Tigers Spine

[Red88_Tiger]

Some points:
1) I think Twal starting at 13 to absorb the defensive arm wrestle and then mbye coming on mid game is a good strategy that gets the best out of both mbye and Twal. Twal is a tackle machine but has no offload so when the game opens up he doesn’t offer much. Mbye is a decent defender and an ok ball player so it adds another element to our attack when can be predictable at times
2) garner has played well the last month, will be interesting to see how Maguire uses Blore and Garner. I assume Blore won’t come back an 80 minute player so bench could include both mbye and Blore but I’ve been enjoying the prop rotation. Twal can join the rotation in the second half if mbye is 13 but it probably means mikaele drops off the bench which is a shame given he has provided some good punch in the last 25minutes of games.
3) the period where we got 3 repeat sets in the first half via Douhie grabbers into the ingoal really set the game up for us. South’s were busted after that, douhie has a really great shirt kicking game near the line and we need to use that much more
4) noffa on the left worked well and next week I will likely see him outside BJ again. With brooks natural play to the left I think it’s a much better balance to have bj/noffa left and roberts/talau right, defensively the right edge did a very good job against the south’s left and noffa will benefit from BJ attracting more defenders. Only concern is that manly have Saab on the right and Turbo attacked a lot down that flank so it might be dangerous having short/slow defenders there. Will be interesting to see what Maguire does
5) kepaoa has solid in the centre’s, he’s a very big body and hard to put down, whilst he didnt make a clean break he was defensively solid and hard to put down, made a lot of post contact meters.
6) Laurie doesn’t make many mistakes but he does struggle a bit in the last line defending the the try line after a break. He needs to improve this part of his game
7) Simpkin is a star and didn’t obviously have an issue playing long minutes. Liddle only to come back if there are injuries and we need to invest long term in Simpkin, sign him up

Very Good summary. 6. Is spot on as he has missed a lot of front on tackles as last line of defence. Corey was similar size and stopped them so maybe he should have a look at Corey’s technique

Have a look back at Matt sing there’s been no one as consistent as he was at holding the ball up

 

[Blake]

Was interesting as Mbye also as a linking 13.

AD was clearly the main ball player / controlled the game in opp 20.

Laurie was the spark.

Mbye the link.

Brooks does not seem to have a leading role in that structure though. Which is probably a good thing. Madden actually might suit it more as he passes much better to his centers than Brooks does IMO.

1. Laurie
6 AD
7 Brooks / Madden
13 Mbye...we need a ball playing lock / Tuki when ready. The 13 is vital nowadays to the spine.
9. Jake

The game changed when Mbye came on in my opinion. Having a third playmaker is key in today's game.

Yep Mbye was important for us today. Brooks looks to be a passenger these days.

A ball playing lock is a bad use of the position for a team that scores lots of tries and leaks massively in defence. That is why Twal is there. Radley, Jurbo and Murray are all excellent defenders as well as offering some ballplaying in attack.

Receipts: Brooks 53, Doueihi 37, Mbye 21. The person with the highest number of receipts is controlling the game. A lot of Doueihi's receipts were from Brooks.

Our attack last night was centred around AD, especially in the first half and the first part of the second half.. It was pretty clear to see. We were at our best when Mbye came on and was playing in the middle (prior to AJ’s injury). We were probably at our worst when Brooks got more of the ball in the final 20.

You are very entitled to your strong opinion of Brooks, but I think he’s the weak link in what I believe will be a pretty impressive spine for years to come.

Brooks played exactly how he was supposed to IMO

He was controlled, didn’t over play his hand and was peppered all night.

Maybe so, but we shouldn’t be paying a halfback that sort of money to do such a limited role. Last night if Mbye or Madden was there in his place the team would have performed as well, without AD we wouldn’t have even been in the contest imo

It is Brooks running around the middle defenders to the edge that creates the space for Doueihi, LL and the centres. It is Brooks that counts the defenders and chooses where to attack. It is Brooks that calls the next plays so people can be in position for it.

That is his job. He is not a magical leprechaun that wins games by himself.

Mbye has had many opportunities and has not looked half as as good as Brooks in the halves. Madden does not look very good in reserve grade.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

3 of the four positions are pretty much locked down for mine.

