A friend and I were discussing yesterday's game and the question "Why was this performance so different to what we're used to? came up. We weren't sure although we mentioned the left edge, Sezer and this particular spine starting to gel, simple things like kick and kick chase, completions etc. I then mentioned that sometimes teams just start clicking almost out of the blue after having mixed form and trying to find the right combinations etc. Something just starts to work, confidence grows after a couple of wins and they're a much better team than anyone thought they might be. I don't know if this is the case with the Tigers but it could be, the next few weeks will tell us more. I personally think it takes that special win over a top 4 side in a decent run of results to really believe it's a turning point. The last 2 have been over teams who can have good days but are not top 4 teams by any means. Without actually making the finals what signs make you believe a turning point has been reached and you can see success is not far away?
Galvin’s and Doueihi’s kicks are much better than what is usually dished up. They are high enough to give the team a chance to get to them and compete for them. Much better attacking kicks.A friend and I were discussing yesterday's game and the question "Why was this performance so different to what we're used to? came up. We weren't sure although we mentioned the left edge, Sezer and this particular spine starting to gel, simple things like kick and kick chase, completions etc. I then mentioned that sometimes teams just start clicking almost out of the blue after having mixed form and trying to find the right combinations etc. Something just starts to work, confidence grows after a couple of wins and they're a much better team than anyone thought they might be. I don't know if this is the case with the Tigers but it could be, the next few weeks will tell us more. I personally think it takes that special win over a top 4 side in a decent run of results to really believe it's a turning point. The last 2 have been over teams who can have good days but are not top 4 teams by any means. Without actually making the finals what signs make you believe a turning point has been reached and you can see success is not far away?
For me to believe that this team has turned the corner will be when we are defensively sound against a top 4 side. With theses wins I hope the belief in the processes can give the boys confidence to match it with the top teams.
Raiders made some pretty average plays, similar to the titans. A couple of tries were intercepts, a couple more were bounce of the ball (ie galvins grubber).
What impressed me was that we still got the regulatory sin bin and dodgy ref calls, but unlike other weeks, we were able to control the momentum and keep the energy and scramble.
I believe the return of sezer, plus the injection of youth has been the key to success. Not sure if it’s sustainable, but reckon it’s given the team the confidence to nab a couple more wins at the back end of the season. Just need to survive roosters/storm/sharks.
Galvin’s and Doueihi’s kicks are much better than what is usually dished up. They are high enough to give the team a chance to get to them and compete for them. Much better attacking kicks.A friend and I were discussing yesterday's game and the question "Why was this performance so different to what we're used to? came up. We weren't sure although we mentioned the left edge, Sezer and this particular spine starting to gel, simple things like kick and kick chase, completions etc. I then mentioned that sometimes teams just start clicking almost out of the blue after having mixed form and trying to find the right combinations etc. Something just starts to work, confidence grows after a couple of wins and they're a much better team than anyone thought they might be. I don't know if this is the case with the Tigers but it could be, the next few weeks will tell us more. I personally think it takes that special win over a top 4 side in a decent run of results to really believe it's a turning point. The last 2 have been over teams who can have good days but are not top 4 teams by any means. Without actually making the finals what signs make you believe a turning point has been reached and you can see success is not far away?
yes this is a really strong quality of Douhie. He is a very strong runner and has remarkably good top speed given his injuries but it is rare to have a centre who can mix up the kicking and has a long boot. He didn’t use it yesterday but his spiral hang kicks are awesome
I think we're a long way off the corner being turned in terms of regularly competing against top 8 teams.
That doesn't mean what happened on Sunday was any less impressive. We've got so many senior players out, so many kids playing above their station, and a coach who's learning on the job by his own admission.
If we stay the course with this spine, and continue to build, then anything can happen. Just got to keep putting one foot in front of the other in terms of progression, and things will get better.
