Your top 17, Season 2016

[Russell]

TT - you are a champion.

Thank you for the insight - always good to know what we can expect.

Hope the Tigers get it together on the field in 2016

 

[The_Phantom]

Thank you TT for your thoughts on our beloved WT . Your posts have been the high light of the off season. Hope you won't be CENSURED down the track.

 

[greatodensraven]

So going off TT's reports we're looking at something like:

1\. Teddy
2\. Nofo
3\. Naquima
4\. Simona
5\. Addo-car
6\. Moses
7\. Brooks
8\. Woods
9\. Farah
10\. Sue
11\. Siro
12\. Lawrence
13\. Edwards

14\. Ava
15\. Griffin (prop)
16\. Chee Kam
17\. Halatau

Seems to be a well-balanced side that will likely be kept honest with the likes of Ballin, Cherrington, Rankin, Seve etc. putting the pressure on from NSW cup.

A little over 2 months to go now!!

 

[fairdinkum]

So going off TT's reports we're looking at something like:

1\. Teddy
2\. Nofo
3\. Naquima
4\. Simona
5\. Addo-car
6\. Moses
7\. Brooks
8\. Woods
9\. Farah
10\. Sue
11\. Siro
12\. Lawrence
13\. Edwards

14\. Ava
15\. Griffin (prop)
16\. Chee Kam
17\. Halatau

Seems to be a well-balanced side that will likely be kept honest with the likes of Ballin, Cherrington, Rankin, Seve etc. putting the pressure on from NSW cup.

A little over 2 months to go now!!

A little light on class would be an understatement, but for what we've got in the sheds that looks like the best team possible and thats sad because its pretty much the same crap less Richards and Galloway, that ran out last year and finished second last.

The only thing about this year is we have a bit more depth then the previous few seasons. Hopefully under performing players will actually see the axe swung and others given the chance. Not sure this team in its entire history has ever dropped under performing players, this year will be interesting.

 

[Tigers123]

NRL Squad
1\. James Tedesco
2\. Justin Hunt
3\. Tim Simona
4\. Kevin Naiqama
5\. David Nofoaluma
6\. Mitchell Moses
7\. Luke Brooks
8\. Aaron Woods
9\. Robbie Farah
10\. Sauaso Sue
11\. Curtis Sironen
12\. Chris Lawrence
13\. Dene Halatau

14\. Matt Ballin
15\. Joel Edwards
16\. Michael Chee Kam
17\. Ava Seumanufagai

Was trying to fit at least one of the Ipswich boys in but with most teams having at least two specialist hookers in their squad for next season, was finding it hard :frowning:

 

[Tigers123]

Thank you all for positive feedback - 'the truth will set you free'.
I really wish I could be even more specific with certain details but that would leave me exposed.
To be succinct the NRL competition is not / never will be a level playing filed, its very much the survival of the fittest / wealthiest, this may ultimately destroy true competition as it becomes a battle of the cheque books. We are doing our best to catch up as fast as we can.
[]For Willow: I along with several others at the club are following Dallas Graham vey closely. All he appears to lack at the moment is some mongrel / killer instinct. He along with Tyler Cassel; Sue; Seve; Lawrence; Farah; Parahi & Lovett are probably the best / most consistent trainers. Lovett in particular seems to keep getting selected in 1st grade on the basis that he does absolutely everything asked of him at training & more ( I don't rate him, but can't fault his attitude / commitment) Unless we are crippled by injury I would say Graham is still a year off 1st grade, the current prop pecking order ( subject to a possible addition in New Year) is Woods; Sue; Ava; Edwards; Griffin (can play BIG minutes, even though his training is up and down / in opposed sessions always excels and never seems to get tired); Buchanan - then its either Graham or Billy 'Madness' McConnachie. Graham will make the grade its only a matter of time / he has the devil of a time trying to put on weight! Would like to play @110kg still 5 kg shy. No member of the coaching team has anything negative to say about him which let me tell you is very rare. But unlike Lovett who cannot be faulted in this area as well, Graham does possess genuine talent and a big motor. At training I've seen him show off ball skills that I didn't think he possessed.
Sorry guys that will have to be my last post for now, the immediate future may not be blindingly bright but keep those sunnies close at hand as there is a new dawn on the horizon.
My personal opinion, shared by 2 of the extended coaching team is Tedesco will this year enter the Tigers hall of fame, he is breathtaking to watch and as his fitness improves ( 2kg over weight) he is destined to become the games premier fullback. I've only seen him really nailed one on one, by two players at training - Edwards & Cassell. He has made our starting second rowers ( both of whom I rate) look third grade on numerous occasions / for a change up he loves to practice kick returns running at big bruising forwards who are to keen to put a big hit on. Cassell who is struggling to maintain 100kg hits like a hammer and sticks all the way to the ground, perfect technique - given the chance he will cut Tapau in half. Until next time don't be afraid of the dark - Tiger Torch!

