Wests Tigers v Manly TRIAL ..*Spoilers

[diedpretty]

Lucy, AD, Stefano, Laurie, Roberts all standouts. Very impressive performance overall.

Simpkin much better than Liddle imo.

Simpkin much better? They both went well, but Liddle far more crisp and explosive IMO - and against fresher players.

I didn't see anything explosive about him today. Looked very hesitant to run the footy, couple times he got to the line and then decided to pass backwards to someone else.

Both guys did well though and both will be in our team throughout the season

You must have missed the dart out of DH when he split the defence with his speed off the mark and gained 20 mtrs - - it was only an ankle tap that stopped him going all the way. That looked pretty explosive.

 

[southerntiger]

I watched the spotlight Seibold done on a few key players from some clubs and for us it was Tamou. He highlighted the fact when he got tackled he found his front and got quick play the balls. I watched that part of his game closely and yep most of the time he found his front and had a lightning play the ball.
The other fact Seibold brought up was his clearly evident leadership, I noticed most of our middles in the main doing the same thing. Tamou we can already tell is a stellar leader and with that he leads by example I think it’s clear the players care following him.
That really stuck with me in today’s game, as a whole we played well we finally have depth and competition for spots, I’m excited for what’s to come. Yes it was a trial yes we had by far the superior team but you can only play what’s in front of you we lose games like that in the past bring on round 1.

I noticed the Skip’s quick PTBs yesterday as well. I also thought Joffa was simarly quick in this area.

It contrasted with Aloiai, who I thought was slow in the PTB when he came on for Manly. Josh made some decent charges but found it hard to get to his feet quickly.

Im more confident than ever that we got the better side of that saga.

 

[yeti]

I haven't read through all of the pages on this thread, but I agree with the gist of what I have seen - very positive. A couple of things that weren't so good - once again we had difficulty diffusing the bombs. One led to a try (even though Suli seemed to tackle the player away from the ball).
And a couple of lapses in defence with players turning their backs on the play as they returned to the defensive line. Not much to quibble about really.
I thought Brooks was a standout. Controlled the game, which is what he has had difficulty with in the past and his goal kicking looked superb.
I have been a real supporter of Garner over the past couple of years, and although I think he does a job, I can't see him hanging on to that spot when Blore is fit. Add Musgrove, and that pack looks pretty strong. We must have half the props in the entire world on our books. Add Amone to the list that got a run in the trial and its looking very strong.
Manly - they were missing their top 4 players, so not much of a guide to their prospects, really, but they are long odds to make a run into the 8. I thought Sirro looked strong, and Schuster was a standout.
Surprising was Tapau's lack of any impact at all.

 

[BAGNF05]

Luke Garner has improved physically and defensively since last season. Put a number of Manly players on their back and made a number of good defensive reads. No one is talking about him. I think he will be a quiet achiever in 2021 and will do his job effectively.

Just needs to play with more energy and cut out some lazy play. Seen him leave a tackle and retreat today and the manly bloke kept fighting, got an off load and then they made 30m. It’s an attitude issue IMO.

I keep thinking I'm going crazy but finally someone has mentioned garners negatives. I feel like he doesn't do the 1%ers

Was watching him pretty closely in D, was doing a lot of walking and dragging his feet, no energy. Opposite to most Tigers forwards who looked keen and fit.

 

[BAGNF05]

Rd 1 Mbye at 6 ......better defensive player and will handle the increased defensive work load ....Laurie at 1 more room to use his speed and agility ......another no brainer really


I agree. If Laurie is going to be the Fullback for the season then don't chop and change him around, let him be Fullback from the get go. Mybe will handle the 5/8 position better and most likely end up as a bench utility anyway.

If struggle to leave Simpkin out of the 17. He’s a goer with and without the footy.

 

[TigerWest]

I also want to mention that the rubbish about the team not getting along can be put to rest, I was seated directly behind the bench and the players were one unit supporting each and enjoying each other company. There is a really good bond amongst our playing group. I even saw Packer revving up Hartigan and Madge during his stint on the sideline.

I noticed this at the ground. They looked like they were really enjoying each other’s company and well bonded. Different level of camaraderie on display today to what I have seen the past several years.

After one of the tries in the second half all the boys on the bench were sitting in a circle and just looked in great spirits. They were also very vocal in their support of the players that replaced them.

They got rid of the guys causing problems and brought in guys who want to be at the club and are real characters with good attitudes. Tamou will be a big influence on it too, he saw how effective the brotherhood at Penrith is and will try have that here too.

The big test will be when we lose a few games ? some of those few players who have doubts might come out of the woodworks but hopefully not

Mate Tamou influence on the players is already very evident, things like when any player arrived at the game today they went up to each of the players and greeted them, they all also did this as they came off the field.

The clubs new initiative of the players handing out balls after the game and interacting with fans is also going to be a good driver of club culture.

