Throwing the season away

[Russell]

As a realist, I think our current ladder position is about right. The teams ahead are better than us and the teams behind are worse. With a touch of luck we could jag a final's spot and who knows from there.
There's little doubt we've been dudded a couple of times but aside from the frustration of constantly tight games, I've enjoyed being competitive in a season I thought we'd be doing much worse.
My sincere hope is that Liddle morphs into Damien Cook in the future (and I do think that's possible). We desperately need a solution at 9 - the modern game demands a quality hooker for success.

Problem is that he is the size of a garden gnome and staying healthy is going to be hard for him.
I hope that he can stand up to the rigours of first grade, but have strong doubts.

Ok once and for all - let's get the facts.

Jacob Liddle is not little, by comparison looks like there are a few more gnomes around.

Jacob Liddle 21 y.o 184cm 91kg
Cameron Smith 34 y.o 185cm 90kg
Andrew McCulloch 28 y.o 180cm 90kg
Damien Cook 26 y.o 180cm 88kg

 

[southerntiger]

We are where I expected us to be. In fact, we are doing better than I expected.

The problem is that many on here, after 2 wins this season, decided Cleary was some Master Coach (despite having a fairly mediocre win/loss %) who was going to get a pretty average side to the lofty heights of the NRL.

If we make the finals, I will be ecstatic. I expect us to just miss out, like we did with Taylor two seasons ago (with a squad that everyone agreed was a lot worse than this squad).

Does that mean we haven't progressed in two years? I don't know but it doesn't feel like it to me.

 

[Harvey]

As a realist, I think our current ladder position is about right. The teams ahead are better than us and the teams behind are worse. With a touch of luck we could jag a final's spot and who knows from there.
There's little doubt we've been dudded a couple of times but aside from the frustration of constantly tight games, I've enjoyed being competitive in a season I thought we'd be doing much worse.
My sincere hope is that Liddle morphs into Damien Cook in the future (and I do think that's possible). We desperately need a solution at 9 - the modern game demands a quality hooker for success.

Problem is that he is the size of a garden gnome and staying healthy is going to be hard for him.
I hope that he can stand up to the rigours of first grade, but have strong doubts.

Ok once and for all - let's get the facts.

Jacob Liddle is not little, by comparison looks like there are a few more gnomes around.

Jacob Liddle 21 y.o 184cm 91kg
Cameron Smith 34 y.o 185cm 90kg
Andrew McCulloch 28 y.o 180cm 90kg
Damien Cook 26 y.o 180cm 88kg

Was he wearing platform shoes filled with lead?

 

[TigerTone]

:astonished: The coach selecting players not on form ….There ARE options for fullback , and at least 3 other postions ...honestly watching some of these pretenders is agonising when there are replacements.. have a go coach!!!!! I thought the favourite selection policy ended with SHEENS!

You obviously didnt watch the love affair with JT and Lovett/Rankin it was male porn at its worst

You're forgetting Nathan Milone.
He was up there with the two you mentioned.

 

[Telltails]

Our highest paid front row do not look players that we need here for the long haul based on recent performances. (Matulino yesterday was decent)

Dont know if Packer is playing injured but they are not playing like an the enforcing front row that has the signs of much longevity.

Try taking hit ups off ET passes. It’s the hooker causing a drop in the metres for the forwards. Packer is obviously injured but he never was a 150 metre a game forward. He is a defensive anchor with a strong carry and quick play the ball. Packer, Mats, Twal are a good rotation it’s not our problem.
It’s so obvious the criticism of the front roe I think is unfounded.

So who is passing to Twal and Eisenhuth.?
Cop out - barring injury both need to contribute more as our supposed two top props - 4yrs worth?

Nonsense.

Twal is a beast but coming on against bench props. Eiso is a worker gets stats zero force behind his play. I just dont agree at all with your assessment.

They will be the cornerstone of what we do for the next 4 years. You think Cleary signed them because they are mugs.

Injury is playing its part but also running into Gallen, Fifita, RCG, Tampa, JWH, Napa, Klemmer/Woods in consecutive weeks. You also pay zero credit to defence and speed of the play the ball.