I think confidence plays a huge part in turning around a team. Young players, to a large extent, have less pressure on them because expectations aren’t as great as they are on the experienced guys who are expected to lead the way. So guys like Lachie, Sam, Jahream, Heath, Luke etc can go out & have a crack, simple. That attitude can rub off on the more experienced guys & things just start falling into place if everyone gels. If you then start winning a few, confidence starts to grow. It’s then a snowball effect.For me to believe that this team has turned the corner will be when we are defensively sound against a top 4 side. With theses wins I hope the belief in the processes can give the boys confidence to match it with the top teams.
For me the turning point was when we came out after half time and delivered a spectacular length of the field try...thats the differentiator between the wins we had especially against the titans and Parra, it was well structured and well delivered...not a fluke and in an important period of the game. The other thing was the contesting of the bombs. I still believe we will lose more than we win for the rest of the season and there may be a blow out amongst the games but this team will have the confidence that they can turn it around. There are still a few ingredients missing and experience to be had for the younger players, however 25 and 26 are looking like they could be anything for us.
I don’t think you can say anything is a turning point just yet. However, if we are reflecting in a year or twos time I’d be looking at the way the team has responded since that disaster of a second half against St George.
Agree with the comments re 25 & 26. There are certainly, in my mind anyway, enough signs to suggest that with the signings of Luai & Turuva the top 8 next year could be given a red hot go. Perhaps need to hold onto Stef & add one or two more to the roster to ensure that’s a real possibility. Don’t need to change much as many players will improve anyway.For me the turning point was when we came out after half time and delivered a spectacular length of the field try...thats the differentiator between the wins we had especially against the titans and Parra, it was well structured and well delivered...not a fluke and in an important period of the game. The other thing was the contesting of the bombs. I still believe we will lose more than we win for the rest of the season and there may be a blow out amongst the games but this team will have the confidence that they can turn it around. There are still a few ingredients missing and experience to be had for the younger players, however 25 and 26 are looking like they could be anything for us.
There’s definitely been a concerted effort at being more disciplined & I think that’s one aspect, of many, that’s improved.I don’t think you can say anything is a turning point just yet. However, if we are reflecting in a year or twos time I’d be looking at the way the team has responded since that disaster of a second half against St George.
I really don’t know myself if the game last Sunday was “the turning point”, I don’t think it’s even possible to pick one exact moment where things suddenly click for a team or individual in any sport. I think things just build, the mental & physical aspects accumulate to a point where it becomes a natural force of its own. Everything prior contributes to it, the losses, the injuries, the doubts, the training, the coaches, the staff, the families & friends, the support, the learnings etc etc. It’s a soup and they’re all the ingredients. Without one ingredient it’s not going to be as good as it can be. The Tigers have had plenty of ingredients go into their soup over the past 13 years (it’s a slow cook, very slow) and hopefully now, or very soon, it’s done & ready to serve.
P.S. Gotta love a cooking metaphor when it comes to sport eh.
For me the turning point was when we came out after half time and delivered a spectacular length of the field try...thats the differentiator between the wins we had especially against the titans and Parra, it was well structured and well delivered...not a fluke and in an important period of the game.
I was looking for the intensity from both teams in that first set as a guide for how the second half was going to play out. The first two tackles didnt look good. Raiders were up and catching us early and we looked a little slow and timid.....then they shifted and scored that beautiful try and it really set the rest of the game up.
I just can’t get over how good our attack looked.
how is it that all of a sudden the clunk disappeared and everything was at speed. We just could not do that before.
Even Seyfarth link man passes were good.
Pole is also really becoming super consistent as well.
I’ll tell you two things will prove a corner has at least been semi navigated.
1) we beat the Roosters, we’ve only won like 1 out of last 17 or something.
2) Stefano signs this week. If Richo and Benji can pull that off, then our off field performance will gain even more momentum, which will underpin better long term on field.
in fact after writing this, My second point is really the only one that matters.
