Who is Matt Groat?

[cochise]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

He'd be in the Top 6 for sure .....losing Tedesco , Prince ,Fifita ,Taupau as well as Ellis leaving

Throw in McCracken career ending injury as well

Plus Chris Lawrance injury, was never the same player after. Tuiaki was a massive loss aswell.


I cant help but bite...it drives me crazy. Chris Lawrence was at an absolute career best form as a centre, tearing up, playing for Australia AFTER his hip dislocation.

Yeah, though I believe there was a change in his gait that led to the horrible hamstring injuries he had which the led to the loss of speed and lateral movement. Without the hip dislocation, I don't believe we see the other issues.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

Memory is pretty sketchy but I can't recall Dwyer standing out too much apart from the JWH hit. Was a solid player but Gareth was absolutely elite.
Big TNT was our greatest loss apart from the rabbit that bailed on us to go get new teefy-pegs.

 

[cochise]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

Memory is pretty sketchy but I can't recall Dwyer standing out too much apart from the JWH hit. Was a solid player but Gareth was absolutely elite.
Big TNT was our greatest loss apart from the rabbit that bailed on us to go get new teefy-pegs.

Dwyer was a superstar in waiting, NSW and Australian rep written all over him. He would have made the loss of Ellis so much easier to deal with.

 

[happy_tiger]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

Memory is pretty sketchy but I can't recall Dwyer standing out too much apart from the JWH hit. Was a solid player but Gareth was absolutely elite.
Big TNT was our greatest loss apart from the rabbit that bailed on us to go get new teefy-pegs.

Dwyer was a superstar in waiting, NSW and Australian rep written all over him. He would have made the loss of Ellis so much easier to deal with.

Yep he had got his engine up and going and was running great lines in attack

So FTB more proof your memory's shot ...more reason to belief your thoughts on Cam Smith are also worthless

 

[underdog]

Bumped into Tim Sheen's of all people and we got chatting.
My first question I've always wanted to ask him was Why Matt Groat? He wasn't ready and got belted.
He saw a little himself in Matt. He just had a soft spot for the kid and gave him a shot.
It's that simple.

Glad it was never about winning for Sheens - Couldn’t give David Gower a run from 09 on - but had a spot for Groat.
Never forget Groat asleep at marker in the Warriors final - Kevin Locke used him as a slip and slide on the way to a long range try.
Groat doesn’t play - we win the 2011 GF

Oh nothing to do at all with the short-side raid with a kick out on the full, or Lawrence/Tuqiri unable to clean up a fairly regulation bomb?

I've said it for 10 years....

KRISHAN.
INU.
KNOCKS.
ON.
IN.
THE.
CONTEST.

Go back and watch it.

Sliding doors moment in Tigers history right there.

Oh, and INU screws us by kicking the winning field goal in a game where the dogs scored off a classic shepherd, and he played like Mal Meninga.

INU has made a career out of screwing the Tigers.

Groat is merely a passenger on the Inu express.

 

[cochise]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

Memory is pretty sketchy but I can't recall Dwyer standing out too much apart from the JWH hit. Was a solid player but Gareth was absolutely elite.
Big TNT was our greatest loss apart from the rabbit that bailed on us to go get new teefy-pegs.

Dwyer was a superstar in waiting, NSW and Australian rep written all over him. He would have made the loss of Ellis so much easier to deal with.

Yep he had got his engine up and going and was running great lines in attack

So FTB more proof your memory's shot ...more reason to belief your thoughts on Cam Smith are also worthless

Ran beautiful lines, we were spoilt for line runners at that point in time, Ellis, Lawrance and Dwyer hit holes hard and on really good angles.

 

[happy_tiger]

Bumped into Tim Sheen's of all people and we got chatting.
My first question I've always wanted to ask him was Why Matt Groat? He wasn't ready and got belted.
He saw a little himself in Matt. He just had a soft spot for the kid and gave him a shot.
It's that simple.

Glad it was never about winning for Sheens - Couldn’t give David Gower a run from 09 on - but had a spot for Groat.
Never forget Groat asleep at marker in the Warriors final - Kevin Locke used him as a slip and slide on the way to a long range try.
Groat doesn’t play - we win the 2011 GF

Oh nothing to do at all with the short-side raid with a kick out on the full, or Lawrence/Tuqiri unable to clean up a fairly regulation bomb?

I've said it for 10 years....

KRISHAN.
INU.
KNOCKS.
ON.
IN.
THE.
CONTEST.

Go back and watch it.

Sliding doors moment in Tigers history right there.

Oh, and INU screws us by kicking the winning field goal in a game where the dogs scored off a classic shepherd, and he played like Mal Meninga.

INU has made a career out of screwing the Tigers.

Groat is merely a passenger on the Inu express.

I think Inu finally retired this season Dawg ..maybe his curse is finally lifted

 

[underdog]

I should clarifty - INU did that in 2012. Round 24 to be exact.

 

[Tiger5150]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

He'd be in the Top 6 for sure .....losing Tedesco , Prince ,Fifita ,Taupau as well as Ellis leaving

Throw in McCracken career ending injury as well

Plus Chris Lawrance injury, was never the same player after. Tuiaki was a massive loss aswell.