You just blamed the dummy half now you are making other excuses. They have been average at best and that is being very kind.
A fast play the ball is only effective if you carry the ball.
Matulino himself made an honest assessment of his current form which is not where he would like it to be.
I expect more from them, and if you think they are going well they shouldn't need any excuses for their recent performance.

 

[jadtiger]

:astonished: The coach selecting players not on form ….There ARE options for fullback , and at least 3 other postions ...honestly watching some of these pretenders is agonising when there are replacements.. have a go coach!!!!! I thought the favourite selection policy ended with SHEENS!

You obviously didnt watch the love affair with JT and Lovett/Rankin it was male porn at its worst

You're forgetting Nathan Milone.
He was up there with the two you mentioned.

True

 

[jirskyr]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

 

[Russell]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Good post as usual jirskyr - agree.

 

[Geo]

Soo content..mkay…

 

[jadtiger]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Correct but unfortunately some supporters can only see negatives in our season.Progress as slow as it seems is being made

 

[851]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Correct but unfortunately some supporters can only see negatives in our season.Progress as slow as it seems is being made

I get that we are a work in progress, I don't get why Tui gets picked after offering nothing in ISP then nothing at NRL level, we have players already at the club to send him packing.
There are other players as well who should be ISP bound, I am happy with where we are, but I think some different selections has us higher up the ladder.

 

[hobbo]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Correct but unfortunately some supporters can only see negatives in our season.Progress as slow as it seems is being made

I get that we are a work in progress, I don't get why Tui gets picked after offering nothing in ISP then nothing at NRL level, we have players already at the club to send him packing.
There are other players as well who should be ISP bound, I am happy with where we are, but I think some different selections has us higher up the ladder.

Then add to the fact that we keep on shouting ourselves in the foot most games that does my head in the most !

Yeah we have some Nuffies and plodders in our squad but we still should be higher up on the ladder .

 

[old_man_tiger]

It's a weird season, I agree with parts of what everyone is saying, the positive and the negative.

It reminds me of the old fashioned games where you would lose the game but win the fight and feel like you could walk off with pride. We are having a dig, doing all the hard work, and keep finding new ways to lose. Also, refs, in al all games, are foul this year.

 

[jadtiger]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Correct but unfortunately some supporters can only see negatives in our season.Progress as slow as it seems is being made

I get that we are a work in progress, I don't get why Tui gets picked after offering nothing in ISP then nothing at NRL level, we have players already at the club to send him packing.
There are other players as well who should be ISP bound, I am happy with where we are, but I think some different selections has us higher up the ladder.

I agree in regards to Tui he just seems to lack urgency which is one of the most important things you need in NRL.I had us running between 7th - 10th at start of year so we are on track for that.For the first time in many years i can see that we have the right people in the right places.
Certainly we do need targeted recruitment in our weakest positions to go with the overall defensive attitude Cleary has delivered

 

[851]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Correct but unfortunately some supporters can only see negatives in our season.Progress as slow as it seems is being made

I get that we are a work in progress, I don't get why Tui gets picked after offering nothing in ISP then nothing at NRL level, we have players already at the club to send him packing.
There are other players as well who should be ISP bound, I am happy with where we are, but I think some different selections has us higher up the ladder.

I agree in regards to Tui he just seems to lack urgency which is one of the most important things you need in NRL.I had us running between 7th - 10th at start of year so we are on track for that.For the first time in many years i can see that we have the right people in the right places.
Certainly we do need targeted recruitment in our weakest positions to go with the overall defensive attitude Cleary has delivered

I backed us to make the 8 in february, so I was sort of confident of 6 to 8th finish.

 

[Spud_Murphy]

As a realist, I think our current ladder position is about right. The teams ahead are better than us and the teams behind are worse. With a touch of luck we could jag a final's spot and who knows from there.
There's little doubt we've been dudded a couple of times but aside from the frustration of constantly tight games, I've enjoyed being competitive in a season I thought we'd be doing much worse.
My sincere hope is that Liddle morphs into Damien Cook in the future (and I do think that's possible). We desperately need a solution at 9 - the modern game demands a quality hooker for success.

