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.
Balmain Bobby
Guest
Mr. Mayer, We've had some big buys, and imports over the years, and Ellery Hanley springs to mind. If Terry Lamb hadn't KO'd him early in the game, we would have won another Grand Final. It is imperative that we 'blouse' the other clubs, when Curtley Beale turns to League. Our offer should swamp the others, to get this unbelievable No.6, a position that we've been short in, since the great Davey Bolton. Of course Benji cannot be forgotten, but Beale has talent that even Benji would love to have. Imagine Beale working with Luke Brooks, and Moses,..... and if Tedesco stands up, he can play in the centres...... To get Beale, we can dispense with Anasta, Lawrence(who is now chronic injury prone), and Galloway for the same reasons. We've lost Fulton, so his wages can be added to the 'pot' to ensure that we do not miss out on Beale! We have the best front-rower in Woods, but we need a couple more willing young and talented front-rowers to support him. Austin is a fantastic utility player, who can be used at 13, and anywhere else in the backline. Also, we better start looking for another Farah, as Robbie may not have too many more seasons left. But,..... GET BEALE FIRST!..... Do Not Be Beaten!..... He will help greatly to get us another Premiership!
Tiger Queen
Guest
I remember Anasta being upset last year and saying he had been contracted to play in the halves for the Tigers (WTF) & Who contracts on positions (Grant Mayer obvioulsy) Now this year fior some reason.......he is in in the halves..?????? I consider Moses, Brooks, Farah and Teddy to be a true Big 4. I guess we want Moses to come in at an easy time. ensure life long confidence. not blood him at a must win time. As for Chrissy, he is very good friends with Robbie. They are business partners. sometimes I see this as the Tigers biggest problem...being too nice and loyal. In his defence, he has been recieving a bucketload of hospital passes this year & he and Brooks just need to get their timing right is all. Chris could pass sometimes too! I agree to swap the centres to have experienced/new on both sides. Paddy and Simona would be potentially lethal and Nofa has the speed Chris needs.... Go Tigers. Lets play smart now and win with a squad, not just the 'inclubbers'. Also, too may offloads now. We need to hit it up to get out of trouble safely then get into the razzle dazzle from there.....! Not be pushed out heading for the wing in their half or losing from a fancy but no advantage offload.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Yes. With Lawrence on the bench, he can add impact and the utility value coaches often desire. A good move.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Your comments regarding the media scrutiny and reporting on Mick Potter at season's end is spot on, and something I didn't consider.
Michael Buggy
Roar Rookie
I agree this is a great review. At the time of writing, Potter is without a contract for 2015. If he selects Anasta for the rest of the season we will miss the finals and he might be out as well. The media will be saying "If Potter had the courage to make the call on Braith earlier, then the Tigers may have played finals." Throwing in a Moses or backing Austin at 5/8 is really a win/win for Potter. We'll still be flip a coin odds of making the finals and if we miss the finals the media will reflect on the season and say "Overachieved and are building towards good things." This approach will also earn Potter praise for making a big call in dropping Braith. I'm becoming more and more confident Anasta is on borrowed time. He's been hooked a few times already this year during matches.
Jamie
Guest
This has to be the most intelligent assessment of where we are at as a team I have read all year. Lawrence and Anasta are two obstacles but Lawrence is far from being "needed to be dropped". Back row off the bench to start with. Brilliance is that he can cover centre or wing if there are injuries aswell. This then frees up space to move Simona to left centre, Nofo to right centre and give Korobete a call up to FG. Anasta...sorry mate but your time here is up. We need the extra space on the bench which Austin cannot continue to fill. Austin is only going to get better and I really want to see him get 4-5 games in a row at 6.
Bill
Guest
Shouldn't you be on Bud Abbots page???
