Wests Tigers -2018 Centres

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1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

Rubbish. If no-one gets injured then Benji doesn't come on. And a bench spot is wasted. Twal and Eiso seem capable of playing big mins but still playing a hooker and a back on the bench would be a massive gamble.

Benji was signed to be a backup half, and that's what he'll be unless form or injuries dictate otherwise. Marsters is a back rower who can play in the backs if needs be. He'll be our backs backup on the bench.
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Marsters would be the cover for backs on the bench, whilst playing backrow when he comes on if no injuries occur to a back during the game, Milne will probably start at centre which is fine.
 
Tui, Nofa, Suli, Milne, Fonua, JRey, Brooks.
Packs, Liddle/MMcIl, Mats, McQ, ET, Eiso.

Bench: Liddle/MMcIl, Twal, Alioai, Sue/Grant/Lawrence/Marsters

Feels good to not know who to leave out… :smiley:
 
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Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

Rubbish. If no-one gets injured then Benji doesn't come on. And a bench spot is wasted. Twal and Eiso seem capable of playing big mins but still playing a hooker and a back on the bench would be a massive gamble.

Benji was signed to be a backup half, and that's what he'll be unless form or injuries dictate otherwise. Marsters is a back rower who can play in the backs if needs be. He'll be our backs backup on the bench.

Marsters would be the cover for backs on the bench, whilst playing backrow when he comes on if no injuries occur to a back during the game, Milne will probably start at centre which is fine.
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Marsters went better than I thought he'd go at centre when he was given a chance to play NRL 2017\. Particularly in defence. Milne could possible oust him. If this does happen…. unfortunately i can't see him sneering a bench spot, given the depth we have in 2018\. I don't think Marsters deserves to be dropped but if he's not at centre I don't think he'll be in the 17.
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Initially i would have thought Marsters would have retained his right centre spot for 2018.
however this RLWC has given Milne to showcase some of his skills. Hopefully cuts threw Tedesco's defence in two days time when Fiji play Italy.

Also with ET has played a bit of DH in the RLWC and has looked good. Benji could a few runs from there also if he comes on late against a tiring opposition.

Unfortunately for Matt McIlwrick and Marsters they could both miss out of a place in the 17 for Round 1.

R1
Backs Tui, Nofa, Suli, Milne, Fonua, JRey, Brooks.
Pack, Matulino, Packer, Liddle, McQ, ET, Eiso.
Bench: Twal, Alioai, Sue, Benji

iSP- Marsters, McIlwrick, Lawrence, Grant..ect
 
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what happened to marion seve? didn't someone say he was our Renouf?

Where have you been??

haven't really been following the lower grades much to be honest with you. Was it a bad question magpie?

he went to Brisbane, but never was going to be picked over James Roberts or Tautau Moga.
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now he's off contract & seemingly unwanted by anyone .

so much for this story when he left for greener pastures …

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2016-brisbane-broncos-poach-young-gun-marion-seve-from-wests-tigers/news-story/abe75faef8ae720cd4d610df297cdcd8

****

**While he is yet to make his NRL debut, Seve is regarded as one of the most devastating young three-quarters in rugby league.**

speaking of players who left & are now on the scrap heap at their next club ...

Salesi Funaki
Rod Griffin
Matthew Woods

all clubless at the moment
 
I think it's Marsters spot to lose…he reminds me a lot of Justin Hodges....I don't see the need to rush him into the backrow ...he could develop into a top flight centre...

Suli can play both sides of the field...for those questioning his quality watch the Newcastle and Rorters Cambo game you will see what the kid can do with space...
 
here's an old article on Milne . SMH-2015
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Benji Marshall says St George Illawarra Dragons recruit Taane Milne has 'best in and away' he's seen
Michael Carayannis

Benji Marshall describes rookie teammate Taane Milne as having "one of the best in and aways and flick passes I've seen" as the young Dragon continues to impress.

Milne was cut adrift by the Roosters following a troubled last season before snapped up by the Dragons on a two-year deal. A questionable work ethic, including being late for training and poor training performance, coupled with some minor off-field dramas saw Milne stood down by the Roosters around the mid-point of last year which contributed to his eventual exit from the club.

He watched his under-20s teammates crash out in the finals before being released by the Roosters. Milne said he did a lot of growing up last year.

"It was really hard watching some of my good mates running out there and I couldn't go out there with them," Milne said. "I want to make sure nothing like that happens again. It was a big wake up call. I've got to put my head down this season and go hard.

"I didn't have the best year. I didn't achieve what I wanted to achieve. That's all in the past now. I've got to get my head down and get into the best shape I can."

Milne has enlisted the help of St George Illawarra teammates Yaw Kiti Glymin and Hame Sele to ensure he is never tardy for training. The trio have made the commute to Wollongong together during the pre-season.

Last season I was all over the place, staying at mates' houses," Milne said. "Last season I was late to a couple of sessions. This year I've always been on time and never late. I'm more organised. Little things like getting up in the morning and having breakfast and coming to training on time. I was too comfortable and I just needed a big change. Mary [coach Paul McGregor] has given me an opportunity.

"I know what I have to do now to get to the top. It's put my head down and train hard. When I got stood down I had a big think about what I needed to do. I had my family behind me and telling me they have my back."
Milne has made an immediate impact on his St George Illawarra teammates. Marshall signalled the 20-year-old out for praise when discussing the Dragons backline. "Taane has one of the best in and always and flick passes I've seen at training," Marshall said. "He is a very talented kid."

With Josh Dugan, Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken expected to battle it out for centre positions at the Dragons, Milne is eyeing a wing spot. While Jason Nightingale will resume his spot on the right side, Milne will compete alongside Glymin, Peter Mata'utia and Kalifa Faifai Loa for the other position in the backline.

