Todd's Blog - 2013

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Todd's Blog: Proud of my boys
Todd Payten
Wests Tigers

Friday 5 July 2013 9:42 AM
Todd's Blog: Proud of my boys

Todd Payten talks about the Wests Tigers’ good win over the Melbourne Storm in the Holden Cup last week in his weekly club blog.

Todd's Blog
“The win over the Storm last week left me a very proud and happy coach. We played a good side who play a very physical style of play and defend very similar to their NRL side. They are very good on the ground defensively.

I was happy with my boys as we were just as physical and played real tough footy after having several missing from suspension and injury and the absence of Luke Brooks in the NSW Cup. We also finished the game with only two fit replacements for the whole of the second half.

We started the game well completing set after set and leading for all but the last 10 minutes of the first half 6-0\. I was very disappointed to go in at half time after having the run of play for the first 30 minutes. I thought that we had a few guys take soft options defensively with only a few minutes to hang in there til half time.

They got back into the game on the back of 4 late penalties for which I can’t really argue against, it was our lack of discipline in areas the refs have been cracking down on all year on. They were also given on plays 4 and 5 when we had worked hard the first 4 plays at least. At one stage we had 16 set to their 8 in the first half before a flurry of penalties evened the position up. Knowing that if we completed well in the second half they would tire towards the back end of the match.

The second half was a tight affair with both sides going set for set completing their first 8 sets each. It wasn't until a poor missed tackle in the middle of the ruck cost us 6 points and we were down 12-6\. At that point I was concerned as our body language was poor and they were full of running. We managed to stay at it and stay in the contest by some smart footy and a strong long kicking game.

We kicked to corners and chased hard chipping away at the storm. We scored a fortuitous try that bounced backwards out of a tackle and Leva Li was able to bounce across field and carry two defenders over the line to level the scores at 12- 12\. From there we found another gear and amped up our physicality and defended ourselves out of trouble when we made an error. We scored two more tries with the last being a ripper with great skill, anticipation and support to take the score to 24-6 with 5 minutes left on the clock. We kicked a field goal to take the led by 13\. The Storm managed a try late in the game to finish the game at 25-16.

I was extremely satisfied that were able to stay in the contest when things went against us. That's two weeks in a row we have been able to show some resilience and handle adversity. The manner in the way we did it as a team has me most happy. Everyone contributed.

Our standouts were Manaia Cherrington, Fosio Tatola, Andy Fiagatusa and Brendan Santi. Manaia was forced to play the full 80 at hooker. He was creative out of 9 and earned us a couple of penalties running when their markers weren’t set. He never shirked any of his workload.
Andy played 70 minutes in the front row also due to injury earlier in the match. He just kept coming toiling away with quality effort on effort. He is no fuss and never takes a backward step.

Brendan also played 80 on the edge and in the middle. He led from the front and by his actions. He also never takes a backward step and able to push himself when he gets tired.

Fosio played tough backing up after the U18s Origin match. He too played tough and for long minutes. He has been a valuable addition from the S.G. Ball side after the completion of their competition.

 

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Courtesy of the official Wests Tigers website:

Todd's Blog: A disappointing loss
Todd Payten
Wests Tigers

Wednesday 10 July 2013 4:53 PM
Todd's Blog: A disappointing loss

Wests Tigers NYC Coach Todd Payten has described his side's loss to Cronulla as 'the most disappointing and softest effort' produced this year.

Payten said the loss to the Sharks which lifted them off the bottom of the ladder came after his team were able to capitalise on a couple of good wins against quality opposition.

Todd's Blog
We were completely out enthused and out played by a desperate Cronulla outfit last Friday night. Right from the outset we were off the pace, with them being able to march downfield with ease. The lack of intent defensively was alarming with their big men finding elbows and knees too easily and their hooker Micheal Lischaa tearing us to shreds at times.

They ran in four unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes. We managed to cross twice before half time to halt their momentum and went into the break a flattering 18-12 down.

