@Tigersmurf said:
I understand that Mullaney had quite a good game on the weekend, but it was in the halves. I don't believe that he has been setting the world on fire at the back but am happy to be proven wrong by anyone who has seen some Balmain Ryde games.
CT, I agree that some hard straight runners are required but do we want an entire pack that all play the same? You kept Dwyer who didn't make a decent front on tackle all night but then dumped Fifita who was our only strike forward.
I like Dwyer, but why does he tackle with his arms, and turn before the line when he hits the ball up. That boy must have some very sore kidneys!
Mullaney was switched back to the halves and Meaney back to fullback with the kicking duties. This i have it on very good authority, was under instructions by Sheens for this move.
I think this was better than the vice versa roles they were playing in the past as Meaney was and has always been a better outside back and used to be a winger for Manly before he joined us. Mullaney to the halves is also a better option as Jakey used to be a half before he was converted to a fullback to play NYC for WT.
So perhaps Sheens is looking for a back-up to McKinnon if injury strikes again, and keeping Meaney close by who also has a very good boot.
IMO Mullaney will still need another season to try and develop a bit more size and weight.
The reason being Dwyer over Fifita is because Dwyer is a 2nd rower and Fifita is a Front rower. How could you even compare?? You throw them both into the same basket because they are "up and comers".
Dwyer is on track to develop into something very special, and as a wide straight running second rower on one flank and Heighington trying to replicate the same on the other, this suits a crossfield running Marshall to drift and find a straight runner.
Fifita on the other hand who has been playing extremely well, IMO has begun running laterally much too often from his NYC days. Just think back to when he played NYC, he would destroy teams by running straight up the middle and breaking their line. Since he has gone to first grade, he has utilised his great fend but begun drifting sideways. Something WT do NOT need from a front rower IMO. He needs to fine tune this.
Both players in defence aren't as bad as many are making out. Yes they BOTH arm grab at times, but this is part of the apprenticeship of becoming a veteran first grader. They will both learn and be found out if they don't work on their technique.
So yes, i am all for as many straight running front rowers as WT can manage to get onto that field as i'm actually getting pretty pee'd off about our continual 30m gains from a set. This has been an ongoing problem since the time of dawn for WT. Now the club has the depth, they should make the most of it!!