Thanks so much for the info!!! :sign:

 

[doublesonthemain]

Tedesco
Nofoaluma
Simona
Addo-Carr
Naqaima
Moses
Brooks
Lovett
Sironen
Lawrence
Sue
Farah
Woods

Bench:
Ava Seumanufagai
Rod Griffin
Chee-Kam
Dene Halatau

Bench is a tough one and will differ from game to game but a pretty mobile bench early in the year might be the go as weather hot and new rule changes. The back row can all play 80 mins so not much call to change them much, maybe a 10-15 minute rest early in the year only. Lawrence can move from back-row if a back gets injured.

 

[boonboon]

Tedesco
Nofoaluma
SImona
Naquiama
Addo-Carr (just in front of Justin Hunt)
Moses
Brooks
Edwards (switching to prop after 25 mins)
Sironen (switches to lock after 25 mins)
Lawrence
Woods
Farah
Sue

Seumanufagai
Chee-Kam
Halatau
Cherrington

Interchange - Assuming no injuries/unexpected changes
1.25 mins - Woods off, Seumanufagai on
2.25 mins - Sue off, Halatau on , Edwards to prop
3.30 mins - Farah off, Cherrington on
4.50 Mins- Edwards off , Woods on
5\. 55 Mins - Cherrington off Farah on
6\. 55-60 mins - Chee Kam on, Lawrence off
7\. 55-60 mins - Sue on, Seumanufagai off
8\. SAVED FOR LAST 5 MINS WHOEVER NEEDS A BREAK

 

[innsaneink]

Thank you TT for your thoughts on our beloved WT . Your posts have been the high light of the off season. Hope you won't be CENSURED down the track.

That usually only happens when a new player or employee joins the club and a friend or rello who isnt a supporter, joins the forum to provide the goss, and then gains an big head & an ego when he suddenly gets a lot of attention.

Thanks for the info TT….dont change

 

[Sabre]

Thank you TT for your thoughts on our beloved WT . Your posts have been the high light of the off season. Hope you won't be CENSURED down the track.

That usually only happens when a new player or employee joins the club and a friend or rello who isnt a supporter, joins the forum to provide the goss, and then gains an big head & an ego when he suddenly gets a lot of attention.

Thanks for the info TT….dont change

Like when that smoking gun bloke claimed to be Steve Georgallis?

 

[Tigerdon]

Tedesco
Nofoaluma
SImona
Naquiama
Addo-Carr (just in front of Justin Hunt)
Moses
Brooks
Edwards (switching to prop after 25 mins)
Sironen (switches to lock after 25 mins)
Lawrence
Woods
Farah
Sue

Seumanufagai
Chee-Kam
Halatau
Cherrington

Interchange - Assuming no injuries/unexpected changes
1.25 mins - Woods off, Seumanufagai on
2.25 mins - Sue off, Halatau on , Edwards to prop
3.30 mins - Farah off, Cherrington on
4.50 Mins- Edwards off , Woods on
5\. 55 Mins - Cherrington off Farah on
6\. 55-60 mins - Chee Kam on, Lawrence off
7\. 55-60 mins - Sue on, Seumanufagai off
8\. SAVED FOR LAST 5 MINS WHOEVER NEEDS A BREAK

I'm liking this well thought out bench. The only thing I'd change is Cherrington's minutes . I'd like him to come on late and finish the game. Once opposition players are tied he could really change the game.

 

[doublesonthemain]