I think the leadership of James Tamou was one of the highlights of the day, in terms of the season ahead. He is clearly respected and valued by his teammates and ensured all players of the squad were appreciated and acknowledged by their peers. As others have noted, the squad seemed very cohesive and enjoying the company of their teammates as they waited on the sidelines.

Yes, wasn't there talk of disharmony in the team? Certainly not noticeable now.

 

[TigerWest]

Rd 1 Mbye at 6 ......better defensive player and will handle the increased defensive work load ....Laurie at 1 more room to use his speed and agility ......another no brainer really


I agree. If Laurie is going to be the Fullback for the season then don't chop and change him around, let him be Fullback from the get go. Mybe will handle the 5/8 position better and most likely end up as a bench utility anyway.

If struggle to leave Simpkin out of the 17. He’s a goer with and without the footy.

I just don't think we can afford to have him there, if:

a) Liddle can play 80

b) Mbye becomes permanent 14th man?

But,

I would be keen to play 4 mobile forwards in the big games, if Liddle is up to it?

 

[TigerWest]

Rd 1 Mbye at 6 ......better defensive player and will handle the increased defensive work load ....Laurie at 1 more room to use his speed and agility ......another no brainer really


I agree. If Laurie is going to be the Fullback for the season then don't chop and change him around, let him be Fullback from the get go. Mybe will handle the 5/8 position better and most likely end up as a bench utility anyway.

Though, we haven't seen what Mbye will offer this year yet?

 

[earl]

Rd 1 Mbye at 6 ......better defensive player and will handle the increased defensive work load ....Laurie at 1 more room to use his speed and agility ......another no brainer really


I agree. If Laurie is going to be the Fullback for the season then don't chop and change him around, let him be Fullback from the get go. Mybe will handle the 5/8 position better and most likely end up as a bench utility anyway.

The thing is I'd have both Liddle and Jake Simpkin in the team. I can't split the two of them and I reckon they both add something to the team.

 

[earl]

Rd 1 Mbye at 6 ......better defensive player and will handle the increased defensive work load ....Laurie at 1 more room to use his speed and agility ......another no brainer really


I agree. If Laurie is going to be the Fullback for the season then don't chop and change him around, let him be Fullback from the get go. Mybe will handle the 5/8 position better and most likely end up as a bench utility anyway.

If struggle to leave Simpkin out of the 17. He’s a goer with and without the footy.

I reckon you have to have him in the team. Do we have to pick Laurie ? I think so but do you play him at 1 or 6 ? Mbye could miss out altogether because I'd have Douiehi in the team for sure from round 2.

 

[cqtiger]

One poster who was at the game mentioned that D Laurie was very vocal at the back organising our defense.

This I like.

Is Mbye very value cal at fullback?

 

[cqtiger]

One poster who was at the game mentioned that D Laurie was very vocal at the back organising our defense.

This I like.

Is Mbye very value cal at fullback?

What the! Value cal? VOCAL

 

[jadtiger]

One poster who was at the game mentioned that D Laurie was very vocal at the back organising our defense.

This I like.

Is Mbye very value cal at fullback?

What the! Value cal? VOCAL

I would doubt it as he was like Marcel Marceau as a captain

 

[rihannafan1]

Liddle gets the 9 jumper, Mbye the 1. They're incumbents.

Simpkin looks good for his age, reminds me of Harry Grant finding his feet in firsts with Storm a couple of season's back. No harm in him playing CC for most of the season. He'll get his shot for sure. Liddle has looked more assured in the trials and is more of an NRL player at this stage.

If Laurie is so good at back I think it'll allow the Tigers to shop Mbye more aggressively as it seems he isn't in our long-term plans. But Mbye will be around our team this year as the 1 I think Laurie may be a bit of a utility as he can play a few backline positions.

 

[bathursttiger1]

Rd 1 Mbye at 6 ......better defensive player and will handle the increased defensive work load ....Laurie at 1 more room to use his speed and agility ......another no brainer really


I agree. If Laurie is going to be the Fullback for the season then don't chop and change him around, let him be Fullback from the get go. Mybe will handle the 5/8 position better and most likely end up as a bench utility anyway.

Though, we haven't seen what Mbye will offer this year yet?

It would have to be a massive improvement on what he has shown over the last few seasons to warrant his inclusion in the team over Laurie.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Post game Madge interview
https://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2021/02/28/trial-match-victory-brings-belief-to-maguire-and-his-team/

 

[cochise]

One poster who was at the game mentioned that D Laurie was very vocal at the back organising our defense.

This I like.

Is Mbye very value cal at fullback?

What the! Value cal? VOCAL


I would doubt it as he was like Marcel Marceau as a captain

One of Mbye strengths at fullback is how he organises the defensive line.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

If only it was the completion of round 1..


 

[mike]

If only it was the completion of round 1..


Love it..