Kevin Gordon looks flash, blitzing teammates in speed session

[K2G]

From Couriermail.com.au
(http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/kevin-gordon-looks-flash-blitzing-teammates-in-speed-session/story-fniabrr8-1226804456366)
THE flash is back. Kevin "Flash" Gordon proved he is once again the fastest Titan on Friday by blitzing his teammates in the first speed testing session of the year.

Gordon was easily the quickest in 40m sprints ahead of Anthony Don, William Zillman, Albert Kelly and David Mead.

The club will conduct in-depth testing at a specialised centre in New Zealand next month but coach John Cartwright said Gordon was back to his best after two years riddled with knee problems.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2014/01/17/1226804/458106-01a1ab3a-7f45-11e3-8cdb-58f79d3137a3.jpg



"He was quickest by a fair way," he said.

"I did hand time it so I don't know how accurate it is but he was quickest.

"He's been one of the stand outs for us during the off-season.

"He's certainly come back a better athlete. He's probably the fittest he's ever been, maintained his weight and got stronger.

"You get all your squad in that frame of mind and they don't need much coaching."

Gordon is in top shape with the 24-year-old pushing for a new deal.

Cartwright said Gordon and Papua New Guinean international David Mead would be his first choice wingers this year but there is a long line of players snapping at their heels.

Former Cowboy Kalifa Faifai Loa has arrived at the club in peak fitness and has impressed at training while Don is also taking big steps after his breakout season last year.

"There's a bit of a logjam there," Cartwright said.

"It's going to be hard. We've only got the two trials this year and there's a logjam for outside backs.

"Gordon and Mead have pretty much established themselves there. I rate them as good as anyone in the competition.

"It's great we've got that depth there."

Cartwright said he would "move heaven and earth" to re-sign prop Ryan James to a new deal.

The club will meet with James' management for the second time next week in the hope of securing him to a new deal before the season kicks off.

"Ryan is very aware we're going to do everything we possibly can to keep him here," Cartwright said.

"If I get my way and the club gets its way he'll definitely be here. We're not even contemplating him playing anywhere else.

"We'll move heaven and earth to keep him.

"We're confident. He's a local boy. You can't understate the value of playing for your local club."

[teke]

What were the times ?

...and there u have it, Mead 1st choice winger so no fb for him

[Titanic Believer]

log jam? means they are all good or all mediocre?

[Toads]

Sorry to say, teke. But it was never going to be any other way. Zillman needs to retain his FB position, otherwise they can't justify keeping him.

I'd add to that, but I'm doing utmost to refrain from being negative.

[C-Whiz]

...and there u have it, Mead 1st choice winger so no fb for himYeah, that's what i got out of it.

[Titanic]

Does this mean all those (me, me, me) who chose Zillywacker as fb win a prize?

[lonegull]

Must be the aerodynamics of Gordon Hair :doh:

[CoastSportsFan]

Does anyone know how fast Gordon actually is over say 100m? He has always had wheels and I reckon he'd be close to the quickest in the NRL.

[DavidBouveng]

Does this mean all those (me, me, me) who chose Zillywacker as fb win a prize?

i think nearly 100% of people know Zillman will be chosen at Fullback.

the poll is for who we ourselves want at FB. no prizes just yet. if you can pick both centres and the bench i might have rustle something up for you.

[Hail Sezer]

Kev ran 5.1. Meady ran 6.2. Doesn't look like this "testing" was taken all that seriously by the players if you're familiar with what a good 40m time is.

Cool article but I wouldn't get too excited. Teke could run a 6.2 drunk and wearing the coral homes mascot outfit.

[Titanic]

i think nearly 100% of people know Zillman will be chosen at Fullback.

the poll is for who we ourselves want at FB. no prizes just yet. if you can pick both centres and the bench i might have rustle something up for you.

Cartwright's centres Blair/Tighe … and his bench Taylor, Bailey, Minichiello, Takairangi (and Srama when he's fit again) … I prefer cash thanks.

[K2G]

Cartwright's centres Blair/Tighe … and his bench Taylor, Bailey, Minichiello, Takairangi (and Srama when he's fit again) … I prefer cash thanks.

There is noway this will be our bench for round 1.
Carty with only 1 front rower and 1 hooker on the bench? Not happening.
I will pay you money if this is right.
Blair/Tighe centres probable. I hope not though.

[C-Whiz]

Surely we are not going with the hooker rotation again?

[C-Whiz]

Kev ran 5.1. Meady ran 6.2. Doesn't look like this "testing" was taken all that seriously by the players if you're familiar with what a good 40m time is.

Cool article but I wouldn't get too excited.
If the time doesn't start with a 4 it's not particularly exciting for the speedsters. Anything run with a 5 is pretty average for the fast guys, unless it's run by a prop!

I hear DB runs a pretty snappy 5.4 along the beach with 5kg weights around each angle. :D

Meady at 6.2 sounds like he only had 1 boot on...

