I don't really see a spot for Nathan Brown. I would rather have one of the younger guys start. We have a risk of losing some of the good juniors coming through.
I am looking forward to John Bateman giving it to James Hooper when he runs a classic rubbish Tigers story.
we don’t really have anyone that’s suitable for lock. I think Brown would fit into that role well while Matamua continues to develop.
Personally I would rather give it to one of the younger guys like Tommy Talau the 30th spot when it’s required should be filled by a winger/fullback.
I don't really see a spot for Nathan Brown. I would rather have one of the younger guys start. We have a risk of losing some of the good juniors coming through.
I am looking forward to John Bateman giving it to James Hooper when he runs a classic rubbish Tigers story.
we don’t really have anyone that’s suitable for lock. I think Brown would fit into that role well while Matamua continues to develop.
Personally I would rather give it to one of the younger guys like Tommy Talau the 30th spot when it’s required should be filled by a winger/fullback.
it’s been a long time since Talau played and he was only very average (imo) when he was fit. Hoping he kills it but can’t see how he could be in the 17 to start the season. Brown has experience and wouldn’t be expensive.
Bateman is a great signing and we now have a top pack.
I can see Brown complementing our pack given his high speed, aggressive style of play. Brown would be a good 2 year signing IMO. We need a short term measure while Matamua and Faaguta develop. In my view, one of Justin and Chris has the potential to be the best lock we have produced. I reckon both of them will be very good first graders with Faaguta probably the better of the two.
Some people have been saying we lack depth in the backrow. I dont agree with that. But Brown would be a relatively cheap option that will add value for 2 years.
The question is whether Brown is a good use of our last spot. We are lacking options in the halves for 2023. I dont consider that we bought Will Smith to play first grade. He was bought to strengthen our reggies side, which has been very weak. It looks like Sheens considers Laurie and Simpkin as backup halves, given some of his comments and training photos (i.e. Simpkin training at first receiver). Would the last spot be better used for a half? Probably but the problem is that decent options are few and far between.
Looking at the current squad, what I would like to see in 12 months time is Seyfarth, Toa, David N (hopefully he proves me wrong) and, possibly, Ken M let go. They all good give service but they will never be better than honest tryers. I know Ken has a great game to try ratio but I think we can do better. I would like to see some real speed out wide. I am hoping Junior T can further the progress he made this year.
Anyway, exciting times with Sheens back at the helm.
@avocadoontoast Talau is an unknown. He did some very smart things before his injury. For example, a lot of tries he scored were very smart football, such as getting down low. Given his lack of speed, he did okay on the wing. Talau clearly has an athletes make, and has always had big wraps on him. I am very keen to see what Sheens does with him.
What we must remember is its been a long time since the club has had a development coach like Sheens. No player improved under Maguire, which was a reason in itself that he had to go.
interesting talk Luke Keary maybe to Parramatta ?
This could mean Moses to us for 2024 hopefully
He’s 100% on borrowed time at the Roosters so wouldn’t be at all surprised if he finds a new home.
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@avocadoontoast Talau is an unknown. He did some very smart things before his injury. For example, a lot of tries he scored were very smart football, such as getting down low. Given his lack of speed, he did okay on the wing. Talau clearly has an athletes make, and has always had big wraps on him. I am very keen to see what Sheens does with him.
What we must remember is its been a long time since the club has had a development coach like Sheens. No player improved under Maguire, which was a reason in itself that he had to go.
Talau looking more ripped in the photos than in previous season’s - benefit of the CoE perhaps. Let’s hope he’s putting in much greater effort in preparation and training. Many have commented on his slowness in previous season, this points to a guy resting on his laurels as a talented junior too much, and not putting in enough effort on training paddock to go the next level. Like Blore he needs a big year to really get his career on an upward trajectory. With an increased effort with training and prep I’m hoping we’ll see a Talau whose a much sharper, faster and stronger footballer.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Papali’i shift to lock. Rather than working a channel (left or right edge), a more roving role would suit his power game.
Blore left edge.
Bateman right edge.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Papali’i shift to lock. Rather than working a channel (left or right edge), a more roving role would suit his power game.
Blore left edge.
Bateman right edge.