Bill
Guest
I don't care if it's his last or first season he is a complete negative in the team. It's one thing to say"it's his last" but do you really think we should have to watch the garbage that he puts in for the rest of this season. Do you think that there is one team that would want him if he was on the open market?? Not a chance!!!! The only thing he is doing is showing Brooks how not to play. Even though I don't agree in throwing young blokes into first grade , I would make an exception in this case and put Brooks and Moses together again and let this season be a learning curve for next season. They have a good partnership from the lower grades ( which is better than the lack of Any partnership that we have now) and Moses would take a bit of the pressure of Luke. At the moment the opposition do not have to keep on Anasta because they know that he is not going to run it at all. He's happy to be sending dubious passes to anyone . Just on another point I've seen a couple of Korro's games recently and while I was concerned about his defence when he was in first grade earlier , and I realise that there is a big jump from nsw cup to First Grade , but surely he deserves at least another chance. He has blistering speed - and has improved greatly under a high ball. As we have virtually no-one in the outside backs now ( excluding Richardsand Teddy)that is capable of first grade standard defence , as well as no-one who has ANY attacking ability(again excluding Richards and Tedesco)at all. No matter how much time we spend in the oppositions 20 metres. Tries seldom eventuate. Sides know that we aren't a worry and just wait for us to make the inevitable mistake. I feel forr Robbie and Woodsie when they get back as always they and a few others will have to carry Anasta and the other non effective players that we have. As a supporter do firstly Wests and now the wests Tigers, I'm disgusted at what most of this team are showing at this time. Let's get rid of Anasta And bring in someone who knows where the tryline is (Korro) and maybe that will lift the rest. And save this season going where it's headed
Pete matten
Guest
Get rid of Anastasia. Bring in Mitch Moses, it's a building year anyway we are just going better than expected, why wait until next year and lose games due to inexperience. We are losing games now due to Anastasia leaving all the attack on brooks shoulders and if it continues brooks will end up like benjii just a frustrated targeted half with no help.
Nick
Guest
The sheer sense of entitlement some fans think they have is quite disturbing.
Johnno
Guest
West tigers have a big junior base.
casper
Guest
watching Lawrence this season reminds you of schoolboy footy, always trying to run around the defence & not quick enough. That crabbing run before being pushed into touch on the first or second tackle on the weekend is a case in point. He's gone backwards at a rate of knots since his origin selection. I agree that Blake Austin is a risk in defence, that was his fault on the weekend. Looks like he's trying too hard to impress because there's a spot available. Tigers would be better using Sironen in the centres until next season, he's big, hard & reasonably quick. Their forwards have been poor, particularly Woods who talks a good game, Adam Blair doesn't put in on a regular basis & Keith Galloway who does very little every week. They've hung on to a few too many for too long, Fulton being a prime example. The concussion issues will save the Tigers from having to make a tough call. Anasta is a forward, if in the side.
Western fuglie
Guest
What about Curtis sironen as the centre and Lawrence to back row?
bigbaz
Guest
As one who still regards 20/9/1969 as one of lifes' great days I agree with you 100%. Now, if we could only get Len Killeen back to kick goals.
tigerdave
Guest
Good call. Blake Austin is oplaying the house down and deserves to be in the starting line up. Btraith has been a good sevant to the game...at the Roosters. They saw the light and refreshed their list. Lawrencesure is slowing down and needs to be in the forwards. The Tigers bullied the Coast, Souths and Mnaly. If it works, why deviate. I like the Tigers for 2015. This year their right hand edge gets caught out in defence far too much. I was disappointed against Souths. Apart from dropping the ball too much, they lacked cpomposure and were bullied by the Souths pack. Farrah gives us dioirection, but we need to have the right attitude by the players who take the field. Souths got the job done without injured and rep players as well.
TheTruth
Guest
As for Anasta, I'd be keeping him. It's his last season and he will provide Brooks with an influence only experience can buy. Tigers are gathering a young team that if they can stay together, can be a premiership contender for years to come. For mine, this year is a learning curve for the Tigers(much like my eels)
TheTruth
Guest
Not a Tige's fan, but poor ol' Lawrence has been on the receiving end of some horrific injuries to his legs (and a dislocated hip) have cruelled his career. Was once headed for a long origin career imo. Is his pace (or lack thereof) still a result, whether mental or physical, of injury/not a decent pre-season, or is it lost forever? If he thinks he can regain that speed, then I would be keeping him there for at least next season and see how he progresses. Got to remember, he is still only 25 (crazy huh? I still can recall his debut in '06)
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
I would doubt Mayer selects. But he'd have pull at the club, and more than likely the ear of one or two. Plus his name "Mayer" suited the purposes of the article. Agree, Lullia isn't an improvement, but considering that Lawrence's side seems to see ball from both Brooks and Teddy, maybe an alternative option could be for Lawrence and Simona to switch sides. Tigers could get more out of Simons that way.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Cheers, they seem glaringly obvious to a lot of people. Not just you and me old son.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Your points are valid too, The eye. But I wouldn't mind Tufaka coming into Lawrence's spot or even Akouloa. He doesn't offer much in the way of extra pace, but he certainly offloads better than Chris.