2015 Titans Line Up

[Toads]

James ?

I've been becoming dubious of James this last few months, even though we haven't seen much of him this year.

It mainly comes down to lack of consistency (in my opinion). When he's left to play his own game, he can be quite devastating but tends to leak penalties with it. But the end of last year, it appeared as if the Coaching Staff were onto to him about it (leaking penalties) which in turn had him checking himself more often than not, which seems to put him off his natural game.

So yeah, I'm not sure what to make of him just yet. Hopefully he can hit some good form early in 2015 'n carry it on through to seasons end and silence punters like me.

[TITAN PETE]

I've been becoming dubious of James this last few months, even though we haven't seen much of him this year.

It mainly comes down to lack of consistency (in my opinion). When he's left to play his own game, he can be quite devastating but tends to leak penalties with it. But the end of last year, it appeared as if the Coaching Staff were onto to him about it (leaking penalties) which in turn had him checking himself more often than not, which seems to put him off his natural game.

So yeah, I'm not sure what to make of him just yet. Hopefully he can hit some good form early in 2015 'n carry it on through to seasons end and silence punters like me.

He was injured early in the season & played in pain so considering he's had surgery nearly 2 months ago I think we'll see a fitter & more mature James in 15'

[hammer]

Without actually naming a side I would like to express a few thoughts.
The teams that have traditionally been very successful in the modern game have fullbacks that have speed as one of their main strengths...Stewart (Manly), Slater (Storm), Moylan (Panthers), Morgan (Cowboys)...with that in mind Roberts given some time would be a real danger to opposing sides.
In addition to this what I feel the Titans side lacks is a wide running agile forwards with size...for example Hoffman and Proctor (Storm), Cooper (Cowboys), Cordner and Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters)...these players cause confusion and damage as the playmakers will often hit the front runner which they can break the line one on one or they can hit a player like Roberts out the back who has speed to burn. We just don't have that style of player...Dave Taylor is not in this mould...however he is still destructive just in another role.
Srama is in my opinion the most creative hooker we have and hopefully when fully fit will return better than ever.
Mortimer has given 100% but I feel he can be a defensive target and deficiency (not in the same league as Prince was) and therefore I would go for Kelly if fully fit.
Anyway some of my thoughts!

[Mexican titan]

What are people's views on Mortimer at hooker? I see a few people have suggested this, really depends on Kelly's fitness.

We really have missed Kelly in the later half of 2014.

Probably worth a try, however considering we have two specialist hookers in Srama and Falloon, it shows that many don't really rate them if they want to try someone else there. I have read a number of quotes from Mortimer that he came here to play in the halves so it would be interesting to hear his views on moving to hooker.
As for Kelly, I hope I am wrong but I just wonder whether injuries are going to stuff him up from here on.

[Blade07]

Sorry forgot james and taylor would replace white and ridge instaed

[K2G]

Without actually naming a side I would like to express a few thoughts.
The teams that have traditionally been very successful in the modern game have fullbacks that have speed as one of their main strengths...Stewart (Manly), Slater (Storm), Moylan (Panthers), Morgan (Cowboys)...with that in mind Roberts given some time would be a real danger to opposing sides.
In addition to this what I feel the Titans side lacks is a wide running agile forwards with size...for example Hoffman and Proctor (Storm), Cooper (Cowboys), Cordner and Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters)...these players cause confusion and damage as the playmakers will often hit the front runner which they can break the line one on one or they can hit a player like Roberts out the back who has speed to burn. We just don't have that style of player...Dave Taylor is not in this mould...however he is still destructive just in another role.
Srama is in my opinion the most creative hooker we have and hopefully when fully fit will return better than ever.
Mortimer has given 100% but I feel he can be a defensive target and deficiency (not in the same league as Prince was) and therefore I would go for Kelly if fully fit.
Anyway some of my thoughts!

Agree. Agree. Agree.

Some consistent excitement, determination and threatening play at the back would make such a difference to this team. I've been calling for it for years. I'd love to see what Roberts could offer back there ... but i think Mead in his limited opportunities, has shown he can be that player for us also (highlight of the year for mine has been his match-winning game against the broncos. Memorable) But Roberts or Mead for #1 in 2015 - either way I'm happy.

From what I've heard Burr and Robinson both fit the mould as strong, agile, ball running forwards... fingers crossed.

Agreed that Srama is our best hooker. I would even say he can potentially be a top 5 or 6 hooker in the comp if he strings a couple of healthy seasons together, with some real coaching, and a half decent game plan that everyone follows. I still think the storm will be looking at him if we don't resign him, as I know Craig is a fan. People have short memories here I reckon, considering his age, he was great for us a few seasons ago. My only worry are his consistent injuries. At his age, with his frame and with the position he plays - throwing him in for 80 every game is a risk. Would be happy to see Morts (rather than falloon) coming off the bench to give him a spell until Srama works the rust out (which could take the better part of 2015) ... playing Morts at hooker would logically, make him less of a defensive liability because he wouldn't have to make as many reads out on the edges, would be in amongst the middle forwards and would doing alot more out of the line, front on tackling. Not that simple i know, but considering his previous two teams primarily used him in this capacity, one would assume he can handle it.

