Tweet
Howdy sports fan,
The Jamaican Times sent me down to Bezerkely for another report at this year's Coaching Clinic (for the third time in a row). Usually held in January, the clinic has surprised all and moved to November...interestingly only a week into training.
Farian sat down with coach Smith while the boys went through their paces with the kids (including mine) and talked footy and life after total carnage. Here is my summation:
Everyone's been put on notice behaviour wise. As Smith put it, if the NRL's Dally M winner can get sacked from the club, anyone reeking havic will follow suit. Reiterated that he felt all those that poisoned the club have parted ways. Told me that Toddy started drinking the night of our GF loss..had an almighty bender and NEVER looked back.
Backline
Basically one spot up for grabs for the start of next year. Moga, Carney and Tagive will fight it out initially. The rest is a forgone conclusion..leilua will continue bouncing between centre and wing..spoke to Moga (one ALMIGHTY human being) and he has been training at centre. Smithy said he still has some question marks on him as he fell away near the end of the year so he'll have to get himself mentally ready for the rigors of first grade.
Tuivasa-Scheck is finishing off his HSC so hasnt joined the team yet. Won't figure in first grade next year but Smith was raving on about him. Said his YOUNGER brother is 97kg already and a gun (they are trying to sign him up as well).
Henare Wells - Smith was RAVING on about him big time. Said he has the X-factor and can turn a game on its ear but mentally and physically not up to it yet. The kid is built like a rake..very tall and thin but Smith said his old man is built like a brick shithouse exactly like Henare when he was a kid and then filled out. I dont think this kid is going anywhere because Smith rates him BIG time.
Alofa - Another kid who is impressing in training...the guys love playing with him..great team guy. I spoke to him and was VERY impressed with his attitude/committment. Will stop at nothing to crack first grade but will start in newtown as Smith said.
Mortimer - Smith said he is fitting in well. Said he will figure when rep games are on. Said he offers things that Anasta and Pearce dont have. Said he wasnt a huge organiser and doesnt have a long kicking game but takes the line on and has a great offload (which the team is focusing on big time) plus super short kicking game. Goes to the line with ball in two hands and great at slipping pass or making a sneaky break. Spoke to Mortimer and said the guys are focusing on skill work..much more than his time at Parra. Also a huge focus on defence and as Smith said..putting both all together. No changes in playing style next year..we will see what we saw in the last four games.
Forwards
Kennedy - ready to go. Started running and no pain so far..straight from the horses mouth. Smith said they have wrapped him up in cotton wool as career threatening.
Ryles - Wanted more money and took a great offer from Storm. Smith wanted him to stay. Differs from Ryles dads story..who knows. Smithy said we have a plethora of front rows..mentioned Isaac Liu as a HUGE talent coming through. Nuggety shorter kid with great footwork for a front rower..built like a keg.
Tasi - Smith couldnt stop talking about him. Probably the most out of ANY player there. Has another two years here and not going anywhere. Said he will be massive for us next year..great motor and plays hard. Kennedy, Tasi, JWH and Mose will form our front row but interestingly mentioned Taka to end up in the front row in years to come. Kane another one who will playing first grade.
Maubs is back..shoulder is fine. Will take up one position in the second row with FPN in at lock. Guerra and Cordner will play the other. Cherro wont play any football till April but in great spirits.
Symo - said he has been training as a utility. Even 5/8th. Interesting one.
Dumbrell - will start in Newtown but Smith rates him big time. Nothing much of this kid. Smaller than Mortimer (who is a deadset dwarf!)
I get the impression that this will be Mini's last year as Smith rates the plethora of young fullbacks coming through. I dont think you will see a big name purchase to be honest. Especially in the backs. One thing Smith did mention. Noone is putting their hand up in the halves coming through. Littlejohn is a toiler but Smith said he has a LONG way to go before playing firstgrade..doesnt have much of a passing/organising game but a great team player who the guy love. I suspect if there is one position he'll recruit its in the halves and thats it.
Funny, we spoke about Rothfield and his hate for him. Telegraph had ppl follow the players around all season away. Said to watch out for a story where a Melbourne News LTD journo has been caught tapping phones like his British collegues. Said "if I told you some of the things Rothfield has done over the years..you wouldnt believe me". Doesnt even attend matches or press conferences. Just shoots from afar. Smiths cursing increased substantially while we were both laying shit into him. He said a few interesting things about Buzz but to his credit said "lets get back to talking about our chaps" and then proceeded to point guys out and tell me everything about their playing style. I can see how he loves working with the younger crew rather than signing big names who faulter. Talked about the 50-150 first grade game range and how players peak in this range..has nothing to do with age. After 150..unless they are freaks..they generally wane.
Anyway..thats my summation. Hope you enjoyed it. I have some great photos which I should somehow post on here. Need to work it out first.
Speak easy brothers..here's to next season. I was certainly excited by what I saw. The boys looks really happy and laughing with each other. Last clinic (at the start of this year) was like a morgue no shit. I even told Smith that and he agreed saying we were on the backfoot because a number of guys had "there head in the clouds or up the arse".
