Our forward pack, notable weaknesses.

[Needaname]

Everyone is talking about our toughness and it’s there in attitude and most obvious in defence, however there are still quite a few deficiencies present.
So in fairness, if we are going to call out our high paid players Brooks and Moses weaknesses
Garner clearly is our weakest link in the defensive line. Never uses his shoulder in any tackles. Too much arm grabbing for my liking.
Also gave up an early penalty in the game for being offside.
ET, directly responsible for all 6 again restarts for the duration of his time on the field. first replaced when Twal comes back.
We have no leg drive in our runs.
Mikale looks the only likely prop to get forward momentum for us.

I think Aloiai is a strong runner also.

Aloiai is really hit and miss for me, his not our worst but really Clarke and Mikalee play a better prop game.
Aloiai just looks off his feet most of the time. He really needs to pick up his match fitness.
I think people put a lot of emphasis on him and see him as our enforcer but he isn’t in my opinion anywhere near the top 8 of props. Mikale is starting to outdo him in my opinion.
Think prop is our most important recruitment position going forwards. We don’t need a dual recruitment like Cleary did with Packer and Matolino but we do need to snatch a Strong Experienced starting Front-rower from another team.
One of the likes of Tamou, Bromwich, James, McClean, Vaughn, Soliola, Welsh, Lodge.
I realise there are variances in that list and for me the Pick would be either of the two Melbourne bookends or Tamou.
we are really crying out for some leadership in this area and for what ever reason are not getting that from Packer.

 

[jirskyr]

Garner is still developing. He has only played 28 games and is 24 years of age. He has shown enough glimpses in every department to suggest he could be a top quality player. Maybe one level below a rep player. If we persist with him he will turn good. Otherwise, I could quite easily see him ripping it up at another club. He's the exact type of player the Roosters would turn into a gun - a player another club couldn't be bothered properly developing.

Agree, just needs to get more involved.

We've given Aloiai several years of development and we are starting to see the benefit of sticking with his talent. Garner is a similar proposition because he has true skills and sometimes he performs at a really high level both in attack and defence. But oppositions are aware of him now so he needs to keep working diligently on his game.

I'd like to see him start running harder lines again, he needs to be Chris Lawrence's hole-running replacement. That part of Garner's game has disappeared in 2020.

 

[gregbandiera]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

 

[JC99]

Statistically the notable weakness in our forward pack is our post contact metres. We are below average in the NRL for post contact metres and we are one of the worst for post contact metres conceded

It showed against Rabbitohs when we barely made 30 metres a set, and when you’re getting dominated like that it’s very hard to earn penalties and 6 agains.

Musgrove lead the way for post contact metres for it and Twal normally gets some as well which is probably why we looked so poor against bunnies

 

[Needaname]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

Said the same thing. However disagree that Herman Ese’ese is that guy, we need a front rower that currently leads the team and is set to be replaced by a young up and comer.
Soliola, Tamou, Bromwich, Liu isn’t a bad option I guess, change of role for him but is dependable, Mclean, Wallace even prehaps but not first choice, Blair is a no, Vaughn maybe, JWH won’t go anywhere and Newcastle, Parra, Manly have young front rowers.
Tamou or Bromwich is my pick, how about you?

 

[gregbandiera]

Suggested Soliola previously but nobody else thought that was a good signing. Would sign both Tamou & Bromwich as they have won a premiership and played plenty of representative games.

 

[Russell]

Everyone is talking about our toughness and it’s there in attitude and most obvious in defence, however there are still quite a few deficiencies present.
So in fairness, if we are going to call out our high paid players Brooks and Moses weaknesses
Garner clearly is our weakest link in the defensive line. Never uses his shoulder in any tackles. Too much arm grabbing for my liking.
Also gave up an early penalty in the game for being offside.
ET, directly responsible for all 6 again restarts for the duration of his time on the field. first replaced when Twal comes back.
We have no leg drive in our runs.
Mikale looks the only likely prop to get forward momentum for us.

I think Aloiai is a strong runner also.

Aloiai is really hit and miss for me, his not our worst but really Clarke and Mikalee play a better prop game.
Aloiai just looks off his feet most of the time. He really needs to pick up his match fitness.
I think people put a lot of emphasis on him and see him as our enforcer but he isn’t in my opinion anywhere near the top 8 of props. Mikale is starting to outdo him in my opinion.
Think prop is our most important recruitment position going forwards. We don’t need a dual recruitment like Cleary did with Packer and Matolino but we do need to snatch a Strong Experienced starting Front-rower from another team.
One of the likes of Tamou, Bromwich, James, McClean, Vaughn, Soliola, Welsh, Lodge.
I realise there are variances in that list and for me the Pick would be either of the two Melbourne bookends or Tamou.
we are really crying out for some leadership in this area and for what ever reason are not getting that from Packer.

I think you are right - Should really go after Welch IMO.

