Can Wests Tigers Bounce Back In Campbelltown? Ep 401

I think that in terms of guys like Saukuru, Kit & one or two others the club is being patient with them & letting them develop over a period of a couple of seasons in lower grades which is how the vast majority of young players develop anywhere. There’s always the outliers who can compete at NRL level at 19 or 20 but most will come through at 21 or 22. I think this is how they want to develop Jared Haywood. He might debut this year or next but there’s no need to rush him as Api, TDS & Hope are all good, more experienced options at present. I’d hope also that Makasini isn’t rushed, and I had initially thought he’d be playing consistent NRL next year but I’ve since changed my mind. Maybe a debut next year & a few games if needed but mostly playing Flegg or Cup. 

I don’t think this is just about Benji’s ability to get them up for this game. I think it’s just as much about the leaders, Jarome, Api, Tito, Jack Bird, Royce Hunt. Adam Doueihi & never two others ensuring they are providing the energy & enthusiasm etc to compete on every play in this game. If they do well do ok. 

Controversial take: I thought the first set of the game was good by the tigers. They looked dominant up front, fitter, stronger, faster. In fact the first 15 was good, but was dampened by the amazing skills of pap.

with that in mind, you could call into question our resilience. And after a few days of reflection, I’m letting them off the hook. They backed up two big, emotional wins with a lot of travel and obviously just switched off after having some insanely talented (and somewhat lucky) tries scored against them early.

if it happens again then I’m jumping on the bandwagon wagon and calling for peoples heads, but let’s see how they back it up this week.

  I really like your observations @Skippa13.Yes ultimately we were blown off the park and it is mightily difficult to reverse the momentum when a side is running red hot.It’s happened to a number of sides,especially the Bulldogs in that first half against the Broncos.The Dogs on that occasion had to resort to some rather questionable tactics to regain some competitive composure.Regrettably we clocked off.
  As far as I’m concerned the powers that be have created a bit of a monster in their willingness to transform the game into a hyper fast spectacle with the emphasis on little stoppage and the omnipresent scourge of the six again,so often so arbitrarily dished out. 
  As the season starts to take its toll and the weaker rosters compromised I think there will be plenty more blowouts.I just hope the absence of Fonua Pole doesn’t conspire too heavily against us.A massive loss the way he’d been going this year.I fear though that the cupboard is rather bare unfortunately but I do believe there is enough in the side to hang tough as long as we don’t suffer further injury.Welcome back Starford,hope you light up Campbelltown on Sunday evening.And big Royce,I really hope you can eke out some substantial quality minutes.Go Boys!!

I thought I'd have a quick look back at the 2002 Wests SG Ball winning side and the Balmain SG Ball winning team to see how many of them progressed to become regular first grade players. From the 2002 Wests team Liam Fulton, Bryce Gibbs, Ryan Hoffman, Dean Collis, Isaac De Gois and Ben Roberts all played over 50 first grade games. From the Balmain SG ball side only Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks played more than 50 games. I think its fair to say none of them were playing their best footy at 19 or 20 years of age, most had not established themselves as regulars until their 20s. 

At present in our squad we have Galvin, TDS, Luke Laulilli, Kit and Heath from the Wests Matts winning side of 2022. Already all 5 have debuted in first grade yet only Kit and Tallyn and have turned 20 (this year). If only 3 go onto play over 50 first grade games its a good outcome. From our 2024 Grand Final Wests Matts team we have Heamasi Makasini, Christian Tupou-Moors and Phoenix Godinet at the club. Two of them have already played Flegg at 17 years of age (both turn 18 this year). We also have 18 year old Jared Haywood who is an Australian Schoolboys rep playing Flegg. Add to them Tino Tavana, Solomon Saukuru, Wil Craig, Max Liles and maybe one or 2 others and there could be quite a few potential NRL players amongst them as all are still only 20 or 21 and learning what it takes to make the next step.