At half time I spoke about how they were winning the contest by simply running and tackling harder than us. We knew that if we were willing to get in the arm wrestle of the game that there were points on offer with the ease that we were able to score in 2 of the 4 times we were down there end.
I also spoke to a couple of individuals that were poor and told them that they needed to lift in certain areas.

We came out and started alright. There wasn’t a huge jump in effort or intensity but we were able to score first. That was as close as things got.
Cronulla were able to go on with it. We never gave up but just played dumb football. At times we looked directionless. I thought our halves didn’t take control of the team and led us around as they are supposed to.

Our right edge was also a rabble defensively. Players doing different things out on the edge is a recipe for disaster. Partly due to the pace that the Sharks were able to play the ball but there was a lack of communication being the biggest issue.

Best for us and there weren’t a great deal who put their hand up were Nathan Milone, Kurtis Rowe, Andy Fiagatusa and Fosio Tatola. There a few more that tried hard but off the pace of their usual efforts.

Nathan took the coaches award. He continually put his hand up in our end for work. Looked threatening on long shifts and showed aggression in attack. Kurtis was back in a more comfortable position for him being fullback. He was safe and threatening at times with the ball. Andy and Fosio stood up in the middle. They played long minutes in the middle of the park playing 60 straight. Both were aggressive defensively and ran the ball with intent.

We have the bye this week and it has come at a good time with quite a few boys still missing through injury or suspension. It will give everyone a chance to freshen up with the last 8 weeks of the season remaining before finals.

I've mentioned a few times that games will pick up in intensity and sides will be looking to gain some momentum for the finals. We will be no different to any other side. Our boys will have a 4 day block off and will return to training Monday ready to face the Warriors.

 

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Todd's Blog: 'the most frustrating loss'
Todd Payten
Wests Tigers

Wednesday 24 July 2013 10:50 AM
Todd's Blog: 'the most frustrating loss'

Wests Tigers Holden Cup Coach Todd Payten today talks about the 'most frustrating loss in his coaching career' in his weekly blog.

TODD'S BLOG
We certainly let a real opportunity slip on Friday night at Leichardt against the Warriors. We missed a chance to cement a position in the top 4 which is a priority for the finals. It has left us exposed in 6th spot with a very congested table from 5th to 10th.

I thought we had turned the corner with our season in the way we were playing but the last 2 weeks we have been poor in different areas which leaves me extremely frustrated and disappointed.

We had the Warriors out on their feet at the 15 minute mark and were creating opportunities but lacked the execution, patience and discipline to score points when really we should have won by 20 or more.

Our team goal was to go set for set with them knowing we would have superior fitness than them later in each half. It was certainly playing out that way but every time we got a half chance, there was a pushed pass or when we had them under pressure in their end, we ‘piggy back’ them back down our end through penalties.

We also knew that if we gave them half a sniff they would grow a leg and become very hard to stop which they did. The scores were locked at 6 all at half time.

Our first defensive set in the second half was an indication of what was to come. They were able to march down field and put in an attacking kick in. We were coming out of our end all day. The penalty count ended up 10-5 to them and they were coming on tackles 3,4 and 5.

We just kept making things harder for ourselves. The defensive workload affected the way we attacked. We were flat and tried to win pretty. It was really ugly. They scored two tries late to get a ten point victory to round the most frustrating loss I’ve experienced as a coach.I made my feeling known after the match.

Best by a million miles was Andy Fiagatusa. He has consistently been in our best 3 players for at least ten weeks. He ran the ball well for 138 metres continually finding his front in traffic. I have enjoyed coaching Andy over the last 2 years. He wants to learn. He has the right work ethic to kick on with his career.

Nathan Brown did well off the bench giving us some impact. He also looked and moved better than when he returned against Cronulla.

Kurtis Rowe was solid on the wing. He has been playing out of position with no complaint and goes about his work giving us some energy out of our own end.