Further clarifications: No inside info on Brooks & Moses, though every indication is that they will stay for a further 3 years.
Its only Addo-Carr not Tyler Cassell who is matching Korobete's sprint times. Cassell is fast becoming one of our best defenders along with Edwards. Incidentally additional time being spent on Woods to improve defensive technique - more shoulders less arm grabs.
All in all a pretty happy and unified squad at present.
Like all of us I have my own personal views and opinions but have restricted these updates to actually what's happening at training, not what I would like to see etc
For what's its worth I think we will finish 9th, but with a little luck re injuries and more consistent performance from our halves we could snare 8th. I think Rankin is the key here putting genuine pressure on both / he's very similar at training to Austin.
We are probably short 1 legitimate first grade prop but are Grant or Lawrence better than what we've got? With Klemmer our #1 target for 2017 should we enter the market for a stop gap? (these are personal opinions)
If there is to be a further signing for 2016 I have been told it still will be a prop @ $250k max - I don't know what that will get us, I would have thought Grant or Lawrence (neither of whom I want) but I'm not privy to what Manly / Souths were prepared to accept. I know Grant is on $450k. I don't have any idea about Lawrence.
Cherrington appears unfazed by the Farah saga, in fact spends quite a bit of one on one time with Robbie. Ballin's rehab is a blessing at the moment, when all 3 are available there may be issues, but with Farah's likely departure in 2016 and Cherrington getting a contract upgrade (discussions already underway) all should be sweet.
That's about all I have at present, I may check in prior to kick off, don't forget to question any negative rumour/s regarding the club and analyse the source / motivation. For instance Tapau left for the money pure and simple, no issues with Taylor, he wasn't happy with Taylor's plan to extend his minutes, but all in all had no major concerns - they do in fact still talk.
Farah and Taylor are getting on with business, and on the surface appear to have reached some form of truce / understanding. They will never be as close as Farah was with Sheens but therein lies the root of the problem.
Personal opinions / prejudices are just that, we all have them. I personally don't think Taylor is the right man for the job, but my sources that work with him, along with my own observations at some training sessions suggest I am in the minority.
The club is neither a basket case of a best practice organization but it is heading in the right direction. Whilst I'm tipping 9th this year if we don't make the 8 expect further changes which have been written into KPIs. 2017 the club is committed to a top 4 finish.

\
\
[I'm not sure what to think of JT as a coach but I did a little research and found that he had the best record, in terms of average pts scored and conceded in his first year at the club compared with the other 4 coaches' first season at the club. His team therefore had the best points differentiaI in the first year. t's not a lot to go on, probably shows how difficult the job is at the Tigers more than anything. Also doesn't take into account numbers of players used etc. ]

 

[happy_tiger]

Thank you TT for your thoughts on our beloved WT . Your posts have been the high light of the off season. Hope you won't be CENSURED down the track.

That usually only happens when a new player or employee joins the club and a friend or rello who isnt a supporter, joins the forum to provide the goss, and then gains an big head & an ego when he suddenly gets a lot of attention.

Thanks for the info TT….dont change

Like when that smoking gun bloke claimed to be Steve Georgallis?

I thought smoking gun was a mate of Farahs ??

 

[Sully]

The sides listed may not be comparable to the Roosters, Broncos, Eagles, etc but if they play with heart and a solid game plan I can see them causing a few upsets. Our draw is not bad with a few home games to start so it is imperative we get off to a good start and injuries remain low.

I am excited to have some pace on the wing aside Simona and with Teddy chiming in.

JT needs to get a game plan to play to these strengths otherwise we will see another year of promise and rebuilding down the drain.

I agree with a few on this forum that we need to be positive about 2016 and get behind our team.

Can't wait to it starts

 

[tigger2010]

TT i just wanted to say thanks for your insight regarding the mighty tigers,so good to hear about which directions the club is taking and how the players are performing.Often i have my own ideas on happenings at the club and to see you clarify them or to give new information is exciting to hear and read.

I wanted to ask a few things if i may and understand if u can/cant answer….in regards to Tim Grant is this official?Much talk on the forum and fb about it being confirmed but still nothing official,Luke brooks n mitch moses have really struggled with their defence and sometimes confidence,does JT spend much much time with these guys to focus on the things they need to improve as halves,has a halves coach been discussed?
Just one last one was i heard ado-carr was pretty small in size,how do u think he will go defensively .? Thanks again and have a happy new year Daniel/Tigger2010

 

[Tiger_Torch]

