Wests Tigers Team v Newcastle Rd 3..

[Tigerboy]

Why is AJ still there?

He made Mark "Sparkles" O'Halloran look like Origin player

Not to mention the fact he's playing with a massively strapped left knee - he looked completely cooked at the end of the chooks game.

This kind of injury rehab and maintenance + stubbornness is what slightly worries me regarding Madge. AJ either has it or he doesn’t and I’m willing to give him the next couple of weeks to really stride out. Otherwise, the cupboards must be really bare

 

[mikey]

AJ Shouldn’t be there. His effort stunk last round. He can consider himself extremely fortunate.

I think it is reasonably clear at this point that Madge talks a good game, but is fairly weak when it actually comes to changes. Even BJ has been given number 19 rather than a 'go shake hands with the reserves coach' style dumping Bennet hands out.

AJ, Brooks, MCK, Garner...Madge has never left anyone out for more than a week.

Hate to say it...but he is all talk.

Not having a go at you but the guy is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He's made changes he feels necessary - no doubt Brookes is aware he needs to perform but he unfortunately is the best we have for 7 atm.
The whole team fell in a heap after we missed the two - three chances we had in the first half - that is the most worrying thing for me. They need to harden up and compete for 80 minutes. That's what stands between us and some better teams.

 

[old_man_tiger]

All right not the team I would pick but they have my full support again until they lose it. If they want to stay in touch it is a huge game.

 

[Russell]

The good:

• dropped BJ
• we don’t have 2 rookie forwards replacing 2 experienced forwards

The bad:

• AJ should have been dropped (Tommy T to left wing, Mybe to left centre and Simkin debut as utility)

Why does everyone want to bring in Simpkin , to a team with no confidence , and lacking an identity? Let’s win a couple of games , reset the season , and then talk about debuting him.

Liddle can’t play 80 and Simpkin will add some spark which we’re lacking

But the kids 19 . Maybe we won’t ruin him like we did , say brooks , by doing exactly this , and rushing the kid . I’m fine with holding him off as long as we can . If it means we have this gun 9 for the next 10-15 years .

It's hard. I would like to see Simpkin get a run but like you said you don't want to rush kids in. Madge is normally a decent judge of when rookies are ready, he will play sometime this year and no doubt have ridiculous expectations on him

That’s the thing I’m worried about . This idea the kid is going to be our saviour . Get these guys in the team now firing , and bring him in as a complimentary piece
. IMO everyone needs to **STFU** about rushing this kid , as right now I wouldn’t introduce anyone I value in my juniors . As the fans are out for blood , and anything that isn’t a 3 game winning streak is going to fly right now . Emotions are high . There’s tension in the air everywhere ,outside the club , I can only imagine the rocket these guys have got this week .

What does that stand for

There is nothing wrong with giving simpkin 20 minutes off the bench
Did he or did he not play in the trial against Manly and their big men
And he did very well I believe

Some of our players are to soft
We need to stop wrapping some of them in cotton wool

Here we have the Roosters being granted permission to play a 17 year old in the Nrl
And you are worried about playing a 19 year old for 20 minutes from the bench

He could become a very dangerous attacking player in the last 20 minutes and while doing so will get a taste of the real game
We should not have Mbye at hooker and Liddle can't handle the 80 minutes

Simpkin will have more to learn in the game no doubt
For that matter all our players need to learn more so that can't be used as an excuse

And as far as his build goes
Laurie is 181cm 83kg and 21 years old
Simpkin is 181cm 91kg and 19 years old

The danger IMO is that we don't give him to many minutes to start and let him build up more game time

IMO we also need to give Liddle a little bit of a break during the game
He has been out for a long time and also needs to be eased back into 80 minute games

On top of that I like the idea of playing both hookers at the same time

Having Brooks and Liddle on one side and Simpkin and Doueihi on the other for a 20 minute period during the game could really work
Especially if Laurie can chime in at any time

If in time Talau was to be able to transition to lock, then we could definitely have a hooker and 3 other forwards on the bench
That way if we get an injury to a back, Talau can cover it

That's my opinion anyway

Only takes 1 minute to get smashed.

