Matt Groat - Bring him back

[starling04]

We do need him back but I'd probably give him at least another game in NSW Cup just to improve his match fitness and timing before bringing him back into the FG team on the bench. That way he will probably adjust better to the speed of FG.

 

[NT_Tiger]

I wasn't a Groat fan before he was injured, but I think his size would be handy up front. It sounds like he's grown as a player and I think it would be worth the look if he's fit. In fact, though I didn't post a line-up for the sharks match I would have had him on the bench.

 

[barra]

Yes, bench for sure.

 

[Goose]

Time to bring the big guy back for the sharks. He was a regular first grader before being injured.
I can't understand why he didn't play this week…but then I can't understand why Blair is there every week.

Agree we need big guys in the middle not the midgets we have there now. What did Ava do wrong ?
Too many small guys in our pack and Thompson back in as well.

Ended up on his back almost every hit up, resulted in ver slow play the balls.

I think that Groat will make his way bakc in over the next few weeks.

Last year he was asked to do more than he was ready for, his first stint was usally pretty good, his second stint he noticiably ran out of gas.

 

[bonstonker]

He played two games of Ron Massey Cup with the Magpies and got rid of a lot of rust. Played two big minute games in NSW Cup and is doing everything he can to get that call up.

I was never a Groat fan but he is bigger, has a much improved running style and body positioning and his defence and line speed are very good. It really goes to show what a terrible mistake the previous regime made trying to blood two 20 year olds as sstarting props. Woods is that once in a blue moon player who could have played prop in NRL at 18\. Most props need time to develop and find their feet. It is the reason that a true reserve grade focus is needed.

it was one of the stupidest things i have seen.when we signed blair i said we wouldn't make the semis in 2012.payten was confimed he was retiring,gibbs and fifita gone.stupid stupid stupid.compounded with the dud signing of blair.

as for groat,i had a good look at groat in 2011, noneffective plodder with the ball,the same in 2012.so i looked at his defense,and was actually impressed with his contact and how tight he wrapped up the ball carrier.
but 2012 his defense was completely different.
almost like he was being coached by someone else.

as for this year,is he taking multiple hitups in a set at stages during the game.1st and second half.
if you don't do that in reggies,don't bother with first grade.

 

[happy_tiger]

He played two games of Ron Massey Cup with the Magpies and got rid of a lot of rust. Played two big minute games in NSW Cup and is doing everything he can to get that call up.

I was never a Groat fan but he is bigger, has a much improved running style and body positioning and his defence and line speed are very good. It really goes to show what a terrible mistake the previous regime made trying to blood two 20 year olds as sstarting props. Woods is that once in a blue moon player who could have played prop in NRL at 18\. Most props need time to develop and find their feet. It is the reason that a true reserve grade focus is needed.

it was one of the stupidest things i have seen.when we signed blair i said we wouldn't make the semis in 2012.payten was confimed he was retiring,gibbs and fifita gone.stupid stupid stupid.compounded with the dud signing of blair.

as for groat,i had a good look at groat in 2011, noneffective plodder with the ball,the same in 2012.so i looked at his defense,and was actually impressed with his contact and how tight he wrapped up the ball carrier.
but 2012 his defense was completely different.
almost like he was being coached by someone else.

as for this year,is he taking multiple hitups in a set at stages during the game.1st and second half.
if you don't do that in reggies,don't bother with first grade.

He was coached by someone different defensively in 2012

 

[1969]

Everyone seems to be suffering from memory loss. Matt I'm sure is a nice lad, but the epitome of a "log", slow of limb and mind, one could argue he cost us a shot at a grand final. Two critical ruck penalties when Gibbs went off injured for the above reasons. We really are grasping at straws here…

 

[LaT]

Because we have had Woods and now Buchanan come on so young, people tend to forget that forwards take a while to come on in 1st grade.

I'm no psychic, Groat may not kick on….but writing him off is just stupid.

 

[tigerbalm]

I havent seen anything from his time in FG to even remotely feel confident that he should be in the fg team. Unless the time off has completely changed his playing style/hands hes not the answer we need…Not even a stop gap.