Tigger 2010,
I can let you know the following. Tim Grant along with Brenton Lawrence as per my last posts we offered $250k per season for 2 years / we could only afford one. Manly were reluctant to subsidise approx. $100k per season for Lawrence, Souths were /are on the verge of $200k per season subsidy for Grant - one of the major stumbling blocks is that Grant does not want to play under Ivan Cleary who dropped him to NSW Cup at Penrith. Cleary will take over from Taylor possibly as early as round 12 if performances are poor. I'm told that it is still likely Grant will come on board but at this stage not definite. Plenty of extras in defence being done by Brooks and Moses / Moses is really putting in at training; Brooks needs to lift his commitment as from next week - HE HAS BEEN TOLD!
I have no inside info on a specialist halves coach; Taylor has been running a few set plays himself at training and both halves are spending plenty of time with Kidwell - trying to tackle him one on one.
Addo- Carr will probably play at 82kg, he is reasonable defender but not outstanding, prefers to let a player get on his outside chase and tackle him from behind. Hunt is a better one on one defender but can't get near Addo- Carr for pace. Others in contention for the wing spot are Peni; Kharwin (neither have Addo-Carr's blistering pace) and reluctantly moving Naquima back from centre, with either Rankin of Chee Kam to move into vacant centre.
As previously stated probably 30 or the 34 training in the NRL SQUAD are very close knit (only 4 or so keep to themselves, they are mainly fringe first graders, but truly no major issues). Just about all the new guys are fitting in really well. Farah does not appear to be causing any friction at all, and appears to be on board with Taylor's strategy. I repeat while I have some misgivings about Taylors coaching ability I don't have many allies in this regard, many of the players really look up to him
(Sue for instance is a huge fan) along with most of the coaching team. This is what I know / have seen - now purely speculation on my part with no inside info, but if Cleary were to come on board there would be even more pressure on Brooks / I don't think he would hesitate to drop him for Rankin.
I rate Brooks very highly but he needs to be more consistent and lift his fitness to the level of Moses, he is currently at 85kg and is thriving in the gym but not putting in the fitness work on the track, let's just say whilst he is still in the top 8 for acceleration / sprints, he has not been in the top 20 for any of the longer fitness sessions.
The word is that anything less than 6-7 wins from first 12 games will see contractual KPIs triggered to remove Taylor - setting aside my own personal bias I hope he succeeds and makes me a believer, I'm still hoping for a 8th finish, while thinking a 9th place to be very realistic.

 

[Milky]

Tigger 2010,
I can let you know the following. Tim Grant along with Brenton Lawrence as per my last posts we offered $250k per season for 2 years / we could only afford one. Manly were reluctant to subsidise approx. $100k per season for Lawrence, Souths were /are on the verge of $200k per season subsidy for Grant - one of the major stumbling blocks is that Grant does not want to play under Ivan Cleary who dropped him to NSW Cup at Penrith. Cleary will take over from Taylor possibly as early as round 12 if performances are poor. I'm told that it is still likely Grant will come on board but at this stage not definite. Plenty of extras in defence being done by Brooks and Moses / Moses is really putting in at training; Brooks needs to lift his commitment as from next week - HE HAS BEEN TOLD!
I have no inside info on a specialist halves coach; Taylor has been running a few set plays himself at training and both halves are spending plenty of time with Kidwell - trying to tackle him one on one.
Addo- Carr will probably play at 82kg, he is reasonable defender but not outstanding, prefers to let a player get on his outside chase and tackle him from behind. Hunt is a better one on one defender but can't get near Addo- Carr for pace. Others in contention for the wing spot are Peni; Kharwin (neither have Addo-Carr's blistering pace) and reluctantly moving Naquima back from centre, with either Rankin of Chee Kam to move into vacant centre.
As previously stated probably 30 or the 34 training in the NRL SQUAD are very close knit (only 4 or so keep to themselves, they are mainly fringe first graders, but truly no major issues). Just about all the new guys are fitting in really well. Farah does not appear to be causing any friction at all, and appears to be on board with Taylor's strategy. I repeat while I have some misgivings about Taylors coaching ability I don't have many allies in this regard, many of the players really look up to him
(Sue for instance is a huge fan) along with most of the coaching team. This is what I know / have seen - now purely speculation on my part with no inside info, but if Cleary were to come on board there would be even more pressure on Brooks / I don't think he would hesitate to drop him for Rankin.
I rate Brooks very highly but he needs to be more consistent and lift his fitness to the level of Moses, he is currently at 85kg and is thriving in the gym but not putting in the fitness work on the track, let's just say whilst he is still in the top 8 for acceleration / sprints, he has not been in the top 20 for any of the longer fitness sessions.
The word is that anything less than 6-7 wins from first 12 games will see contractual KPIs triggered to remove Taylor - setting aside my own personal bias I hope he succeeds and makes me a believer, I'm still hoping for a 8th finish, while thinking a 9th place to be very realistic.

Your a champion mate, do you think any of our key players will follow Taylor if he was to get the sack, assuming he gets a gig elsewhere.

 

[Guest]

I'd like to know why Brooks isn't putting in at the moment…As for Addo-Carr, we need a strong finisher and this guy probably fits the bill better than our other wing options. I like Kharwin but I think he will bulk up too much to remain a wing option and his pace is nothing flash. He looks like a future backrow option TBH.