Could be one of these things they do to show the coach that they are getting faster as training progresses. Also don't want to pull hammies and snap Achilles on the first hit-out.


Teke could run a 6.2 drunk and wearing the coral homes mascot outfit.And you've just sorted the Titans half time entertainment right there! :thumbsup:

[Titanic]

There is noway this will be our bench for round 1.
Carty with only 1 front rower and 1 hooker on the bench? Not happening.
I will pay you money if this is right.
Blair/Tighe centres probable. I hope not though.
I think I'm close to the mark and I stated Takairangi not Srama to start because Srama is recuperating I think ... he'll start with: James, Falloon, Douglas, Bird, Myles and Harrison ... so don't forget we have a new assistant coach who loves to run a bench of 1 prop and 2 backrows who can cover prop/backs as well + a back 3 utility ... Cartwright cannot make a decision between Falloon/Srama in case he loses one so they'll compromise with one specialist aging prop (Bailey), a backrow covering prop (and right side Minichiello) and another covering backs (and left side Taylor) plus the hooker thing but Srama is out for a while so he will use Takairangi. Later in the season when they've been proved horribly wrong Ridge will win back his job instead of Minichiello, Takairangi will reclaim the 4th bench spot and White will cover the contingencies around Origin and injury. Just an opinion.

[Boonarga]

From

"You get all your squad in that frame of mind and they don't need much coaching."

So that's his philosophy. It's worked well for the last 7 years.

[DavidBouveng]

That quote scared the hell out of me too boongara.

I thought fitness and good attitude were the bare minimum for a professional, on top of which you coach EVERYTHING else.

[Titanic]

I really don't know why anyone would be surprised as he hasn't demonstrated even the slightest inclination at coaching the team, just driving them around the paddock like flogged sheep.

[K2G]

I think I'm close to the mark and I stated Takairangi not Srama to start because Srama is recuperating I think ... he'll start with: James, Falloon, Douglas, Bird, Myles and Harrison ... so don't forget we have a new assistant coach who loves to run a bench of 1 prop and 2 backrows who can cover prop/backs as well + a back 3 utility ... Cartwright cannot make a decision between Falloon/Srama in case he loses one so they'll compromise with one specialist aging prop (Bailey), a backrow covering prop (and right side Minichiello) and another covering backs (and left side Taylor) plus the hooker thing but Srama is out for a while so he will use Takairangi. Later in the season when they've been proved horribly wrong Ridge will win back his job instead of Minichiello, Takairangi will reclaim the 4th bench spot and White will cover the contingencies around Origin and injury. Just an opinion.


Did not see this reply till just now. What you're saying makes absolute sense. But if past events provide the best data with which to predict future events, the bench you've suggested just isn't supported. From what i can tell, Henry more often than not favored two props on his bench (two of Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Ricky Thornby), albeit moving away from that setup regularly. I take your point with his use of guys like Glenn Hall, Tariq Sims who often rotate in for front rowers. But I wouldn't say he doesn't use 2 props interchange, because he did for a majority of last season at the cows.

Even so, Henry is not our coach. Carty is our coach. I'm almost certain if the NRL changed the rules to allow a 5 man bench, Carty would use 3 props on our bench. As it stands, Carty LOVES two specialist props on the bench, unless absolutely forced to do otherwise. It [Carty not playing 2 props on the bench] only happened on 7 occasions in 2013, 5 in 2012, and 3 in 2011 > all of which as a result of injuries to front rowers at the back end of the respective seasons.

As much as it makes sense to play Myles at lock, or in the second row with Bird at lock, or to have a bench of 2 dual position front row/second rowers, 1 hooker and 1 utility: it's just not in the gameplan of our current coach. I hope I'm wrong. But having seen Henderson and Michaels get a bench spot for us as many times as they have, it''s become pretty clear that Carty's bench selections have less to do with making sense than any of us would like it to.

Having typed all this, come rd 1, should a lone specialist prop appear on the bench, or should Nate Myles be listed anywhere other than prop, i will be equal parts embarrassed, amazed and optimistic, for the potential of brighter days ahead.

[Titanic]

Mate I get all that too … the over-riding issue for me is in the wider defensive rotation where we have always been chopped to bits. By losing a prop and gaining 1 or even 2 back rows then that defensive glitch can be fixed and Henry is talking-up defence. We play too many props and lose mobility (in fact I would be taking a real close look at Myles too).

Henry at the Cows had a strange mix of forwards, both in terms of age and skill. In our case Cartwright had generally pop-gun forwards and has little idea in how to use them … case in point Lawrence plus his over-use of Henderson etc as you rightly pointed out … time will tell but I will be totally disheartened if he brings the same as previously.

[teke]

2 props, 1 prop...best players should be filling the squad

[Titanic]

2 props, 1 prop...best players should be filling the squad
If that were the case we'd be running 3 hookers … just kidding.