Tigers to play like Storm in 2014

[happy_tiger]

Story on the ninemsn page regarding our playing style

Supposedly with Brooks we are going to really attack the edges and Blair is bulking up to play an edge running second rower

Blair is really talking himself up

Someone may want to post the article , its not a bad read

 

[LaT]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8767094
Benji Marshall's departure to rugby union is set to trigger a change in style at the Wests Tigers, with the NRL club planning to mirror the more direct approach of Cooper Cronk and the Melbourne Storm.
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The Tigers have recognised a chance for their new-look halves, led by boom rookie Luke Brooks, to be more assertive in taking the ball to the line.
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It's a strategy that has forward Adam Blair eyeing a return to his damaging days as an edge runner.
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Back in 2009 when Melbourne won the grand final, wide-running second rower Blair was one of the chief beneficiaries of Cronk's ball-playing.
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But since his move from the Storm in 2012, Blair has played the majority of his football in the middle of the field at lock, and has been one of the NRL's great disappointments.
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Meanwhile, the Tigers have failed to find a game-breaking hole-runner to replace Gareth Ellis in the second row.
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Marshall's exit signals the biggest transition in the Tigers' history, and it could inadvertently hold the key to unlocking former New Zealand star Blair's blockbusting capabilities.
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Blair is bulking up in a bid to return to his destructive best and hasn't forgotten his fruitful days at the Storm.
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"They play really direct, especially their halves and next year that's what we're trying to aim for," said Blair.
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"Our halves taking the ball to the line and having the back rowers running really hard into holes.
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"If the opportunity comes and it's my turn to play in the back row I'll put my hand up.
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"(By putting on weight) I'm hoping for a bit more impact running with the ball.
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"I'm getting a bit bigger to play shorter stints and make a bit more impact on the field.
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"A bit of brute strength out there on the edges is what we need and we've got some good boys that are really looking sharp out there."
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Blair said the experience and exuberance of Marshall is being missed, but backed Brooks and the Tigers' cubs to step up.
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"It's going to be really tough for him … but he's got a good head on his shoulders and he can play some footy," he said.

 

[innsaneink]

"**Our halves taking the ball to the line** and having the back rowers running really hard into holes.

Well, now Moltzens gone this may actually occur

 

[cqtiger]

I don't want to play like the Storm, I want to play like the Wests Tigers - just improve the defence.

Like a few others on here, just not sure what style that will be without Benji running across field, passing to cut out the winger, kicking out on the full, no look passes, grabbing the collar.

Gee it will definitely be different next year.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[pHyR3]

saw that a day or two ago. good article, feeling somewhat optimistic we can compete well next year. maybe, on our day, give a top team a scare (or infact beat them).

just really wanna see how our young guys handle FG with a lot more stable club (preseason, starting in round 1, no injuries, board, benji etc. etc.) and also if Mick Potter is what we need to make the 4 in the future, or perhaps only what we need to help our club recover before we get someone who can infact get us up near the top.

 

[Tigerdave]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Newtown]

I see this as more a test of the coaching staff. Are they up to it?

 

[happy_tiger]

I see this as more a test of the coaching staff. Are they up to it?

Probably , at least they will have a half that will actually listen to them and not play off the cuff

 

[Guest]

I see this as more a test of the coaching staff. Are they up to it?

Well we have Kidwell on board who has spent the past few years at the Storm, so if anyone knows their MO, it's him. Payten always had a smart football brain on the field and he's shown as pretty sharp off it with success in the NYC. I think Potter has potential, he's a straight shooter unlike Sheens who would sidestep some of the media questions better than Benji could step someone out on the field.

I think 2014 in terms of our gameplay will really show where we are headed in the next couple of years with the emerging talent coming through the ranks.

 

[softlaw]

Blair spent most of his first season and a half playing wide second row.
Generally he ran for 4 or 5 metres and made 2 or 3 tackles a game.
It wasn't until he was put into the middle of the ruck that he started contributing anything at all.

 

[pHyR3]

it could be more cause his role changed rather than place on the field though.

 

[happy_tiger]

Blair spent most of his first season and a half playing wide second row.
Generally he ran for 4 or 5 metres and made 2 or 3 tackles a game.
It wasn't until he was put into the middle of the ruck that he started contributing anything at all.

Having structured halves might be the difference

Playing outside Benji could be a nightmare at times

 

[phil1986]

Blair spent most of his first season and a half playing wide second row.
Generally he ran for 4 or 5 metres and made 2 or 3 tackles a game.
It wasn't until he was put into the middle of the ruck that he started contributing anything at all.

If the halves don't give you the ball when you want or need it, you are really limited in what you can do

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_

 

[Knuckles]

To play like the Storm you need a coach like Bellamy. Is Potter in the same mould as Bellamy …. Well, not so far. Lets see what results he gets in 2014.

 

[pHyR3]

getting bellamy's assistant is a good start. and potter seems to have a style that is not world's apart from bellamy's either.

 

[happy_tiger]

getting bellamy's assistant is a good start. and potter seems to have a style that is not world's apart from bellamy's either.

Bellamy has four things that Potter doesn't

Cronk , Smith ,Slater and Hoffman

 

[LaT]

Hoffman? He has reached Ben Creagh levels of overratedness. A good club player, occasional great games but nothing special at any high levels of the game.

How they keep making Origin is a mystery to me.

 

[happy_tiger]

Hoffman? He has reached Ben Creagh levels of overratedness. A good club player, occasional great games but nothing special at any high levels of the game.

How they keep making Origin is a mystery to me.

Wish we had second rower who can run his lines as effectively as he does LaT

 

[pHyR3]

getting bellamy's assistant is a good start. and potter seems to have a style that is not world's apart from bellamy's either.

Bellamy has four things that Potter doesn't

Cronk , Smith ,Slater and Hoffman

that's true. it's why we came 15th and they came in the top 4 yet again.

we have to form our own spine.

and a spine of tedesco, moses, brooks and farah (i think) would be killer! the club and coaches simply need to help them form their combinations, grow and develop properly and most importantly surround them with good players which we have quite a few of it seems.

 

[LaT]

Hoffman? He has reached Ben Creagh levels of overratedness. A good club player, occasional great games but nothing special at any high levels of the game.

How they keep making Origin is a mystery to me.

Wish we had second rower who can run his lines as effectively as he does LaT

It would be nice, but adding him to Bellamy's list of Slater/Cronk/Smith is a tad over board IMO.