WestsTigers 2018 Backrow

[Tigerdon]

A lot of depth in the backrow for 2018\. Which is good considering it's a position the a lot of injuries seem to occur in and with the HIA rules. If someone gets a bad head knock they (rightly) will be spelled. It's also a position were a player will often get through 80mins but are absolutely spent at the end, as a bench will normally only carry one backrow reserve. Backing up week to week in the backrow is very taxing. This is one area the WTs coaches, managers and S&C guys will need to manage carefully.
Joel Edwards- don't remember him playing much after that concussion in July or August. Edwards, suffered four “non-return to the field” concussions since 2014\. Don't think he is re-signed for 2018.
Chris McQueen- Neck Op, looks like a success. We'll see how he's looking in the pre-season.
Chris Lawrence - injury gods haven't ben kind to Chris over the years.
ET. was looking banged up mid season. Looks to be going OK in the RLWC. Will need a good rest after that.
Robbie Rochow has had an injury plagued career. By all reports is fit now.
It's just as well we have a long list for 2018.
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- Josh Aloiai
- Michael Chee Kam
- Joel Edwards (off contract-TBA)
- Matt Eisenhuth
- Chris Lawrence
- Esan Marsters
- Chris McQueen
- Robbie Rochow
- Bailey Sironen
- Jesse Sue
- Elijah Taylor

If everyone is fit, I think the backrow in R1 will be ;
NRL
11-ET (70-80mins) , 12-McQueen (70-80mins), 13-Eiso (60-70mins)
Bench- Josh Aloiai, Jesse Sue (more likely front row, could spend time off the bench at 13).

ISP
11- Chris Lawrence 12- Esan Marsters (if not playing centre) 13 Robbie Rochow
Bench- Michael Chee Kam

Ron Massey Cup ???
11- Joel Edwards 12 - Bailey Sironen

 

[Geo]

Joel Edwards has left the building…

I would like Aloiai to nail down an edge spot...

Round 1 will see Lawrence Taylor Eisenhuth...that's still a long way away tho...

 

[Roar_Power]

Joel Edwards has left the building…

I would like Aloiai to nail down an edge spot...

Round 1 will see Lawrence Taylor Eisenhuth...that's still a long way away tho...

I am hoping to see Aloiai and McQueen as the 2nd Row starters…

 

[Tigerdon]

I think ET is a bit light for the 13\. I felt we were more solid with Eisenhuth there.

 

[Tacky]

I think ET is a bit light for the 13\. I felt we were more solid with Eisenhuth there.

x2\. I like having Taylor on the edge. Or could be a handy 9 if need be.

 

[cqtiger]

I think ET is a bit light for the 13\. I felt we were more solid with Eisenhuth there.

x2\. I like having Taylor on the edge. Or could be a handy 9 if need be.

I have a feeling that Liddle will be the starting hooker, if fit. Cleary will follow the Kiwis example and use ET as DH if the starting hooker needs a rest. You won’t see Liddle and McIlwrick in the same 17.

 

[avocadoontoast]

Joel Edwards has left the building…

I would like Aloiai to nail down an edge spot...

Round 1 will see Lawrence Taylor Eisenhuth...that's still a long way away tho...

I am hoping to see Aloiai and McQueen as the 2nd Row starters…

As am I. Provided McQueen is fine from surgery they're our two best 2nd rowers for sure.

 

[WT2K]

Joel Edwards has left the building…

I would like Aloiai to nail down an edge spot...

Round 1 will see Lawrence Taylor Eisenhuth...that's still a long way away tho...

I am hoping to see Aloiai and McQueen as the 2nd Row starters…

Same here, providing that McQueen is fit for R1

 

[Guest]

I really liked the way Aloiai bounced back from his dislocated knee, he was hittting the line with plenty of power and troubled a few packs including the Chooks and Cowboys, so I'd like to see him get every chance.