"The boys are really welcoming," Milne said. "I feel right at home. It's a massive move from the Roosters. Mary has full confidence in me to bounce back. That's what I'm going to do. I have to be prepared. The defensive structures are a lot different to what I've been taught. I'm confident I'll get that right."
 
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1\. Lolohea
2\. Nofoaluma
3\. Milne/ Marsters- close battle, preseason & trials will see who gets the nod.
4\. Suli
5\. Fonua

the World Cup is giving Milne good boost.

Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

Rubbish. If no-one gets injured then Benji doesn't come on. And a bench spot is wasted. Twal and Eiso seem capable of playing big mins but still playing a hooker and a back on the bench would be a massive gamble.

Benji was signed to be a backup half, and that's what he'll be unless form or injuries dictate otherwise. Marsters is a back rower who can play in the backs if needs be. He'll be our backs backup on the bench.
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We'll see. Masters will be good playing FB or 5/8 ….. shades of Lovett and that worked well.
 
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Totally agree with the above, Milne and Marsters will fight it out for Center and Milne could claim it.

Ok so who is the bench back/utility?
I could see 2 props on the bench, with Marsters making the 3rd bench spot. Then maybe Corey Thompson as our utility?? But it would be better to get a Utility who can shake things up.

Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

Rubbish. If no-one gets injured then Benji doesn't come on. And a bench spot is wasted. Twal and Eiso seem capable of playing big mins but still playing a hooker and a back on the bench would be a massive gamble.

Benji was signed to be a backup half, and that's what he'll be unless form or injuries dictate otherwise. Marsters is a back rower who can play in the backs if needs be. He'll be our backs backup on the bench.

We'll see. Masters will be good playing FB or 5/8 ….. shades of Lovett and that worked well.
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Don't be ridiculous. If an injury were to occur Marsters would go to centre, and one of the other outside backs would reshuffle as needed depending on where the injury was. How many teams have someone who plays fullback on the bench? None, or very very few.

But with the news that Marsters has lost weight in the off season the chances of him playing the back row seem to have greatly diminished.
 
I'd say Ivan liked what he saw in Marsters at centre in 1st Grade last year…it's nice to have a big centre who can break tackles and has a nice offload and pass...
 
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Bet your boots the utility will be Benji - no contest. Can play anywhere in the backs.

Rubbish. If no-one gets injured then Benji doesn't come on. And a bench spot is wasted. Twal and Eiso seem capable of playing big mins but still playing a hooker and a back on the bench would be a massive gamble.

Benji was signed to be a backup half, and that's what he'll be unless form or injuries dictate otherwise. Marsters is a back rower who can play in the backs if needs be. He'll be our backs backup on the bench.

We'll see. Masters will be good playing FB or 5/8 ….. shades of Lovett and that worked well.

Don't be ridiculous. If an injury were to occur Marsters would go to centre, and one of the other outside backs would reshuffle as needed depending on where the injury was. How many teams have someone who plays fullback on the bench? None, or very very few.

But with the news that Marsters has lost weight in the off season the chances of him playing the back row seem to have greatly diminished.
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That is absurd - are you understanding what I am saying?

If Masters moves to the centre, where does the centre go? Does he go to half or 5/8 if they are injured?

Oh! move Tui to the halves and play a winger at full back???? How many changes do we make for one injury?

If Benji is the utility - he can play half, 5/8, centre, wing, full back and DH ( also giving liddle a break if required) - that is one change for one injury.

Yes that is ridiculous…lol
 
The longer the RLWC has gone on the more I want to see him Taane Milne in a WTs jumper.
I thought Marsters did a good job at centre in his rookie season. The WTs coaches must see him as a centre (either SC or NRL) as he now looks lighter in the pre season training. I thought Suli and Marsters could both go to another level in 2018\. Whoever missed out will be unlucky.
Jason Taylor and Kev both started at the WTs in 2015\. Kev started on the wing then Taylor shifted him to centre. To be fair to Taylor we didn't have the depth in the team as we do now. However after see him play Wing at the back end of 2018, when Cleary brought Marsters into 1st grade & at fullback in the RLWC, it's clear Kev isn't as good at centre as he is at fullback or wing.
 
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I like the look of Milne.
Suli has been average.
Naiqama is a defensive liability.
Marsters is an unknown who looked good in the youth grades cos of his bulk.
Having compared to the rest of the teams, our centres, though full of potential, right now are completely unproven and defensively questionable. On paper we will arguably possess the worst centre pairing in the comp.

Even though most won't agree about Suli, I'm still to see what all the hype is about, I know he's still a kid, and he started Last season well, butHe seemed to drop off quite a bit pretty quickly.

I'm not saying he won't be a world beater, but you can only go on what he's doing on the field now, and average describes that pretty well
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Most of the early part of the season he was deprived of the football, Ivan needs to devise some plays around getting him more involved and some good early ball.
 
Suli and Marsters in the centres , Milne on bench Round 1

That way you get a forwards injury you can move Marsters into the forwards and you got a back replacement

Losing centres in the modern game puts you on the back foot big time , especially in defence
 
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Suli and Marsters in the centres , Milne on bench Round 1

That way you get a forwards injury you can move Marsters into the forwards and you got a back replacement

Losing centres in the modern game puts you on the back foot big time , especially in defence
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…and if there is no injury in the forwards you are wasting a bench spot. Better to have Milne in the centres and Marsters on the bench covering injury in the backs and, if he is not needed to cover the backs, learning the role of an impact 2nd rower with a 30 odd minute stint.
 
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