The Tigers new halves

The_Tooth

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There is a few reasons Sheens is using Marshall at 7 now, but i think the main reason would be that no other halfback has been able to stand up in his presence.

It could be considered a failure a few years back when trialled (Benji @ 7, i think Morris @ 6) but there has been alot of 7 tried since then and they obvioulsy haven't stood up in Tims opinion. Morris, Head, Farah, Moltzen, Lui, Miller & Humble all come to mind, with only Lui (some would say Moltzen also) doing the job.

Fast forward to 2012 and Lui is gone. Moltzen @ 7, Benji @ 6 looks the best option to all. Tedesco gets injured and Sheens tries Humble at fullback. Obviously wasn't happy so moved Moltzen back to 1 as I think Sheens still considers him his only option at this stage.

Now we have problems again with 7\. Sheens has now basically tried all the available 7's bar Chisholm, albeit Miller and Humble didn't really get a string of back to back games. Here in lies the problem I believe - Sheens has stated many a times how hard it is for younger guys to come in and over call Marshall and Farah. This is the one main reason. I don't think it spells the end for Miller, just that he isn't quite ready this season (he's still only 20y.o)

Coupled with the fact Benji at first reciever doesn't get over called (except by Farah), he touches the ball more and can take on the part of his game he wishes to develop, that being his control and direction of a game. Something he did best all season against the warriors in the halfback role.

I admit I was one of the speculators and even considered Sheens was lost for what to do next, but don't forget that Sheens has always stated the Benji at 7 experiment isn't dead and buried. I'm now I think in the same line of thought as Sheens and finding a 6 to stand outside Benji might be the best way forward atm. Lawrence isn't the answer imo and it looks like Sheens has even relenquished by putting him back to centre this week. Ayshford definately isn't the answer either. But I think young Sironen with his ability to take the line on, good passing game and from what I've seen does have a short kicking game might just be the the right combination for us with Benji @ 7 and Curtis @ 6.

But one final thought or statement really - would love to see Moltzen at 6 not having to try and direct the team but just using his running and passing game, but think he is still the best man to fill in at 1 right now.
 
I like Benji at 7 but we need a really good option at 6\. I think Moltzen is perfect for the role. Maybe Sirro will slot in there or maybe Ayshford will make the spot his.

I think though the real problem is getting a solid back 3 and then adding some speed to the backs.
 
Geez i thought Chisolm played well the other day vs Wenty.
would love to see him get a crack.
Keen to see sirro get a run this week but nq will be a big task.
 
Moltzen last week gets good early ball at second reciever, skirts around the defence and scores what looked like an effortless try.

Why isnt he considered for 5/8th?
 
@stryker said:
Moltzen last week gets good early ball at second reciever, skirts around the defence and scores what looked like an effortless try.

Why isnt he considered for 5/8th?

Good question. He played at 6 outside Blake Lazarus a few years ago for Balmain and went very well there.
 
I think it makes sense to play Benji at half. One of the complaints we've had over our halves is that they're not getting the ball to Benji at the right times. So why not cut out the middle-man? Robbie knows what to do from dummy, and he knows Benji backwards.
 
Not too sure what Humble was doing wrong. I thought the side was struggling in other areas.
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@Mistadobalina said:
I think it makes sense to play Benji at half. One of the complaints we've had over our halves is that they're not getting the ball to Benji at the right times. So why not cut out the middle-man? Robbie knows what to do from dummy, and he knows Benji backwards.

i think its more we want benji at second receiver out wide where he can do his magic.

think its more that in regards to the tigers rather then calling the plays.
 
So far that magic hasn't reered it's head this season, and it's not how we've been winning games. It's been kind of like watching that episode of Happy Days where Fonzi loses his cool. He wants to be able to start the jukebox with a non-chalant flick of the wrist, but he can't find that sweet-spot. He's not getting the kickstart on his bike going first-time. Girls wont talk to him.. I think at the end of the episode they move him to first reciever and Chachi into 5/8 and encourage him to play more of an organising role and he regains his mojo.
 
@Mistadobalina said:
So far that magic hasn't reered it's head this season, and it's not how we've been winning games. It's been kind of like watching that episode of Happy Days where Fonzi loses his cool. He wants to be able to start the jukebox with a non-chalant flick of the wrist, but he can't find that sweet-spot. He's not getting the kickstart on his bike going first-time. Girls wont talk to him.. I think at the end of the episode they move him to first reciever and Chachi into 5/8 and encourage him to play more of an organising role and he regains his mojo.

Absolute gold
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Another dominant display by Benji wearing the 7\. He truely is a different player this year. I think finally he's direction and ball playing has taken over from his running game. Would like to see him run it a bit more but it all about selective timing.

Sironen looked comfortable in limited time. Would love to see him get 80 mins at 6 as I'm sure this is now the future of the halves but I'll trust Sheens to bring him along as he sees fit.
 
