

We have to lose one of them (LUi or Moltzen ) unless we play Moltzen at fullback . I'm still for Mackinnon there at this stage but he only probably has 18 months left before England or retirement . maybe they will groom Moltzen for that position so it gives him time to learn position properly

 

[larrycorowa]

Give McKinnon more time at fullback. He looks a more natural fullback than Moltzen. Agree that for now, Moltzen should be used off the bench and moved into centres with either Ashyford or Lawrence moving into the backrow to give one of our backrowers a break.

This is similar to how Sheens used to utilise the back on the bench by moving TNT into the forwards.

Can Moltzen kick goals?

 

[Guest]

Give McKinnon more time at fullback. He looks a more natural fullback than Moltzen. Agree that for now, Moltzen should be used off the bench and moved into centres with either Ashyford or Lawrence moving into the backrow to give one of our backrowers a break.

This is similar to how Sheens used to utilise the back on the bench by moving TNT into the forwards.

Can Moltzen kick goals?

He can kick them, but he's no more accurate than Marshall.

 

[Cysquatch]

he's a 'stone bonker' no#7 imo. i hope he doesn't get squeezed out and im not hoping for bobby lui to fall in a heap either. if he can make a fist of full back then that's great but i just think he's the type of 7 we need. not the be all and end all of halfbacks but he suits us with marshall at 6 no end. in saying that i hope lui kicks arse as well