Jackson Hastings says the Wests Tigers are at times too reliant on structure and need to play with more freedom as they fight to avoid their worst start to a NRL season in 15 years.
Flogged 26-4 by Newcastle on Sunday, the lacklustre Tigers' week went from bad to worse on Monday with Hastings charged with a dangerous throw and facing at least a two-game ban.
It came after the five-eighth was the only real spark in the loss, which was described by club legend Benji Marshall as below first-grade standard.
Hastings admitted he could not argue Marshall's point, as the Tigers completed at just 66 per cent and got to their kick just 12 times.
Hastings at least broke the line once, and also touched the ball four times in the set as the Tigers went up field for their only try late in the match.
"The line break shifts, we've got footy in us," Hastings said.
"We've got people that can play football. I think sometimes we may rely on structure a bit too much.
"Where the game shifts that fast over the advantage line now, and using your eyes.
"So I mean, you can sit there and say, we didn't have a platform to play off, but sometimes you've got to take the game by the scruff off the neck and try and make things happen."
Coach Michael Maguire and halfback Luke Brooks also said after last week's fighting loss to Melbourne they wanted to play with more freedom this year.
But after leading the Storm 14-4 at halftime in round one, the Tigers have since let in 48 points and scored just six.
The defeats leave them on the cusp of going 0-3 for just the second time in the joint-venture's history, and for the first time since 2007.
Sunday's poor showing has already put the spotlight back on Maguire, who survived an end-of-season review last year but remains one of the most under-pressure coaches in the NRL.
But Hastings said it could only be put on the players and their attitudes, and not coaches.
"Our discipline needs obviously working on," Hastings said.
"We give away too many penalties, offside, coming out of yardage, we put them in a corner and play-one offside, (piggyback) down and then errors in the ruck.
"It's hard to put your finger on one thing when it's happened for three halves of footy now in a row.
"The mood's disappointing and everyone needs to have a look at their own performances, not anyone else's."
Meanwhile he was adamant there was no malice in his lifting tackle on Tex Hoy, with the ban to go from two games to three if he challenges it and loses.
"It wasn't intentional," he said.
"Obviously he got put in a bit of an awkward situation at the top there, but I feel like he landed OK."
https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/tigers-star-hastings-facing-nrl-suspension-c-6143899
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6 points for, 48 against in past game and a half. Some things never (seemingly) change.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
He needs to be captain. Scrap the 5 wise men and put in the bloke who wants to win and has a football brain. Everything he said above is spot on - no BS, no excuses, just a real assessment of what happened.
I liked what Hastings said. yes our structures are poor and we play the structures regardless of what is in front. Our structures are so simply and predictable. Twal taking a settler on the fifth tackle does my head in.
let's see how Hastings goes in round 5 when he comes back from suspension
Meanwhile back in reality we only have 3 choices
Brooks Madden
Brooks peachey
madden peachey
let's see how Hastings goes in round 5 when he comes back from suspension
Meanwhile back in reality we only have 3 choices
Brooks Madden
Brooks peachey
madden peachey
I'd prefer Peachy not there but without Hastings available I don't see a lot of choice. I'm not sure when Liddle is back but I'd rather him start and Simpkin at 14.
You could also run Laurie at 6 and play To’a at fullback.
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You could also run Laurie at 6 and play To’a at fullback.
I was thinking the same but we don’t want to mess too much with our spine. Plus defensively probably not a good option.
You could also run Laurie at 6 and play To’a at fullback.
I was thinking the same but we don’t want to mess too much with our spine. Plus defensively probably not a good option.
I reckon Laurie isn’t a good long term option at the back.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
You could also run Laurie at 6 and play To’a at fullback.
I was thinking the same but we don’t want to mess too much with our spine. Plus defensively probably not a good option.
I reckon Laurie isn’t a good long term option at the back.
I don't think this is the time to make a decision on a second year fullback.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
You could also run Laurie at 6 and play To’a at fullback.
I was thinking the same but we don’t want to mess too much with our spine. Plus defensively probably not a good option.
I reckon Laurie isn’t a good long term option at the back.
Yeah I’m not sold on him either … But it would be great if he does grow in the fullback role. Conversely I’m not that confident that he will. We shall see.
Or Jackson you could follow the coaches structure and keep trying to work on our game
Two games in and he is having a whinge about how we play
Just remember you started the rot on Sunday when you try and field a kick that was going wayyy dead
Or Jackson you could follow the coaches structure and keep trying to work on our game
Two games in and he is having a whinge about how we play
Just remember you started the rot on Sunday when you try and field a kick that was going wayyy dead
Exactly....and people want him as Captain? Questioning the coaching after your second game isnt smart or captain material. Suggesting we play with less structure when we struggle to complete at over 50% isnt smart.
This team, and Jackson Hastings havent earned the right to question the coaching yet.
Whoa!
are they saying we have structure?
