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To the Mayer of Tigertown, I’m a lifelong Balmain and now Wests Tigers supporter, so may I first of all offer thanks for your efforts at the club since you assumed the role of CEO.
Things are certainly on the up.
I was impressed with the way you and the club handled your former town Benji Marshall, in particular his rolling out of town.
He was on a fistful of dollars and to ask for a few dollars more was a bit rich considering his game had gone from the good, to the bad, to the ugly over the last few seasons.
I also laud the fact you kept that Mick Potter in town. His apparent high noon hanging last season was a tad premature and its postponing has reaped some reward for the club, with a few of the young cattle coming through stables starring this season.
I hear terracotta Mick may have even earned himself the right to add some silver to his purse as a result of his efforts. Kudos to him.
However, from my lounge room saddle, may I shoot straight from hip and offer some unsolicited advice to you and the coach regarding the immediate playing future of some of your first grade herd?
To start with, there comes a time in every gunslinger’s life when the pistol has to be holstered and the spurs have to be hung up. That time has come for your six shooter Braith Anasta.
Braith was a decent player and is a fine leader, but at the moment he’s about as dangerous as a cap gun. I can see he’s providing leadership, both on and off the field, and he isn’t a liability in defence, but his threat in attack has waned dramatically.
There is speed to burn playing just outside of him in Tim Simona and David Nofoaluma, but both are battling to see quality ball at the right end of the paddock and are not posing enough of a threat to opposition teams.
In terms of points, their side of the bar is almost dry, with the team at a real disadvantage while they are under utilised.
For Anasta, his time on the prairie is over and it’s time for Blake Austin to saddle up.
On the other side of the park, there’s a different story. That old grey mare Chris Lawrence ain’t would she used to be. A onetime potent attacking weapon, Lawrence used to take some chasing down when in full gallop – but that was once upon a time in the west.
Lawrence is now hindering points from the left edge. Due to injuries, his blistering speed has evaporated and his ability to step has gotten to a terminally low point. I mean, can you recall the last time he got into more than 40 metres of open pasture in front of him? I can’t.
His struggles to be an effective centre are not helped when you consider his inability to set up his winger. His old centre partner Dean Collis is a neat comparison for this case.
Dean wasn’t the fastest nor biggest, but he had a little bit of footwork and could set up his winger. Lawrence battles big time in both these departments. It’s a bit like watching a horse walk backwards, it’s just awkward.
Yet Lawrence’s career is far from yodelling off into the sunset. He is quite effective defensively. If we were to compare Chris to Steve Matai, who is in supposedly career best form, it may come as surprise to some that Lawrence has fewer missed tackles this year.
Considering the Tiger’s completion rates this season, Chris has seen some traffic too. There’s no question he is doing the job defensively, but once you compare their attacking stats, Matai leaves Chris in the dust when looking at line breaks, tackle busts and tries.
It’s like comparing a stallion to a mule. Add to that Lawrence’s struggles to give good consistent service to his winger, then his position as the side’s left centre is a big concern.
My advice for Lawrence is to ditch the Brumby and saddle the Clydesdale, it’s time for Chris to move to the back row.
Some may not agree with this, but let me explain why this is good for him and the team.
Firstly, when you look at most of Lawrence’s recent try history, many have come from a crash over close to the line. The old minimal footwork, all body and strength barge over, has been his go. More forward-like than back-like.
Secondly, he has the size to be a back rower. If we compare him to NSW Origin player Beau Scott, Lawrence tips the scales at 100 kilograms, whereas Scott comes in at 98. So don’t tell me he couldn’t mix it with the bigger boys.
Thirdly, Lawrence has lost the footwork to be an effective centre and is pretty average speed wise for that position. Yet, put him in the back row, and all of a sudden he’s one of the quickest.
In so many respects, he is already playing like a back rower, the problem is he’s out in the centres taking up a valuable attacking position others could be more potent in. In my opinion, Lawrence could have a career revival playing in the second row.
Last of all Mr Mayer, I wish to say that the big bopper bench policy that worked so well at the start of the year seems to have been shelved. First the Titans got back at us, then Souths and I can assure you that Manly will too if the current lightweight approach to subs is continued with.
Three props and one back rower is the only acceptable rigging. Anything less than three props warming the pine is deadset fraught with danger this season.
To conclude, fine sir, if it’s your wish to have Anasta play one final shoot out, keep Lawrence saddled in the fast lane or continue to pick small bulls for the mounting yard, then the chances of making the eight look tough. A first weekend out of the finals is the most likely scenario, if you make it.
So sure, there’s some tough decisions to be made, but the points outlined above offer a clear choice for you and the club. Uncork the whiskey late in the finals? Or drink Monday’s moonshine with the folk from the Shire after Round 26?
Kindest regards,
Mr B.
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