Kelly has to be in the 17 if fit imo. I'd like to see what Henry can do with a Sezer+Kelly combo (as much as I'd like it, I can't see us landing Bhunt, who the bronco's will do everything to keep after how his played this year, and especially the last few rounds). Kelly, like Srama, (and everyone bloody else lately) has a troubling propensity for injury, and what's worse (for me as a spectator) is how past injuries or fear of injury seems to affect him mentally during a game. He seems to go down with a broken something a few times every game *cough* Josh Hoffman *cough* despite being cleared to play, and that is never good trait to see in any athlete as it actually tends to increase the chance of legitimate injury. 2015 could be make or break for him as a Titan i think.

Seriously though... do questions need to be asked of our strength and conditioning programs, resources and trainers ... or am I imagining the deja vu?? Shocking couple of years for us injury wise.

[ozynorts]

Seriously though... do questions need to be asked of our strength and conditioning programs, resources and trainers ... or am I imagining the deja vu?? Shocking couple of years for us injury wise.

YES they do. I think that I read somewhere that Henry was talking about those areas needing attention. A good defensive coach wouldn't hurt either.

[Titanic]

At this stage of the year and heading towards next season, we should not even be considering playing people out of position eg if Mortimer is a half then that's what he is. Srama has to prove to Henry that he is resilient because for all his talent he has not been that at all. Takairangi is a backrow. Taylor is a forward and an enigma as is Kelly. Zillman just doesn't cut it and Gordon needs to have a good long look at himself as do Myles and Bird, although Myles at least has surgery as an excuse. Roberts is a kid showing all the signs of being touted as the team saviour instead of being developed into the role add Sezer there too.

I could go on forever about the players because they haven't been coached well at all and whatever was the club's long-term plan, for whatever reasons, they lost their way.

[Geeman]

Without actually naming a side I would like to express a few thoughts.
The teams that have traditionally been very successful in the modern game have fullbacks that have speed as one of their main strengths...Stewart (Manly), Slater (Storm), Moylan (Panthers), Morgan (Cowboys)...with that in mind Roberts given some time would be a real danger to opposing sides.
In addition to this what I feel the Titans side lacks is a wide running agile forwards with size...for example Hoffman and Proctor (Storm), Cooper (Cowboys), Cordner and Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters)...these players cause confusion and damage as the playmakers will often hit the front runner which they can break the line one on one or they can hit a player like Roberts out the back who has speed to burn. We just don't have that style of player...Dave Taylor is not in this mould...however he is still destructive just in another role.
Srama is in my opinion the most creative hooker we have and hopefully when fully fit will return better than ever.
Mortimer has given 100% but I feel he can be a defensive target and deficiency (not in the same league as Prince was) and therefore I would go for Kelly if fully fit.
Anyway some of my thoughts!

This is where I think Taka has potential. He is quite quick, has decent footwork, and with the right coaching I think he could be that sort of player for us.

[gcboyz]

1. Mead
2. Don
3. Roberts
4.
5.
6. Sezer
7. Kelly
8. Douglas
9. Srama
10. Miles
11.Bird
12.Taylor
13.Carter

14. James
15. Ioane
16. Kingston
17. Ridge


Happy to keep and develop Binge, Hazard, Mortimer, Robinson, Burr, KFL, Dowling

There are still several gaps to fill. Going forward there are several players who will never be game breakers and should be released to find new clubs. If we can dispose of a few from this list we might create some cap space. Zillman, Takarangi, White, Falloon, Tighe, Blair, Gordon, Likiliki, Henry.

[Titanic]

The majority of those players wouldn't frighten any other team ... we need a wholesale clean-out.

[Titan4Life]

Thought I would bump this thread as our recruitment is pretty much over for this year,, so we need to put together our teams for next year out of the current roster.

[TitansFan92]

Ok my team with our current squad. We need to be very active on the 2015-2016 player market.

1. Mead
2. Don
3. Roberts
4. Kelly (Would like to see how he goes playing at Centre
5. Gordon (For lack of other options)
6. Sezer
7. Mortimer
8.Douglas
9. Shama
10. Myles
11. Bird
12. Taylor
13. Carter

14. James
15. Burr
16. Ioane
17. Kingston

[toddythetitan]

Keep hearing the same gossip stories that Kellys off field behaviours affecting his rehab and raising eyebrows, hopefully it's just stories but if it's true then I hope one of the unannounced/unsigned coaching staff is a halves coach and pays alot of attention to hazard (who henry's a fan of) Kane elegy and seze also I'd like a halves coach to work on mead and fogartys passing and decision making

[Hail Sezer]

Keep hearing the same gossip stories that Kellys off field behaviours affecting his rehab and raising eyebrows, hopefully it's just stories but if it's true then I hope one of the unannounced/unsigned coaching staff is a halves coach and pays alot of attention to hazard (who henry's a fan of) Kane elegy and seze also I'd like a halves coach to work on mead and fogartys passing and decision making

I'm a huge fan of Fogarty (hence the avi) and i'd put him right in line for an NRL birth next year. Whether he plays best in the halves or at fullback though is another question. We have a lot of young halves coming through and should be content that we are persevering with our youth (Fogarty, Elgey and Hazard to an extent), a halves coach would be a much welcomed addition