TEAM LIST Round 2 Vs NQ Cowboys

[TheEnz]

Correct, but the alternate is to shift AD and use Madden if that was the case. If you aren't carrying Skelton and there are no backline injuries early you have better flexibility in your forward rotation. The smart coaches will be siuing this to their advantage - a half and outside back in the mix is a safe bet that denies you the additional flexibility.

Watching some Benji commentary and he was talking about innovation being in the Wests Tigers DNA and he wants to bring that back....he seems to be doing this with the way he is selecting his bench, so maybe we do see a world where Madden steps in to 7 and AD moves to 13 against tiring middles, the fact we have middles and backrowers that can pump out big minutes gives him some flexibility to try different things. Not saying I agree, however if we think we have the players to replicate the Storm or Panthers game plan and win a premiership, than we are kidding ourselves. We have to catch fire and play a different (innovative) style to jag a premiership in the next 3 years.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

if cowboys train for AD to play the 7 role and 50 minutes i he switches to the 13 the you have a very potent ball runner and someone who can ball play through the middle.
Madden comes on and plays 7 our attacking threat looks so different to what cowboys would have prepared for.
Good option to have

 

[hodgo]

Strange thought processes here imo. If you're giving AD his shot, he plays the whole game for at least 5 or so rounds to see if it works. I believe it's a terrible idea to be tinkering with halves mid-game. The spine should virtually be the same apart from a hooker rotation if Api is asked to defend a lot.
I cant think of a club that has a rotating half policy.
Also i think alot of people are way to high on Madden. I hope he is that good, but he has played very little first grade in his journey from the Wests Tigers and back. If we are pinning our hopes on him being a first graders this year we are in trouble.

 

[Jolls]

Strange thought processes here imo. If you're giving AD his shot, he plays the whole game for at least 5 or so rounds to see if it works. I believe it's a terrible idea to be tinkering with halves mid-game. The spine should virtually be the same apart from a hooker rotation if Api is asked to defend a lot.
I cant think of a club that has a rotating half policy.
Also i think alot of people are way to high on Madden. I hope he is that good, but he has played very little first grade in his journey from the Wests Tigers and back. If we are pinning our hopes on him being a first graders this year we are in trouble.

St Merge did it with Hunt in and out of 9/7 but that is the only other instance I can think of. in recent times. I get the thinking - but I, like you, don't think we should be messing with the halves mid game except for injury, unless we have trained for it.

From what I understand, but I haven't been to any training sessions as I am rural, is that AD has trained at 7 for the entire off season. I don't think, but I could be wrong, that he has had any reps with Madden and 7 and him at 13.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

if cowboys train for AD to play the 7 role and 50 minutes i he switches to the 13 the you have a very potent ball runner and someone who can ball play through the middle.
Madden comes on and plays 7 our attacking threat looks so different to what cowboys would have prepared for.
Good option to have

AD can also cover injuries in the outside backs with Madden coming on. And possibly Madden covers dummy half if Api needs a break or is injured.

 

[Milky]

I don’t think AD moves anywhere. Your halfback controls your game and shifting him mid-game might work once catching the other side off guard but ultimately you cannot build long term success doing that

Madden might be covering 9 when Api needs a break

 

[jrtiger]

I think there’s a fair chance Jock doesn’t get on the field at all and is simply injury cover.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

That’s how I see it. AD is a runner. It gives us direct running speed up the middle during the forward fatigue part of the game and up the ante on field position with kicking if we are struggling as that is a big strength of Maddens.

Makes zero sense to view Madden as a hooker with Hope on the extended bench.

Just hope Doueihi learns to kick long and low to the grass when kicking. And gets Luai and the backline deep in the red zone.
Watched the other teams on the weekend and they stood very deep in the red zone and got results.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I wasn’t keeping tabs on him but I wasn’t naming him either.

I thought he was a standout in the trials. Effort, minutes and D.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

Given the way Hope was used at 9 and 13 during the trials I expect the rotation model is centred around him as opposed to Madden. Madden does provide the flexibility to play a different style - without knowing what options they have trained it is all guesswork from us punters. Benji has the clipboard and a plan in mind - so we will probably not get a feel for it until Saturday unless someone gets to the Captain's run and brings back some intelligence!

I think Benji nominated Doueihi early in the off season to be the half. And trained for it.
Madden has thrown a spanner in the works with his good game management and kicking.
Doueihi is 97kg because of it. Too late to bulk up now.
Not the ideal weight for a Leo style lock IMO, but would be OK for the second half?
And then bring Madden on. I think he is a better manager than Luai. Let Luai run.

