For sure Earl, I didn’t say the halfback situation was solved altogether, I said they were still untested, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction after a decade of hanging their hats on Brooks to step up, particularly the signing of Sezer (who everyone seems to be forgetting) - he’s no DCE or Cleary but I do believe he knows how to take charge and control a game better than any of our previous guys, Brooks or Hastings for that matter. I think his experience will be good for the likes of Sullivan and Fainu coming through also.
Wooden spoons get won in the off season: Our 2,3,4,5.
- Thread starter ElleryHanley
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tig_prmz
Well-known member
Forgot your chill pills?
twentyforty
Well-known member
Good point. When you watch the better defensive sides they share that feature. I used to think WT were not fit enough or they didn’t have a strong mateship or simply didn’t care enough? But by the end of the season I’ve formed the opinion that they’re not able to read the game. Just don’t know where the ball is going.
Jolls
Well-known member
Defence is a much about individuals as it is about the team; particularly in the backline. The piggies all get to stand around, hold hands and two or three out their opponents. Backs are often staring at a 1 on 1 or 2 on 1 situation.
I think that it is fair to say that most of our guys are reasonable tacklers; maybe less Nofa and definitely less Douhie last year. What our backline does not have in defence is cohesion, which undermines confidence, which degrades attitude and the circle goes on.
If we were to take a positive look at this; Defence, as a team, can be taught. If the cohesion is there and the trust is there, then confidence builds and attitude builds and the circle reverses. Poor defensive reads are usually based on lack of trust = lack of cohesion; eg one defender turns in and the other turns out.
I would love to sit back and say I am confident that we can turn this around - I simply can't. However, I think this is something that can be taught, and there is a possibility that our leaky backline can be much better.
Our coaching staff aren't experienced enough for me; however, they have played at the top level and Morris has had success as a coach. I'm sure they know what is needed. The thing is can they impart that knowledge, cohesion and belief to our backline and make cover defence (scramble) a standard across the board - not a 1%er.
I think that it is fair to say that most of our guys are reasonable tacklers; maybe less Nofa and definitely less Douhie last year. What our backline does not have in defence is cohesion, which undermines confidence, which degrades attitude and the circle goes on.
If we were to take a positive look at this; Defence, as a team, can be taught. If the cohesion is there and the trust is there, then confidence builds and attitude builds and the circle reverses. Poor defensive reads are usually based on lack of trust = lack of cohesion; eg one defender turns in and the other turns out.
I would love to sit back and say I am confident that we can turn this around - I simply can't. However, I think this is something that can be taught, and there is a possibility that our leaky backline can be much better.
Our coaching staff aren't experienced enough for me; however, they have played at the top level and Morris has had success as a coach. I'm sure they know what is needed. The thing is can they impart that knowledge, cohesion and belief to our backline and make cover defence (scramble) a standard across the board - not a 1%er.
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Fair comment, mate.
He's always had enough talent. Up to him how far he goes.Definitely solves one of our issues at centre if he can come good.
Agree mate. Take Brad Parker at Manly. Has nowhere near the natural athletic talent of Toa, but gives you everything he's got every game. Talent vs attitude/will.
crazycat
Well-known member
Okay, I am going to totally disagree.
Look Tupou is potentially a long termer. But he was a large part of why we were 17th. His defense sucked, maybe it was our positioning but I saw a player just like Nofo was 8 years ago without the 2x tries per game. Tupou needed to move to 14th or Reserve grade till he was at NRL defensive standard.
To'a would be bench depth in any other team. I like him, but he isn't exactly first grade material.
Doueihi needs to go to the Glue factory. He never wanted to be a center and we usually struggle to make position changes work (Reynolds to hooker, etc). Trial and train on a min contract only.
Now I will totally agree on the last point. We need Olam.
Our entire backline is lacking in depth and experience. Nofo is only used to the tigers and has flaws we all know about. Next up is Naden, followed by Staines/Toa who really only have done a year at Penrith/Newcastle and are developing their game.
Olam brings that experience and would toughen our backline. Yes he may be not good enough for Melbourne, but so was JAC. If not Olam then Ryan Paps, just for the westie mullet.
Magpie_Magic
Well-known member
If Fainu is good enough quickly for 1st grade the way he likes to square up an attack can improve a backline.
But yes we have the worst 3/4 line.
Hopefully Staines is retained.
And we need another top line back at a minimum.
But yes we have the worst 3/4 line.
Hopefully Staines is retained.
And we need another top line back at a minimum.
gee there were some biggins playing in centres/wing in reggies this year,Sukkur/,kara , n an x Mounties player,think he b moved on,as long as we get dwarfs n dweebe's defending wasting attack out there,guess Lee just keeps the books balanced,mind you our admin cap has copped a hammering of late,25/6 sounds good
Mighty_Tiger
Well-known member
Well he is 24 next season & played 60 games already so let’s hope he peaks soon….
Snidest 0
Well-known member
twentyforty
Well-known member
Definitely, defence is a learned skill. During the 23 season Furner had the team focused on minimising offloads. This btw kept us in a few games. Tigers were better than any other team at preventing offloads. I hope they can carry that feature of their game into 24.
Did we defend Offloads or is the opposition game plan ball security and attacking shape knowing we will concede points without risky play?
twentyforty
Well-known member
It’s a Sheens strategy. He often talked about wrapping up the ball as a matter of priority. Furner would have worked hard on that.
If it’s a defensive strategy, then it stands to reason that it would also be an offensive one. Tigers were 3rd best in this area.
851
Well-known member
So is Wakeham, Fainua Brown, Marsters, Talau and quite a few other of our flops, no great recommendation there
That you Gus?