The Jamaican Times sent me down to Bezerkely for another report at this year's Coaching Clinic (for the third time in a row). Usually held in January, the clinic has surprised all and moved to November...interestingly only a week into training.
Farian sat down with coach Smith while the boys went through their paces with the kids (including mine) and talked footy and life after total carnage. Here is my summation:
Everyone's been put on notice behaviour wise. As Smith put it, if the NRL's Dally M winner can get sacked from the club, anyone reeking havic will follow suit. Reiterated that he felt all those that poisoned the club have parted ways. Told me that Toddy started drinking the night of our GF loss..had an almighty bender and NEVER looked back.
Backline
Basically one spot up for grabs for the start of next year. Moga, Carney and Tagive will fight it out initially. The rest is a forgone conclusion..leilua will continue bouncing between centre and wing..spoke to Moga (one ALMIGHTY human being) and he has been training at centre. Smithy said he still has some question marks on him as he fell away near the end of the year so he'll have to get himself mentally ready for the rigors of first grade.
Tuivasa-Scheck is finishing off his HSC so hasnt joined the team yet. Won't figure in first grade next year but Smith was raving on about him. Said his YOUNGER brother is 97kg already and a gun (they are trying to sign him up as well).
Henare Wells - Smith was RAVING on about him big time. Said he has the X-factor and can turn a game on its ear but mentally and physically not up to it yet. The kid is built like a rake..very tall and thin but Smith said his old man is built like a brick shithouse exactly like Henare when he was a kid and then filled out. I dont think this kid is going anywhere because Smith rates him BIG time.
Alofa - Another kid who is impressing in training...the guys love playing with him..great team guy. I spoke to him and was VERY impressed with his attitude/committment. Will stop at nothing to crack first grade but will start in newtown as Smith said.
Mortimer - Smith said he is fitting in well. Said he will figure when rep games are on. Said he offers things that Anasta and Pearce dont have. Said he wasnt a huge organiser and doesnt have a long kicking game but takes the line on and has a great offload (which the team is focusing on big time) plus super short kicking game. Goes to the line with ball in two hands and great at slipping pass or making a sneaky break. Spoke to Mortimer and said the guys are focusing on skill work..much more than his time at Parra. Also a huge focus on defence and as Smith said..putting both all together. No changes in playing style next year..we will see what we saw in the last four games.
Forwards
Kennedy - ready to go. Started running and no pain so far..straight from the horses mouth. Smith said they have wrapped him up in cotton wool as career threatening.
Ryles - Wanted more money and took a great offer from Storm. Smith wanted him to stay. Differs from Ryles dads story..who knows. Smithy said we have a plethora of front rows..mentioned Isaac Liu as a HUGE talent coming through. Nuggety shorter kid with great footwork for a front rower..built like a keg.
Tasi - Smith couldnt stop talking about him. Probably the most out of ANY player there. Has another two years here and not going anywhere. Said he will be massive for us next year..great motor and plays hard. Kennedy, Tasi, JWH and Mose will form our front row but interestingly mentioned Taka to end up in the front row in years to come. Kane another one who will playing first grade.
Maubs is back..shoulder is fine. Will take up one position in the second row with FPN in at lock. Guerra and Cordner will play the other. Cherro wont play any football till April but in great spirits.
Symo - said he has been training as a utility. Even 5/8th. Interesting one.
Dumbrell - will start in Newtown but Smith rates him big time. Nothing much of this kid. Smaller than Mortimer (who is a deadset dwarf!)
I get the impression that this will be Mini's last year as Smith rates the plethora of young fullbacks coming through. I dont think you will see a big name purchase to be honest. Especially in the backs. One thing Smith did mention. Noone is putting their hand up in the halves coming through. Littlejohn is a toiler but Smith said he has a LONG way to go before playing firstgrade..doesnt have much of a passing/organising game but a great team player who the guy love. I suspect if there is one position he'll recruit its in the halves and thats it.
Funny, we spoke about Rothfield and his hate for him. Telegraph had ppl follow the players around all season away. Said to watch out for a story where a Melbourne News LTD journo has been caught tapping phones like his British collegues. Said "if I told you some of the things Rothfield has done over the years..you wouldnt believe me". Doesnt even attend matches or press conferences. Just shoots from afar. Smiths cursing increased substantially while we were both laying shit into him. He said a few interesting things about Buzz but to his credit said "lets get back to talking about our chaps" and then proceeded to point guys out and tell me everything about their playing style. I can see how he loves working with the younger crew rather than signing big names who faulter. Talked about the 50-150 first grade game range and how players peak in this range..has nothing to do with age. After 150..unless they are freaks..they generally wane.
Anyway..thats my summation. Hope you enjoyed it. I have some great photos which I should somehow post on here. Need to work it out first.
Speak easy brothers..here's to next season. I was certainly excited by what I saw. The boys looks really happy and laughing with each other. Last clinic (at the start of this year) was like a morgue no shit. I even told Smith that and he agreed saying we were on the backfoot because a number of guys had "there head in the clouds or up the arse".
Comment