 

[Tiger_Torch]

I would only be speculating but there certainly are more than a handful that are very close to him - my view would be that Taylor would struggle to get another gig here in Australia. In short I have nothing of substance to offer, but consider it unlikely that the club would lose players is he departs.
As its New Year eve I will give you one final scoop that I just received from the inner sanctum. The Gold Coast have made a play for Marion Seve who remains under contract for 2016\. He appears very happy at the club but the word is if he doesn't make his debut this year he will leave. The GC offer is $280k yr 1 / $350k yr 2 with incentives. Seve remains the only player in the expanded squad to have beaten Addo-Carr on one occasion over 100m. 20m / 40m / 50m / 100m sprints have been conducted / recorded on 12 occasions during pre-season. 20-40m have been hotly contested with a list of players ( Addo- Carr; Teddy; Brooks; Moses; Simona; Seve; Naquima ) getting 1st place - Addo-Carr on 6 occasions. But when it comes to 50-100m its Addo-Carr all the way with only Seve beating him on one occasion / Addo-Carr's times are similar to Korobete's.
Bear in mind that Teddy was never really flat out after minor surgery until the last couple of weeks, he played 2015 with scar tissues / bone fragments in knee - now completely fixed, it is unlikely he will take to the field in 2016 with any tape at all on knee - its 100%. His speed fades after 60m though. Noffa will have additional speed / sprint training in Jan as he is consistently being beaten by Chee-Kam and a few others.
I omitted to mention that Seve is also in contention for a wing spot if centres remain Simona/ Naquima for opening game - this is extremely likely.
Seve is a more than capable defender and his attitude at training this pre-season ( unlike last year when his attitude was poor / battling injuries) has steadily improved to the point that he sits within the top 10 for key benchmarks.
Based on the view of 2 of the coaching / training staff - not Taylor, he has a very high opinion of Naquima which is reciprocated, Seve should be in the centres alongside Simona by mid year. Taylor does not want to return Naquima to the wing because of his lack of height under the high ball, so Addo- Carr who is excellent in this regard may get the wing spot.
For what's its worth based on what I have seen my personal opinion would be to let Addo-Carr and Seve compete for the wing spot and leave Naquima for the time being in the centres.
2016 unlike 2015 expect to see changes made if the team isn't performing, there's a lot at stake starting with the coach's position but it doesn't end there.

 

[Milky]

I would only be speculating but there certainly are more than a handful that are very close to him - my view would be that Taylor would struggle to get another gig here in Australia. In short I have nothing of substance to offer, but consider it unlikely that the club would lose players is he departs.
As its New Year eve I will give you one final scoop that I just received from the inner sanctum. The Gold Coast have made a play for Marion Seve who remains under contract for 2016\. He appears very happy at the club but the word is if he doesn't make his debut this year he will leave. The GC offer is $280k yr 1 / $350k yr 2 with incentives. Seve remains the only player in the expanded squad to have beaten Addo-Carr on one occasion over 100m. 20m / 40m / 50m / 100m sprints have been conducted / recorded on 12 occasions during pre-season. 20-40m have been hotly contested with a list of players ( Addo- Carr; Teddy; Brooks; Moses; Simona; Seve; Naquima ) getting 1st place - Addo-Carr on 6 occasions. But when it comes to 50-100m its Addo-Carr all the way with only Seve beating him on one occasion / Addo-Carr's times are similar to Korobete's.
Bear in mind that Teddy was never really flat out after minor surgery until the last couple of weeks, he played 2015 with scar tissues / bone fragments in knee - now completely fixed, it is unlikely he will take to the field in 2016 with any tape at all on knee - its 100%. His speed fades after 60m though. Noffa will have additional speed / sprint training in Jan as he is consistently being beaten by Chee-Kam and a few others.
I omitted to mention that Seve is also in contention for a wing spot if centres remain Simona/ Naquima for opening game - this is extremely likely.
Seve is a more than capable defender and his attitude at training this pre-season ( unlike last year when his attitude was poor / battling injuries) has steadily improved to the point that he sits within the top 10 for key benchmarks.
Based on the view of 2 of the coaching / training staff - not Taylor, he has a very high opinion of Naquima which is reciprocated, Seve should be in the centres alongside Simona by mid year. Taylor does not want to return Naquima to the wing because of his lack of height under the high ball, so Addo- Carr who is excellent in this regard may get the wing spot.
For what's its worth based on what I have seen my personal opinion would be to let Addo-Carr and Seve compete for the wing spot and leave Naquima for the time being in the centres.
2016 unlike 2015 expect to see changes made if the team isn't performing, there's a lot at stake starting with the coach's position but it doesn't end there.

Sorry i didn't understand the part about Naiqama, do you think Taylor would drop him for Seve? and where is Haleta at, is he doing any well?

Thankyou