Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens took a giant gamble and ‘got out of jail’ on Friday night, when his team won the first Qualy Final against the Dragons.
As a coach, Sheens did almost everything wrong, and the fact that the Tigers were still able to overcome a poor selection, a very slow start and a poor kicking game, speaks volumes about their undeniable claims to this year’s premiership.
Conversely, it is not a good sign for the lacklustre Dragons, who had the game presented to them on a platter.
Sheens decided not to play his outstanding left centre Chris Lawrence, preferring to keep him in ‘cotton wool’ for another week, but then decided to play Matt Utai in his place and mark the Dragons star centre Mark Gasnier.
Even my 11-year old knows that Utai is a poor defender and has bad hands and would be no match for the Gasnier chimmy chimmy side step. Surely the reliable Mitch Brown would have been a better call.
Utai ran out when he should have run in and allowed Dragon pivot, Soward to run through a huge gap to set up Nightingale’s try. And yes, at the last count, he also missed Gasnier four times.
He topped the missed tackle count for the game on six and the Tigers’ can thank the footy gods that the Dragons pushed most of the attack away from Utai.
The brilliant Gasnier tragically, hardly touched the ball.
The concern for the Tigers is that they did not play the first 40 minutes like it was a major game. Their coach sent them out with dull footy on their minds.
The Dragons, as usual, played their boring type footy, only making two errors and maintaining an amazing 56% of the first half possession.
Normally when a team only has 44% of the ball and plays dull and carries a non-tackling centre, they do not win the game.
It was a massive bonus for the Tigers to only be down 12-6 at half-time and they were good enough to come out in the right frame of mind to turn things around. It took until half-time before Tim Sheens got it right.
The Tigers got it wrong and still won.
Top on Sheen’s to-do list every morning over the next week will be to check the fitness of Chris Lawrence. He may not be so lucky next time.
rl
Guest
Great analysis. Dragon's inability to recognise the obvious mis-match and direct more traffic that way is glaring sign of complete lack of confidence in the team. Coaches and players equally to blame - players should have noticed it during first half, then Bennett and co had opportunity to address it at oranges.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
tigergerry I am not sure how many games you have watched Utai play in this season but he can only play on the wing and aside from the fact that he reads play poorly and has a poor technigue in defence, he cannot jump high so is hopless with bombs and also turns slowly so is vulnerable to the kick behind. He also has terrible hands and often fumbles. He is a massive liability where ever he plays. Lote is several classes above Utai and will improve with that run.
tigergerry
Guest
I believe Brown is vastly underated and most definately should be in the centres for the next game if Lawrence isn't fit. It amazes me that we haven't resigned Brown for the coming seasons. Having said all that Utai has been outstanding this season with his devestating bullocking runs that cause bruises to the opposition every week. Terrible defender but a fantastic ball runner. He could really show Lote a thing or two after his shocker. Just hit up the ball league style Lote not ruggers style!!! Go you tigers!!!!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Murph I didnt say that Utai in hindsight and said it in my pre game commentary and on my youtube preview. To be honest, both coaches got it wrong. Utai should not have been there without any doubt and the Dragons should have just kept running at him. The fact that Utail missed 6 tackles and the Tigers still won is a big rap on the team.
Wests Murphy
Guest
Shifty Sheens knew that Utai was covered. And it is fairly easy in hindsight to say it was dumb to leave him in a defensive position. Maybe he wanted them to direct their attack at Utai and he left him out there to diffuse their possesion. Every coach would expect utai to be targeted. Matt cooper who is in the top 5 for line breaks this year was nearly nulified the whole game, he is the guy that really gets things going down their left edge and he was contained very well. Your saying that sheens did the wrong thing, he won the game. Bennett did not. So should bennett have directed attack at matt utai, or stuck it out with his left side attack?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
rumbel off course it is Mitch....so it that the best you can come iup with? You dont wanna comment on the game just nit pick!
Al from ctown
Guest
Fair article Scott, kids hard to disagree on the matt utai issue, runs hard but is s bit of a worry in defence.. My only issue is your typo if "mark" brown.... Not mitch brown... I'm having one of them days myself mate.. Lol -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
rumbel
Guest
surely you know its 'Mitch Brown' not mark brown right. are you really a guru?