TDS was very good. The team moved forward when he was on the field. As you say crisp passing, put the team on the front foot and his running was great. You can see he has speed.We are short on troops and playing an understrength powerhouse, lets establish that as a baseline. Very disappointing level of effort and commitment. So many times Storm simply outcompeted us for the ball. Bateman was outstanding all night, Bula did well, Papali'i possibly his biggest effort in our colours. Big effort by Noffa as well. Blore a much improved effort.
Cant believe people accepting Wakehams performance, he was rubbish. TDS didnt have a good night but I can see a first grader in there (not yet).
Im going to say something counter intuitive. Tim Sheens is a GREAT coach. This team is under the pump, under staffed, no halves, out best prop out, backs against the wall. The style of attack we used for the first 20 in second half with changing angles, different runners, isolating NAS etc, was GREAT coaching and it worked for that time but we ran out of puff and ability but that period had Sheens all over it.
Agree with most of what you said but disagree re TDS. His service from dummy half was very crisp and looked dangerous when he ran the ball. I think he belongs in first grade and thought we looked better when he was on rather than Simpkin.
TDS looked good, reminded me of a young Farah the way he takes off from dummy half and his competitiveness.
I think he needs to play out the year from the bench then start next season.
100 tries between Twal & Noffa
TDS looked good, reminded me of a young Farah the way he takes off from dummy half and his competitiveness.
I think he needs to play out the year from the bench then start next season.
No need to rush him. We've got the NSW hooker on the books for at least another season - let's bring him along slowly.
@plundermonkey yup okay that describes Donald to a tee. But when I said coach I meant Marshall pulling on the boots again. Sheens is just the front imo. But lots of ppl saw their moves with halves were fraught. But they won’t admit it though.
But I do believe it’s Benji’s turn to make a comeback to try and save face for this club.
@loganr21 Apologies, I thought you were talking about old Sheensy as the retiree.
Not sure what we’d gain from Benji having another run. And everyone says how fit he is, but NRL fitness is another level.
Watching the Dogs today, maybe we can dodge the spoon. They are worse than us.
@plundermonkey … yup the dogs have hit the wall and I still think we’re better than the dragons. But I’d still like a better half out there. Benji can micro coach out on the field.
@loganr21 Thanks - my username is based on something Stephen King said about Donald Trump and his cronies.
On Sheens, I’m a long term sceptic. I thought and still think his record since he left the Tigers didn’t justify his appointment as coach.
I’m not a full on conspiracy theorist, but it certainly helped him that the team ran dead in the second half of 2021. And that the recruitment process he was running didn’t find anyone else suitable.
That finish to 2021 has left some lasting damage on the psychology of the team.
He also has a bad record with recruiting halves. He gambled and won on Scott Prince, which was great, but then lost him. The Tigers treaded water from 2007 - 2009 (John Morris, Matthew Head), then had Robert Lui fall into our lap.
This time, letting Hastings and Madden go and recruiting no quality cover for Brooks and Doueihi has proven disastrous. And whatever he’s selling as an attacking philosophy, the players, 16 games in, are not buying it.
I like that he is prepared to throw young talent in the team, but we’ve got to be able to win a few games, and thanks to our dire halves situation, that isn’t likely.
Cheers
Good summary/perspective 👍
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@loganr21 Benji would be no where near fit enough to play a first grade game. It would be such a backwards step for everyone. When was the last time he played a game of football? The 2021 grand final? That was 20 months ago
I don’t think he’s lost it… his ego would get him in the mix even more. Seasons over so it’s not going to be hurting the finals play. Would give me a lift in watching the remainder of the season.@loganr21 Benji would be no where near fit enough to play a first grade game. It would be such a backwards step for everyone. When was the last time he played a game of football? The 2021 grand final? That was 20 months ago
I don’t think he’s lost it… his ego would get him in the mix even more. Seasons over so it’s not going to be hurting the finals play. Would give me a lift in watching the remainder of the season.@loganr21 Benji would be no where near fit enough to play a first grade game. It would be such a backwards step for everyone. When was the last time he played a game of football? The 2021 grand final? That was 20 months ago
I just don’t see it happening, nor do I think it’s good for Benji the coach.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I don’t think he’s lost it… his ego would get him in the mix even more. Seasons over so it’s not going to be hurting the finals play. Would give me a lift in watching the remainder of the season.@loganr21 Benji would be no where near fit enough to play a first grade game. It would be such a backwards step for everyone. When was the last time he played a game of football? The 2021 grand final? That was 20 months ago
I feel the opposite. I’d just turn off. It would be pointless
@the-last-ronin Well if To’a rocks up at 6 against the cows I probably won’t watch. So will we go out and sign like a clune during the bye? We have to do something!!
Thankfully, WT fans are a broad church so, while it might be entertaining to you, IMO would be the ultimate admission that WT are clueless, directionless and a joke of a club.I don’t think he’s lost it… his ego would get him in the mix even more. Seasons over so it’s not going to be hurting the finals play. Would give me a lift in watching the remainder of the season.@loganr21 Benji would be no where near fit enough to play a first grade game. It would be such a backwards step for everyone. When was the last time he played a game of football? The 2021 grand final? That was 20 months ago
@mike he had moments if we are all being truely honest . But his pass , launched at Batemans ahead , and his ricochet led to direct points .
I also thought the team in general looked directionless when he was out there , there was just a frantic energy about them .
All of that is to be expected . He definitely in 20 mins showed what the fuss was about .
It’s crazy he’s only 18 . Throws his body in the grind , sticks his tackles on giants.
Dare I say it better than Liddle ever did and he’s 26 .
I thought Blore finally showed what the fuss was about as well . And , as was the rub on him , when there was a leadership vacuum , he stepped up .
I thought AJ just isn’t a centre defensively . He has too many rushes of blood . He never trusts the inside man to cover the ball player . Forever rushes in allowing the overlap .
A full strength team , and he’s on the bench or potentially on reserve grade .
Also the reserve grade team are struggling because the first grade team has been gutted . So there’s 4-5 of thier walk up starts running around in first grade .
It’s not an indication of anything other than we lost our whole round 1 spine . All sat on the bench last night.
