One other thing I’d like to see added to the proposed 17 that Joel has posted here is a 13. I’d love to see a guy like Adam Elliot in the 13. It’d then leave you with Terrell, Sione, Twal, Pole, Hunt, Afoa & Seyfarth as options for starters or bench. As guys who could improve & get a run at some point would be Kit Laulilii, Peter Tateeo and possibly Christian Tapau-Moors.
I think I’d then start with Terrell, Sione & Elliot as middles. Twal, Pole & Hunt or Afoa would be on the bench with Latu when fit.
So a possible 17 would be:
Bula
Tito
Taylan
Star
Skelton
Luai
AD
Elliot
KPP
Samuela
Sione
Api
Terrell
Bench: Twal, Pole, Hunt/Afoa, Latu
I’m predicting Ethan Roberts to grab the 13 for round one.
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I've been watching an interview with Jurgen Klopp. Yes, he's a soccer manager but I found the description of the style of football he likes to see his teams play also suits the modern game of league here in the NRL. It's about what he calls "heavy metal football", an intense, fast and energetic kind of football. Klopp likes his players, including the strikers to pressure opponents into making mistakes high up the pitch and then take advantage of the situation as quickly as possible as the opponents are at their most vulnerable. It means all the players must be extremely fit and able to maintain the intensity for long periods of the game.
When I watched the interview and heard the description I thought that this sounds like the Panthers of the last 6 years and what the Dogs are trying to do now. I also thought of the most intense games played in the NRL, finals and Origin, and how the description basically fits those games especially when the ball is in play for long periods. It's become a faster game, forwards are not just being asked to battle it out in the middle they're also being asked to increase their line-speed and work harder in transition. The halves have to be ready to attack in those moments of transition (when the opponents make a mistake) because the defence is at it's most vulnerable. And and the backs and edges need to know their roles so well they are ready for the play that ensues. Obviously the fitter and more mobile you are the better your ability to do this. Stability in the team and the greater your understanding of your role and those around you also increases your chances to take advantage of theses situations.
If teams are now playing "heavy metal football" as opposed to a 90s style of rock 'n' roll (not quite as fast and in your face) then how are the Tigers stacking up? Do they have the players capable of playing the intense style of football needed to not just play finals but to win them?
Nice post Russ. We'll need a step up in fitness and intelligence to play 'heavy metal football'.
I think everyone here pushing for an "improvement in fitness" are going to be supremely disappointed.
We were fit last year. Fitter than we have been for many years. That doesn't necessarily translate to line speed in attack or defence. Incremental improvements in aerobic or cardio fitness from training is a drop in the bucket on the football field compared to actual football skills and tactics. A 5% improvement in fitness (which would be huge) means nothing compared to the energy consumed by 3 drop balls on early tackles or 3 repeat sets in defence. Cardio fitness last year was not our problem, the manner, time and position of giving up possession was the problem. A 5-10% improvement in possession turn over would be massive compared to a 5% improvement in aerobic/cardio fitness and this is where we need to improve.
Another area where we need to improve and chews up cardio is the grapple. We were slightly better last year but we have been rubbish for years. The "invisible martial art" of BJJ is a massive separator between clubs and our training in this area is substandard to other clubs. Good clubs (dogs are up there with the best now) are able to chew up massive chunks of cardio in their opposition through understanding of this art. We struggle in this area.
People think we can just run more or hit the gym more and this will flick a switch and we will suddenly have faster line speed in attack and defence. This is rubbish and wont happen. We need to control the ruck, control the wrestle, control the ball and we will burn less cardio meaninglessly.
A key indicator of our fitness last year was the unusually low (relatively) weeks lost to injuries that we suffered last year. To be blunt, our injury toll was as good as it could be last year. If we had a few longer injuries we would have challenged for the spoon. This need to be factored into our expectations for next year.
I agree with you @tiger5150 about our fitness this year. And as well as losing the ruck can take the energy out of you, so can losing. Being in front, scoring tries instantly puts a spring in the step and opposite applies when continually conceding. And continually losing games makes it harder to maintain energy levels week in, week out. I know these guys are professional athletes and should be able to do their job but when it comes to mental toughness and fatigue the season is a lot tougher and longer when losing.