I cant help but bite...it drives me crazy. Chris Lawrence was at an absolute career best form as a centre, tearing up, playing for Australia AFTER his hip dislocation.

Yeah, though I believe there was a change in his gait that led to the horrible hamstring injuries he had which the led to the loss of speed and lateral movement. Without the hip dislocation, I don't believe we see the other issues.

Maybe, maybe not. PLenty of people have bad hamstrings, particularly as they get older, not necessarily linked. Fact remains he was in career best form after the injury.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

Memory is pretty sketchy but I can't recall Dwyer standing out too much apart from the JWH hit. Was a solid player but Gareth was absolutely elite.
Big TNT was our greatest loss apart from the rabbit that bailed on us to go get new teefy-pegs.

Dwyer was a superstar in waiting, NSW and Australian rep written all over him. He would have made the loss of Ellis so much easier to deal with.

Yep he had got his engine up and going and was running great lines in attack

So FTB more proof your memory's shot ...more reason to belief your thoughts on Cam Smith are also worthless

Want a tissue mate?
My memory is golden when it comes to your bud Cammy, he's a germ. Easy to remember that.

 

[happy_tiger]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

Memory is pretty sketchy but I can't recall Dwyer standing out too much apart from the JWH hit. Was a solid player but Gareth was absolutely elite.
Big TNT was our greatest loss apart from the rabbit that bailed on us to go get new teefy-pegs.

Dwyer was a superstar in waiting, NSW and Australian rep written all over him. He would have made the loss of Ellis so much easier to deal with.

Yep he had got his engine up and going and was running great lines in attack

So FTB more proof your memory's shot ...more reason to belief your thoughts on Cam Smith are also worthless

Want a tissue mate?
My memory is golden when it comes to your bud Cammy, he's a germ. Easy to remember that.

All good ...by the way the Cam your thinking of plays golf

 

[Furious1]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

He'd be in the Top 6 for sure .....losing Tedesco , Prince ,Fifita ,Taupau as well as Ellis leaving

Throw in McCracken career ending injury as well

Yeah you're right they were all big losses but Dwyer was 22. Had it all ahead of him and only a baby for a forward.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

He'd be in the Top 6 for sure .....losing Tedesco , Prince ,Fifita ,Taupau as well as Ellis leaving

Throw in McCracken career ending injury as well

Yeah you're right they were all big losses but Dwyer was 22. Had it all ahead of him and only a baby for a forward.

Starting to come good too. He had a mixed season beforehand.

 

[batboy]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

He'd be in the Top 6 for sure .....losing Tedesco , Prince ,Fifita ,Taupau as well as Ellis leaving

Throw in McCracken career ending injury as well

Yeah you're right they were all big losses but Dwyer was 22. Had it all ahead of him and only a baby for a forward.

Starting to come good too. He had a mixed season beforehand.

I like it when people remember it how it was...
I think we all like to remember the good in these things.
Simo was a fantastic prospect with infinite potential, And is a fantastic guy...
Could have set us up for the next 10-12 years...
He had a ways to go though - Especially defensively.

Also spent most of his first year off the bench in the middle.
It's great they've still got him around the club.

 

[happy_tiger]

I thought Groat was unfairly compared to Woods a lot when they first made grade about the same time.
I was wrong

We kept Groat and let go Fifita , Bryce Gibbs and Rhino

**When you look at what then happened with Dwyer and then releasing Ellis ......major repercussions later on**

Do you remember why though?
Consistency.
Our forward pack was inconsistent and Fifita was highly inconsistent. Even today he still is, yet when he is on he is a BEAST.

Dwyer was really shaping up to be a top forward, Woods was looking great too. I think though the game moved in a faster direction, Groat was a big unit but never a fast unit and he could not keep up. Now you only get to keep some of the players, but man it was a mis-step. That said, I can't blame Sheens. As a fan if he kept Fifita and Bryce Gibbs I would have screamed! I don't know if keeping Fifita and Woods would be possible.

Look it was the wrong decision to let Fifita go. We know this now. We know why it was done because we seeked consistency from our pack which were a bunch of Yoyo's! (honestly we are the worst Yo-yo team in the comp.).

I just can't remember who Rhino was? Do you mean Gareth Ellis, man that guy was a unit.

IMO Dwyer was the biggest hit this club ever took ( prior to Teddy) The guy was a beast and i think would have been at least as good if not better than Ellis. He really had 10 years of Origin written all over him i reckon. Anyway, seems so long ago now.

He'd be in the Top 6 for sure .....losing Tedesco , Prince ,Fifita ,Taupau as well as Ellis leaving

Throw in McCracken career ending injury as well

Yeah you're right they were all big losses but Dwyer was 22. Had it all ahead of him and only a baby for a forward.

Starting to come good too. He had a mixed season beforehand.

I like it when people remember it how it was...
I think we all like to remember the good in these things.
Simo was a fantastic prospect with infinite potential, And is a fantastic guy...
Could have set us up for the next 10-12 years...
He had a ways to go though - Especially defensively.

Also spent most of his first year off the bench in the middle.
It's great they've still got him around the club.

You just hope they can find something that can improve his quality of life in the future .......