WT Player Recruitment & Retention for 2021

[jrtiger]

Anyone know what the telecrap article is on about with Lucy playing a different position?


Looks like Garner (or Blore) is staying on the right....

A positional switch at the Wests Tigers could spell double trouble for rivals, with Luciano and Joey Leilua in contention to play on the same edge.

In a move that would see the brothers team up in both defence and attack, coach Michael Maguire is considering playing Joey at left centre this year after recruiting right-hand specialist James Roberts in a major coup for the club.

Having once dreamt of becoming an NRL player like his big brother, Luciano hopes to get the chance to go shoulder to shoulder in a 220kg sibling sandwich.

“We haven’t played many games together before last year but we’ve done more on the same side this year,” Luciano said.

“It’s good for us because we know each other’s game a lot and it creates options for us when we attack.

“I’ve always been really impressed with what (Joey’s) been able to do in the game so it’s good to be with him now.
“Hopefully we can have some success together here because I think we’ve got a great side and we can do a lot to help get this team up to the top of the ladder this year.”

Luciano did admit there was a downside to being so close to arguably the NRL’s most antagonistic player.

“He’s been in my ear the whole time talking, which has been annoying,” Luciano said.

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”

Didn't they defend together in the 2nd half of the Knights game ( the 1st game at Leichhardt )

yes and for this reason I am terribly worried. together as a defensive pairing they were shocking and came up with some horrendous defensive decisions. I feel out of all the potential centres Leilua is behind Momirovski, Roberts and probably Talau in terms of defensive ability.

 

[happy_tiger]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

 

[BAGNF05]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

Agree, we have to have discipline to beat good teams, along with that the effort and execution need to be on point. We had the effort in that game - it was one of Eisenhuth’s best performances - but we lacked the discipline and the execution when it mattered. I think Madge is the man to instil these traits at WT but I think it’s going to take him another 2-3 years.

 

[happy_tiger]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

Agree, we have to have discipline to beat good teams, along with that the effort and execution need to be on point. We had the effort in that game - it was one of Eisenhuth’s best performances - but we lacked the discipline and the execution when it mattered. I think Madge is the man to instil these traits at WT but I think it’s going to take him another 2-3 years.

We will miss Eisenhuth and McIntyre almost as much as we will miss Grant in 2021

Huth is the fringe player every club needs ...you can't expect him to pull those efforts out for 24 rounds ...bring him in 8-10 games a season ...hell yeah

 

[JC99]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

Agree, we have to have discipline to beat good teams, along with that the effort and execution need to be on point. We had the effort in that game - it was one of Eisenhuth’s best performances - but we lacked the discipline and the execution when it mattered. I think Madge is the man to instil these traits at WT but I think it’s going to take him another 2-3 years.

We will miss Eisenhuth and McIntyre almost as much as we will miss Grant in 2021

Huth is the fringe player every club needs ...you can't expect him to pull those efforts out for 24 rounds ...bring him in 8-10 games a season ...hell yeah

Our forward depth looks pretty good. Gonna be one or two good props missing out if there's no injuries like Mikaele or Stefano who have upside

 

[jadtiger]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

Agree, we have to have discipline to beat good teams, along with that the effort and execution need to be on point. We had the effort in that game - it was one of Eisenhuth’s best performances - but we lacked the discipline and the execution when it mattered. I think Madge is the man to instil these traits at WT but I think it’s going to take him another 2-3 years.

We will miss Eisenhuth and McIntyre almost as much as we will miss Grant in 2021

Huth is the fringe player every club needs ...you can't expect him to pull those efforts out for 24 rounds ...bring him in 8-10 games a season ...hell yeah

Our forward depth looks pretty good. Gonna be one or two good props missing out if there's no injuries like Mikaele or Stefano who have upside

I have never known a season where you dont have injuries to props.i am sure at one stage or another people will be complaining we dont have enough props available

 

[JC99]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

Agree, we have to have discipline to beat good teams, along with that the effort and execution need to be on point. We had the effort in that game - it was one of Eisenhuth’s best performances - but we lacked the discipline and the execution when it mattered. I think Madge is the man to instil these traits at WT but I think it’s going to take him another 2-3 years.

We will miss Eisenhuth and McIntyre almost as much as we will miss Grant in 2021

Huth is the fringe player every club needs ...you can't expect him to pull those efforts out for 24 rounds ...bring him in 8-10 games a season ...hell yeah

Our forward depth looks pretty good. Gonna be one or two good props missing out if there's no injuries like Mikaele or Stefano who have upside


I have never known a season where you dont have injuries to props.i am sure at one stage or another people will be complaining we dont have enough props available

By my count we've got 8 middle forwards, and a few second rowers capable of playing in the middle. We will be right, now if second rowers start going down that's another story

 

[crazycat]

Anyone seen what position talau has been playing at training??

Mostly right centre, however it looks like Roberts and Nofa will be there for RND 1

That's interesting. Who's been training on the wings then?

Nofoaluma, Kepaoa, Fine and Allan Fitzgibbon

Think I have had a brain fart. Who is Fine?

