Nofoaluma

[Luke]

I know there are a lot of positives this season and I’m sorry to be a downer but I’m disappointed the way Nofo has been treated by the club this season.

Nofo has been one of our most consistent players ever since his debut in 2013\. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and he loves this club. He resigned with us last year even with everything going on at the club, he showed true loyalty.

There was no obvious reason why he was dropped. Yes, Thompson has been great this season but I believe that Nofo is at least in infront of MWZ!

Stats to prove Nofo is more effective than MWZ in the two games they played in FG this year:

Against Storm:
Nofo – 176 M (most of any player from both sides), 50 post-contact metres (most of any player from both sides), 11 tackle breaks (most of any player from both sides), 5 offloads (equal with Marsters for most of any player from both sides), 4 tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 error.

MWZ – 89 M, 30 post-contact metres, 3 tackle breaks, 1 offload, 6 tackles, 1 missed tackle, 4 1-1 tackles.

Against Broncos:
Nofo – 150 M (most of any Tigers player, 4th overall), 57 post-contact metres (most of any Tigers player, 3rd overall), 4 tackle breaks, 1 offload, 2 tackles, 2 missed tackles, 3 errors.

MWZ (only played 37 mins) – 52 M, 18 post-contact metres, 1 tackle break, 5 tackles, 2 missed tackles.

Some people will argue it was his defence that has let him down and if that is the case he should have been given a chance to prove himself first before being dropped. When he has played FG this year he hasn’t let us down.

If Nofo has not had the right attitude at training or something has happened that we are not aware of then let the fans know. They don’t have to go into full detail but at least give some kind of explanation as to why he has been dropped.

My biggest worry is if he continues to stay in lower grade there may be a chance he asks for a release (which I'm sure he doesn't want to do!)

 

[bp_tiger]

i believe he is paying the price for some bad behavior in pre- season. he will be back.

 

[Russell]

I think you are incorrect Luke. Nofo has not been treated different to anybody else.

His defensive reads are improving but a long way short of NRL standard. You are comparing him with MWZ - nothing to do with it. He plays on the left wing, Nofo plays on the right.

You obviously are a big fan of Nofo - good on you, I like him too but he needs to get it together before he gets promoted again.

He has just signed a four year contract - if he asks for a release I'd be very disappointed in him. I don't think he would that - he is a fighter and I am sure he will work on his defense and fight his way back. If he is not willing to do that then maybe he should ask for a release.

 

[hammertime]

I can't see it being bad behavior. Cleary is very focused on defense and we always leaked points down noffa's wing. I'd say he just needs to get his defense sorted.

MWZ may not be as exciting as Noffa, but he certainly is solid and has a great attitude.

 

[upthetigers]

His defensive reads are improving but a long way short of NRL standard. You are comparing him with MWZ - nothing to do with it. He plays on the left wing, Nofo plays on the right.

Thompson left wing…. Nofo on the right.

 

[Russell]

His defensive reads are improving but a long way short of NRL standard. You are comparing him with MWZ - nothing to do with it. He plays on the left wing, Nofo plays on the right.

Thompson left wing…. Nofo on the right.

MWZ left wing, Thompson right wing, Nofo ISP. Sweet.

 

[innsaneink]

We don't need to know and we don't need negative rumours.

We have depth thats all we need to know

 

[upthetigers]

His defensive reads are improving but a long way short of NRL standard. You are comparing him with MWZ - nothing to do with it. He plays on the left wing, Nofo plays on the right.

Thompson left wing…. Nofo on the right.

MWZ left wing, Thompson right wing, Nofo ISP. Sweet.

The Dogs forum are already talking about chasing Nofo if he stays in reggies. He is too good for ISP.

 

[Chevy]

Only an idiot would go to that club….Sorry Sharon.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Won't be back anytime soon the way he let that try in yesterday. Pathetic defence.

 

[Geo]

Rubbish ..but anyway..

Looks like we found a new Fitzy..

 

[Tarl]

Noffo plays on the right wing, MWZ plays on the left. Thompson has his nose in front of Noffo for the right wing spot.

I personally would love Noffo on the left wing but Ivan strikes me as a players-play-their-best-position type of coach not a fit-them-in-anywhere coach.

 

[mattypicks]

I wouldn't swap Thompson to the left.
Rochow, Marshall, Marsters and Thompson look to be communicating and working really well for each other on that right side so I wouldn't change anything.

