Mick Potter gives contenders for his job a week off

[alexaki]

Coach Mick said that as far as he was concerned, Austin would not be going anywhere. If he were granted a release, I wonder who would make the call. Only at the Tigers would this call be made from someone other than the head coach!

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I don't think Mick will be coach,but who ever is should probably talk to Blake first.

Blake to new coach: "Coach, I realise the clubs halves future lies with Mosses and Brooks and at best I will be a utility or playing 5/8 in NSW cup in 2015, however, I have an opportunity to play first grade in my best position with another club and as a side for a lot more money than I’m currently on. I believe I have proven to myself and the RL world that I am a capable first grader and this opportunity is very important to building my NRL career. I would be grateful if the WT would consider releasing me from the final year of my contract to enable me to take up this opportunity"

Only a Tool of a boss would say no to the above….

 

[razor7]

Except for the fact that Austin should be our starting 5/8\. On form the position is his to lose and he deserves first crack at it. Good management is about rewarding high performance, not saying "well played son see you later". I agree with Larry's comments

 

[cktiger]

Coach Mick said that as far as he was concerned, Austin would not be going anywhere. If he were granted a release, I wonder who would make the call. Only at the Tigers would this call be made from someone other than the head coach!

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I don't think Mick will be coach,but who ever is should probably talk to Blake first.

Blake to new coach: "Coach, I realise the clubs halves future lies with Mosses and Brooks and at best I will be a utility or playing 5/8 in NSW cup in 2015, however, I have an opportunity to play first grade in my best position with another club and as a side for a lot more money than I’m currently on. I believe I have proven to myself and the RL world that I am a capable first grader and this opportunity is very important to building my NRL career. I would be grateful if the WT would consider releasing me from the final year of my contract to enable me to take up this opportunity"

Only a Tool of a boss would say no to the above….

WestsTigers to Austin 'Why in the hell did you sign for 2 years then, Blake?"
Strong clubs have good back up and players vying for positions.
They hold on to their players in case they need them.
Only a tool of a club would let him go - half the forum is still sooking we let Koro go and then got stuck with forwards on the wings.
Now we want to let Austin go?

 

[Newtown]

Except for the fact that Austin should be our starting 5/8\. On form the position is his to lose and he deserves first crack at it. Good management is about rewarding high performance, not saying "well played son see you later". I agree with Larry's comments

Agree. At this stage Austin is playing better at 5/8 than Moses. Also Austin is around 4 years older than Moses who is being judged on potential rather than how he has played in first grade. Also Austin certainly has leadership skills which Moses hasn't yet developed. Austin truly deserves first crack at 5/8 in first grade and Moses has to bide his time which certainly help his development in the long run.

For anybody who thought letting go of Korobeite was a huge mistake then I wonder what you think if Austin is another of our talents to leave us. We are struggling to attract players to our club yet we letting go of Austin and keeping players like Moltzen and Lawrence for the next couple of years?

 

[king_sirro]

One thing keeps popping into my head….rugby league goes in circles.

At the moment the trend is 13 to be a 3rd front rower. ....well I feel we could take things back to the ballplayer type 13 with Austin and I believe he would kill it. No real responsibility organizing wise, just high energy enthusiasm from him playing his natural game.

Could be a significant and successful change

 

[hammertime]

I'm more interested in this from another angle - Does this article give us any clues to who the leak might be? It directly mentions a text received by Kidwell and Payton. Is one of these two the source of all the leaks?

I god damn hope Mayer finds out who it is and fires them on the spot.

 

[stevetiger]

One thing keeps popping into my head….rugby league goes in circles.

At the moment the trend is 13 to be a 3rd front rower. ....well I feel we could take things back to the ballplayer type 13 with Austin and I believe he would kill it. No real responsibility organizing wise, just high energy enthusiasm from him playing his natural game.

Could be a significant and successful change

I really like this idea. He is a great runner of the footy and he could roam wherever he wants.

 

[greatodensraven]

One thing is certain, Austin needs a starting spot in the team, whether that be 5/8, centre or lock. I'd prefer him at centre allowing brooks & Moses to continue their partnership while keeping as many big boppers in the pack as possible.

