Moltzen won't be run over by a Mini

[Guest]

Moltzen won't be run over by a Mini
By Steve Gee From: The Daily Telegraph August 10, 2009 12:00AM

IT MIGHT be the tackle that saved the Tigers' season. Tim Sheens called it a match-winner.
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But ask Tim Moltzen about his sideline hit on a try-bound Roosters five-eighth Anthony Minichiello, and the Tigers utility produced the type of sidestep that could make him a champion fullback.

Shifted from halfback after Shannon Gallant left the field with a calf strain in the 24th minute, Moltzen was the last line of defence when Minichiello broke through from halfway.

The 20-year-old Tiger stood firm and drove him over the sideline. But Moltzen insisted it was nothing special.

"He tried to go around me on the outside and I suppose, lucky enough for me, I was able to make the tackle and stop the try," Moltzen said. "I saw him come through the line . . . he tried to gas me on the outside and luckily enough for me I was able to make the tackle.

"I was just holding on for dear life and was able to drag him across the sideline with me."

Shifted to halfback a month ago to allow Benji Marshall to move to his regular five-eighth spot, the Terrigal Sharks junior has been a revelation with his pace, footwork and improved kicking game.

But a delighted Sheens said the tackle typified the grit of a youngster who he believes could become a great fullback.

"It was big play at the end of the day. It's the sort of reason I rate him as a player - he's a great halfback and he could be an even greater fullback," Sheens said.

"They are the sort of tackles that you've got to make at the back.

"At the end of the day that's probably helped win us the game."

 

[Guest]

Moltzen's magic makes up for muffed moments
August 10, 2009

WESTS TIGERS cub Tim Moltzen did some good and bad things in yesterday's desperate cling-to-a-finals-spot game. He dropped the ball when he was virtually over the try line. He knocked on when a kick came bouncing towards him.

But when the versatile youngster did a good thing, it was a very good thing. A matchwinner, according to his coach Tim Sheens. Moltzen was the hero of the game for his stellar defence, in particular one try-saving tackle at the most critical phase of the game.

The Tigers were ahead 10-8 midway through the second half when a defiant Roosters forward Willie Mason managed to slip a superb short ball away while being tackled. A flying Anthony Minichiello had the try line wide open 15 metres away with just Moltzen ahead of him. At top speed, Minichiello decided to skip straight down the sideline and it appeared he would put his side ahead. That was until Moltzen barrelled him with a barnstorming tackle just as he was about to put the ball down.

''That was a big play … that is the type of tackle you have to make,'' Sheens said.

Moltzen had started the game at halfback but then switched to the No.1 spot when Shannon Gallant was forced to the sideline with a leg injury.

Moltzen, 20, said the moment was crystal clear.

''I thought the try line was coming closer and closer, and I thought he would try and go inside me but he tried to go outside. I could see him coming through, and he is a very quick and solid guy, and I was hanging on to him for dear life.''

In truth, Moltzen barged him dead in goal with winger Beau Ryan coming in to create a pincer movement. The Wests Tigers supporter base, at the Sydney Football Stadium in such large numbers there was a long queue to get in just before kick-off, roared with excitement. That moment might have also brought a smile to the face of the club's performance manager, Cherry Mescia, who has been working with Moltzen on his speed all season.

''We have been fine-tuning my sprinting, just getting off the mark quickly and combining that with some speed work in the gym. It looks like it might have paid off there,'' Moltzen said.

After proving his tackling technique works, he just has to work a bit harder on his ball handling.

 

[system]

It was good but Ryan coming in and wrapping the ball was what made the tackle. Watch the replay again. If Ryan doesn't get there I think Mini puts the ball down before he goes out

 

[weststigerman]

But a delighted Sheens said the tackle typified the grit of a youngster who he believes could become a great fullback.

"It was big play at the end of the day. It's the sort of reason I rate him as a player - he's a great halfback and he could be an even greater fullback," Sheens said.

