Not sure where to put this, so here it is......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gou0ew8-6A
Couple things.....First of all, whoever put together those (good IMO) videos of the Tigers pre-season when Cleary was here, went to the Pamfers with him, and then to bulldogs with Ciraldo. Not a bad thing but a little bit cringy.
Second thing and the tenuous link to Wests Tigers junior pathways.....St Gregorys?!?!?!?!?
@tiger5150 Yes but it’s Balmain. We have the magpies and the tigers both competing in Harold Matt’s and SG Ball and then they combine in jersey flegg.
@tiger5150 Yes but it’s Balmain. We have the magpies and the tigers both competing in Harold Matt’s and SG Ball and then they combine in jersey flegg.
Thanks Mate
Chris Faagutu courtesy of Bloke in a Bar
Saw the Matts & SG Ball games today at New Era stadium. Two tough wins for Wests. Was impressed with a few players but the fullback for the Matts team, I was told it was Luke Laulilii, looks very good. Best way to describe him is he moves a bit like Jerome Luai. Worth watching his development over this season and the next. Tallyn Da Silva looked good in the SG Ball contest. He has very good service but more importantly he reads the game very well & I think that’s his greatest attribute, it’s what stood out to me anyway. There were others in both teams who could go on, Sosefa Finau is one Zak Clarke another but it was those two I mentioned who stood out for me today anyway.
Also want to give the coaches of those two teams a rap, both teams look well coached. I was particularly impressed with the defensive structures of the Matts team coached by Robbie Mears, very solid.
Da Silva was very impressive. Reminded me a lot of Cameron Smith. The way he changed the direction of the play was very Smith like and his service was impeccable. He was very level headed as well, despite playing in brutal heat.
im very excited by him now and now know why Sheens has wrapped him so highly.
We have a good one here.
Da Silva looked levels above everyone on the park to me today.
Yes, very composed. But it’s obviously a team that plays with a lot of confidence in each other. They all know their roles & winning helps doesn’t it. But some great signs for the club.Da Silva was very impressive. Reminded me a lot of Cameron Smith. The way he changed the direction of the play was very Smith like and his service was impeccable. He was very level headed as well, despite playing in brutal heat.
im very excited by him now and now know why Sheens has wrapped him so highly.
We have a good one here.
I want to give the Harvey Norman and Tarsha Gale women a huge rap. They copped the worse of the heat but still did the job.
Didn’t see the games today but seems a tough day for the Wests boys in Canberra. Da Silva & Clarke binned within a minute of each other 2nd half. Smells like a very frustrating game, maybe some calls not going their way. But these types of games are going to happen from time to time at any level, all that counts now is the reaction. If these young men consider themselves a genuine shot at the title now is the time to show it. The next month will tell us all a lot about this group.
And great to see Balmain put a couple together. Will be interesting to see if they can go on with it now.
I was in Canberra yesterday to watch the three games against the Raiders.
I’ll start by saying the Tarsha Gale team was so aweful it made me laugh. I don’t know who their coach is but if they don’t cop the spoon, I don’t want to see the mob who pip them. They lack basic fundamentals.
The Harold Mathew’s boys tried hard. They didn’t give in and were still playing football to the last minute. That said, they were never in the hunt. Totally outclassed by a superior Canberra squad who although didn’t possess any out and out stars, did everything well. From what I understand, this team is young and it showed. Hopefully they learn from this game as a more experienced opposition taught them a lesson in how to play Rugby League. Shout out to Onitoni Large who looked the most skilful player in the game. Shame he wasn’t involved anywhere near enough. Fullback Laulilii, winger Karnib and Halfback Isdale tried hard but everything they came up with, Canberra had an answer for.