Will be an interesting couple of weeks.

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[alexaki]

One thing keeps popping into my head….rugby league goes in circles.

At the moment the trend is 13 to be a 3rd front rower. ....well I feel we could take things back to the ballplayer type 13 with Austin and I believe he would kill it. No real responsibility organizing wise, just high energy enthusiasm from him playing his natural game.

Could be a significant and successful change

I really like this idea. He is a great runner of the footy and he could roam wherever he wants.

Yeah I'll buy into that…as long as we demote Blair or Thompson to NSW cup...playing Austin at 13 full time may well work for us and give home the satisfaction of playing in the NRL full time(assuming he holds his spot down)

 

[steve-o]

Austin is a better player than Moses as this stage in their careers.

I'm sick of players being picked on potential. The best 17 players should be chosen every week. He's contracted for another year, and this club is a business… so rather than making the "nice" decision, let's make the tough one, and not release him.

Surely we've learnt from the Korobiete mistake

 

[NT_Tiger]

Austin 5/8\. Moses invests in gaining experience.

 

[king_sirro]

The thing is Austin should realize that playing 13 could mean a bench spot for NSW.

The Blues are crying out for someone who can play back row, half, 5/8, Centre, fullback and hooker. If he shows he can handle back row week in week out he would be a massive chance for the NSW bench based on his versatility and game breaking enthusiasm.

 

[Mccarry]

One thing keeps popping into my head….rugby league goes in circles.

At the moment the trend is 13 to be a 3rd front rower. ....well I feel we could take things back to the ballplayer type 13 with Austin and I believe he would kill it. No real responsibility organizing wise, just high energy enthusiasm from him playing his natural game.

Could be a significant and successful change

I really like this idea. He is a great runner of the footy and he could roam wherever he wants.

Yeah I'll buy into that…as long as we demote Blair or Thompson to NSW cup...playing Austin at 13 full time may well work for us and give home the satisfaction of playing in the NRL full time(assuming he holds his spot down)

Guys we have to worst defence in the comp. Suggesting turning our lock into an attacking ball runner seems fairly radical. Not to be too harsh on Austin, but his defence isn't his strong point.

I like the out if the box thinking, though perhaps Siro would be a better way to try that. Give him a licence to roam and attack both sides of the ruck. Do it without losing the stability of a second rower on each side of the field.

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[WTDiehard]

Forget about blake playing at lock…..he is an out and out back...preferably in the halves ATM or fullback & maybe centre. In case of emergency he could fill in for Robbie if required....but I think he's a back.

He is still very raw....talk of him playing lock and being a potential NSW bench player....is total rubbish and a bit of a dis service to the young bloke.

I love watching him play and the way our players go down injured....blake is almost guarenteed of a starting spot unless he is injured himself. I think he has a huge future at the club but he still needs 2-3 years of solid footy in the top grade under a quality coach in hopefully a more unified board and club.

I really hope he does stay.

 

[dazza65]

Will say it again. Simple
He signed for 2 years. He played well this year. He finishes his contract.

He stays and plays hard for what he wants- 5/8
We reward him for this year with an upgrade in $ and years if we want.

Unlikely based on what he has shown, but if he sooks and doesn't put in he can spend the year in NSW cup and then see who will pay him top dollar in 2016 - his choice.

No one wanted him and we took a gamble. He signed a two year contract willingly - it wasn't a "one year but hey Blake if you get a better option go" contract.

If that makes me a tool as someone above said well fine, it's a business and sometimes you need to be tough to make things work. Numerous players have asked for releases and it doesn't happen - Hoffman, Matai, et al.

And besides, the club should be saying to everyone 2015 positions and availabilities or releases or whatever will not even be considered until the new Football Operations Manager has been appointed and the coach confirmed for 2015.
How does Blake know that if there is a change in coach or whatever they don't prefer him as 5/8???

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[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

I agree with Happy if he had played crap all year we would be stuck with him for next. 2 years means exactly that for both parties!!!