I agree with the topic and believe Moltzen could serve the team well at 5/8 and move Reddy back to fullback with Ayshford and Lawrence as the centres. I did like the look of young Sironen at 5/8 and he does appear to have all the skills to be the long term answer for the WESTS Tigers.
 
Won't this all change anyway? I mean they have paid money for Braith (yuk) so I'm guessing he will be in the halves next season which leaves either moltzen at 1 and tedesco out or tedesco at1 and moltzen a Mitch brown style utility…and I don't mean get under used and moved off to the doggies.
But, what does this then mean for miller and sirro? I dunno, but it just makes the signing of braith (yuk) even more mind boggling....and please don't say it's for "a level head" or " he will settle the young guys"...Monday night showed that's not his game.
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There is a story on Miller in RLW,he is getting wraps from a few people,sadly Sheens isn't taking any notice,the kid says"I will just keep trying and take my chance when it comes".
When will this be Tim,he will walk and who could blame him,he has had 4 games in 1st grade,none of which he was allowed to play his own game,what he needs is to put there and left there for some time to get a feel,not 1 game every 6 months.
Young Siro could play at centre for a couple of years until Anasta finishes up,then move to 13,everyone who speaks of Miller says the same thing,natural halfback,good kicking game,not scared to take on the line,not slow either and a goal kicker as well,Reynolds anyone?,but maybe better.
 
How about you put this into perspective re Jacob Miller.

THE KID IS 19\. His best years are a few years away yet.

As a Wests Tigers supporter, if Sheens or anyone else puts a 19yo kid into the play-maker role of my team, be that Miller or anyone else, I will scream the house down.

I want good players, in that position today and now. As he gets more experience in the 20's, and then a bit in park football, then lets have a look at putting him in the best competition in the world, and not before.

If he wants to move on in the interim because he is impatient or some one makes him a better offer and he doesn't want to stay at our club, I wish him well. There is a salary cap and we have to stick with it and share the money properly for success today. Our sponsors demand success today, our fans demand success today, and the club owes it to everyone to deliver today!

I'd love it if he could stay…....

I challenge ANYONE to name a top line halfback in first grade at 19, in the history of the game!!!
 
Sterlo debuted (at fullback I grant you) as an 18yo, settled into halfback as a 19/20yo and won his first premiership as a 21yo.

Andrew Johns played his first full season as a half at 19/20

Greg Alexander's first full season was as a 19yo

Feel free to google others
 
@Swordy said:
How about you put this into perspective re Jacob Miller.

THE KID IS 19\. His best years are a few years away yet.

As a Wests Tigers supporter, if Sheens or anyone else puts a 19yo kid into the play-maker role of my team, be that Miller or anyone else, I will scream the house down.

I want good players, in that position today and now. As he gets more experience in the 20's, and then a bit in park football, then lets have a look at putting him in the best competition in the world, and not before.

If he wants to move on in the interim because he is impatient or some one makes him a better offer and he doesn't want to stay at our club, I wish him well. There is a salary cap and we have to stick with it and share the money properly for success today. Our sponsors demand success today, our fans demand success today, and the club owes it to everyone to deliver today!

I'd love it if he could stay…....

I challenge ANYONE to name a top line halfback in first grade at 19, in the history of the game!!!

Mitchell Pearce for one. Got 13 try assists in his rookie season at 18\. Johns debuted at 19, although only a few games and killed it the next season. Lockyer debuted at five eight at 18\. Thurston debuted at 19\. Stacey Jones. We all know the likes of Benji, Hunt (although not 7's). The list goes on you fool!

Most top shelf halves are blooded by 19, simply because they are that good. Even if they don't kill it first season, they gain the experience and kill it the next season.

If you've got the skills you play. Age shouldn't come into it. All this talk of holding players back is rubbish. Hold them back and they stop improving. Most players aren't good enough to play before their 20's but for those that are, you need to play them!!

I'm not sure if Miller fits that category as he's quite inconsistent still, but we should re-sign him for sure. Much rather he play off the bench than Humble. That's what Storm did with Cronk who was 20 at the time. He continued to develop nicely…

Sirro definitely fits this category. At 18, he should still play most of the rest of the season in NRL this year...
 
@softlaw said:
Sterlo debuted (at fullback I grant you) as an 18yo, settled into halfback as a 19/20yo and won his first premiership as a 21yo.

Andrew Johns played his first full season as a half at 19/20

Greg Alexander's first full season was as a 19yo

Feel free to google others

I don't think Miller though is at that level. Sirro might not be either however in their limited times in first grade so far Sirro looks the better option.

There is a long way to go with regards to who ends up in the halves for us over the next couple of years - it could be Miller, Sirro, Anasta, Moltzen or some other player. At least we have some good options now.
 

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