SMH - Moltzen ready to restart his day job

[Spartan117]

**Moltzen ready to restart his day job**

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/moltzen-ready-to-restart-his-day-job-20110221-1b2k8.html

Glenn Jackson
February 22, 2011

Long break . . . Wests Tiger Tim Moltzen. Photo: Getty Images
TEN months after his last NRL match, Wests Tigers playmaker Tim Moltzen will make his return to competitive rugby league on Saturday night.

**Tigers coach Tim Sheens said yesterday he would name Moltzen in his squad to take on grand finalists Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium in the annual Foundation Cup.**

The promising utility's 2010 season was wrecked by a knee injury. Moltzen underwent a knee reconstruction following cruciate ligament damage against North Queensland in round five last year. Despite a full recovery from his knee troubles, Moltzen's return has been delayed due to an ankle injury he suffered a fortnight ago at training.

Sheens said he would give Moltzen some time against the Roosters from the bench.

''I've got him earmarked to get some time,'' he said. ''I'll use him at periods during the game at both halfback and a fullback role, five-eighth even - I might give Benj [Marshall] a break. I'll use him in periods through the game and get him through the game, bring up his confidence. There's a number of things we'll be trying to achieve with him this week.

''He's about 10 or 11 months post-surgery, so he's pretty good at the moment in respect to the knee. He hasn't done a lot of the real contact stuff just yet so I need to bring him in slowly.

''I don't think people should expect a lot from him in game one. And you've got to remember he's only played [a few dozen] first-grade games, too. He's got a long way to go yet.''

While the injury last year was a huge setback for Moltzen, who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2009, Sheens said the 22-year-old had responded well.

''Last year was going to be a defining year for him,'' Sheens said. ''His '09 season was brilliant and then in the fifth game [last year] we lost him.

''But he's matured and he's watched a lot of footy, which is what happens when you're injured. He went through the ups and downs of it. It was disappointing for him not to be there when the guys were playing at the back end of the season, but it's made him hungrier for it. Hopefully we'll see a very enthusiastic performance from him this year, and I believe we will.''

Sheens suggested the lay-off could help Moltzen in the long run. ''It put size on him,'' he said. ''[Hooker] Robbie Farah missed the '04 season with a knee reconstruction, and he came out in '05 bigger and stronger and better prepared, hungrier for it. I think Timmy's the same.''
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Enjoy guys

 

[biggest_tigers_fan]

Hmm makes me think reading this that sheens hasn't ruled moltzen out of fullback and halfback will be interesting come rd 1

 

[Guest]

It's been the constant question on here, where will Moltzen play? Hopefully we along with Sheens will have a better answer after Saturday night. I reckon there's every chance he'll be pulling on jersey 17 for round 1.

 

[redemption]

Maybe he'll frock up for the Maggies in Rd 1!!!

 

[bradexl]

Normally Tim Sheens knows exactly what he wants, keeps his cards close to his chest then reveals his hand at the last minute fully knowing that what he has revealed, he has known from the start…Maybe not this time. I believe that the halfback question still is uncertain to him. He knows that in Lui and Moltzen he has his halfbacks, but which one wears 7.
He likes what he sees in Lui and he likes what he sees in Moltzen as a 7 more than a 1.. I think he may just have to see how the season pans out with form and injury but be assured both robert and Tim will appear in the starting 17 come round 1\. I agree with Willow and we will probably see come round 1, Lui 7, Moltzen 17..Or maybe Moltzen 7, Lui 17...either way both would make a teriffic impact off the bench.

 

[Spartan117]

I would love to know Coach Sheens' honest private thoughts at time such as this.

After watching The Footage of the Eels Game (Thx) I noted that Lui was in almost everything, trying real hard and while things looked ordinary at times, there appeared to be real effort.

I cant wait till we are in April and things will be a lot clearer…..

 

[Demps]

Interesting.

To me, Lui is a halfback or a 5/8, which is covered, but we often saw Benji, Robbie & Lui changing positions during the game to create more opportunities - where as Moltz can cover any position from 1 to 7 so he has more impact being a #17 utility bench player.

I believe he can be played like Isaac Luke in the 4Nations.
Instead of having a back on the bench like Daniel Fitzhenry or some one who doesn't see any game time or maybe the last 10 minutes of the game, we have Moltz who comes on like Isaac Luke did & in spurts, to create attacking opportunities.

His speed & attacking prowess would be a good weapon to use to run through those tired forwards towards the ends of each half.

A bench like;
14) **Gibbs** (Payten & G-Way to start)
15) **Dwyer**
16) **Fifita** / **Murdoch-Masila** / **Woods** / **Etc** ( Take your pic, many options!)
17) **Moltzen**
where every player gets a run & provides impact, is a strong looking bench!

 

[Spartan117]

Great Bench Demps

I would tweak slightly and have Payto on the bench and get the two younger guys to start and maximise their Minutes.

So many options…

 

[ThaMVP]

Interesting.

To me, Lui is a halfback or a 5/8, which is covered, but we often saw Benji, Robbie & Lui changing positions during the game to create more opportunities - where as Moltz can cover any position from 1 to 7 so he has more impact being a #17 utility bench player.

I believe he can be played like Isaac Luke in the 4Nations.
Instead of having a back on the bench like Daniel Fitzhenry or some one who doesn't see any game time or maybe the last 10 minutes of the game, we have Moltz who comes on like Isaac Luke did & in spurts, to create attacking opportunities.