 

[Russell]

I once again ask for a kind and fair referee

Gerard Sutton..

Maybe he is kind - 'cause he certainly isn't fair!

 

[Russell]

What an absolute joke that Kepaoa & Garner keep their spots surely Mbye at centre & Talau on the wing is a much better option than Kepaoa & Ofahengaue is a much better option than Garner In the second row he has played on the edge before these selections are not acceptable.

My Team
Laurie
Nofoaluma
Mbye
Roberts
Talau
Douiehi
Brooks
Twal
Ofahengaue
Leilua
Musgrove
Liddle
Tamou (c)
Bench
Simpkin
Chee Kam (Cover For Backs)
Mikaele
Stefano

The joke is that Garner, probably played his best game for at least 18 months and there are calls for him to be dropped.

Not a great Garner fan, but not the time to call for his head.

 

[weststigerman]

So roberts left side now and talau right side?

I reckon it will be the opposite given that's how they played in the trial against Manly.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

AJ Shouldn’t be there. His effort stunk last round. He can consider himself extremely fortunate.

I think it is reasonably clear at this point that Madge talks a good game, but is fairly weak when it actually comes to changes. Even BJ has been given number 19 rather than a 'go shake hands with the reserves coach' style dumping Bennet hands out.

AJ, Brooks, MCK, Garner...Madge has never left anyone out for more than a week.

Hate to say it...but he is all talk.

Literally all he did last year was drop players and it's been two games and he's dropping players already. He's not afraid to do it at all, but with Talau at centre who do we have for wing? Doubt he wants to mess with the spine too much either.

Mbye at centre and Talau on the wing with Simpkin on the bench. He's been stuffing up bench selections for 3 years it wasn't going to change today.

That's the strongest bench we've had in forever... if they don't think Simpkin is ready if believe them. It's easy for us to say throw him in when we don't even see him training or playing. Mbye offers a heap of utility off the bench and we've got 3 good props there as well.

Well Madge saw BJ train every day and I don't think that worked out too well. He also said Brooks was ready to lead the team and that didn't work out too well either. He also said he'd been heavily focused on defence during the offseason and we've conceded over 60 points in 2 games. I have zero faith in his selections anymore.

All the hype that came out of preseason was BJ has shed a lot of weight he's the fittest he's every been Lucy pushing him in training well once he hit the paddock it was 2020 revisited thou in the Canberra game there was a glimmer of hope but that disappeared by round 2 if playing NSW CUP doesn’t shake him up in the next couple of weeks he should take over Josh A's franchise for mowing lawns

 

[DGilly]

The good:

• dropped BJ
• we don’t have 2 rookie forwards replacing 2 experienced forwards

The bad:

• AJ should have been dropped (Tommy T to left wing, Mybe to left centre and Simkin debut as utility)

Why does everyone want to bring in Simpkin , to a team with no confidence , and lacking an identity? Let’s win a couple of games , reset the season , and then talk about debuting him.

Liddle can’t play 80 and Simpkin will add some spark which we’re lacking

But the kids 19 . Maybe we won’t ruin him like we did , say brooks , by doing exactly this , and rushing the kid . I’m fine with holding him off as long as we can . If it means we have this gun 9 for the next 10-15 years .

It's hard. I would like to see Simpkin get a run but like you said you don't want to rush kids in. Madge is normally a decent judge of when rookies are ready, he will play sometime this year and no doubt have ridiculous expectations on him

That’s the thing I’m worried about . This idea the kid is going to be our saviour . Get these guys in the team now firing , and bring him in as a complimentary piece
. IMO everyone needs to **STFU** about rushing this kid , as right now I wouldn’t introduce anyone I value in my juniors . As the fans are out for blood , and anything that isn’t a 3 game winning streak is going to fly right now . Emotions are high . There’s tension in the air everywhere ,outside the club , I can only imagine the rocket these guys have got this week .

