Players stepping up?

[TrueTiger]

Question?

I hear the term 'Competition for Spots' alot from the fan base, but history has shown us that it doesnt really mean alot when team selections take place. Players like Akoaula; Fine & Drinkwater probably deserved an opportunity last year but where continually overlooked for the traditional players who either walk-back-in or are down-in-form.

Obviously Salary Cap plays a part in the selections. but do we truly believe this rule has changed at WT or is this 'competition for spots' simply hope?

I think you will find most NRL Coaches take the approach that using the least amount of players possible during a season is prefferable to chopping and changing there top 17 as much as possible…think stats also point to the fact generally the teams that play semi footy use less players...it allows for greater cohesion running out 1-17 week after week...

But you are right over the years the Wests Tigers have been as bad as the Australian Cricket team... barring injuries ...harder to get out off than in....hoping that ethos changes...

Very good summation,it reminds me of when Sheens was here,chopping and changing the team around with the top players,even if the positional change didn't suit,egFulton and Lawrence at Five eight,Farah at halfback etc,this will probably cease if the depth players can perform very well in the top team when called up eg,Rankin a great utility can cover half/fb/centre and I think will fill in very well if needed….it really is up to the recruits to want to be competitive for a spot in the top team...hope the all have a big crack at it...

 

[king_sirro]

Problem last year was reserve grade were losing as well. So it was hard to bring in a State Cup losing player to replace an NRL losing player.

 

[Guest]

Problem last year was reserve grade were losing as well. So it was hard to bring in a State Cup losing player to replace an NRL losing player.

Correct. No one in the lower grades really threw their hand up. Drinkwater would have been capable if Moses or Brooks was injured for any length of time, but the outside backs were ordinary as we saw in Milone and Hoeter and we didn't have anyone dominate in the pigs.

 

[Tiger_Tim]

I heard on the Grill Team this morning Matty Johns saying he thought the Tigers, Titans and Knights would be the last three. On paper this could be true but geez i hope the players heard that and have massive chips on their shoulders and go out each week to prove the doubters wrong. All i'm asking for is effort as too many games last year it looked like they could of tried harder.

 

[Tigerdon]

This year we'll a much better NSW Cup side. I know there's a big gap the 1st and 2nd these days, however preseason and trail games the whole squad is more together. If you are needing to blood someone it's better to do it in the first quarter of the season. After that players have either got used to the speed of NRL or State Cup…and the jump between to two is harder.

 

[jirskyr]

Problem last year was reserve grade were losing as well. So it was hard to bring in a State Cup losing player to replace an NRL losing player.

Correct. No one in the lower grades really threw their hand up. Drinkwater would have been capable if Moses or Brooks was injured for any length of time, but the outside backs were ordinary as we saw in Milone and Hoeter and we didn't have anyone dominate in the pigs.

I remember last season there was a round where the 20s and NSW Cup for WT were televised on Foxtel. We were in one of our lean trots and I watched both games to see what might be on offer from the lower grades.

I can't exactly remember the opposition, but for the NSW Cup game we were blown away early over first 20 mins, then managed to reel of some 4 tries to go into the sheds in front. Marion Seve was playing wing, scored off a bomb just before half time.

Second half was absolutely scrappy and we got done.

I remember finishing those games and being extremely disappointed in the performances of these lower graders and with no optimism about who we might have promoted to firsts.

But that was half a year ago and my optimism has returned, particularly as we appear to have recruited quite well from the bargain bin.

I've said this before, but I'm totally happy to have a good number of non-guaranteed first graders, so long as they have an upside. You never know what you might unearth when players are jostling for a starting spot. Worst thing for our team would be not having enough depth to drop a few underperformers from firsts.

 

[TrueTiger]

Problem last year was reserve grade were losing as well. So it was hard to bring in a State Cup losing player to replace an NRL losing player.

Correct. No one in the lower grades really threw their hand up. Drinkwater would have been capable if Moses or Brooks was injured for any length of time, but the outside backs were ordinary as we saw in Milone and Hoeter and we didn't have anyone dominate in the pigs.

I remember last season there was a round where the 20s and NSW Cup for WT were televised on Foxtel. We were in one of our lean trots and I watched both games to see what might be on offer from the lower grades.

I can't exactly remember the opposition, but for the NSW Cup game we were blown away early over first 20 mins, then managed to reel of some 4 tries to go into the sheds in front. Marion Seve was playing wing, scored off a bomb just before half time.

Second half was absolutely scrappy and we got done.

I remember finishing those games and being extremely disappointed in the performances of these lower graders and with no optimism about who we might have promoted to firsts.

But that was half a year ago and my optimism has returned, particularly as we appear to have recruited quite well from the bargain bin.

I've said this before, but I'm totally happy to have a good number of non-guaranteed first graders, so long as they have an upside. You never know what you might unearth when players are jostling for a starting spot. Worst thing for our team would be not having enough depth to drop a few underperformers from firsts.

Absolutely right jirskyr,I think the first graders knew if they had bad days that they wouldnt get dropped because we had no depth to replace them with…this year will be a different story and they may have to play their very best to keep their spot in FG...good place to be in at the moment....

 

[everett]

quality depth is what our club has been longing for over the last couple of years.

hopefully non performers will be dropped and replaced with hungry State Cup players ready to prove their worth.

Everyone needs to be accountable for their performances or actions will be taken