OFFICIAL Jock Madden #244

[gallagher]

Lets not forget madden captained the Australian schoolboys. He was behind aRey and hunt at the Broncos, but still saw game time. Hes no slouch.

Id agree that we dont get carried away, but we shouldn't also ignore what he showed last weekend - otherwise what are these trials for.

I see madden has been named at 14 in the trial. I think thats going to be his spot until latu returns.

I think AD makes more sense at 14 than anyone. Unless he's killing it at 7 that is. Hopefully they all go well and give us that pressure on positions

 

[Dr_Ice]

It’s not often we see a Wests Tigers halfback produce a 9 if not 10 out of 10 performance in any grade.
Douehi done it last season against the Bulldogs when he started the game playing centre, but other than that we are probably going back to the Scott Prince days to find an extremely dominant game from any of our 7’s.

Are you sure about the Bulldogs game? I thought AD was originally named in the pack but started at half. While he had a great game, a lot of his highlights were from run away breaks, not always traditional half back play

 

[Vicious]

Are you sure about the Bulldogs game? I thought AD was originally named in the pack but started at half. While he had a great game, a lot of his highlights were from run away breaks, not always traditional half back play

He definitely started at centre.
True in saying a lot of his highlights from that Bulldogs game were not traditional halfback plays, but he did kick well and become the dominant player on the field when it was needed.

 

[Merlot]

Not trashing Jock by any means, if Latu is not ready for starting half ,he should ,Dwayhee at 13
Wakeham played a simler game previously that day for manly

 

[TurnStyle]

I see madden has been named at 14 in the trial. I think thats going to be his spot until latu returns.

I hope it is a precursor for the start of the season seeing Doueihi start games at 7 before moving to 13 with Madden going to 7.

I really do think it could work well having Luai and AD running amok both sides while Madden plays the 7 'straight man' he did so well Saturday.

That's the structure I hope they at least experiment with.

In any case, I like that Madden looks to have been rewarded with the chance to show if he can play as well against a bona fide Penrith nrl team.

However limited it could be, it's still getting a shot and I think that's good coaching.

 

[innsaneink]

Dont.like halves changing mid game unless its absolutely necessary ie injury etc...not a fan of this

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Glad to see Jock putting pressure on AD and Luai.

I wouldn't start him round 1, but round three if he keeps performing and were 0 on the ladder.

Doueihi is 7 in the first half of the trial with a full squad.
Pressure will be on him to shine: Because Madden is on in the 2nd half at 7.
Pressure is also on Luai - no more fluffing around. He needs to improve on last year.
We get to see which half [ Madden or Doueihi] can provide the best field position and the space for Luai to shine. And practice your goal kicking boys.
Benji is giving Doueihi a big test and things could change come round 2. Great pressure for both halves to show case who's best suited for the team.

 

[Merlot]

League has been pushing to be multi tasked for longer than the workforce ,players age is dropping
Nice he knocked back Souths

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

It’s not often we see a Wests Tigers halfback produce a 9 if not 10 out of 10 performance in any grade.
Douehi done it last season against the Bulldogs when he started the game playing centre, but other than that we are probably going back to the Scott Prince days to find an extremely dominant game from any of our 7’s.

And behind a pack with just 1 senior player (Sione F) as opposed to the Roosters pack of high quality forwards (The Butcher Boys, Wong and the ones I can't spell)

 

[balmain boy]

I'm surprised people are so gun ho about MAdden after one game playing a reserve grade team, he needs to show much more considering his past performances.

If Madden ends up being our halfback, I think we are stuffed. AD can be three times the footballer Madden can be.

So if AD fails and we are relying on Madden, we are struggling. I'd be hoping Latu has found his first grade leags before Madden.

Lets pray AD can finally reach his potential.

Madden can kick, AD cannot (other than an uncontrolled bomb).

In one match Madden found the grass with his kicks (even though our pack was struggling) more than we did in the entire 2025 season....

Madden was one of our best and AD going to lock is a distinct possibility if Madden can keep that level up

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I loved how deep Jock dug into the line before passing, split second before impact and his long passes in the red zone were bullets. It opened up our backline beautifully.

I loved seeing a kicking game that multiple times went into open space and ball for once actually bounce across the ground with the fullback chasing it.

