MORRIS RECEIVES HIGH PRAISE

[king_sirro]

That cut-out pass for an Ayshford try was a massive tease. I just laughed and wondered why.

I got on the Bulldogs forum before the game and predicted Morris would set up a try, i LMAO when he threw that great ball. I also said Benji would be man of the match and Farah would outclass Ennis. They were giving it to me but went quiet when i was proved right. They dont take losing very well those dogs fans.

 

[Ghostdogg]

Thanks Timmeh. You're lucky this club has any fans the way you treat them.

 

[Rohan]

John Morris is one of the nicest blokes you'd ever meet off the field. All is done and dusted now, so everyone should just let it go and wish him the best of luck for his future at the Sharks. I know for a fact the rest of his teammates think the world of him and his contributions.
Every player goes out onto that field in a WestsTigers jersey with the "i will do my best" attitude and that is all that is required. And Johnny certainly did that EVERY week without doubt. Not one single person who follows this team can deny him of that.
but as for Sheens telling us all that he will be our Cooper Cronk type of player, well that just does my freakin' head in!!

Couldn't agree more. When Morris was used as a utility off the bench he really did shine in my opinion.
He gave it his all, and it's not any fault of Morris (and I'm not trying to be a Sheens basher here) if the coach hands him the 7 jersey and sends him out. He did his best, even though he's not a halfback, and that's all he could give.

What was he supposed to do? Say no?
Walk out?

No, he didn't do that, he rolled up his sleeves and tried his guts out, even though he was getting roasted for his efforts. He's the kind of utility any team would be wrapped to have.

Thanks and good luck to you John Morris.

 

[Balmain_Bug]

Another shining example of Sheens arrogance and pig-headedness.

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[southerntiger]

Sheens is spot on.

Alot of people who for whatever reason call themselves a Tigers fan, couldn't cope with the fact that Prince couldn't survive in Sydney, and so from the get go took all their frustrations out on John Morris.

It's unfortunate that a small, vocal minority of people who can't get over things seem to register on the radar.

By the sounds of those vocal few, they'd probably be best sticking to the state cup from here on out, to avoid ruining the 1st grade side for those who truely do SUPPORT it.

Yeah he certainly is spot on. We are the only team in history to go 4 seasons without making the finals after winning a GF.

I realise that Scott Prince wanted to head back north of the border and there wasn`t much we could do about that, but it doesn`t take 3 losing seasons in a row to work out that someone isn`t working at halfback.

Jeez I must have been dreaming these last two-three years where Sheens was continuosly trying different players at half-back - Farah, Marshall, Mathew Head etc. Now I am told that Sheens has been persisting with Morris in that position for three years. I am confused.

In all seriousness it was pretty clearly early on that Sheens conceded Morris wasnt working as HB. Given the options we had at the club I am not sure what people expected Sheens to do. As soon as Morris' contract ended Sheens let him go. By doing that Sheens was recognising that he had made a mistake. This doesnt mean that Morris hasnt been loyal servant who deserves praise, just that he doesnt complement our side. Sheens comments are appropriate a departing player who has busted his guts for the club, albeit been a hindrance at time.

If Sheen should be criticised it should be for recruiting Morris in the first place. But I guess the problem with that is most of you originally supported this acquisition.

 

[NJLM78]

Its an interesting time to critise fans. In a few weeks members will get a letter from Tim and another 'Gameplan' poster asking them to part with the big $$$$ again in 2010.

 

[softlaw]

Good luck JM.
However, tim sheens you are an arrogant, egotistical prat.
that one line in the story sums up his entire attitude. anyone who doesn;t agree with the font of all truth and footballing godlike knowledge is not a true fan and doesn't really understand what is going on.
This from the coach with (i'm pretty sure) the worst success rate of any current first grade coach.
The coach of the only team not to make the finals in the last 4 years.
A coach who's made one finals series in the last what 10, 12?

There are no words acceptable to this forum that I can type to sum what I feel about our pathetic excuse for a coach.

 

[softlaw]

Glad I hadn;t sent my membership 'satisfaction' survey off yet. I got the chance to add a further comment.
How dare he call me a 'so-called fan'. Yes I think he has just about destroyed this club because of his arrogance and stupidity but it doesn;t change the fact that I support the team.
I've proudly supported Balmain then Wests Tigers for 25 years.
The only reason he is here is for the money and to stroke his own monstrous ego.