 

[mike]

Mbye should not ever play 7, that'd be a massive mistake. His organisation and direction is really poor and he has the same problem of Brooks of putting players under pressure with bad passing. at 13, Mbye is good and I see value in keeping him given the modern game.

Brooks was okay, but I still don't trust his decision making, had a few really bad passes, one turned into an error, players somehow held onto the ball on the others.

Doueihi was excellent again, unfortunately he barely touched the ball in the final 20. He's the sort of player who should be getting the ball, and demanding it at that time.

Yes, Laurie and Simpkin were very good. Simpkin fatigued looks a little error prone, but he was really classy all match.

Brooks does not make any decisions he catches passes and puts up crap kicks to be marked easily this is the weekly turn out .

None of brooks kicks were crap today . If you think that , give yourself a triple . That’s exactly what you want your half to do in a game like that

They weren’t crap but some weren’t all that great either, a couple were terrific. A mixed bag. He still doesn’t kick high enough, most of the time, to allow the team to get to the ball the same time as the opposition. His placement also needs improvement, often way to short of the line.

 

[hobbo1]

3 of the four positions are pretty much locked down for mine.

1 , 6 & 9 for sure

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

 

[TigerWest]

3 of the four positions are pretty much locked down for mine.

1 , 6 & 9 for sure

Just thinking if we don’t make a move on our 2 remaining signings shortly, then the season could be lost?

We would of beat them if we had Reynolds.

But for me, a winger and a centre are priority signings ATM.

 

[hobbo1]

3 of the four positions are pretty much locked down for mine.

1 , 6 & 9 for sure

Just thinking if we don’t make a move on our 2 remaining signings shortly, then the season could be lost?

We would of beat them if we had Reynolds.

But for me, a winger and a centre are priority signings ATM.

Season is already gone imo

 

[avocadoontoast]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

If we want to improve and become a force, each player needs to look at their respective games. We know opposition coaches are aware of it and target him.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

If we want to improve and become a force, each player needs to look at their respective games. We know opposition coaches are aware of it and target him.

Absolutely, but you’re underestimating AD’s value last night. Without him there we would have never been in the game. I know you’re a fan of Brooks and you’re entitled to that opinion, but Brooks creates little in attack anymore.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Mbye should not ever play 7, that'd be a massive mistake. His organisation and direction is really poor and he has the same problem of Brooks of putting players under pressure with bad passing. at 13, Mbye is good and I see value in keeping him given the modern game.

Brooks was okay, but I still don't trust his decision making, had a few really bad passes, one turned into an error, players somehow held onto the ball on the others.

Doueihi was excellent again, unfortunately he barely touched the ball in the final 20. He's the sort of player who should be getting the ball, and demanding it at that time.

Yes, Laurie and Simpkin were very good. Simpkin fatigued looks a little error prone, but he was really classy all match.

Brooks does not make any decisions he catches passes and puts up crap kicks to be marked easily this is the weekly turn out .

None of brooks kicks were crap today . If you think that , give yourself a triple . That’s exactly what you want your half to do in a game like that

They weren’t crap but some weren’t all that great either, a couple were terrific. A mixed bag. He still doesn’t kick high enough, most of the time, to allow the team to get to the ball the same time as the opposition. His placement also needs improvement, often way to short of the line.

Depends what you want to do though . If it’s to score tries , well you’re right . If it’s to land 5m out so the nearest bloke can whack the catcher , then I’d say he’s nailing it .
Every time he kicked it someone hammered him . AD always seemed to get it with time . Which to me says Simpkin , was picking when and where to give it to him .

I think brooks and AD compliment each other well . I prefer brooks get it for the cross field kind of chip close to the line , and the “we are up by 8 and need to grind a win bomb to 5m out “.
AD is way better for the , “we need to produce some magic “ kicks , but his cross field kick just isn’t as good , nor his general field .
It’s actually a good thing . But it’s hard to convince guys , who think Brooks is the devil , and the reason for all our woes.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

If we want to improve and become a force, each player needs to look at their respective games. We know opposition coaches are aware of it and target him.

Absolutely, but you’re underestimating AD’s value last night. Without him there we would have never been in the game. I know you’re a fan of Brooks and you’re entitled to that opinion, but Brooks creates little in attack anymore.

I'm a Doueihi fan and he is a wonderful talent. He needs to work on this aspect of his game.