What does that stand for

There is nothing wrong with giving simpkin 20 minutes off the bench
Did he or did he not play in the trial against Manly and their big men
And he did very well I believe

Some of our players are to soft
We need to stop wrapping some of them in cotton wool

Here we have the Roosters being granted permission to play a 17 year old in the Nrl
And you are worried about playing a 19 year old for 20 minutes from the bench

He could become a very dangerous attacking player in the last 20 minutes and while doing so will get a taste of the real game
We should not have Mbye at hooker and Liddle can't handle the 80 minutes

Simpkin will have more to learn in the game no doubt
For that matter all our players need to learn more so that can't be used as an excuse

And as far as his build goes
Laurie is 181cm 83kg and 21 years old
Simpkin is 181cm 91kg and 19 years old

The danger IMO is that we don't give him to many minutes to start and let him build up more game time

IMO we also need to give Liddle a little bit of a break during the game
He has been out for a long time and also needs to be eased back into 80 minute games

On top of that I like the idea of playing both hookers at the same time

Having Brooks and Liddle on one side and Simpkin and Doueihi on the other for a 20 minute period during the game could really work
Especially if Laurie can chime in at any time

If in time Talau was to be able to transition to lock, then we could definitely have a hooker and 3 other forwards on the bench
That way if we get an injury to a back, Talau can cover it

That's my opinion anyway

Only takes 1 minute to get smashed.

Oh well why don't we just play the whole reserve grade team to keep the NRL players safe

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Can anyone tell me what Mybe has done to even deserve a bench spot over simpkins???

He never misses a game even on the bench or is injured.

His effort game one was non existent and game 2 from the bench given 43 minutes.

Post contact meters - 10
Running meters - 36
Receipts - 46
Tackles - 31
Missed - 3

I can’t tell you because he has done NOTHING!
In the same mode as CheeKam .. only up for a cameo appearance ... anyone who is constantly smiling and shaking hands with the opposition lacks the required passion.

Do the words experience. versatile or u

Can anyone tell me what Mybe has done to even deserve a bench spot over simpkins???

He never misses a game even on the bench or is injured.

His effort game one was non existent and game 2 from the bench given 43 minutes.

Post contact meters - 10
Running meters - 36
Receipts - 46
Tackles - 31
Missed - 3

I can’t tell you because he has done NOTHING!
In the same mode as CheeKam .. only up for a cameo appearance ... anyone who is constantly smiling and shaking hands with the opposition lacks the required passion.

Do the words experience versatility or utility mean anything to you keyboard buses I use the word buses because you would never make a COACH

 

[jirskyr]

As expected.

This is pretty much our full strength apart from Blore (who is a rookie anyway). I would've started Musgrove on the bench considering he hasn't played NRL for 2 years.. I would be extremely surprised if he is starting. He will get found out within 10 minutes. Looking forward to see him take his first hit up and his first tackle.

by the sounds of things he had a massive preseason and is a leader. I think him being out there with Tamou will be massive for him. Joffa can lead the other 2 when he makes his way into the ground, and it means we don't lose too much go forward. I can understand madges thinking.

but, once again, if our left edge doesn't get their act together and Brooks can't find the turf or build pressure, it all counts for nothing.

That's what it is. Start Musgrove and Tamou, then when you sub them out Joffa comes on, so you don't lose the experience/leadership. Last week, no specific fault to the guys, but the prop rotation was Mikaele and Stefano, when the chips were down.

 

[jirskyr]

You guys should see the Facebook fans asking for Madge's head over this lineup. Some of them are saying it's the last straw of their support lol.