 

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Todd's Blog: Time to build for finals
By Todd Payten
Wests Tigers

Wednesday 31 July 2013 3:06 PM
Todd's Blog: Time to build for finals

Wests Tigers Holden Cup Coach Todd Payten says his team must be more ruthless on the road to the finals series.

In his weekly club blog, Payten was happy with the win over Manly but says there is plenty of work still to be done.

TODD'S BLOG
We got back the result we were after on Monday against Manly but as a coach, we were far from convincing. Although the score line ended up 40-22 there were some tense times in the box.

I thought we started well with good intensity in both attack and defence and were able to run in 4 unanswered tries to lead 18-0\. At that point we should have kicked on with it and rack up a score but we took the foot off the gas and were happy to do just enough.

Manly stayed in the game by completing their sets and along with our poor discipline in giving away 5 successive penalties, they got within 2 points. We were able to skip away again with 3 successive tries with some good football but it was the lack of ruthlessness and the fact that we are just happy doing enough that frustrates me.

Against tougher opponents we will find it hard to swing momentum back our way when the other side has the running. Another thing we must learn is to build pressure and stay patient. Almost everytime we get into their end we are trying to score.

Our 5th tackle options lack maturity. We try for the miracle kick or pass play when we should attempt to roll a ball into the in goal for a repeat set. An incredible stat in our comp is that teams are only able to defend 30% of all repeat sets. Whether it is a knock on, goal line drop out or penalty. We just need to stay patient to get the rewards we are after.

I am happy that we got the win but moving forward we must learn and improve and build for the semi finals.

Nathan Brown won our coaches and players player awards. His first stint was very good leading our line speed and responded to my challenge of getting on top of their forward leader.

Kurtis Rowe was strong at the back and is finding his early season form again. It is a fact when Kurtis plays well, we win games.

Nathan Milone was good also looking threatening on the edge and having some classy involvements.

Kyle Lovett, Brenden Santi and Andy Fiagatusa were their dependable selves doing their share.

 

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Todd's Blog: Plenty to learn from Titans win
Wests Tigers

Wednesday 7 August 2013 3:48 PM
Todd's Blog: Plenty to learn from Titans win

Wests Tigers Holden Cup Coach Todd Payten says his side should learn plenty from their come from behind win over the Gold Coast Titans last Sunday.

In his weekly ‘Todd’s Blog’ column, Payten described the match as ‘extraordinary’.

Todd's Blog
“We got the right result against the Titans but we should learn a few things out of that match. The first thing we should learn is how to play in pretty hot conditions. We should also have learned that momentum is a very important thing to have particularly in the NYC. We should also gain a fair bit of belief if we didn't have it already.

We started strongly posting the first try and controlling the game for the first ten minutes. Again some poor discipline gave them field position they never earned. Before their first try we were able to hold them out for 3 back to back sets but we finally buckled on the fourth.

For the next 15 minutes, we had to bring the ball off our own line with the Titans getting to a kick or us piggy backing them downfield with penalties late in the tackle count. We were zapped. They had the ball for an extra six sets than us on half time.

I will admit a couple of their tries were soft and we had too many players taking the soft option in the last few minutes before half-time. At half-time, I pointed out where we were falling short. I was happy with the feel of the dressing room as the guys were attentive which is sometimes missing even when we are in front. We spoke about believing that we can still win the game. If the possession turned or evened up and we stayed patient we would be able to come back and give ourselves a shot at least.

The second half didn't start to plan as they were able to score their first set with the ball on the back of three offloads for a 28-12 lead to the Titans.

Forward Andrew Kazzi sparked the side with some smart running down our end and with a relieving penalty, he hit Nathan Brown on a lead and put him over under the posts. There was a sudden shift in body language from both sides. We gained another gear and the Titans started giving big ground in the middle of the park. That was part of our game plan to take them on through the middle knowing that we were far fitter and smarter if all things were level.