The SG Ball game was the reason I went. So many big name players for the club, hyped up by many as generation next - akin to the awesome group that moved through the ranks at Penrith and currently enjoying great success in the top grade and on the rep scene. I’ve seen these guys on streaming before but this was the first time in the flesh. Of particular interest was Da Silva, Laulilii, Faagutu, Miller, Galvin, Mason and Zak Clarke. A bunch of strong forwards that many describe as potential stars in the NRL. Right from the kickoff, it was evident that their opponents Canberra were no pussies. To say our blokes were out of their depth is an understatement. They were beaten in every aspect of Rugby League. Our pack was belted into submission. Our backs were outclassed. Every loose ball was recovered by Canberra, every break we made was quickly shut down and our goal line defence was monstered by aggressive runners. Our big bloke Miller came up against a guy the same size as him and lost quite well. That guys name was Elvis and he was very impressive. Canberra beat us up the middle all day. It was very depressing, given the hype I had allowed myself to accept. The forward battle was boys vs men with one exception…Tallyn Da Silva is a very good player, mature beyond his years. He tried hard and showed glimpses of pure class but his runners were easily picked off. Our only tries were him diving over from dummy half, and a Miller barge over late in the game when Elvis had left the room. Everything else we threw at them was handled without much fuss. We finished the last 5 minutes with 11 guys due to ruck infringements and that blew the score out, however that score was an accurate depiction of the contest as it was. Never, ever in it.
In summary, it was a dreadful day out in Canberra, which provided perfect conditions for footy. All 3 sides were flogged, including the HM boys whose scoreline against was flattering to them as their opponents bombed a lot of opportunities with forward passes or dropped balls with the line wide open. Outclassed all day by a club who were very professional and efficient with their football.
If these guys are our big hope coming through, they will need a lot of attention and time. Forget 2025, it’ll be more like 2027 at the earliest. They all need a lot of work. Development is still a worthy pursuit, but we need to recruit outside this organisation for a while yet.
Sorry to be a downer, but they surprised me how off the pace they are.
I was in Canberra yesterday to watch the three games against the Raiders.
I’ll start by saying the Tarsha Gale team was so aweful it made me laugh. I don’t know who their coach is but if they don’t cop the spoon, I don’t want to see the mob who pip them. They lack basic fundamentals.
The Harold Mathew’s boys tried hard. They didn’t give in and were still playing football to the last minute. That said, they were never in the hunt. Totally outclassed by a superior Canberra squad who although didn’t possess any out and out stars, did everything well. From what I understand, this team is young and it showed. Hopefully they learn from this game as a more experienced opposition taught them a lesson in how to play Rugby League. Shout out to Onitoni Large who looked the most skilful player in the game. Shame he wasn’t involved anywhere near enough. Fullback Laulilii, winger Karnib and Halfback Isdale tried hard but everything they came up with, Canberra had an answer for.
The SG Ball game was the reason I went. So many big name players for the club, hyped up by many as generation next - akin to the awesome group that moved through the ranks at Penrith and currently enjoying great success in the top grade and on the rep scene. I’ve seen these guys on streaming before but this was the first time in the flesh. Of particular interest was Da Silva, Laulilii, Faagutu, Miller, Galvin, Mason and Zak Clarke. A bunch of strong forwards that many describe as potential stars in the NRL. Right from the kickoff, it was evident that their opponents Canberra were no pussies. To say our blokes were out of their depth is an understatement. They were beaten in every aspect of Rugby League. Our pack was belted into submission. Our backs were outclassed. Every loose ball was recovered by Canberra, every break we made was quickly shut down and our goal line defence was monstered by aggressive runners. Our big bloke Miller came up against a guy the same size as him and lost quite well. That guys name was Elvis and he was very impressive. Canberra beat us up the middle all day. It was very depressing, given the hype I had allowed myself to accept. The forward battle was boys vs men with one exception…Tallyn Da Silva is a very good player, mature beyond his years. He tried hard and showed glimpses of pure class but his runners were easily picked off. Our only tries were him diving over from dummy half, and a Miller barge over late in the game when Elvis had left the room. Everything else we threw at them was handled without much fuss. We finished the last 5 minutes with 11 guys due to ruck infringements and that blew the score out, however that score was an accurate depiction of the contest as it was. Never, ever in it.
In summary, it was a dreadful day out in Canberra, which provided perfect conditions for footy. All 3 sides were flogged, including the HM boys whose scoreline against was flattering to them as their opponents bombed a lot of opportunities with forward passes or dropped balls with the line wide open. Outclassed all day by a club who were very professional and efficient with their football.