 

[Chunk]

That makes no sense with Hope picked on extended bench.

So who do you think Madden will replace?

 

[Jolls]

So who do you think Madden will replace?

It is highly likely that Madden and Skelton are just the extended cover. There are still only 4 players that can be used and the most likely rotation is Hunt, Sione F, Seyfarth and Hope. That is of course unless one of the comb carriers gets injured or Benji has something that he is keeping up is sleeve.

 

[Chunk]

It is highly likely that Madden and Skelton are just the extended cover. There are still only 4 players that can be used and the most likely rotation is Hunt, Sione F, Seyfarth and Hope. That is of course unless one of the comb carriers gets injured or Benji has something up his sleeve that he is keeping up is sleeve.

You're probably right, unless he plays DH, he may have been training there but you would think he would have to of had some game time at DH

And unless Benji whats to 'try' a few things then Madden may have a go at halfback, it's the first game though, no need for complications, AD needs a clear shot at the prize and if not then give Madden a go later.

 

[Tim Sheens]

if cowboys train for AD to play the 7 role and 50 minutes i he switches to the 13 the you have a very potent ball runner and someone who can ball play through the middle.
Madden comes on and plays 7 our attacking threat looks so different to what cowboys would have prepared for.
Good option to have

Maybe even swapping out in defence and attack respectively for another point of difference in the lock role, with Madden widening our attack acting as the central distributor with ball in hand and on the edge defensively.

I see KPP quickly drawing a lot more attention wider on our right edge than in many years, which in turn will open up space and options for players around him, particularly those inside him.

 

[Chunk]

@Mighty_Tiger you don’t think Jock Madden coming on at 13 and Tristan Hope coming on to give Api Korisau a rest would work ?
I noticed the Panthers played Jack Cogger at 13 moving Yeo to prop during their win against the Broncos and as good as Yeo has been in that 1st receiver ball distributor role over the years, the Panthers looked much sharper and more dangerous in attack when they had Cogger at 13.
I think this could work for us with Madden playing a similar role as to what Cogger played for the Panthers against the Broncos.
Having a much smaller man spending time defending at 13 is always a concern, but in these early rounds, particularly if it’s a warm afternoon, defensive line speed becomes very valuable and the smaller more energetic players certainly have capability to demonstrate much better defensive line speed than the bigger men.
This is why I think it’s absolutely vital that Api only plays a maximum of 50-60 minutes so he can refresh and allow Tristan Hope who demonstrated great defensive line speed during our trial games to come on and make a difference with his high energy and more physical and aggressive defence.
I think we often attribute winning the yardage battle solely to power running and we certainly need some players who carry the ball very strongly, but defensive line speed is just as, if not more important.
The possibility of Jock Madden digging into the line off a fast play the ball and feeding Doueihi or Luai with momentum, time and space to play would cause chaos to the Cowboys defence.

It's the first game for us with this 'new' halves combo.

Benji might try a few things but is the time for us to be mucking around like this, I think we need a simple approach. It would be very hard to bring this from the training field to the paddock but you never know?

Penrith are way in front of us with game management.

 

[Tiger Tarl]

I reckon Madden will give Api a spell (but has Hope as back-up depending how things shape up). Jack's got a strong passing game, can lead from the front. Will be interested to see how he's used (if at all).

As for forwards, it's a classic 2 props, 1 backrower bench. Sione in for Pole. Seyfarth for Twal. And Hunt to give May a 10/15 min break. Go Tigers!!!

 

[clontarfkid]

See that Skelton is on the bench..think he will swap in for Luke rather than expose 2 kids together in defence
Dont care about LL..just wanna make sure Heamesi doesnt get embarrased
Other option is to fip sides for Taylon
If Benji plays them as per team roster,there will be calls for his head

 

[Buttface]

I thought he was a standout in the trials. Effort, minutes and D.

Fair call you weren’t alone.

 

[jirskyr]

Sorry guys I've been only keeping half an eye on the offseason chat, where is Latu Fainu up to?

 

[426Tlgerland]

What was Taylan Mays position in his early days , I got told he was in the halves , anyone know ? Thanks in advance
Also I feel Skelton on bench could be cover for both Luke and Macca any injury or other he comes in and say replace Luke
Skelton , May , Macca Turuva still very strong.
KPP on right also stronger than last year