Wests Tigers Team vs Newcastle - Round 21

[Tiger-ferret]

Maybe not immediate droppings. Jake Simpkin on debut made 58 tackles and looked good out of dummy half. Was out of the team not long after that. Stefano was in and out of reserve grade at times last year.

Fair point. From memory simpkin threw some awful forward passes too and at the time was competing with liddle for that spot. Hard to compare at the moment because who else takes these young blokes spots? It’s them or no one.

On the other hand matuma is still only no 22 this week after playing two games?

 

[tony soprano]

Freebairn is a safe option. He won't let anyone down, and I don't expect too many rookie mistakes with him but I don't think he's going to break the game open either.

As @tigerap said, he's a worker.

Sorta like a Heighington type player.

 

[Roar_Power]

Freebairn better not be in our top 30 next year. Might be a worker but maxes out as maybe a top tier reserve grader. Sheesh, not a good sign….but good luck to the fella. Good reward for toil.

 

[Cobarcats]

Is still think Naden and To'a should swap.
Naden shows a bit of mongrel that stops opposing backs to dominate. He bombed a try by putting his foot on the touchline against the Broncos.
To'a is a running back.
I hope this experiment with Pole works because he's quick for a solid forward. It remains to be seen if he can ball play. I think Peachey will fill that linking role. However, I don't rate the Peach's service, it's slow and clunky.

 

[tony soprano]

Any Signing news today apart from Brooks?

 

[Asu Kepaoa's #1 Fan]

Loving the blokes that give their all for seasons on end getting finally getting the reward of a first grade run, alongside a few other younger relative newbies to the top grade.

Like to see the really young blokes get a run as well, though we do them no favours by running too many of them together on the field at one time. Too many young bulls together in the top grade just doesn't do any of them much good.

Good luck to Tom in his opportunity at NRL level. Even if it is only the single match, he will have achieved more than the vast majority of his peers.

Great post. It's good for club spirit when guys like Freebairn get a go, if only a brief one.

 

[hsvjones]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1554356172182159361

I think Tom is going to surprise some people and be rewarded with more games..
He is just a hard worker and won't mind doing the dirty stuff.

 

[Camel2281]

Can you give us an example where someone performed and Madge dropped them?

Stefano last year

 

[Dene1983]

Freebairn is a safe option. He won't let anyone down, and I don't expect too many rookie mistakes with him but I don't think he's going to break the game open either.

As @tigerap said, he's a worker.

He's a poor man's Finucane. Will do his job and make his tackles

 

[jirskyr]

He's a poor man's Finucane. Will do his job and make his tackles

Well we are a poor man's Cronulla Sharks, so I suppose it fits.

 

[The SHADOW]

Well we are a poor man's Cronulla Sharks, so I suppose it fits.

Never

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Stefano last year

Yeah I thought I read there was a death in the family or something at the time so I didn’t think that was form related. I could be way off though.

 

[Bigscreentv]

Is still think Naden and To'a should swap.
Naden shows a bit of mongrel that stops opposing backs to dominate. He bombed a try by putting his foot on the touchline against the Broncos.
To'a is a running back.
I hope this experiment with Pole works because he's quick for a solid forward. It remains to be seen if he can ball play. I think Peachey will fill that linking role. However, I don't rate the Peach's service, it's slow and clunky.

Could be right. Toa is young though…needs time to develop.

 

[Needaname]

I don't really get Pole at 13, given its not how we want our 13 role to be going forward.

Love him as a player so far but.

It’s pretty obvious really. A great locks biggest strength is leg drive and speed. Pole is a very mobile prop, he might have a pass on him but irrespective of that if he can manage to keep rolling up field we should do extremely well.
Doesn’t he remind you of a young JFH?

 

[tony soprano]

I think Tom is going to surprise some people and be rewarded with more games..
He is just a hard worker and won't mind doing the dirty stuff.

Bet you he scores a try.

 

[Cobarcats]

Could be right. Toa is young though…needs time to develop.

People seem to think centre is an easier position to play but imo it's not.
Wrong D decisions usually start with the centres.
I believe experienced gritty centres can make a backline.
Your point about To'a being young and inexperienced lends itself for him to play wing.
Dane Gagai and Naden are indigenous boys that are very competitive and make good centres.
The inclusion of Naden in a mid season switch has given our backline a bit of steel.
The more Naden and To'a play the better they'll get. Same goes with Laurie.

 

[Bigscreentv]

People seem to think centre is an easier position to play but imo it's not.
Wrong D decisions usually start with the centres.
I believe experienced gritty centres can make a backline.
Your point about To'a being young and inexperienced lends itself for him to play wing.
Dane Gagai and Naden are indigenous boys that are very competitive and make good centres.
The inclusion of Naden in a mid season switch has given our backline a bit of steel.
The more Naden and To'a play the better they'll get. Same goes with Laurie.

Yeah, that’s what I mean. Centre is tougher, so when the games don’t mean as much we should get him experienced. Is Naden quicker than To’a?

 

[Tiger-ferret]

Bet you he scores a try.

Only $6.25

 

[Cobarcats]

Yeah, that’s what I mean. Centre is tougher, so when the games don’t mean as much we should get him experienced. Is Naden quicker than To’a?

I've watched To'a highlights and he can wind up but not electric off the mark. He and Naden would be on par with each other imo.

 

[Moh]

It’s pretty obvious really. A great locks biggest strength is leg drive and speed. Pole is a very mobile prop, he might have a pass on him but irrespective of that if he can manage to keep rolling up field we should do extremely well.
Doesn’t he remind you of a young JFH?

Oh, like I said - no issues with Pole.

It's just not the style Sheens/Benji/Farah are planning.

I'm sure he'll go well, playing the power game.