I'm a massive fan of Nofa (as most people on here) but unfortunately he is stuck in reserve grade, the same as McQueen and Sue are.
It's a long year so I can be sure there will be injuries and suspensions where all players in the squad are needed.

 

[Luke]

I think you are incorrect Luke. Nofo has not been treated different to anybody else.

His defensive reads are improving but a long way short of NRL standard. You are comparing him with MWZ - nothing to do with it. He plays on the left wing, Nofo plays on the right.

You obviously are a big fan of Nofo - good on you, I like him too but he needs to get it together before he gets promoted again.

He has just signed a four year contract - if he asks for a release I'd be very disappointed in him. I don't think he would that - he is a fighter and I am sure he will work on his defense and fight his way back. If he is not willing to do that then maybe he should ask for a release.

All I'm saying is why wasn't he given a chance to prove himself this year before being dropped? If he leaked easy tries or his defence wasn't up to scratch, fine drop him. Thompson hadn't played NRL since 2015 - how did Cleary know he was going to be any better at that stage in round 1? We have just had a massive pre-season with a culture change and new players coming in and competition for spots. Nofo may have worked hard during this time on his defence but had no way to prove it to Cleary.

When he has played FG this year he hasn't let us down.

Why shouldn't he be compared to MWZ? What will happen if at some stage MWZ's defence isn't up to scratch either or he gets injured? Fonua (that would be a disaster) will come in he because he plays on the right and Nofo doesn't? I'm sure Nofo is more than capable on playing on the right side. Thompson has played on the right wing before, you could also shift him there and Nofo to left. You do what you have to do to have your best 17.

Anyway it's working out for us for now because we're winning so I'm happy for that. It's just disappointing to see Nofo not given a decent crack first after his loyalty to the club.

 

[Geo]

Yet… Tries were scored down both our edges in FG...go figure

 

[Tacky]

Noffo plays on the right wing, MWZ plays on the left. Thompson has his nose in front of Noffo for the right wing spot.

I personally would love Noffo on the left wing but Ivan strikes me as a players-play-their-best-position type of coach not a fit-them-in-anywhere coach.

A little unrelated but, did anyone else notice that when MWZ went off against Brisbane, Lawrence moved to centre? I assumed that he'd put Chee-Kam at centre but, no. Anyway, I just found that interesting.

 

[supercoach]

We have a coach who is showing loyalty to a bunch of guys who have exceeded everyones expectations. No one has had a shocker, so if aint broken dont fix it

 

[Luke]

Yet… Tries were scored down both our edges in FG...go figure

Confused by this statement… please explain?

 

[Geo]

Yet… Tries were scored down both our edges in FG...go figure

Confused by this statement… please explain?

They all need to work on defence…blaming individuals is often fruitless...Our team gets exposed on the edges from teams that collapse our middle...

Jennings scored through a short side play ..Brooks and Lawrence were unable to contain T Rex and MWZ was left posted..is that his fault...Thompson had a kick lobbed over his head...Other teams do score Tries..

Good defensive teams defend as a Unit..that is starting to happen...

People are saying Nofoaluma was poor in ISP yesterday...Wenty scored 1 TRY down his side ..yet fail to mention the 4 or 5 opportunities the had that he snuffed out with good defence,,,but meh..

 

[Luke]

Yet… Tries were scored down both our edges in FG...go figure

Confused by this statement… please explain?

They all need to work on defence…blaming individuals is often fruitless...Our team gets exposed on the edges from teams that collapse our middle...

Jennings scored through a short side play ..Brooks and Lawrence were unable to contain T Rex and MWZ was left posted..is that his fault...Thompson had a kick lobbed over his head...Other teams do score Tries..

Good defensive teams defend as a Unit..that is starting to happen...

People are saying Nofoaluma was poor in ISP yesterday...Wenty scored 1 TRY down his side ..yet fail to mention the 4 or 5 opportunities the had that he snuffed out with good defence,,,but meh..

Thank you Geo! Agreed 100%

I think a lot of people forget that what the centre does has an impact on what the winger does in defence too. If the centre makes a bad defensive read and leaves the winger exposed it's not their fault. Can't blame the winger everytime because a try was scored on their edge. This happened to Nofo quite a few times last year… he didn't have a quality centre defending next to him nor was there any consistency with who was playing centre... kept chopping and changing.