Do not like the sound of that, please leave him at 7.

 

[bonstonker]

It was good but Ryan coming in and wrapping the ball was what made the tackle. Watch the replay again. If Ryan doesn't get there I think Mini puts the ball down before he goes out

no doubt it would have been close,but moltzen was always dominant in that tackle . ryan momentum helped moltzen while he was twisting mini.
full credit to ryan for not giving up on the play.
and once again collis just jogs back.
that is a big complaint i have with collis,when there is a break he puts in zero effort to get back in case there is a chance of making a play.

 

[Juro]

I like the irony of a halfback playing fullback tackling a fullback playing five-eighth.

 

[Illek]

and once again collis just jogs back.
that is a big complaint i have with collis,when there is a break he puts in zero effort to get back in case there is a chance of making a play.

I think this is the only complaint I have of lawerance as well, he is the teams fastest player, yet when a break is made, he only ever jogs back…..whether this is due to injury preventing him chasing, or just being tired from his defensive efforts I dont know, but I would like to see his desperation in front on defence also present in breaks.

I agree about collis in general, he doesn't show that urgency, but from memory him and farah were takling mason...i may be wrong, but thats how it appeared to me at the ground.

 

[bonstonker]

and once again collis just jogs back.
that is a big complaint i have with collis,when there is a break he puts in zero effort to get back in case there is a chance of making a play.

I think this is the only complaint I have of lawerance as well, he is the teams fastest player, yet when a break is made, he only ever jogs back…..whether this is due to injury preventing him chasing, or just being tired from his defensive efforts I dont know, but I would like to see his desperation in front on defence also present in breaks.

I agree about collis in general, he doesn't show that urgency, but from memory him and farah were takling mason...i may be wrong, but thats how it appeared to me at the ground.

farah and galea were the ones making the tackle with collis and ryan on the outside

 

[Tigerpete]

Great tackle it was. From that moment i knew we were home. You don't make those and lose matches. Sheens has gotta bring Hanbury in. Leave Timmy where he is please!

 

[Staks]

Sheens trying to justify using him at fullback for most of the season when playing at halfback best suited the team. It's true, the Fonz can't say he was wro-wro-wrong.

Agree with smeg, if Ryan didn't get involved in the tackle Mini would of likely scored.

 

[Geo]

Sheens trying to justify using him at fullback for most of the season when playing at halfback best suited the team. It's true, the Fonz can't say he was wro-wro-wrong.

Agree with smeg, if Ryan didn't get involved in the tackle Mini would of likely scored.

No Way…... It was all Moltzen ....just seen it again on the fox pre game show 'highlighted' ...he got Mini ball and all no way he's getting the ball down.....Ryan help finish him into touch but Moltz' would have got him there.....

Moltzen is a much better half no doubt...but he's no dud as a fullback either....The Fonz does have a dilemma...he knows he was wrong isn't that good enough for you.....

 

[Staks]

The Fonz wrong ? … Never......

 

[tiger_tigers]

Sheens trying to justify using him at fullback for most of the season when playing at halfback best suited the team. It's true, the Fonz can't say he was wro-wro-wrong.

Agree with smeg, if Ryan didn't get involved in the tackle Mini would of likely scored.

No Way…... It was all Moltzen ....just seen it again on the fox pre game show 'highlighted' ...he got Mini ball and all no way he's getting the ball down.....Ryan help finish him into touch but Moltz' would have got him there.....

Moltzen is a much better half no doubt...but he's no dud as a fullback either....The Fonz does have a dilemma...he knows he was wrong isn't that good enough for you.....

thats how i seen it geo ….ryan just came in at the end ....

 

[clontarfkid]

A couple of years ago Mini wld have left 'em in his wake,but a few too many injuries + father time has sadly taken its toll.
Thats why u dont buy outside backs in their late 20s …..unless theyre built like big dell where speed aint critical

 

[Kul]

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