Facebook is where alarmists go to make sweeping declarations. Social media is borderline toxic at the best of times, let alone when following a losing football side.

 

[Cairnstigers]

The good:

• dropped BJ
• we don’t have 2 rookie forwards replacing 2 experienced forwards

The bad:

• AJ should have been dropped (Tommy T to left wing, Mybe to left centre and Simkin debut as utility)

Why does everyone want to bring in Simpkin , to a team with no confidence , and lacking an identity? Let’s win a couple of games , reset the season , and then talk about debuting him.

Liddle can’t play 80 and Simpkin will add some spark which we’re lacking

But the kids 19 . Maybe we won’t ruin him like we did , say brooks , by doing exactly this , and rushing the kid . I’m fine with holding him off as long as we can . If it means we have this gun 9 for the next 10-15 years .

It's hard. I would like to see Simpkin get a run but like you said you don't want to rush kids in. Madge is normally a decent judge of when rookies are ready, he will play sometime this year and no doubt have ridiculous expectations on him

That’s the thing I’m worried about . This idea the kid is going to be our saviour . Get these guys in the team now firing , and bring him in as a complimentary piece
. IMO everyone needs to **STFU** about rushing this kid , as right now I wouldn’t introduce anyone I value in my juniors . As the fans are out for blood , and anything that isn’t a 3 game winning streak is going to fly right now . Emotions are high . There’s tension in the air everywhere ,outside the club , I can only imagine the rocket these guys have got this week .

What does that stand for

There is nothing wrong with giving simpkin 20 minutes off the bench
Did he or did he not play in the trial against Manly and their big men
And he did very well I believe

Some of our players are to soft
We need to stop wrapping some of them in cotton wool

Here we have the Roosters being granted permission to play a 17 year old in the Nrl
And you are worried about playing a 19 year old for 20 minutes from the bench

He could become a very dangerous attacking player in the last 20 minutes and while doing so will get a taste of the real game
We should not have Mbye at hooker and Liddle can't handle the 80 minutes

Simpkin will have more to learn in the game no doubt
For that matter all our players need to learn more so that can't be used as an excuse

And as far as his build goes
Laurie is 181cm 83kg and 21 years old
Simpkin is 181cm 91kg and 19 years old

The danger IMO is that we don't give him to many minutes to start and let him build up more game time

IMO we also need to give Liddle a little bit of a break during the game
He has been out for a long time and also needs to be eased back into 80 minute games

On top of that I like the idea of playing both hookers at the same time

Having Brooks and Liddle on one side and Simpkin and Doueihi on the other for a 20 minute period during the game could really work
Especially if Laurie can chime in at any time

If in time Talau was to be able to transition to lock, then we could definitely have a hooker and 3 other forwards on the bench
That way if we get an injury to a back, Talau can cover it

That's my opinion anyway

Only takes 1 minute to get smashed.

Actually can take one second

You don't need to be young to get smashed
Boyd cordner
Ryan Matterson
Latrell Mitchell
Adam Reynolds
Tom Trbojevic
They are all great players but spend time out of the game
Wether it's getting smashed or self inflicted it can happen to any player at any time

 

[ElleryHanley]

AJ Shouldn’t be there. His effort stunk last round. He can consider himself extremely fortunate.

I think it is reasonably clear at this point that Madge talks a good game, but is fairly weak when it actually comes to changes. Even BJ has been given number 19 rather than a 'go shake hands with the reserves coach' style dumping Bennet hands out.

AJ, Brooks, MCK, Garner...Madge has never left anyone out for more than a week.

Hate to say it...but he is all talk.

Not having a go at you but the guy is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. He's made changes he feels necessary - no doubt Brookes is aware he needs to perform but he unfortunately is the best we have for 7 atm.
The whole team fell in a heap after we missed the two - three chances we had in the first half - that is the most worrying thing for me. They need to harden up and compete for 80 minutes. That's what stands between us and some better teams.

