Cudos to TT. Couldn't say it better.
Now I don't know how long most of you have followed the Wests tigers for but if it was from before 2003 I'd be surprised you'd have an issue with what is happening.
That was the year Robbie debuted playing about 4 games off the bench, the early assessment was that we had a young Benny Elias on our hands.
During that year and the following 2004 Wests tigers were well served with choice of dummy halves.
Robert Mears and Darren Senter, the captain whom by all reports was ushered into an early retirement at the ripe old age of 32.
Here is an extract from Wikipedia about what happened to Robert mears, playing some great football at the time.
"Mears joined the Wests Tigers on a one-year deal for the 2002 season. His return to the NRL proved to be a success and he played 24 games for the Wests Tigers, earning a new contract in the process. Mears played for the Wests Tigers for two more seasons, playing in 33 more games. He was released from his contract at the end of 2004 due to the emergence of Robbie Farah as a hooker at the Tigers." Wow I'm shocked!
Anyway back then the club made arrangement to ensure this young gun was happy to stay at the club.
2005 came around and farah was our only recognized hooker in the club and started on the bench in the first 4 rounds with guess what, another back-rower filling in at hooker starting in the 9: Ben Galea. Sheenious.
I have no doubt that had Farah gracefully backed out at the end of last year, we would of seen the emergence of Jacob Liddle a little bit quicker than it has played out. I'm sure taylor would of loved that also.
The way we have played this year, with the halves getting clean early ball and playing off the back of that, the team has been set up so that it doesn't run from dummy half. Taylor is coaching the team to it's strengths not just for the present, and this is most important; for the FUTURE.
As in, you've just got your red P's and your father hands you the keys to the Bentlley, saying "get out there and drive, don't worry if you scratch it a little bit, there's insurance for that, but most importantly I want you to get used to driving. And not just driving it for the sake of it, I want you to test it. I want you to learn to feel the car, listen to how it roars, understand how it takes corners." Daunting at first and you would probably prefer if your dad went with you on the drive but, we all know you learn to survive best when thrown in the deep end.
I couldn't fault how taylor has managed to bring our young team together and the way they have grown in confidence taking control and being responsible for all their actions. He has made sure everyone of those players know that they are accountable for how they play the game. That's why he never blames the refs, that's why he focuses on performances. It's all about developing a team of PROFESSIONAL athletes.
One other thing people have noted with Farah being one of best defensive player. That is true and it goes along with what i'm saying above. Without farah there other people need to make those tackles as in they don't have a choice to the matter. This isn't just about attacking cohesion but defence of the team as a whole, learning to play for one another mate alongside mate, going through the trenches hand in hand rather than getting their former comander to take the steps beforehand.
Thank god the club is moving forwards and with a clear and coordinated direction.
One final thing, go back and watch the first 20mins of our last 4 games without Farah. Then watch the first 20mins of our last 4 games we played with Farah starting at hooker and you tell me Jason taylor has it wrong.
It was clear to me after watching the first 2 games at the start of year.
Im also of the opinion that this is a make or break year for Taylor and at some point recently, Mr Pascoe has had some deep conversations about what he expects from the team… would not surprise me that Pascoe has given taylor the green light in knowing that the outcome is at least 1 of them won't be there next season and at least we can put it all behind us.
Personally I hope it is taylor that wins out this one!
Now I don't know how long most of you have followed the Wests tigers for but if it was from before 2003 I'd be surprised you'd have an issue with what is happening.
That was the year Robbie debuted playing about 4 games off the bench, the early assessment was that we had a young Benny Elias on our hands.
During that year and the following 2004 Wests tigers were well served with choice of dummy halves.
Robert Mears and Darren Senter, the captain whom by all reports was ushered into an early retirement at the ripe old age of 32.
Here is an extract from Wikipedia about what happened to Robert mears, playing some great football at the time.
"Mears joined the Wests Tigers on a one-year deal for the 2002 season. His return to the NRL proved to be a success and he played 24 games for the Wests Tigers, earning a new contract in the process. Mears played for the Wests Tigers for two more seasons, playing in 33 more games. He was released from his contract at the end of 2004 due to the emergence of Robbie Farah as a hooker at the Tigers." Wow I'm shocked!
Anyway back then the club made arrangement to ensure this young gun was happy to stay at the club.
2005 came around and farah was our only recognized hooker in the club and started on the bench in the first 4 rounds with guess what, another back-rower filling in at hooker starting in the 9: Ben Galea. Sheenious.
I have no doubt that had Farah gracefully backed out at the end of last year, we would of seen the emergence of Jacob Liddle a little bit quicker than it has played out. I'm sure taylor would of loved that also.
The way we have played this year, with the halves getting clean early ball and playing off the back of that, the team has been set up so that it doesn't run from dummy half. Taylor is coaching the team to it's strengths not just for the present, and this is most important; for the FUTURE.
As in, you've just got your red P's and your father hands you the keys to the Bentlley, saying "get out there and drive, don't worry if you scratch it a little bit, there's insurance for that, but most importantly I want you to get used to driving. And not just driving it for the sake of it, I want you to test it. I want you to learn to feel the car, listen to how it roars, understand how it takes corners." Daunting at first and you would probably prefer if your dad went with you on the drive but, we all know you learn to survive best when thrown in the deep end.
I couldn't fault how taylor has managed to bring our young team together and the way they have grown in confidence taking control and being responsible for all their actions. He has made sure everyone of those players know that they are accountable for how they play the game. That's why he never blames the refs, that's why he focuses on performances. It's all about developing a team of PROFESSIONAL athletes.
One other thing people have noted with Farah being one of best defensive player. That is true and it goes along with what i'm saying above. Without farah there other people need to make those tackles as in they don't have a choice to the matter. This isn't just about attacking cohesion but defence of the team as a whole, learning to play for one another mate alongside mate, going through the trenches hand in hand rather than getting their former comander to take the steps beforehand.
Thank god the club is moving forwards and with a clear and coordinated direction.
One final thing, go back and watch the first 20mins of our last 4 games without Farah. Then watch the first 20mins of our last 4 games we played with Farah starting at hooker and you tell me Jason taylor has it wrong.
It was clear to me after watching the first 2 games at the start of year.
Im also of the opinion that this is a make or break year for Taylor and at some point recently, Mr Pascoe has had some deep conversations about what he expects from the team… would not surprise me that Pascoe has given taylor the green light in knowing that the outcome is at least 1 of them won't be there next season and at least we can put it all behind us.
Personally I hope it is taylor that wins out this one!
