OFFICIAL Luke Garner [Discussion]

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He's played well in ISP since the early rounds so don't understand why the promotion didn't occur earlier.

He's here now I guess

Wasn't part of the top 30 squad until recently, I'd guess the club was keeping the spot open in the top 30 for anyone they could entice across before June 30.
 
Charlie Rorke was a better schoolboy prospect than Crichton and was snapped up by the Raiders.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=_SdxeLqJu7I
 
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Gassed after five minutes last week and then consistently finding his front on the back of good metres this weekend. Thumbs up for his efforts against the bunnies.

May have copped a knock or injury.

Great to watch a reggies player stand out in that grade, perform conclsistently and be rewarded and deliver the goods….

Yeah, could have, though I was also thinking that the increase in pace that he stated he was surprised at, on top of nervous energy lost whilst waiting for the most of the match, may have played a greater role.

I cannot recall any WT second rower finding their front as often as Garner did on Saturday and it wasn't as if they were easy runs or backing up and getting tackled from behind.
 
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Gassed after five minutes last week and then consistently finding his front on the back of good metres this weekend. Thumbs up for his efforts against the bunnies.

May have copped a knock or injury.

Great to watch a reggies player stand out in that grade, perform conclsistently and be rewarded and deliver the goods….

Yeah, could have, though I was also thinking that the increase in pace that he stated he was surprised at, on top of nervous energy lost whilst waiting for the most of the match, may have played a greater role.

I cannot recall any WT second rower finding their front as often as Garner did on Saturday and it wasn't as if they were easy runs or backing up and getting tackled from behind.

When I was watching, I was surprised by how he was managing to get his head through the line each time. Looking at nrl.com today, he had 6 tackle busts and his average play the ball speed was a whole second quicker than anyone else in our team.

He's a real find.
 
Really liked what I saw against the bunnies, but will reserve my opinion until I've seen him play consistently well in NRL over the rest of the season. Good technique makes up for a bit of size so I'd hate to see him lose pace due to bulking up too much - that could bring him back to the plodder paced group, which is not what we need more of.
Just off the topic for one second - Sue looked a step faster and more enthusiastic, must be playing for his contract!
 
Looks good in his first two small cameo outings, Give him time,

I will assess when he hits 35 odd First grade games.

Just like Aloia.
 
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Looks good in his first two small cameo outings, Give him time,

I will assess when he hits 35 odd First grade games.

Just like Aloia.

I think that he is a better player already than Aloiai.
 
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Looks good in his first two small cameo outings, Give him time,

I will assess when he hits 35 odd First grade games.

Just like Aloia.

I think that he is a better player already than Aloiai.

Not yet but he's a long way ahead of Aloiai was at the same time. Different styles though, Aloiai is more of a prop that runs over people, Garner has the skill and guile to make his way past opponents without relying on brute strength.

I loved his effort in the tackle on Sutton before HT. You might be tired but find an extra something to get the job done!
 
@ said:
He was impressive in both defence and running the ball.

I saw him a couple of time going into tackle with his head low and I thought to myself he better be careful. It was a shame to see him take the knock that he took but he may need to adjust his technique to ensure he doesn't get his head in the wrong position.
 
Garner has really impressed me with what I have seen of him so far. Someone else mentioned it, that his tackling technique needs a small adjustment to make sure he gets his head clear of the on-coming players hip .. he runs good lines in attack and always seems to make meters, even after contact. I think he's a tad heavier than what his bio says, or either he's a lot stronger than what most players in defence think. So far we are seeing a lot of promise in this bloke, give him a full off season with the top side, let him get some muscle mass built up, and we could have a diamond in disguise here .. !!
 
What impressed me about Garner in ISP was he broke through defensive lines. He did this again last night a couple of times. Not a huge bloke but can bust a tackle. Early days but very promising imho.
 
Much better second outing. Shame about the HAI, he was really getting in the grove of the game.

Look forward to seeing him develop.
 
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Looks good in his first two small cameo outings, Give him time,

I will assess when he hits 35 odd First grade games.

Just like Aloia.

I think that he is a better player already than Aloiai.

16 mins in debut and then a few more against bunnies.

I have seen some solid performances from Josh A (on and Off the ball)

I will reserve judgment on who's better - Im happy their both in the Cleary system
 
# Third club's a lucky charm for Luke Garner

Author

Alicia NewtonNRL.com Reporter

Timestamp

Thu 21 Mar 2019, 07:49 PM

When Luke Garner charged over the top of Daly Cherry-Evans to score his debut try in the NRL, there was a special sense of accomplishment.

Not only was the moment a sweet occasion against his former club, it capped a remarkable turnaround for a player who conceded he once wasn't mentally invested in the game.

Garner was part of Manly's under 20s grand final side playing alongside the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Jesse Ramien and Liam Knight.

He then moved to the Sydney Roosters ahead of the 2017 season with a whole lot of promise. He only lasted a year.

"I got flicked from there because I probably wasn't in the right shape I should've been," Garner said.

"I was too small and I don't think my head was right. I wasn't mentally invested in it or knew the opportunity I had at the time.

"Once I left that scene in an elite training group I realised what I lost and worked hard to get back to that.

"You sort of get thrown into this environment. I felt like I belonged there but I didn't work hard while I was there to stay."

Garner isn't the first and won't be the last player not to take an opportunity when they arise.

![Wests Tigers v Warriors - Round 2](https://www.nrl.com/remote.axd?https://flex.nrl.ooflex.net/keyframedownloadcontroller?id=267225?center=0.5%2C0.5&preset=video-player-1224x688)>

Wests Tigers v Warriors - Round 2

In came the third time lucky offer, from the Wests Tigers. But the catch was only a part-time contract. In between training of an afternoon, Garner was a full-time lawn mower.

"Once I lost that and had to go back to [a job] I appreciate it [now]," Garner reflected.

"I was getting up about 5-5.30am, started work at 7 and was getting home at 9.30\. You have dinner and go to bed. I used to do that five days a week.

"Now I've got so much free time on my hands I don't know what to do with myself. I appreciate where I am a lot more now. You hang around these boys and then see the part-time boys do what I did. It doesn't give me nightmares but it doesn't give me good memories that's for sure."

A long-term injury to Chris Lawrence opens the door for Garner to expand on his seven career games in the 2019 Telstra Premiership.

"Chris is one of the better line-running back rowers in the comp so I've watched plenty of him at training," Garner said.

"He's a good player to do your trade under and does all the little things right I like to do. I let myself down in a couple of small aspects [on the weekend] that people don't see.

"But I've spoken to the coaches and want to rectify that this weekend."
 
Sounds like a young man with a good head on his shoulders. The fact he went into the workforce prior will make him appreciate the great opportunity he has in front of him.
 
Good on you Luke.

I think this guy could be a really good player now that he has sorted out his "I am not going to take things for granted syndrome".

I feel he will be a great replacement for Rowdy when the time comes (not too soon though hopefully).
 
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