 

[alien]

Morris is definitely a good bloke and he does work his arse off at training and in the games. It's not his fault that Sheens used him in the halves. Morris being in the halves was a big reason why didn't make the finals from 2007-2009\. Too much pressure was on Benji. Benji needs someone in the halves that can setup tries on a consistant basis, someone like Moltzen. Anyway I wish Morris the best of luck at Cronulla.

 

[Jazza]

I think another thing thats been forgotten is look at all the halfbacks that have changed clubs in the period Morris has been here.

Wallace
Soward
Kimmorley
Walsh
Witt
Carney
Smith
Barrett
Dobson

Im not saying we shouldve went after all those guys but some of those guys wouldve been cheap when they got picked up (Like Soward and Walsh), and most of those players are pretty genuine creative, organising halfbacks which is what we needed.

Yet Sheens has continually bought fringe 2nd rowers and outside backs.

Morris shouldve been used as a bench player earlier where he could come on as a lock, or as a hooker to give Robbie a rest if needed. But as Sheens showed with Bronson Harrison, Dene Halatau, Liam Fulton and even Danny Galea, he has picked him in the wrong position.

Ill say it again, I hope Morris goes great guns at the Sharks, he is a good player and seems like a nice bloke, but he was played in a role that was not suited for him by a pig-headed coach that has to much of an ego. And that pig-headedness has been shown by that comment about us fans, team selections and even earlier in the year when he had a run in with the CEO who wanted accountability.

Does this criticism mean im a "so called fan"? Well I dont give a rats@$%^

 

[crouching_tiger]

Wallace
Soward
Kimmorley
Walsh
Witt
Carney
Smith
Barrett
Dobson

+ Head
+ Jones
+ Finch
…the list is endless

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Jeez I must have been dreaming these last two-three years where Sheens was continuosly trying different players at half-back - Farah, Marshall, Mathew Head etc. Now I am told that Sheens has been persisting with Morris in that position for three years. I am confused.

Farah was moved from hooker to cover for inept recruitment and now you use that as an example to defend Sheens? :laughing:

Marshall the same. A move that wouldn't have happened if our recruitment wasn't pathetic.

Matthew Head was bought and never given a proper go. We looked an infinite better side when he was leading us around.

In all seriousness it was pretty clearly early on that Sheens conceded Morris wasnt working as HB.

Is that why he played there for most of 2007, 2008 and half of 2009? I include his stint at five-eighth too, as its in the halves.

If Sheens conceded it wasn't working Morris would have been used as a #14 from halfway through 2007 to the end of this year. As simple as that.

 

[system]

All this talk of Matthew Head is amusing in many ways.

He had his moments but is a general underachiever. He looks bog ordinary playing State Cup for goodness sake.

He had his chance with the club but blew it because he refused to deal with his own issues.

[Please note this is not a post excusing our recruitment. But seriously Head is a wasted talent and the biggest speed bump you will ever come across]

Than again there were some clueless nuffies who thought Adam Dykes would be a prudent purchase. Thank the lord that never came off

 

[hybrid_tiger]

All this talk of Matthew Head is amusing in many ways.

He had his moments but is a general underachiever. He looks bog ordinary playing State Cup for goodness sake.

He had his chance with the club but blew it because he refused to deal with his own issues.

[Please note this is not a post excusing our recruitment. But seriously Head is a wasted talent and the biggest speed bump you will ever come across]

Did we, or did we not look a far better side when Head was at halfback? A yes or no answer.

 

[system]

For one half of football we looked a better side.

Other than that no

 

[hybrid_tiger]

For one half of football we looked a better side.

Other than that no

I disagree.

Head had his issues, but compared to Morris it was like a Ferrari vs a…dare I say it...Proton.

At the very least, Head's kicking game was far better than anything we have now.

 

[system]

Head was a far more creative player than Morris no doubt. But defensively he was and remains a joke. Think about the amount of points we leaked without him there and with Lawrence still not coming of age as a defender and throw Head into that mix and it would have been a disaster.

I said at the time and stand by that we should have moved Marshall to half alot earlier to develop his game and utilised Morris as a ball running option in the 6 for one season with a view to develop Fulton as the 5/8.

Head bought more problems than solutions

 

[southerntiger]

Jeez I must have been dreaming these last two-three years where Sheens was continuosly trying different players at half-back - Farah, Marshall, Mathew Head etc. Now I am told that Sheens has been persisting with Morris in that position for three years. I am confused.

Farah was moved from hooker to cover for inept recruitment and now you use that as an example to defend Sheens? :laughing:

Marshall the same. A move that wouldn't have happened if our recruitment wasn't pathetic.