Problem is that he is the size of a garden gnome and staying healthy is going to be hard for him.
I hope that he can stand up to the rigours of first grade, but have strong doubts.

Ok once and for all - let's get the facts.

Jacob Liddle is not little, by comparison looks like there are a few more gnomes around.

Jacob Liddle 21 y.o 184cm 91kg
Cameron Smith 34 y.o 185cm 90kg
Andrew McCulloch 28 y.o 180cm 90kg
Damien Cook 26 y.o 180cm 88kg

Not small, just fragile.

 

[westTAHger]

Be nice to win 3-4 games in a row, at this time of the season.
Been guilty of expecting more, due to the good start of the season.
Which has led to frustration, and venting.
Who honestly knows, what the remaining games will bring.
All we can do is support and observe the team we have unlimited passion for.

 

[jirskyr]

I don't know about throwing away the season, but there does need to be a dose of reality for lots of fans.

This team was predicted by a lot of folks to run last, including some Tigers fans. We are 50% win rate and typically are beating the teams below us on the ladder (just two such losses). If we continue to win 50% of games, we'll finish with 12 wins, which will be our best season since 2011, ie best in 7 seasons. It may be enough for finals footy; 13 wins probably is.

We compete every game. Oppositions and opposing fans respect us this year, and every win over Tigers is a big deal to them now. Teams are nervous to play us, whereas we used to just fold under pressure.

Sure thing season could have been more, but it could also have been far worse, e.g. if we'd lost those games to Storm and Roosters.

I'm personally stoked to legitimately think we can win every match, even those matches when we get behind, because this team doesn't give up.

BUT we just flat out lack talent, Tui, fill-ins for Liddle, an aging Benji and injured Reynolds - pretty average spine. We have few match-winners and that makes it difficult in tight matches.

So be disappointed with the close losses and periods of ill-disciplined footy, but also recognise the transformation in this team. a team of nuff-nuffs really, hardly any of them envied by other clubs and hardly troubling rep footy selectors.

Correct but unfortunately some supporters can only see negatives in our season.Progress as slow as it seems is being made

I get that we are a work in progress, I don't get why Tui gets picked after offering nothing in ISP then nothing at NRL level, we have players already at the club to send him packing.
There are other players as well who should be ISP bound, I am happy with where we are, but I think some different selections has us higher up the ladder.

Then add to the fact that we keep on shouting ourselves in the foot most games that does my head in the most !

Yeah we have some Nuffies and plodders in our squad but we still should be higher up on the ladder .

Why should we be higher?

We have an average roster, and are placed middle of the table. That's about right. Are we a better side than the Broncos or the Sharks? Because those are the two teams ahead of us.

If you mean we should be higher because there were games we could have won, well that's ignoring the games we could have lost. Average teams win about half their games - half the close ones, half the night ones, half the wet ones etc.

 

[jirskyr]

Soo content..mkay…

Not content. Greedy for wins but realistic about what to expect from this roster.

Tui is copping a heap of flack but there were 2 others letting Gallen score, the whole middle watching Holmes score, Tim Grant letting Ramien thru the line and Corey Thompson having a ball passed over his head. Weaknesses all over the paddock.

At least we defend our line pretty well.

 

[happy_tiger]

As a realist, I think our current ladder position is about right. The teams ahead are better than us and the teams behind are worse. With a touch of luck we could jag a final's spot and who knows from there.
There's little doubt we've been dudded a couple of times but aside from the frustration of constantly tight games, I've enjoyed being competitive in a season I thought we'd be doing much worse.
My sincere hope is that Liddle morphs into Damien Cook in the future (and I do think that's possible). We desperately need a solution at 9 - the modern game demands a quality hooker for success.

Problem is that he is the size of a garden gnome and staying healthy is going to be hard for him.
I hope that he can stand up to the rigours of first grade, but have strong doubts.

Same height and weight as Cammy 'the gnome' Smith

Certainly doesn’t look like he is, but if that’s a fact that’s fine,

When Jacob is borrowing Geo's stiletto's perhaps …......