William kei.

Wow that's a name to Rival Elgey...
BTW, who is AJ in our squad?

 

[TheDaBoss]

Anyone seen what position talau has been playing at training??

Mostly right centre, however it looks like Roberts and Nofa will be there for RND 1

That's interesting. Who's been training on the wings then?

Nofoaluma, Kepaoa, Fine and Allan Fitzgibbon

Think I have had a brain fart. Who is Fine?

William kei.

Wow that's a name to Rival Elgey...
BTW, who is AJ in our squad?

Kepaoa

 

[twentyforty]

Anyone know what the telecrap article is on about with Lucy playing a different position?


Looks like Garner (or Blore) is staying on the right....

A positional switch at the Wests Tigers could spell double trouble for rivals, with Luciano and Joey Leilua in contention to play on the same edge.

In a move that would see the brothers team up in both defence and attack, coach Michael Maguire is considering playing Joey at left centre this year after recruiting right-hand specialist James Roberts in a major coup for the club.

Having once dreamt of becoming an NRL player like his big brother, Luciano hopes to get the chance to go shoulder to shoulder in a 220kg sibling sandwich.

“We haven’t played many games together before last year but we’ve done more on the same side this year,” Luciano said.

“It’s good for us because we know each other’s game a lot and it creates options for us when we attack.

“I’ve always been really impressed with what (Joey’s) been able to do in the game so it’s good to be with him now.
“Hopefully we can have some success together here because I think we’ve got a great side and we can do a lot to help get this team up to the top of the ladder this year.”

Luciano did admit there was a downside to being so close to arguably the NRL’s most antagonistic player.

“He’s been in my ear the whole time talking, which has been annoying,” Luciano said.

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”

Didn't they defend together in the 2nd half of the Knights game ( the 1st game at Leichhardt )

yes and for this reason I am terribly worried. together as a defensive pairing they were shocking and came up with some horrendous defensive decisions. I feel out of all the potential centres Leilua is behind Momirovski, Roberts and probably Talau in terms of defensive ability.

I wouldn’t benchmark from that game. There were a few distractions leading into that game. BJ was more focussed on how his missus was going to cope with the pay cut, as I recall.

 

[Papacito]

Thoughts on Jake Simpkin?

For mine, we're looking very skinny when it comes to options at hooker.

 

[jrtiger]

Thoughts on Jake Simpkin?

For mine, we're looking very skinny when it comes to options at hooker.

he'll make his debut at some point this year, but hookers take time to find their feet because the position is so physically and mentally taxing at the highest level. massive wraps on him from a lot of good judges, but we have to be patient with him. if anything it explains the McInnes interest, Madge probably thinking McInnes could play there until the other 2 are ready for the week in week out grind and then move McInnes to 13.

 

[Needaname]

Anyone know what the telecrap article is on about with Lucy playing a different position?


Looks like Garner (or Blore) is staying on the right....

A positional switch at the Wests Tigers could spell double trouble for rivals, with Luciano and Joey Leilua in contention to play on the same edge.

In a move that would see the brothers team up in both defence and attack, coach Michael Maguire is considering playing Joey at left centre this year after recruiting right-hand specialist James Roberts in a major coup for the club.

Having once dreamt of becoming an NRL player like his big brother, Luciano hopes to get the chance to go shoulder to shoulder in a 220kg sibling sandwich.

“We haven’t played many games together before last year but we’ve done more on the same side this year,” Luciano said.

“It’s good for us because we know each other’s game a lot and it creates options for us when we attack.

“I’ve always been really impressed with what (Joey’s) been able to do in the game so it’s good to be with him now.
“Hopefully we can have some success together here because I think we’ve got a great side and we can do a lot to help get this team up to the top of the ladder this year.”

Luciano did admit there was a downside to being so close to arguably the NRL’s most antagonistic player.

“He’s been in my ear the whole time talking, which has been annoying,” Luciano said.

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”

Didn't they defend together in the 2nd half of the Knights game ( the 1st game at Leichhardt )

yes and for this reason I am terribly worried. together as a defensive pairing they were shocking and came up with some horrendous defensive decisions. I feel out of all the potential centres Leilua is behind Momirovski, Roberts and probably Talau in terms of defensive ability.


I wouldn’t benchmark from that game. There were a few distractions leading into that game. BJ was more focussed on how his missus was going to cope with the pay cut, as I recall.

Was that the no crowd game before they closed the comp? Weren’t all the distractions after that and defending next to Benji wouldn’t of helped. + the knights were on song to start last year!

 

[twentyforty]

Anyone know what the telecrap article is on about with Lucy playing a different position?


Looks like Garner (or Blore) is staying on the right....

A positional switch at the Wests Tigers could spell double trouble for rivals, with Luciano and Joey Leilua in contention to play on the same edge.

In a move that would see the brothers team up in both defence and attack, coach Michael Maguire is considering playing Joey at left centre this year after recruiting right-hand specialist James Roberts in a major coup for the club.