Matthew Head was bought and never given a proper go. We looked an infinite better side when he was leading us around.

In all seriousness it was pretty clearly early on that Sheens conceded Morris wasnt working as HB.

Is that why he played there for most of 2007, 2008 and half of 2009? I include his stint at five-eighth too, as its in the halves.

If Sheens conceded it wasn't working Morris would have been used as a #14 from halfway through 2007 to the end of this year. As simple as that.

Hybrid I usually expect better from you. You normall make cogent intelligent posts. But this post shows a fundamental lack of comprehension skills. I never stated that Sheens recruited well. In fact, I clearly said he could be criticised on this point. However, the notion that he "persisted" with Morris at HB for 3 years is rubbish unless the meaning of "persisted" has changed. Sheens selections in HB over the past three years have indicated little confidence in the players we have in that position. Sheens has used Morris in several positions in the backline as stop gap at times. After Morris' first year I believe that Sheens had realised he wasnt the long term option for the club. This was demonstrated by his attempt to use other players in the position.

Head is a very inconsistent footballer. On his day he could very special but when his confidence is down he is woeful. There was an argument for keeping him but long term I believe we were better off without him. We were a much better attacking team this year than last year with Head. Keeping Head was a backward step for his football club.

Very few of HBs mentioned above I would want. Brett Finch :unamused: Worst player to ever play SOO and people want us to pay $200,000.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

the notion that he "persisted" with Morris at HB for 3 years is rubbish unless the meaning of "persisted" has changed. Sheens selections in HB over the past three years have indicated little confidence in the players we have in that position. Sheens has used Morris in several positions in the backline as stop gap at times.

Of the 72 games Morris has played, I'd say roughly at least three quarters of them were either at #6 or #7\. If that is not "persistance", I don't know what is.

Actually on that note, can we find these stats anywhere? Can someone find them?

After Morris' first year I believe that Sheens had realised he wasnt the long term option for the club. This was demonstrated by his attempt to use other players in the position.

He should NEVER have played in the halves EVER again after halfway through 2007\. Then you could have said he didn't persist with him.

Head is a very inconsistent footballer. On his day he could very special but when his confidence is down he is woeful. There was an argument for keeping him but long term I believe we were better off without him. We were a much better attacking team this year than last year with Head. Keeping Head was a backward step for his football club.

Very few of HBs mentioned above I would want. Brett Finch :unamused: Worst player to ever play SOO and people want us to pay $200,000.

I disagree with you and smeg r.e Head and as I mentioned before his kicking game alone is better than Moltzen, Marshall and Farah.

I agree with you on Finch, never wanted him. But you are kidding if you think some of those other names wouldn't have made a difference. Mainly Kimmorley, Walsh, Carney.

 

[southerntiger]

Of the 72 games Morris has played, I'd say roughly at least three quarters of them were either at #6 or #7\. If that is not "persistance", I don't know what is.

Actually on that note, can we find these stats anywhere? Can someone find them?

He should NEVER have played in the halves EVER again after halfway through 2007\. Then you could have said he didn't persist with him.

There is a significant difference between persistence and a lack of alternative options. Morris is not a good half but he is certainly a better 6 than 7\. Most people's complaint have been that Sheens persisted with him at 7\. That simply isnt the case. Sheen appeared to realise quote early on, like most of us, that Morris would never be a decent HB and explored alterantive options. I think Sheens deserves criticism for how this was done (Head could have been used more, but I am glad he wasnt retained). Even when Morris played at 6 or 7 he ver rarely played that role on the field with Farah and Marshall usually running the show.
\

I disagree with you and smeg r.e Head and as I mentioned before his kicking game alone is better than Moltzen, Marshall and Farah.

I agree with you on Finch, never wanted him. But you are kidding if you think some of those other names wouldn't have made a difference. Mainly Kimmorley, Walsh, Carney.

Kimmorely has reestablished his career but when he left the Sharks there wasnt a lot of support for him. I cant blame the club for not thinking that he still had in him. Regardless Kimmorely's flat style of football would never suit our side (it would play Benji out of the game). Teams need to adjust to fit Kimmorely's game and it doesnt always work. He suits the Dogs style, doesnt suit ours. That is what a lot of our fans dont understand - you need to choose players that will generally fit within our structure and playing style, unless you want to radically change the way your team plays.

As I recall the Tigers made a play for Carney but he chose to sign with the Roosters. That is his choice. Regardless, not a big fan of his game. Can be very good on his day but I prefer a more structured, organising HB.

re: Walsh did the Panthers make the finals?