"The Level Of Coaching..."

[Guest]

gets mentioned so many times when people defend this current squad

"They've had no coaching for 5 years!"

"Give them time, they've had no coaching!!"

these guys have been playing league since they were 5

certainly the pace and pressure of the NRL takes time to adjust to, but skills are skills

and if they don't have them by their mid 20's, it's unlikely they're going to get them

we have an ageing squad that lacks pace, mobility, and creativity

[Guest]

you lost me when you said we have an ageing squad. we have the youngest average age squad in the nrl.

but i agree with your other sentiments on a basic level. i am sick of excuses for some of these pathetic players.

[Kingbilly]

The difference between NRL teams often comes down to the execution of their plan and the ability to keep the structure that is given to them by their coach.

Under Fittler they were given no plans and had no structure.

Now they have them they have no idea how to execute them, this is what its about.

The debate then comes down to whether the individual will get it or is mentally challenged to the extent that they are unable to follow instructions

[stsae]

I remember blokes like Freddo Shitler and JoEy Jones who improved their skills as they grew older. Some of the shit they were able to pull at 30 far outweighed what they did at 20. How many forwards develop a pass later in their carrers??? Cos they are able to deal with the pace of the game easily by that stage their skills can be exposed.

IMO players have to learn and improve constantly thru their carrers. Sure you learn the basics as a kid but you sharpen those skills each level you climb. The jump to 1st grade is of course the most difficult as it should be and IMO more work needs to go in there that anywhere.

Probably the major coaching difference in 1st grade is the pace of the game. Doing what comes naturally, skillwise, is something that takes alot of players a long time when they hit the top grade.

Thats where the coaching comes in. Take Melba or the Stains for example. They have the coaches who have the ability to bring out the best in players, almost immediatly. They do this by having a strong structure and defined jobs for players. Can we say weve seen anything like that here for 5+yrs???

Theres also the fact that many of these youngsters were identified and given 1st grade jumpers by gimps. Maybe they all cant play. IMO we wont find out till theyve had a good year or two under a coach known for getting the best from some very average players.

We have too many youngsters IMO, not enough expierence. And the expierence we have in most cases cant keep up with the kids at the moment. Again it will take time till they either recapture old form or finish their contracts.

[Guest]

you lost me when you said we have an ageing squad. we have the youngest average age squad in the nrl.

but i agree with your other sentiments on a basic level. i am sick of excuses for some of these pathetic players.

I find that impossible to believe Fred

[Guest]

Aside from Brisbane we would be right out there. You can thank old man Ryles for inflating the average age.

[supermario]

At the end of last season, we had an average age of 21

[elo]

How many rubbish threads a day can you create ToK!?

An aging squad!?

Check out the best forward pack in the league (Manly) - all the starters are over 25.

[Guest]

you lost me when you said we have an ageing squad. we have the youngest average age squad in the nrl.

but i agree with your other sentiments on a basic level. i am sick of excuses for some of these pathetic players.

If they are pathetic how did we win 5 games already and only lose 4?

Some people around here are losing the plot lately.

We won the game before last with some committed defence and courage. Sure our attack has stunk lately since Pearce has been out but it is obvious that he is the one that provides us with direction. It surprises me that Anasta has copped a pasting whilst Carney has barely been mentioned. As halfback he has been deplorable.

[BUDDY]

gets mentioned so many times when people defend this current squad

"They've had no coaching for 5 years!"

"Give them time, they've had no coaching!!"

these guys have been playing league since they were 5

certainly the pace and pressure of the NRL takes time to adjust to, but skills are skills

and if they don't have them by their mid 20's, it's unlikely they're going to get them

we have an ageing squad that lacks pace, mobility, and creativity

What do you consider old in rugby league terms?
I think Ryles(30), Mini (29), Graham (28) and Anasta (28) are the only ones over 26.

Where do you get your information?
You are starting to sound like Adrian from Talkin' Sport, Big Sports Breakfast, 2UE and whoever else takes his calls.

[Pass the Ball]

It surprises me that Anasta has copped a pasting whilst Carney has barely been mentioned. As halfback he has been deplorable.

I could not agree more..

The new golden boy is immune to criticism at this stage..

His goal-kicking was atrocious also..

[Cockadoodledoo]

I could not agree more..

The new golden boy is immune to criticism at this stage..

His goal-kicking was atrocious also..

So we will compare one player who has played in his position for the last 8 years to another who has played there for 2 weeks....

[Pass the Ball]

So we will compare one player who has played in his position for the last 8 years to another who has played there for 2 weeks....

Both were horrible. Anasta was 5 times as horrible. Carney was still horrible...

[Guest]

Smarter thing would be to have all the young forwards on the bench e.g Nuuausala, JWH, Symonds, Jones, Friend, Guerra, Kennedy.

The more experienced players like Conn, Koops, Paea, Ryles and Myles should all be starting, at the ones who aren't performing, shouldn't be in the team.

Don't know if they are viable examples anymore, but this is what the Melbourne Storm did for years. Have their most experienced forwards starting the match regularly, with young blokes on the bench, rotating through.

[Guest]

The general standard of the NRL has been in decline, our players are no exception to that fact. Skills have been sidelined for percentages. Flair has been all but been eradicated in favor of a good kick and chase. Individual brilliance has been snuffed out to make way for stats.

Fact it, if Brett Finch is being talked about as NSW 5/8 along with Jamie Soward, you know the quality of the pool to select the representative player in Rugby League is dropping like a farkin stone!

I was wrong Gus was right. The salary cap is killing our game slowly but surely.

Chook.