Having once dreamt of becoming an NRL player like his big brother, Luciano hopes to get the chance to go shoulder to shoulder in a 220kg sibling sandwich.

“We haven’t played many games together before last year but we’ve done more on the same side this year,” Luciano said.

“It’s good for us because we know each other’s game a lot and it creates options for us when we attack.

“I’ve always been really impressed with what (Joey’s) been able to do in the game so it’s good to be with him now.
“Hopefully we can have some success together here because I think we’ve got a great side and we can do a lot to help get this team up to the top of the ladder this year.”

Luciano did admit there was a downside to being so close to arguably the NRL’s most antagonistic player.

“He’s been in my ear the whole time talking, which has been annoying,” Luciano said.

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”

Didn't they defend together in the 2nd half of the Knights game ( the 1st game at Leichhardt )

yes and for this reason I am terribly worried. together as a defensive pairing they were shocking and came up with some horrendous defensive decisions. I feel out of all the potential centres Leilua is behind Momirovski, Roberts and probably Talau in terms of defensive ability.


I wouldn’t benchmark from that game. There were a few distractions leading into that game. BJ was more focussed on how his missus was going to cope with the pay cut, as I recall.

Was that the no crowd game before they closed the comp? Weren’t all the distractions after that and defending next to Benji wouldn’t of helped. + the knights were on song to start last year!

Reynolds missed more tackles than Benji that day and BJ , Luci weren’t far behind. I expected a better effort from the team, given the high success rate at LO, but they were flat. It was mid March, with fears COVID-19 could stop the season and players would have to take a pay cut. People were dying in China, Spain, Italy etc. and we were told to expect the severest pandemic the world has seen. I think a normal human being could understandably be distracted?

 

[hammertime]

Thoughts on Jake Simpkin?

For mine, we're looking very skinny when it comes to options at hooker.

I'd say depth is Liddle, Simpkin, Walters, Mbye. Not that strong, but do'able.

We can always pick up a 2nd tier 9 mid season if needed from injuries.

 

[sleeve]

McInnes signed with Sharks.

 

[sleeve]

Thoughts on Jake Simpkin?

For mine, we're looking very skinny when it comes to options at hooker.

he'll make his debut at some point this year, but hookers take time to find their feet because the position is so physically and mentally taxing at the highest level. massive wraps on him from a lot of good judges, but we have to be patient with him. if anything it explains the McInnes interest, Madge probably thinking McInnes could play there until the other 2 are ready for the week in week out grind and then move McInnes to 13.

Mc INNES signed with Sharks--NRL NEWS

 

[avocadoontoast]

Thoughts on Jake Simpkin?

For mine, we're looking very skinny when it comes to options at hooker.

I'd say depth is Liddle, Simpkin, Walters, Mbye. Not that strong, but do'able.

We can always pick up a 2nd tier 9 mid season if needed from injuries.

I think the spine depth generally is a concern.

1. Mbye/Kepoa
6. AD/Madden
7. Brooks/Madden
9. Liddle/Simpkin

I've left out Walters as not sure when he's back.

 

[Tim Sheens]

“We also know how to push each other — and we can get competitive at times — but that is good. We pushed each other a fair bit in pre-season to come back to training with not too much weight and in good shape.

“It’s definitely helped me be good this year and I think he’s the same.”



No-one ever got my goat the way my brother did, but I'd go to war and bleed for him every day of the week.
With the Leilua boys, that bond was on display last year against Penrith and a big piece of me found it hard to fault Joey committing such a bone-headed act.
If BJ can harness his aggro and channel it the right way their gonna be awesome together.

Attended that game with my brother, a panthers fan, on the way out I was deflated but said to him, we stood up to Penrith tonight, Joeys act was a sign of it, we had each other’s back. Sadly that was all she wrote for our season, think the Warriors gave us a lesson shortly after.

Yeah it was good ...but it has to be controlled aggression ...like Brooks throwing punches .....controlled ......make him look like a chump when you set up the winning try and then let him know .....same with Joey just run over the top of him next run and give him the stare ..get in his head and get him out of yours .....play smart ...and never give a sucker an even break

Agree, we have to have discipline to beat good teams, along with that the effort and execution need to be on point. We had the effort in that game - it was one of Eisenhuth’s best performances - but we lacked the discipline and the execution when it mattered. I think Madge is the man to instil these traits at WT but I think it’s going to take him another 2-3 years.

We will miss Eisenhuth and McIntyre almost as much as we will miss Grant in 2021

Huth is the fringe player every club needs ...you can't expect him to pull those efforts out for 24 rounds ...bring him in 8-10 games a season ...hell yeah

Can agree with this, though for different reasons on the first part and Sam not so much with Joffa's arrival.

 

[Papacito]

Thoughts on Jake Simpkin?

For mine, we're looking very skinny when it comes to options at hooker.

I'd say depth is Liddle, Simpkin, Walters, Mbye. Not that strong, but do'able.

We can always pick up a 2nd tier 9 mid season if needed from injuries.

I guess that's the problem. If Liddle goes down we're stuck with a rookie and part time 9's in a key role.