I think you might be on to something.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I don't really see a spot for Nathan Brown. I would rather have one of the younger guys start. We have a risk of losing some of the good juniors coming through.
I am looking forward to John Bateman giving it to James Hooper when he runs a classic rubbish Tigers story.
we don’t really have anyone that’s suitable for lock. I think Brown would fit into that role well while Matamua continues to develop.
Personally I would rather give it to one of the younger guys like Tommy Talau the 30th spot when it’s required should be filled by a winger/fullback.
it’s been a long time since Talau played and he was only very average (imo) when he was fit. Hoping he kills it but can’t see how he could be in the 17 to start the season. Brown has experience and wouldn’t be expensive.
Tommy T is the type of player Sheens loves (can play in different positions) played 5/8 at a Jnr level to break into the NRL he transitions into a centre.
From what I’ve read his put on a lot of muscle possibly for a move into the back row as a ball playing lock?
That’s the advantage of being so young is you bounce back a hell of a lot quicker.
I don't really see a spot for Nathan Brown. I would rather have one of the younger guys start. We have a risk of losing some of the good juniors coming through.
I am looking forward to John Bateman giving it to James Hooper when he runs a classic rubbish Tigers story.
we don’t really have anyone that’s suitable for lock. I think Brown would fit into that role well while Matamua continues to develop.
If Brown comes I want him as a bench player only, I think he is on the downward slope.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I don't really see a spot for Nathan Brown. I would rather have one of the younger guys start. We have a risk of losing some of the good juniors coming through.
I am looking forward to John Bateman giving it to James Hooper when he runs a classic rubbish Tigers story.
we don’t really have anyone that’s suitable for lock. I think Brown would fit into that role well while Matamua continues to develop.
Personally I would rather give it to one of the younger guys like Tommy Talau the 30th spot when it’s required should be filled by a winger/fullback.
it’s been a long time since Talau played and he was only very average (imo) when he was fit. Hoping he kills it but can’t see how he could be in the 17 to start the season. Brown has experience and wouldn’t be expensive.
I agree with all of this but I'd add that at the time that he was injured, that was the critical time to see if he developed into his potential or not. In the time he has been injured he will ahve matured physically, and mentally and he seems to have kept in reasonable condition. Will be interesting to see him and Blores progression this year.
interesting talk Luke Keary maybe to Parramatta ?
This could mean Moses to us for 2024 hopefully
He’s 100% on borrowed time at the Roosters so wouldn’t be at all surprised if he finds a new home.
Unfortunately I think he is on borrowed time in the NRL which is a shame because he a good player and good bloke (went to school with my son).
@avocadoontoast Talau is an unknown. He did some very smart things before his injury. For example, a lot of tries he scored were very smart football, such as getting down low. Given his lack of speed, he did okay on the wing. Talau clearly has an athletes make, and has always had big wraps on him. I am very keen to see what Sheens does with him.
What we must remember is its been a long time since the club has had a development coach like Sheens. No player improved under Maguire, which was a reason in itself that he had to go.
Talau looking more ripped in the photos than in previous season’s - benefit of the CoE perhaps. Let’s hope he’s putting in much greater effort in preparation and training. Many have commented on his slowness in previous season, this points to a guy resting on his laurels as a talented junior too much, and not putting in enough effort on training paddock to go the next level. Like Blore he needs a big year to really get his career on an upward trajectory. With an increased effort with training and prep I’m hoping we’ll see a Talau whose a much sharper, faster and stronger footballer.
I refuse to comment on how good/ripped/strong/jacked our players look this year. IMO last year, I have never seen our players look so well conditioned, only to see them sucking in seagulls 20mins into each match.
I don't really see a spot for Nathan Brown. I would rather have one of the younger guys start. We have a risk of losing some of the good juniors coming through.
I am looking forward to John Bateman giving it to James Hooper when he runs a classic rubbish Tigers story.
we don’t really have anyone that’s suitable for lock. I think Brown would fit into that role well while Matamua continues to develop.
If Brown comes I want him as a bench player only, I think he is on the downward slope.
Agreed. If we sign him on that premise (and money), basically as a replacement for Seyfarth, Im ok with it, otherwise no. Im hoping there is some truth to the rumours that we are still chasing Leniu. He would be the cherry on the cake.