His speed & attacking prowess would be a good weapon to use to run through those tired forwards towards the ends of each half.

A bench like;
14) **Gibbs** (Payten & G-Way to start)
15) **Dwyer**
16) **Fifita** / **Murdoch-Masila** / **Woods** / **Etc** ( Take your pic, many options!)
17) **Moltzen**
where every player gets a run & provides impact, is a strong looking bench!

Agreed! This is pretty much the way I'd have it.

Although I fully think that it's interchangeable, I think that Lui in at 17 would work just as well. Especially in the long term because I think I like Moltzen as our halfback and Lui as a utility.

I think that Lui could be a great utility Craig Wing-style… Either way the thought of having both Lui and Moltzen in the team makes me feel alot less nervous if Farah or Marshall were to be injured mid-match...

 

[fergiefurr]

Although I fully think that it's interchangeable, I think that Lui in at 17 would work just as well. Especially in the long term because I think I like Moltzen as our halfback and Lui as a utility.

I think that Lui could be a great utility Craig Wing-style… Either way the thought of having both Lui and Moltzen in the team makes me feel alot less nervous if Farah or Marshall were to be injured mid-match...

ahhhh lui is purely a half, wing could play fullback, center, half, lock or hooker. using lui as a utility is as ridiculous as using galloway as one.

lui has to be starting half or in state cup

 

[Tiger_Watto]

_''I've got him earmarked to get some time,'' he said. ''I'll use him at periods during the game at both halfback and a fullback role, five-eighth even - I might give Benj [Marshall] a break. I'll use him in periods through the game and get him through the game, bring up his confidence. There's a number of things we'll be trying to achieve with him this week.\
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''He's about 10 or 11 months post-surgery, so he's pretty good at the moment in respect to the knee. He hasn't done a lot of the real contact stuff just yet so I need to bring him in slowly.\
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''I don't think people should expect a lot from him in game one. And you've got to remember he's only played [a few dozen] first-grade games, too. He's got a long way to go yet.''_

I think that sums it up clearly… Lui will be the 7 for the first 4-6 weeks... I'd be more than happy to have Moltzen at his best for round 27-30...

I noticed on the Video Lui went into dummy-half many times. Wonder if this was part of his instructions, or the fact we made that many changes nobody really knew who was where???

 

[supercoach]

With such a long and arduous season ahead Moltz will get plenty of chances at 1 6 and 7\. He may not get a starting role first up but when form slumps and injuries hit in he will get his chances and plenty of them

 

[ThaMVP]

ahhhh lui is purely a half, wing could play fullback, center, half, lock or hooker. using lui as a utility is as ridiculous as using galloway as one.

lui has to be starting half or in state cup

Respectfully, I disagree…

Wing was a hooker, 5/8, half, lock. I honestly think Lui will develop to the point where he cover these positions. Sure Wing COULD cover fullback or centre in a pinch, but I can't recall seeing Wing do much of this (doesn't mean he didn't, I just can't remember if he did). And I agree Lui wouldn't be able to cover there, but in an absolute pinch Moltzen drops back, Lui goes to half.

Really, I want to see Moltzen become more the specialist halfback. I believe if both were to realise their full potential Moltzen at 7 would be better.

 

[fergiefurr]

wing started his career as a fullback and played probably his first 2-3 years in first grade there

 

[ThaMVP]

wing started his career as a fullback and played probably his first 2-3 years in first grade there

My apologies then… though I guess this proves the point that quality players can successfully evolve into vastly different roles as they gain experience there.

 

[dimitri]

Tim will need to build up his confidence after the knee reconstruction which means he will either play off the bench or get some game time in the reggies.

There havent been many who come back from knee reconstructions or major injuries and play to their potential immediately. It usualy takes a few months to a year to get the mind to trust the body again (eg Bowen, Mason, Lockyer, Prince, McManus, Minichello just to name a few).

Those who are expecting Tim to play to his potential and fill the halfback or fullback role immediately are dreaming. So are those Eagle Supporters who are banking on Stewart to be their Messiah come Rd 1.

Thankfully, we have options if things go wrong.

 

[Spartan117]

Tim will need to build up his confidence after the knee reconstruction which means he will either play off the bench or get some game time in the reggies.

There havent been many who come back from knee reconstructions or major injuries and play to their potential immediately. It usualy takes a few months to a year to get the mind to trust the body again (eg Bowen, Mason, Lockyer, Prince, McManus, Minichello just to name a few).

Robbie Farah in 2004

 

[Demps]

Um what @ Lui being the utility, first time I've heard this mention.
Don't agree or like the idea at all… He is a 5/8 or HB, thats the position he'll excel in.
Moltz has utility written all over him.
Lui - NO.

 

[redemption]

wing started his career as a fullback and played probably his first 2-3 years in first grade there

My apologies then… though I guess this proves the point that quality players can successfully evolve into vastly different roles as they gain experience there.

fergie is right that he debuted at fullback for Souths - but he only ever played 13 games there - 3 on the wing & 4 at centre!

That compares to 91 in the halves & 78 at hooker!!!

 

[Peaches]

It sounds like Sheens doesn't have a set idea on who will be halfback and fullback. I think we may see McKinnon and Lui start the year but Moltzen and Brown will finish it.