 

[Muffstar]

Garner is still developing. He has only played 28 games and is 24 years of age. He has shown enough glimpses in every department to suggest he could be a top quality player. Maybe one level below a rep player. If we persist with him he will turn good. Otherwise, I could quite easily see him ripping it up at another club. He's the exact type of player the Roosters would turn into a gun - a player another club couldn't be bothered properly developing.

Yeah I like Garner, it would be nice for him to develop a running game like Brad Clyde.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Everyone is talking about our toughness and it’s there in attitude and most obvious in defence, however there are still quite a few deficiencies present.
So in fairness, if we are going to call out our high paid players Brooks and Moses weaknesses
Garner clearly is our weakest link in the defensive line. Never uses his shoulder in any tackles. Too much arm grabbing for my liking.
Also gave up an early penalty in the game for being offside.
ET, directly responsible for all 6 again restarts for the duration of his time on the field. first replaced when Twal comes back.
We have no leg drive in our runs.
Mikale looks the only likely prop to get forward momentum for us.

I think Aloiai is a strong runner also.

Aloiai is really hit and miss for me, his not our worst but really Clarke and Mikalee play a better prop game.
Aloiai just looks off his feet most of the time. He really needs to pick up his match fitness.
I think people put a lot of emphasis on him and see him as our enforcer but he isn’t in my opinion anywhere near the top 8 of props. Mikale is starting to outdo him in my opinion.
Think prop is our most important recruitment position going forwards. We don’t need a dual recruitment like Cleary did with Packer and Matolino but we do need to snatch a Strong Experienced starting Front-rower from another team.
One of the likes of Tamou, Bromwich, James, McClean, Vaughn, Soliola, Welsh, Lodge.
I realise there are variances in that list and for me the Pick would be either of the two Melbourne bookends or Tamou.
we are really crying out for some leadership in this area and for what ever reason are not getting that from Packer.

Aloiai and Twal are our best middles by a country mile.

 

[Tiger5150]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

Said the same thing. However disagree that Herman Ese’ese is that guy, we need a front rower that currently leads the team and is set to be replaced by a young up and comer.
Soliola, Tamou, Bromwich, Liu isn’t a bad option I guess, change of role for him but is dependable, Mclean, Wallace even prehaps but not first choice, Blair is a no, Vaughn maybe, JWH won’t go anywhere and Newcastle, Parra, Manly have young front rowers.
Tamou or Bromwich is my pick, how about you?

Small world, I just found out Tamou is married to my mates sister. Its still a no from me, he will be 32 next year, too old.

 

[Tiger5150]

Suggested Soliola previously but nobody else thought that was a good signing. Would sign both Tamou & Bromwich as they have won a premiership and played plenty of representative games.

Love Soliola but he will be 34 next year, Tamou 32.

 

[JC99]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

Said the same thing. However disagree that Herman Ese’ese is that guy, we need a front rower that currently leads the team and is set to be replaced by a young up and comer.
Soliola, Tamou, Bromwich, Liu isn’t a bad option I guess, change of role for him but is dependable, Mclean, Wallace even prehaps but not first choice, Blair is a no, Vaughn maybe, JWH won’t go anywhere and Newcastle, Parra, Manly have young front rowers.
Tamou or Bromwich is my pick, how about you?


Small world, I just found out Tamou is married to my mates sister. Its still a no from me, he will be 32 next year, too old.

He wants a multiple year deal too. No thanks

 

[gregbandiera]

The late great Jack Gibson who coached Roosters back to back premierships 1974-75. Coach Parramatta to the last triple 1981-83 and who also revolutionized the way rugby league teams are coached. Stated that to win premierships a team requires 6 veterans. How many players in Wests Tigers squad would you class as veterans? Not many besides Benji. Forward pack needs leaders and this team has none. Need a mix of young and experienced or we can all look forward to Wests Tigers running 9th year after year.

 

[Needaname]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

Said the same thing. However disagree that Herman Ese’ese is that guy, we need a front rower that currently leads the team and is set to be replaced by a young up and comer.
Soliola, Tamou, Bromwich, Liu isn’t a bad option I guess, change of role for him but is dependable, Mclean, Wallace even prehaps but not first choice, Blair is a no, Vaughn maybe, JWH won’t go anywhere and Newcastle, Parra, Manly have young front rowers.
Tamou or Bromwich is my pick, how about you?


Small world, I just found out Tamou is married to my mates sister. Its still a no from me, he will be 32 next year, too old.

Interesting. Wants 3 years from the panthers apparently.

How old is too old for an experienced front rower?
With Twal and Mikaele and the unknown entity of Stefano and to a lesser extent Aloiai we are served well for young front rowers and don’t want to stunt them by signing someone who will be around for the next 6 years however an older experienced bookend to lead the team in the first two years would suit.
Look closely at all the teams in the top eight. All of them have at least one senior head leading their front row.

 

[Tiger5150]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

Said the same thing. However disagree that Herman Ese’ese is that guy, we need a front rower that currently leads the team and is set to be replaced by a young up and comer.
Soliola, Tamou, Bromwich, Liu isn’t a bad option I guess, change of role for him but is dependable, Mclean, Wallace even prehaps but not first choice, Blair is a no, Vaughn maybe, JWH won’t go anywhere and Newcastle, Parra, Manly have young front rowers.
Tamou or Bromwich is my pick, how about you?


