Sheens dilemma is youth v experience

[Guest]

Sheens dilemma is youth v experience

* Brent Read
* From: The Australian
* September 25, 2010 12:00AM

TIM Sheens spent last night and probably the early hours of this morning weighing up whether to go with youth or experience as a replacement for front-rower Todd Payten in tonight's preliminary final against St George Illawarra.

"I am still undecided as far as a couple of the bench spots are concerned, whether to go young or experienced," Sheens said.

"(I'm) probably not going to announce anything until pretty much an hour before the game, maybe in the morning."

Experience would mean a place for veteran front-rower John Skandalis. Youth would work in the favour of boom youngster Andrew Fifita. Both could yet play if prop Bryce Gibbs (knee and toe) is forced out, although he seems certain to play.

That leaves one spot up for grabs.

"I have 20 in camp so I will make a decision tomorrow," Sheens said.

"I will talk to blokes tonight about how they're feeling and I will make a decision from there."

Skandalis brings a wealth of experience – 249 first grade games in all. But he hasn't played since round 25 after a glute injury. Fifita has been ever-present but his form over the past month has taken a serious dip.

The other concern for Sheens is that by selecting Fifita, he will take a tenderloin interchange bench into the game. Simon Dwyer and Ben Murdoch-Masila -- 21 and 19 respectively -- are certain to be named, meaning he will need to rely on three inexperienced forwards at vital stages during the match.

It's a vexing issue forced on the coach by the unfortunate and untimely injury to Payten. Fortunately, Sheens has more than 600 first grade games, not to mention four premierships, to draw on.

"Different guys bring different things to the game," Sheens said.

"It's getting a balance, with having an ability to score points and an ability to defend as well. We had a chat today. We're pretty comfortable with where we are.

"We have had issues all year. We just want to get on with it. I am happy with the preparation of the team, albeit the issue a couple of days ago with Toddy.

"We haven't had an injury-free year. We have had to adapt and overcome and we have."

 

[Sabre]

I dont understand why Murdoch is a certainty

 

[Guest]

I dont understand why Murdoch is a certainty

Because he is currently in better form than Fifita, has better fitness and better agility.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Fifita and Murdoch are both playing. Skandalis is not.

 

[cunno]

If Skando is fully fit he should be played for his experience and ability.

 

[westTAHger]

this is one of those doubled egded sword circumstances.
you play an experienced player, and know what you will get.
you play youth and who knows.
but if youth is not given a chance how do they become experienced.
it is good to be worrying about this in the finals, not sitting at home annoyed/bitter that wests-tigers are not there

 

[Blake93]

I dont understand why Murdoch is a certainty

Because he is currently in better form than Fifita, has better fitness and better agility.

He's played one game? The only reason fifita isn't in much form and isn't as fit is cause sheens randomly decided to stop playing him for the minutes that he should. From the penrith game (imo the man of the match) to now. It seems strange to me. I would have fifita, skando, dwyer and murdoch on the bench, fulton can cover practically any back position anyway.

 

[Guest]

I dont understand why Murdoch is a certainty

Because he is currently in better form than Fifita, has better fitness and better agility.

He's played one game? The only reason fifita isn't in much form and isn't as fit is cause sheens randomly decided to stop playing him for the minutes that he should. From the penrith game (imo the man of the match) to now. It seems strange to me. I would have fifita, skando, dwyer and murdoch on the bench, fulton can cover practically any back position anyway.

There was nothing random about Sheens decision not to play him. A coach who has been in the game as long as Sheens does not do anything without reason, especially when it comes to semi-finals. Fact is Fifita's defence has been a liability and he's had no impact in attack since the Storm game. Anyway, he'll probably get a run tonight and he'll have to aim up if the Tigers are any chance of winning.

 

[softlaw]

Sheens annoys me a lot of the time during the normal season but finals is the time of year when he shines (just wish he'd get us there more often).
At this time of year whatever he does he always has a very good reason for and whoever runs out will do the job.

I mean Skando is over the hill but a bench of Dwyer, Fifita & M-M is frighteningly inexperienced for this time of year. (ditch the Fitz and run with all 4 would be the best I think but who knows)

 

[Eye_Of_Wests_Tigers]

Fifita and Murdoch are both playing. Skandalis is not.

And what makes you say this? You sound confident but i highly doubt he will go with Fifita over Skando especially with such an inexperienced bench as it is

 

[watersider]

I'm a big supporter of sheens but his biggest problem is the selections he makes. Remember the **three** year experiment with John Morris at halfback?

Jeff lima and Bronson harrison are the type of players sheens doesnt keep and Lawrie and Fifita are in that mould as well. Lawrie hasn't done anything since Sheens, but he is a talented ball running forward. Remember that Corey paine and Danny Galea were favoured for the last two years.

It seems like a lot of you jump from hating sheens to worshipping him without any reflection.

Fifita, unless he did something really stupid off the field, deserves to be there. Murdoch is a massive risk who is not ready. As one example, he was too inexperienced in the final scrum against the roosters to complain or break up the scrum that led to our lost possession. I'm suprised sheens would go with him, it is unlike his past form which values consistent defence above everything else.

Its a great loss to us if Fifita, like lima and Harrison, has lost the confidence of Sheens. Again, sheens' one big weakness is his inability to find a role for the likes of Lima, harrison and Fifita.

 

[Geo]

Ayshford..21
Lawrence 21
Dwyer 20
Lui 19

Farah and Benji, Gibbs and Fulton a massive 25…

Nah ....Sheens never gives youth a go...

 

[magpie_mania]

i'm a big supporter of sheens but his biggest problem is the selections he makes. Remember the **three** year experiment with john morris at halfback?

Jeff lima and bronson harrison are the type of players sheens doesnt keep and lawrie and fifita are in that mould as well. Lawrie hasn't done anything since sheens, but he is a talented ball running forward. Remember that corey paine and danny galea were favoured for the last two years.

It seems like a lot of you jump from hating sheens to worshipping him without any reflection.

Fifita, unless he did something really stupid off the field, deserves to be there. Murdoch is a massive risk who is not ready. As one example, he was too inexperienced in the final scrum against the roosters to complain or break up the scrum that led to our lost possession. I'm suprised sheens would go with him, it is unlike his past form which values consistent defence above everything else.

Its a great loss to us if fifita, like lima and harrison, has lost the confidence of sheens. Again, sheens' one big weakness is his inability to find a role for the likes of lima, harrison and fifita.

your a big supporter of tim sheens?nope.

 

[Leroy_The_Tigers_Fan]

We are in uncharted territory at the moment, this is only the second time we have reached this stage of the season and in 2005 we were at that stage, fully fit.
We can prevail under the circumstances, have faith in our Super Coach and our players, after all it's the 'Year of The Tiger' not only in Asia but the NRL as well. :sign:

 

[watersider]

your a big supporter of tim sheens?nope.

Sheens is an excellent coach. I really like the attacking brand of football we play and I think he has developed a lot of our juniors into rep quality players and he continues to adapt our play to cause problems to other teams.

But…team selections is his weakness.

I think you can still be a supporter of a coach and talk about weaknesses.

 

[senexx]

I dont understand why Murdoch is a certainty

Because he is currently in better form than Fifita, has better fitness and better agility.

I still don't get that, Murdoch didn't show anything on the field the other week.

 

[senexx]

To whomever said Fulton can cover any position, you're mostly correct but when a player is playing out of a position they've played all years and say goes from lock/second row to centre - they're going to make lots of mistakes compared to a person that's played centre all year.