I'd be inclined to start Taylor at 9\. Liddle may be our long term 9, but he's small in the upper body and Taylor at least can take the early sting out of the game, and let's be honest, whether at 11,12 or 13, Taylor isn't a runner, he's there for defence. We get the same ball playing ability out of Eisenhuth along with 120 metres in attack.

I'd run with a backrow of McQueen, Aloiai and Eisenhuth. Marsters on the bench as he can cover backrow and centre so there's a bit more utility value with him. Twal and either Sue or Grant would be my props on the bench.

 

[WestsBenTigers]

I think it is McQueen vs Lawrence for a spot in our backrow.

But if Lawrence gets the captaincy then he is going to be in the FG team.

Aloiai, ET, Eisenhuth have all locked up their spots so there is one spot remaining (provided we play 2 props, 1 backrow and 1 utility)

9\. Liddle

11\. Lawrence
12\. ET
13\. Eisenhuth

14\. Marsters
15\. Aloiai
16\. Prop
17\. Prop

 

[wt01]

I think it is McQueen vs Lawrence for a spot in our backrow.

But if Lawrence gets the captaincy then he is going to be in the FG team.

Aloiai, ET, Eisenhuth have all locked up their spots so there is one spot remaining (provided we play 2 props, 1 backrow and 1 utility)

9\. Liddle

11\. Lawrence
12\. ET
13\. Eisenhuth

14\. Marsters
15\. Aloiai
16\. Prop
17\. Prop

i hope it will be ET as captain for starters and mcqueen at 11 instead of lawrence. then marshall on the bench as utility leaving masters in his centres spot

 

[WestsBenTigers]

I think it is McQueen vs Lawrence for a spot in our backrow.

But if Lawrence gets the captaincy then he is going to be in the FG team.

Aloiai, ET, Eisenhuth have all locked up their spots so there is one spot remaining (provided we play 2 props, 1 backrow and 1 utility)

9\. Liddle

11\. Lawrence
12\. ET
13\. Eisenhuth

14\. Marsters
15\. Aloiai
16\. Prop
17\. Prop

i hope it will be ET as captain for starters and mcqueen at 11 instead of lawrence. then marshall on the bench as utility leaving masters in his centres spot

Have you not been watching Milne play for Fiji???

He deserves the centre spot with Marsters on the bench

 

[Fibros]

There are options for next year. Something we haven't seen in a few years. Its a bit more difficult to select 17 for round 1\. Everyone has a different opinion.

Cleary back row round 1, Lawrence, McQueen, ET.

My selections round 1, McQueen, Aloiai, ET.

 

[wt01]

There are options for next year. Something we haven't seen in a few years. Its a bit more difficult to select 17 for round 1\. Everyone has a different opinion.

Cleary back row round 1, Lawrence, McQueen, ET.

My selections round 1, McQueen, Aloiai, ET.

I hope hooth is in there somewhere 😕

 

[Tigerdon]

I really liked the way Aloiai bounced back from his dislocated knee, he was hittting the line with plenty of power and troubled a few packs including the Chooks and Cowboys, so I'd like to see him get every chance.

I'd be inclined to start Taylor at 9\. Liddle may be our long term 9, but he's small in the upper body and Taylor at least can take the early sting out of the game, and let's be honest, whether at 11,12 or 13, Taylor isn't a runner, he's there for defence. We get the same ball playing ability out of Eisenhuth along with 120 metres in attack.

I'd run with a backrow of McQueen, Aloiai and Eisenhuth. Marsters on the bench as he can cover backrow and centre so there's a bit more utility value with him. Twal and either Sue or Grant would be my props on the bench.

McQueen, Aloiai and Eisenhuth aren't small. That's a powerful backrow and with ET starting at 9 makes for a very big pack.
Marsters has some strength and footwork, I'd like to see him and Sue come on late in the game and run at tiring players.
A bench of Twal, Sue, Marsters and Liddle.

 

[Tim Sheens]

It's just good to have options. Even MCK who would be well down the list played some gpod footy late this year.