The Titans were able to score next in the corner with the spacings on our right edge leaving too much room. Nathan Brown was outstanding and really sent the game into one way traffic. He found his front for quick play the balls every hit up and twice making clean line breaks. He also got away some timely offloads.

We scored five converted tries in 17 minutes. Most from good, smart footy under pressure and a fortuitous regather from a smother for another. I was relieved after the match but still concerned that we leaked so many points. There is no doubt we have quite a bit to work on.

The best for us were the two mentioned earlier along with Kurtis Rowe, Nathan Milone and Manaia Cherrington. Kurtis looked dangerous all day and made some crucial tackles including an 80 run down of his opposing fullback. Nathan Milone was also dangerous with ball in hand. Manaia played big minutes at nine in the heat. He defended well and was also crafty around the ruck when the time was right. I though Leva Li had his best game for a while. He copped two bad calls early in the match when under bombs buts remained positive and come up with a terrific catch with the game on the line and carried the ball strong on each occasion he went in the middle.

 

[happy_tiger]

I see we play 4 teams below us on the table in our next 5 games, if we can play to our potential we could build some really good momentum leading up to the NYC semis

 

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Todd's Blog: Mixed feelings over win
Wests Tigers

Wednesday 14 August 2013 2:53 PM
Todd's Blog: Mixed feelings over win

Wests Tigers Holden Cup Coach Todd Payten had mixed feelings over the team's victory against Parramatta Eels last Friday night.

Here is Todd's popular weekly blog.

TODD'S BLOG
We got the result we were after on Friday night but again we conceded far too many points. I thought it was the best we’ve played with the ball for most of the year.

We were patient and built pressure well all game and we got rewarded late in the first half and early in the second half because of it. Early in the match we were down 16-10 but showed good composure and played patient, smart footy.

At that score line at the 20 minute mark we received two penalties back to back and from there we earned two line dropouts. The following set we showed more patience and discipline by getting to our field position and were able to have two cracks at them on long shifts and going over on the latter. We also scored the set from the kick off as well with the Parra side almost out on their feet leading into the break.

We started the second half the way we finished it by scoring back to back tries. One from a chip and chase from Mitch Moses and another from a one on one steal from Luke Brooks. With 20 minutes to go our defensive intensity dropped away and Parra were able to score 3 tries to our one. Very disappointing. Again we showed a lack of maturity. The score finished 52-32.

We are leaking far too many points for my liking. I know we are a top 4 team but unless we fix some of our defensive issues we won’t have an impact come finals time. The exciting thing is that we have so much improvement left in us.

After looking deeper in the stats for the season, we have found out that we have missed the most tackles of any team in the comp, but we are the fourth best side for points scored against us. That indicates that we are a team that scrambles well for each other but are making things hard for ourselves by having to work harder than we should.

I also believe that it also highlights that we are a fit team. Defence is an attitude. A mind set. It shows when it is not right and its not something you can just switch on and off through out games. As mentioned earlier the improvement in us is exciting.

We had a lot of contributors on Friday with both awards being split. Kurtis Rowe and Shane Lalogafau shared the Players Player award and Manaia Cherrington and Shane Lalogafau sharing the Coaches award.

Kurtis scored three tries and continued his good form. He is such an athlete and terrific to watch when he’s in full flight.

Manaia Cherrington defended well and was threatening off every quick play the ball. He also played 80 minutes at hooker against a big pack.

Shane Lalogafau earned his way back into the side after playing good footy in the Bundy cup competition. He played big minutes and was very hard to pull down and got us some quick play the balls to play off. I’m happy for him as his attitude has been pretty good while he wasn’t getting picked. It is now up to him to hold his position with in the team with consistent performances.

 

[happy_tiger]

I'd love to hear Todd's opinion on who he thinks will make the cut at top level

 

[TigerCrib]

I'd love to hear Todd's opinion on who he thinks will make the cut at top level

From reading all his Blogs and other articles his preferences would not be for any backs but only for the forwards as quote "thats the way he likes it!" Un-quote! LOL

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_