The way Latu was passing the ball out the back from in front of the line it’s pretty obvious that wasn’t a spur of the moment set up. I think Luai is also capable of passing that way but Galvin is not. The current problem seems to be that we have a dominant roaming five eight and a more passive positional fullback. If Bula moved around the field like Galvin did we’d create a lot more attacking opportunities but yet Bula is constantly standing wide of the ruck as the sudo five eight in the side whilst Galvin moves around (a lot like Drinkwater and Tommy T).
Idea on how to play Galvin & Latu
- Thread starter The Chad
- Start date
Canadian Club
Well-known member
Based on his body type and shape I think it’s inevitable that Galvin ends up in the backrow somewhere. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He’s even acknowledge it himself.
If he was to move to lock eventually it will let him get his hands on the ball and let Luai and Latu play second receiver which is both of their best spots imo.
1million a season may be an issue early on but Yeo, Murray and Jake Turbo are on around a million at the moment. With the cap going up, we will probably see quite a few locks on that 1mil a season pay packet.
If he was to move to lock eventually it will let him get his hands on the ball and let Luai and Latu play second receiver which is both of their best spots imo.
1million a season may be an issue early on but Yeo, Murray and Jake Turbo are on around a million at the moment. With the cap going up, we will probably see quite a few locks on that 1mil a season pay packet.
The more I watch Galvin float around the field and play as the dominant playmaker the more I can’t see backrow being an option for him. He basically is our fullback in attack.
Canadian Club
Well-known member
Once he puts on size and fills out his frame it’s going to be harder to maintain that and move as quickly or as agile.
Jolls
Well-known member
It is definitely a workable option and LAtu has shown what he can bring to the table. The concern is how we deal with the way the other team combats it. We already struggle with Api/TDS and Seyfarth in defence. Add Latu into the mix and we aren't dominating the ruck. We are planning to a deep dive on this exact issue next week. Could ba a very interesting discussion - I wonder if Benji has five minutes to drop in 🤣🤣🤣
Jolls
Well-known member
Now we are talking - Latu and Romey and the halves and Galvin swinging around with Bula. Still a problem at 13 - someone would have to defend as a centre and wear a 3 or 4 on their back. Good headache to try and solve!
The Chad
Well-known member
In regard to Galvin- I still think I see shades of Wade Graham to his future- can play 5/8, but can control a side of the field from the second row as essentially, a second 5/8 but on one side.
He will need to get stronger. It's not even necessarily about bulk. But his initial defensive contact needs to be stronger.
He will need to get stronger. It's not even necessarily about bulk. But his initial defensive contact needs to be stronger.
Jolls
Well-known member
Bird is our Wadr Graham at the moment - Galvin could be in the future if he stays.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
If you want to see why you can’t manufacture a centre go back and watch how Crichton schooled Atkinson last weekend.
What are your thoughts on possibly having either Latu or Galvin defending as a centre, but in attack having Luai, Galvin and Latu combining as our 1,6 & 7 with Bula reverting to the centres in attack ?
That was my initial thoughts, but I do like the look of Bula’s attack so far this season and he no doubt has much more to give, so I’m not as keen on taking him away from fullback in attack anymore,
However I do think a 1,6 & 7 attacking combination of Luai, Galvin and Latu would be very difficult to contain for opposing teams.
Jolls
Well-known member
I think it is much of muchness in that it is a variation ont he theme that the Chad has put forward. I really like the Keep is Simple, Stupid principle and we are starting to get into confusion territory.
In theory, I think this type of attack could work, again it is an attackign strategy that you can't build in a week. My concern with this thread isn't how we could make the attack work. It is how we could make it work in defence when we already struggle to win the collision and control the ruck.
We would be back to the days of you score 30 we score 31. Won us a premiership 25 years ago!
The Chad
Well-known member
I agree with your point 100%
That said- we are not likely to start winning the collision with the current squad. I just don't think we are a physically strong enough team.
Maybe our best bet is to win 31-30? 😀
magpies forever
Well-known member
If Doueihi's fit and Latu can cover centre I'd be tempted to have Doueihi 7, Galvin 6 with Latu in the centres- a bit less demanding than in the forwards.
The Chad
Well-known member
The easiest solution could well be to have Latu play in the centres for the time being.
As has been said on a few occasions now- Fittler, Daley, Kenny, Burton....they all played centre before 5/8. If it gets him on the field...they can move the pieces around to suit the game.
Regardless- having $500k per season Latu not on the field doesn't feel like we are using our best 17 players.
As has been said on a few occasions now- Fittler, Daley, Kenny, Burton....they all played centre before 5/8. If it gets him on the field...they can move the pieces around to suit the game.
Regardless- having $500k per season Latu not on the field doesn't feel like we are using our best 17 players.
I have no doubt it could work from an attacking point of view, Benji doesn’t appear to see it as an option as even when we were in disarray on Sunday he still kept Latu closer to the action.
Maybe Benji doesn’t think Latu is quick enough to handle defending in the centres ?
The Chad
Well-known member
Jolls- when is this discussion happening? I'm curious to read what my eyes might not be seeing.
I'm sure 'we are not strong enough' can't be the only answer.
If only we had Jack Hetherington..... 🙂
The Chad
Well-known member
Quite possible.
I'm quite happy to admit that I think I got Bird wrong. I had him down as a centre for us this season, but he really has shown surprising grit in defence around the middle.
Add to that- I thought he was much less effective at centre in defence- so I clearly am more Anthony Seibold than Wayne Bennett.
Point being- with Skelton, Doueihi etc fighting injury- I think I'd be happier seeing Latu play centre with Bird staying closer to the action.
Jolls
Well-known member
We are going to run it Monday to Thursday between games as a discussion on here. Check the Deep DiveThread for the detail https://weststigersforum.com/threads/wests-tigers-deep-dive-of-the-week.36357/
It’s interesting you know that we’ve recruited Bird as a utility and some experience in the side.
Funnily Bird was in exactly the same place as Galvin was 10 years ago as the young ‘could be anything’ footballer that wasn’t quite a half but just had to be on the field.
I wonder if LG has picked his brain a bit as to how he adapted to other positions as he was gradually replaced as a half option.
Could long term Galvin become our Bird?
I don’t mind this. To’a would be the odd one out with Galvin or Latu taking the right centre spot in defence.
Bula spends a lot of time wide of the ruck but his kick defence / returns are his best asset in our half.
What would need to change though is when in the opposing half, one of the three halves would need to hang around the ruck and provide an outlet for any offloads off the forwards.
It could actually be all three given our position on the field. That would put less pressure on Bula to be all over the field and allow him to sit at the right centre position in attack as a go to threat out wide.