Small world, I just found out Tamou is married to my mates sister. Its still a no from me, he will be 32 next year, too old.

Interesting. Wants 3 years from the panthers apparently.

How old is too old for an experienced front rower?
With Twal and Mikaele and the unknown entity of Stefano and to a lesser extent Aloiai we are served well for young front rowers and don’t want to stunt them by signing someone who will be around for the next 6 years however an older experienced bookend to lead the team in the first two years would suit.
Look closely at all the teams in the top eight. All of them have at least one senior head leading their front row.

I dont disagree with you, but I'd say that "senior head" is around 32. In the case of Tamou, he form has gradually dropped over the last few years and he is not really a certain starter at Pamfers. I like him but I see him as a potential Matulino signing.

Soliola, on the other hand was playing in career best form when he got hurt, but 34 IMO is too old (although some of these polynesian guys mature late).

 

[Tim Sheens]

Garner is still developing. He has only played 28 games and is 24 years of age. He has shown enough glimpses in every department to suggest he could be a top quality player. Maybe one level below a rep player. If we persist with him he will turn good. Otherwise, I could quite easily see him ripping it up at another club. He's the exact type of player the Roosters would turn into a gun - a player another club couldn't be bothered properly developing.

He made one of our only line breaks the other night . And he looked dangerous every time he had the ball. His defence needs work , but that’s more training than anything . He was a back most of his juniors wasn’t he ?

He's a hole runner, so switch Luke back to the left with his namesake now Joey Leilua is suspended and along with the team, they will both prosper together, as will those outside as the defence follows him in.

 

[tigerballs]

Everyone is talking about our toughness and it’s there in attitude and most obvious in defence, however there are still quite a few deficiencies present.
So in fairness, if we are going to call out our high paid players Brooks and Moses weaknesses
Garner clearly is our weakest link in the defensive line. Never uses his shoulder in any tackles. Too much arm grabbing for my liking.
Also gave up an early penalty in the game for being offside.
ET, directly responsible for all 6 again restarts for the duration of his time on the field. first replaced when Twal comes back.
We have no leg drive in our runs.
Mikale looks the only likely prop to get forward momentum for us.

I think Aloiai is a strong runner also.

Aloiai is really hit and miss for me, his not our worst but really Clarke and Mikalee play a better prop game.
Aloiai just looks off his feet most of the time. He really needs to pick up his match fitness.
I think people put a lot of emphasis on him and see him as our enforcer but he isn’t in my opinion anywhere near the top 8 of props. Mikale is starting to outdo him in my opinion.
Think prop is our most important recruitment position going forwards. We don’t need a dual recruitment like Cleary did with Packer and Matolino but we do need to snatch a Strong Experienced starting Front-rower from another team.
One of the likes of Tamou, Bromwich, James, McClean, Vaughn, Soliola, Welsh, Lodge.
I realise there are variances in that list and for me the Pick would be either of the two Melbourne bookends or Tamou.
we are really crying out for some leadership in this area and for what ever reason are not getting that from Packer.

Prefer props to be under 50.

 

[Harvey]

Garner is still developing. He has only played 28 games and is 24 years of age. He has shown enough glimpses in every department to suggest he could be a top quality player. Maybe one level below a rep player. If we persist with him he will turn good. Otherwise, I could quite easily see him ripping it up at another club. He's the exact type of player the Roosters would turn into a gun - a player another club couldn't be bothered properly developing.

Curious to which other players you are crediting the Roosters for "properly developing when another club couldn't be bothered"? Pretty sure all their good players from other clubs were good players before the Roosters pilfered them.

Didn't Garner come via the Roosters and Manly? They could not turn him into a gun first time around.

 

[Harvey]

I think that Garner has gone backwards this year. Will see if he improves, but at this stage he is looking more like a fringe player than a first grade gun

 

[happy_tiger]

think this team is lacking experience, aggression and leadership in the middle forwards and would like to see madge and the recruiters sign 2 or 3 players from the following. Off contract in 2020 are Adam Elliott, Ryan James & Herman Ese’ese. Off contract in 2021 are Dale Finucane, Isaac Liu & Paul Vaughan.

Said the same thing. However disagree that Herman Ese’ese is that guy, we need a front rower that currently leads the team and is set to be replaced by a young up and comer.
Soliola, Tamou, Bromwich, Liu isn’t a bad option I guess, change of role for him but is dependable, Mclean, Wallace even prehaps but not first choice, Blair is a no, Vaughn maybe, JWH won’t go anywhere and Newcastle, Parra, Manly have young front rowers.
Tamou or Bromwich is my pick, how about you?


Small world, I just found out Tamou is married to my mates sister. Its still a no from me, he will be 32 next year, too old.

He wants a multiple year deal too. No thanks

2 years ....he only turns 32 in December ..still playing well ...the young blokes could learn a lot from a SOO standard prop