If these guys are our big hope coming through, they will need a lot of attention and time. Forget 2025, it’ll be more like 2027 at the earliest. They all need a lot of work. Development is still a worthy pursuit, but we need to recruit outside this organisation for a while yet.
Sorry to be a downer, but they surprised me how off the pace they are.
Thanks for the report, a bit depressing but appreciated none the less.
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It is important to remember that this is a first year SG Ball side.
Also, this Canberra side is a very good team as well.
This side will do well this year but next year will be the real test.
I think these kind of days happen from time to time. There’s little doubt this was a very big game for the Raiders, wanting to prove something against a team touted by some as potential premiers etc. They lost but they can’t be judged on that one game, that’s ridiculous. There’s plenty of promising players amongst them, there’s some in the Matts, we need to give them time. A few of these SG Ball guys will be in the development list next season and will learn heaps, a few might take a little longer. Who knows how far any of them will go right now. The important thing was a reaction and it seems they got that today, all part of a learning process.I was in Canberra yesterday to watch the three games against the Raiders.
I’ll start by saying the Tarsha Gale team was so aweful it made me laugh. I don’t know who their coach is but if they don’t cop the spoon, I don’t want to see the mob who pip them. They lack basic fundamentals.
The Harold Mathew’s boys tried hard. They didn’t give in and were still playing football to the last minute. That said, they were never in the hunt. Totally outclassed by a superior Canberra squad who although didn’t possess any out and out stars, did everything well. From what I understand, this team is young and it showed. Hopefully they learn from this game as a more experienced opposition taught them a lesson in how to play Rugby League. Shout out to Onitoni Large who looked the most skilful player in the game. Shame he wasn’t involved anywhere near enough. Fullback Laulilii, winger Karnib and Halfback Isdale tried hard but everything they came up with, Canberra had an answer for.
The SG Ball game was the reason I went. So many big name players for the club, hyped up by many as generation next - akin to the awesome group that moved through the ranks at Penrith and currently enjoying great success in the top grade and on the rep scene. I’ve seen these guys on streaming before but this was the first time in the flesh. Of particular interest was Da Silva, Laulilii, Faagutu, Miller, Galvin, Mason and Zak Clarke. A bunch of strong forwards that many describe as potential stars in the NRL. Right from the kickoff, it was evident that their opponents Canberra were no pussies. To say our blokes were out of their depth is an understatement. They were beaten in every aspect of Rugby League. Our pack was belted into submission. Our backs were outclassed. Every loose ball was recovered by Canberra, every break we made was quickly shut down and our goal line defence was monstered by aggressive runners. Our big bloke Miller came up against a guy the same size as him and lost quite well. That guys name was Elvis and he was very impressive. Canberra beat us up the middle all day. It was very depressing, given the hype I had allowed myself to accept. The forward battle was boys vs men with one exception…Tallyn Da Silva is a very good player, mature beyond his years. He tried hard and showed glimpses of pure class but his runners were easily picked off. Our only tries were him diving over from dummy half, and a Miller barge over late in the game when Elvis had left the room. Everything else we threw at them was handled without much fuss. We finished the last 5 minutes with 11 guys due to ruck infringements and that blew the score out, however that score was an accurate depiction of the contest as it was. Never, ever in it.
In summary, it was a dreadful day out in Canberra, which provided perfect conditions for footy. All 3 sides were flogged, including the HM boys whose scoreline against was flattering to them as their opponents bombed a lot of opportunities with forward passes or dropped balls with the line wide open. Outclassed all day by a club who were very professional and efficient with their football.
If these guys are our big hope coming through, they will need a lot of attention and time. Forget 2025, it’ll be more like 2027 at the earliest. They all need a lot of work. Development is still a worthy pursuit, but we need to recruit outside this organisation for a while yet.
Sorry to be a downer, but they surprised me how off the pace they are.
I’ve seen the Tarsha Gale team play a few and they do struggle. I’m not sure but I think it’s very much a development side. They are very young and also learning. The lessons are pretty tough right now but they all need time as well. Hopefully we’ll see some improvement from them later this season.