 

[pHyR3]

Yeah, his time off HAS changed his playing style. Made him a far more complete prop, he was thrust into the NRL at 20 and unfortunately not every prop is Aaron Woods (soon to be origin PROP at 22). He should go well in the NRL this week or the next when he gets a go.

 

[Black_n_White]

As far as our squad goes he would be value for us… he is a big lump of a lad, who runs hard and direct so can take the dirty work off some of the classier props. He commands the respect of several defenders, even when he was pumped Teo had support but needed to hit hard with aggression to hold him up.

He was just a little naieve, too young last year. I think too many people think every prop has to measure up with Woods... they are different types of props. Groat on size alone demands defensive respect, a first-tackle platform setter, to unburden and unleash those like Woods and Buchannen.

I would love to see him back.

 

[MacDougall]

Groat was actually really good for us in the back end of 2011\. Short memories.

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

He played two games of Ron Massey Cup with the Magpies and got rid of a lot of rust. Played two big minute games in NSW Cup and is doing everything he can to get that call up.

I was never a Groat fan but he is bigger, has a much improved running style and body positioning and his defence and line speed are very good. It really goes to show what a terrible mistake the previous regime made trying to blood two 20 year olds as sstarting props. Woods is that once in a blue moon player who could have played prop in NRL at 18\. Most props need time to develop and find their feet. It is the reason that a true reserve grade focus is needed.

Well said Smeg. Could not agree more with your statement. I am not a big Groat fan either and thought he was introduced way to early into 1st grade by Sheens. I would be happy for him to come in for Spence and see how he goes but I would not be jumping up and down if he didnt play.

 

[Snake]

Off the bench for Souths one thinks,not a bad thing.

 

[barrytiger]

i ventured out to leichhardt on Wednesday night He still needs more match fitness,he is still a bit slow in getting back in the defensive line,while he made a couple of good hit ups and hits solidly in defence
any quick hooker or dummy half will catch him out, a few weeks away i think.

 

[Peaches]

Good to hear some positive reports about Groat. He has had some troubles at stages. Here's hoping he kicks on soon.

 

[stevetiger]

As far as our squad goes he would be value for us… he is a big lump of a lad, who runs hard and direct so can take the dirty work off some of the classier props. He commands the respect of several defenders, even when he was pumped Teo had support but needed to hit hard with aggression to hold him up.

He was just a little naieve, too young last year. I think too many people think every prop has to measure up with Woods... they are different types of props. Groat on size alone demands defensive respect, a first-tackle platform setter, to unburden and unleash those like Woods and Buchannen.

I would love to see him back.

I think he needs a chance. Woods is a great prop but Galloway is a good foil for him and Groat may be as well. Woods is like a nimble prop with great skills and footwork. I think that props like Galloway and Groat that can just bash it up and get metres through pure size are exactly what Woods needs to back him up.

I'd like to see 4 props playing every game. Woods & Galloway starting and 2 good props on the bench. We really need 5 though because Galloway is always injured.

 

[Winnipeg]

Everyone seems to be suffering from memory loss. Matt I'm sure is a nice lad, but the epitome of a "log", slow of limb and mind, one could argue he cost us a shot at a grand final. Two critical ruck penalties when Gibbs went off injured for the above reasons. We really are grasping at straws here…

That's a bit harsh, it was an injury to Gibbs that cost us really

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Everyone seems to be suffering from memory loss. Matt I'm sure is a nice lad, but the epitome of a "log", slow of limb and mind, one could argue he cost us a shot at a grand final. Two critical ruck penalties when Gibbs went off injured for the above reasons. We really are grasping at straws here…

Sorry but there is no way Groat cost us a shot in the grand final.

That was Farah and Marshall, running the ball on the 5th tackle when we were up with 5min to go instead of kicking it dead or trying to get a repeat set.

 

[stevetiger]

Everyone seems to be suffering from memory loss. Matt I'm sure is a nice lad, but the epitome of a "log", slow of limb and mind, one could argue he cost us a shot at a grand final. Two critical ruck penalties when Gibbs went off injured for the above reasons. We really are grasping at straws here…

Sorry but there is no way Groat cost us a shot in the grand final.

That was Farah and Marshall, running the ball on the 5th tackle when we were up with 5min to go instead of kicking it dead or trying to get a repeat set.

Yep. Our top two have cost us more chances than any other player that can be signalled out.