That is rare at NRL level these days but is such a difference maker. Hope we see AD doing that this year.

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

I thought and was hoping Jock would play well on Saturday, but he was off the charts, a 10 out of 10 masterclass.
Since he was last with us he now looks much more comfortable in changing tempo, playing straight, digging further into the line and looks to now have a much smarter and improved kicking game.
All this as well as being a committed and decent defender for a smaller man.
I’m a fan of Doueihi at 7, I’m a big fan of Latu moreso as a 6, but geez our NRL halves will have to be right at their best to prevent Jock getting a start if he keeps playing like that.

It was a good game but he also played against a reserve grade / kid squad so let’s also put things into perspective. He had time. At NRL level he will get alot less time to execute. He was impressive with what he had infront of him but let’s also not forget the opposition level as well.

If he can execute week in week out in cup yes he applies pressure on the NRL halves but more importantly he sets the motions for our cup players up so much better as well formations/attitude/lines etc.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

It was a good game but he also played against a reserve grade / kid squad so let’s also put things into perspective. He had time. At NRL level he will get alot less time to execute. He was impressive with what he had infront of him but let’s also not forget the opposition level as well.

If he can execute week in week out in cup yes he applies pressure on the NRL halves but more importantly he sets the motions for our cup players up so much better as well formations/attitude/lines etc.

We get to see Doueihi and Madden strut their stuff Friday night.
1st half Doueihi, full strength WT and full-strength Panthers.
2nd half Madden the halfback. With Benji and Cleary making team changers?
Should be an interesting test and comments from the Forum experts.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

We get to see Doueihi and Madden strut their stuff Friday night.
1st half Doueihi, full strength WT and full-strength Panthers.
2nd half Madden the halfback. With Benji and Cleary making team changers?
Should be an interesting test and comments from the Forum experts.

would like to see madden get a run at 7 with Luai
woukd also like ti see AD get a run as a 13

 

[crazycat]

I hope it is a precursor for the start of the season seeing Doueihi start games at 7 before moving to 13 with Madden going to 7.

I really do think it could work well having Luai and AD running amok both sides while Madden plays the 7 'straight man' he did so well Saturday.

That's the structure I hope they at least experiment with.

In any case, I like that Madden looks to have been rewarded with the chance to show if he can play as well against a bona fide Penrith nrl team.

However limited it could be, it's still getting a shot and I think that's good coaching.

Honestly I hope we DONT do this.

Why?

You either have one Halfback or No halfback.

This may mean Jock doesn't get his chance for a bit. That would be far better then coming on and totally changing the game tempo.

Sure 2 halfback in a game may work for the Strom or Donkeys who are disciplined sides. Not us. Get the basics right.

 

[TurnStyle]

My personal opinion with a mid game change is the same: I'd just have madden at 7 and Doueihi at 13 from this weekend.

Just going by how things seem to have gone where Doueihi is concerned, and I feel like Marshall tends to hedge his bets until a new structure is established and working.

I like the idea of Luai one side, AD the other and Madden at 7. Okay to disagree.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Honestly I hope we DONT do this.

Why?

You either have one Halfback or No halfback.

This may mean Jock doesn't get his chance for a bit. That would be far better then coming on and totally changing the game tempo.

Sure 2 halfback in a game may work for the Strom or Donkeys who are disciplined sides. Not us. Get the basics right.

It's a TRIAL.
Let's compare the two in similar rolls.

 

[nrlsurvivor]

Madden needs to be an occasional running threat to be effective as a half in general play.

 

[supercoach]

Except for one absolute stinker against the Eels, AD played well in the halves when selected last year. Trying to fit Luai, Latu, AD and Maden into the 17 is going to be impossible and at least one will be playing reserve grade. Not sure our pack is strong enough to have a ball playing half fill the role as a 13.

Anyway with injuries they will all get a chance

 

[balmain boy]

My personal opinion with a mid game change is the same: I'd just have madden at 7 and Doueihi at 13 from this weekend.

Just going by how things seem to have gone where Doueihi is concerned, and I feel like Marshall tends to hedge his bets until a new structure is established and working.

I like the idea of Luai one side, AD the other and Madden at 7. Okay to disagree.

I like this, so long as AD is happy to make 25-30 tackles and make 100m a week