Agreed on all that mate.

I also agree with people who are saying "it is only round two"....but, this has been going on for our last 15 games. We fall in a heap around the 50 min mark. 15 straight games of 26 plus conceded (first team in NRL history).

At some point, we all need to address it and work out why it is happening.

Knights game will be HUGE...as they put almost 100 on us last year over two games.

We, as fans, need to see that it is being addressed. This Knights team is middle of the road at best...we need to keep them to under 20 and hang in the game and give ourselves a chance to win it down the stretch. Let's hope...

 

[happy_tiger]

I'm reading a lot here dumping on Madge.

Just cast yr mind back over the last 10 years.

Never ever have we had a hard coach that could brake us out of this terrible crap culture.

The list is improving but nowhere near a top 8 squad just yet.

2022 will be better when we continue to deadwood the squad.

Hold your nerve Tigers fans...

Who is going to come ...even with all the cap space ??

 

[PJ_]

The biggest worry is whether the team has the right attitude and composure out on the field. We've lacked direction in both games so far - there's no ownership out there. I'm just not sure where that leadership and commitment is going to come from because so far it's not coming from Tamou.

Willow,do you think that although they had a good preseason that once on the field in a competetive situation the young guys may be a bit uncertain and letting the more senior guys take the riens ? this would explain that Tamou led a side to finals and everybody knew their job,but here it maybe the other side of the coin...the young ones seem to stand off a bit instead of going hard...bj is the exception,to me he has lost the plot completely and the stint on the bench or in ressies could do him a world of good...

They just don't play as a team should - that's the simple explanation. Why? That's the important question. I don't think for a second its the coach - it's something more than that...Either the players are fearful of who they're playing, or once they're out on the field they just lack the self belief to think they can actually win. Losing can become an all-too familiar habit and this side is unfortunately used to it, bar Tamou but even he has had some lean runs during his career.

Yeah mate. Just seems to be some ingrained philosophy where we hang our heads when it gets too tough. Been happening for quite a few years now. We need that winning at all costs mentality but how do you get that when we can t win?

 

[Blocker1963]

In regards to Garner, I do remember last week he was having a real dig in defence, some of hits were great technique. Doesn't get many hole running opportunities these days, he was Brook's go to man.

 

[Speed2burn]

In regards to Garner, I do remember last week he was having a real dig in defence, some of hits were great technique. Doesn't get many hole running opportunities these days, he was Brook's go to man.

He should be next to Brooks

And yes his defense was much improved, 37 tackles with 0 missed

 

[Harvey]

I once again ask for a kind and fair referee

Gerard Sutton..

Rats

Gerbils

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

**Tamou: 'All of us need to look in the mirror'**
Michael Blok
Timestamp
Fri 26 Mar 2021, 12:00 PM

Tigers skipper James Tamou has called on his players to step up ahead of their Round 3 clash against the Knights.

Tamou is far from satisfied with his side’s start to the season and said they need to turn things around quickly.

Tigers have opened their 2021 campaign with losses against the Raiders and Roosters, but Tamou is confident they’ll put in a better performance this weekend.

“All of us need to look in the mirror and make some changes,” Tamou said.

“We’ve had some big discussion and we know we need to keep it simple and focus on our own game.”

While Tamou admitted the side needs improvement, he said it’s important to return to basics first as the club aims to claim their first win if the season.

“We need to go back to basics. We don’t want to overthink things. Everyone has to do their job and step up.

“We know we need to turn it up. We were there abouts in both games this season but that’s not good enough.

“The Roosters taught us a lesson on competing. They did it for 80 minutes and that’s what we’ve got to do.”

With the Knights winning their opening two matches, Tamou said this week’s clash will be a good test against one of the in-form teams.

“It’s always a big crowd at Newcastle because they love their team up there,” he said.

“They’ll be ripping in. They’ll be looking to go through the middle and we’ll have to stop them.”