@helmesy His speed and elusiveness. I think he has a lot of raw talent. His positional awareness is the main thing that he needs to work on and that can be trained.
We are in a funny spot of not wanting to let a good one go and not wanting to hold onto a bad one for too long.
I actually think that Lauries poor positioning in defence was a coaching directive. I have it on the best authority 😉 that Sheens has a different outlook on this and this will improve.
It is definitely the last we will see of our fullback defending in the front line on the try line.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@helmesy His speed and elusiveness. I think he has a lot of raw talent. His positional awareness is the main thing that he needs to work on and that can be trained.
We are in a funny spot of not wanting to let a good one go and not wanting to hold onto a bad one for too long.
I actually think that Lauries poor positioning in defence was a coaching directive. I have it on the best authority 😉 that Sheens has a different outlook on this and this will improve.
It is definitely the last we will see of our fullback defending in the front line on the try line.
phew
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@helmesy His speed and elusiveness. I think he has a lot of raw talent. His positional awareness is the main thing that he needs to work on and that can be trained.
We are in a funny spot of not wanting to let a good one go and not wanting to hold onto a bad one for too long.
I actually think that Lauries poor positioning in defence was a coaching directive. I have it on the best authority 😉 that Sheens has a different outlook on this and this will improve.
It is definitely the last we will see of our fullback defending in the front line on the try line.
We could try our infamous retreating defence tactic we used against storm, and play all 13 behind the line
Top 8 2023
As for nofo, I’m torn. He has had his attitude issues and bad defensive reads, but he is also a one club player, one of our top try scorers of all time, has a good offload and metre return, and is a great finisher. His contract is long and high, so little chance of him leaving. If he can get onboard with some of this new team energy, I think he might have a good year for us and I’m willing to forgive his occasional strut.
Thing is that at his best he's a very good winger. His defensive issues are (somewhat) overstated IMO, and have been impacted by all sorts of issues inside of him. He was Dally M winger of the year in 2020, and deservedly so.
We can't overlook the attitude stuff though - especially in a young, rebuilding team. If he cuts the nonsense out and gets his head down, then he'll be an asset, albeit overpaid. That's definitely the best case scenario.
My hopes:
1) sheens/Benji play Naden at centre.
2) kepaoa spends all summer working on his ball skills. He strikes me as the type of kid who dominated in the juniors due to his size (hence roosters pickup) but skipped the basics like handling. Sheens is a massively skills focused coach and this eliminates his main weakness so that he can lock down the second centre spot.
3) noffa I think will be fine. Benji/sheens won’t tolerate his attitude stuff and we will be willing more so he will try harder. Motivated and under a tight lease he is a high quality winger and finisher.
4) Ken’s main contribution was his second tackle hit ups. He could finish because he was slow huge he was very hard to stop 5 meters out but he was totally busted last season. I would be completely fine if he was medically retired if someone like tupou had a blazing off season.
5) fullback I have no clue. There is a genuine competition there but both are not first grade standard fullbacks in my mind. Hopefully one claims it this offseason otherwise we desperately need to recruit a marquee player
The only positive I can say about Nofo is he is an above average finisher. Other than that he’s too slow, too short, brain dead in defence and a narcissist.
My hopes:
1) sheens/Benji play Naden at centre.
2) kepaoa spends all summer working on his ball skills. He strikes me as the type of kid who dominated in the juniors due to his size (hence roosters pickup) but skipped the basics like handling. Sheens is a massively skills focused coach and this eliminates his main weakness so that he can lock down the second centre spot.
3) noffa I think will be fine. Benji/sheens won’t tolerate his attitude stuff and we will be willing more so he will try harder. Motivated and under a tight lease he is a high quality winger and finisher.
4) Ken’s main contribution was his second tackle hit ups. He could finish because he was slow huge he was very hard to stop 5 meters out but he was totally busted last season. I would be completely fine if he was medically retired if someone like tupou had a blazing off season.
5) fullback I have no clue. There is a genuine competition there but both are not first grade standard fullbacks in my mind. Hopefully one claims it this offseason otherwise we desperately need to recruit a marquee player
Naden will be in the centres and I believe by the end of the season that Tupou will have one of the wing positions.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@helmesy His speed and elusiveness. I think he has a lot of raw talent. His positional awareness is the main thing that he needs to work on and that can be trained.
We are in a funny spot of not wanting to let a good one go and not wanting to hold onto a bad one for too long.
I actually think that Lauries poor positioning in defence was a coaching directive. I have it on the best authority 😉 that Sheens has a different outlook on this and this will improve.
It is definitely the last we will see of our fullback defending in the front line on the try line.
i think you are right....I have a good source 😉
English club Warrington has issued a stern "hands off" warning to NRL clubs chasing star halfback George Williams.
One of the Lions' best during the Rugby League World Cup, Williams has already proven he can handle the NRL in his impressive 18-month stint with Canberra.
Several NRL clubs are struggling for direction at No.7 and have their eyes on the smart Englishman.
But Warrington boss Karl Fitzpatrick told Wide World of Sports they will have to look elsewhere.
"George still has two years left to run on his contract with Warrington - end of story," Fitzpatrick said from England.
"You don't sell your best players and we are happy with George and he is happy with us so he is staying right here."
The Mole
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@helmesy that ends the George Williams discussion, much like Sheens not releasing Brooks, if they will not release then that is it
English club Warrington has issued a stern "hands off" warning to NRL clubs chasing star halfback George Williams.
One of the Lions' best during the Rugby League World Cup, Williams has already proven he can handle the NRL in his impressive 18-month stint with Canberra.
Several NRL clubs are struggling for direction at No.7 and have their eyes on the smart Englishman.
But Warrington boss Karl Fitzpatrick told Wide World of Sports they will have to look elsewhere.
"George still has two years left to run on his contract with Warrington - end of story," Fitzpatrick said from England.
"You don't sell your best players and we are happy with George and he is happy with us so he is staying right here."
The Mole
Let's see what he says when George is longer happy there.
I know this has been asked but I can't find it.
Do we have any young gun halves or are they all average? How far off first grade would they be?
I know this has been asked but I can't find it.
Do we have any young gun halves or are they all average? How far off first grade would they be?
The only one that seems to get a mention at this stage is Zane Camroux.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Contract extension for Campbelltown junior
Author
Wests Tigers
Timestamp
Wed 23 Nov 2022, 02:55 PM
Wests Tigers is pleased to announce that Justin Matamua has been elevated to the club’s Top-30 playing roster as part of a contract extension.
The Campbelltown junior signed a two-year deal in February, which included a development contract for 2023.
The new deal moves Matamua into the top tier immediately and extends his stay at the club until at least the end of 2025.
The 19-year-old made his NRL debut in Round 17 this year against Parramatta Eels, capping a rapid rise through the club’s pathways program.
Matamua says he’s delighted to be fast tracked into the Top-30.
“Making my NRL debut was a dream come true and being added to the top squad is another special moment,” he said.
“Right now, I’m just looking forward to next season but it’s great to know I’m here long term.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe says Matamua has been rewarded for continued hard work.
“Justin has really applied himself over the past few years and it’s been a pleasure to watch his progression,” said Pascoe.
It’s wonderful that he’s with us for at least the next three seasons."
Justin Pascoe
Head coach Tim Sheens says Matamua is a great example for other aspiring local juniors.
Justin has made the most of his opportunities on the back of hard work and dedication.
Tim Sheens
“He has moved swiftly through our representative teams, playing Harold Matthews (U/17s) only a year or two ago.
“It shows that our development plans are working well. I look forward to coaching Justin over the next couple of years.”