This losing fatigue is what made us look burnt out in the last few games IMO, not lack of fitness.
You make plenty of sense and I agree it’s not just about hitting the gym etc. What I do believe is it’s a combination of many things, fitness, numbers in tackles, winning contact, linespeed and so on. The fitter you are the better your ability to control the speed of the ruck. It all goes hand in hand imo. I think stability helps increase speed in attack as everyone understands their roles better through repetition. You could argue the Broncos were fitter this year under Madge & it helped them win games at the back end of the finals they played. Perhaps they controlled the ball better, completed higher as well, not sure. Ryles had the Eels playing well at the end of the year too, they looked fitter and more mobile than they’ve been for some time, Paulo is a great example. The Storm offloading NAS isn’t just about his discipline, he is often dropped to Cup because he needs to be fitter to be as effective as they need him to be, Royce Hunt the same. It’s not simple, there’s many variables but the game is speeding up imo.I think everyone here pushing for an "improvement in fitness" are going to be supremely disappointed.
We were fit last year. Fitter than we have been for many years. That doesn't necessarily translate to line speed in attack or defence. Incremental improvements in aerobic or cardio fitness from training is a drop in the bucket on the football field compared to actual football skills and tactics. A 5% improvement in fitness (which would be huge) means nothing compared to the energy consumed by 3 drop balls on early tackles or 3 repeat sets in defence. Cardio fitness last year was not our problem, the manner, time and position of giving up possession was the problem. A 5-10% improvement in possession turn over would be massive compared to a 5% improvement in aerobic/cardio fitness and this is where we need to improve.
Another area where we need to improve and chews up cardio is the grapple. We were slightly better last year but we have been rubbish for years. The "invisible martial art" of BJJ is a massive separator between clubs and our training in this area is substandard to other clubs. Good clubs (dogs are up there with the best now) are able to chew up massive chunks of cardio in their opposition through understanding of this art. We struggle in this area.
People think we can just run more or hit the gym more and this will flick a switch and we will suddenly have faster line speed in attack and defence. This is rubbish and wont happen. We need to control the ruck, control the wrestle, control the ball and we will burn less cardio meaninglessly.
A key indicator of our fitness last year was the unusually low (relatively) weeks lost to injuries that we suffered last year. To be blunt, our injury toll was as good as it could be last year. If we had a few longer injuries we would have challenged for the spoon. This need to be factored into our expectations for next year.
So, now that the Pacific Championship and Kangaroos' Tour have ended, it really is the end of season 2025.
So, from a purely WT perspective, my main takeout is that Luai is a good NRL player; sometimes even very good. But, he is not a great NRL player.
Elite?? Certainly his salary would suggest that. I'm not convinced.
For about half the 2025 season, I thought Cleary needed Luai to play at the peak of his (Cleary's) powers. Now, I think Luai needed Cleary. And Yeo and Edwards etc etc.
Big time.
WT do have at least one genuinely elite player and that, IMO, is Jahream Bula. He simply must be retained.
I think Romey has been rocks & diamonds this season, that was certainly evident in the Pac’ Final & the vast majority of the Tigers’ games. At present he would not be paid anywhere near what he’s being paid at the Tigers if he were playing elsewhere although his impact off field is difficult to gauge. But I do think he will be better next season with more stability around him and a game managing 7 who can free him up a bit. That is my hope.So, now that the Pacific Championship and Kangaroos' Tour have ended, it really is the end of season 2025.
So, from a purely WT perspective, my main takeout is that Luai is a good NRL player; sometimes even very good. But, he is not a great NRL player.
Elite?? Certainly his salary would suggest that. I'm not convinced.
For about half the 2025 season, I thought Cleary needed Luai to play at the peak of his (Cleary's) powers. Now, I think Luai needed Cleary. And Yeo and Edwards etc etc.
Big time.
WT do have at least one genuinely elite player and that, IMO, is Jahream Bula. He simply must be retained.
I also think a 13 who gives a point of difference would help.