I have no doubt Brooks played the game Maguire wanted him to play. Maguire praised both halves in the post game interview. Brooks created the space for the Laurie try via Nofoaluma.

 

[TCL]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

If we want to improve and become a force, each player needs to look at their respective games. We know opposition coaches are aware of it and target him.

Absolutely, but you’re underestimating AD’s value last night. Without him there we would have never been in the game. I know you’re a fan of Brooks and you’re entitled to that opinion, but Brooks creates little in attack anymore.

AD come flying out of the line to leave a hole for south’s to score the first try. AD had no involvement in our first try it was a Brooks pass to get the team on the outside. Nice decoy run by AJ, nice take and pass to the outside by JL to put nofo in the clear. Cleaver kick inside to a good chase by DL.

Not saying that AD isn’t an asset and he is playing well, but to say without AD we wouldn’t be in the game is equal to saying without Brooks, JL, Nofo, and DL we wouldnt be in the game.

The whole team played significantly better last night however, there are still parts of every player in our teams game that needs to improve.

 

[izotope]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

If we want to improve and become a force, each player needs to look at their respective games. We know opposition coaches are aware of it and target him.

Absolutely, but you’re underestimating AD’s value last night. Without him there we would have never been in the game. I know you’re a fan of Brooks and you’re entitled to that opinion, but Brooks creates little in attack anymore.

AD come flying out of the line to leave a hole for south’s to score the first try. AD had no involvement in our first try it was a Brooks pass to get the team on the outside. Nice decoy run by AJ, nice take and pass to the outside by JL to put nofo in the clear. Cleaver kick inside to a good chase by DL.

Not saying that AD isn’t an asset and he is playing well, but to say without AD we wouldn’t be in the game is equal to saying without Brooks, JL, Nofo, and DL we wouldnt be in the game.

The whole team played significantly better last night however, there are still parts of every player in our teams game that needs to improve.

Hes done it a bit now, not having a shot at him as he had a great game.

I wonder is he is trying to lead the linespeed or selfish defense?

 

[turkeytiger03]

Brooks played well. Had Doueihi done his defensive homework we would have won.

That’s a pretty unfair call to make Paws. AD was one of our best last night, even taking into account some defensive issues.

If we want to improve and become a force, each player needs to look at their respective games. We know opposition coaches are aware of it and target him.

Absolutely, but you’re underestimating AD’s value last night. Without him there we would have never been in the game. I know you’re a fan of Brooks and you’re entitled to that opinion, but Brooks creates little in attack anymore.

AD come flying out of the line to leave a hole for south’s to score the first try. AD had no involvement in our first try it was a Brooks pass to get the team on the outside. Nice decoy run by AJ, nice take and pass to the outside by JL to put nofo in the clear. Cleaver kick inside to a good chase by DL.

Not saying that AD isn’t an asset and he is playing well, but to say without AD we wouldn’t be in the game is equal to saying without Brooks, JL, Nofo, and DL we wouldnt be in the game.

The whole team played significantly better last night however, there are still parts of every player in our teams game that needs to improve.

Hes done it a bit now, not having a shot at him as he had a great game.

I wonder is he is trying to lead the linespeed or selfish defense?

It’s probably the latter but I’m sure he will doing his best to eradicate from his game as quick as possible. AD is a very hard task master and I’m hoping by mid season his D will be improved. It will help plenty if we keep the same team on the park for a sustained time.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

The Tigers have to stick with the 1. Laurie 6. Douihei 7. Brooks 9. Simpkin for the year regardless of what happens. They need to build combinations for this season and yers ahead.

Brooks is the weak link. Think I’d prefer Mbye there or give the young bloke in reggies a shot.

The only problem being the gap between Reggies and FG is HUGE!

 

[weststigerman]

Laurie has been great, but he needs to improve his defence.

In each Souths break he barely laid a hand on the attacker. Don’t expect him to stop some of these guys one on one but he should at least slow them down.

 

[tig_prmz]

1,6 and 9 definitely still have a lot of work to do but keeping them together is going to be key now. There is "potential"..

Douehi is the big fish. He seems desperate to impress.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

1,6 and 9 definitely still have a lot of work to do but keeping them together is going to be key now. There is "potential"..

Douehi is the big fish. He seems desperate to impress.

Good point. Ideally the club will build around these 3 for the next 5-7 years.