Staff Andrew Webster

[Falcon]

Poor old Webby, he's aged 10 years in the last 10 months

The last 10 weeks!

 

[CWC]

Weekly chest pain for 2 months took a toll

 

[Theking267]

Webster will probably make a Grand Final in the coming years. The formula is already set, develop a group of local juniors which he’s done surround them with harden Australia Capewell, Barnett. Whether he wins one is debatable

 

[CWC]

Do we have the money to throw overs at another player, on top of Metcalf if we do 800-1M with him?
That and minute management and we're pretty good to go for a title run

 

[pleatedpantspete]

Webby's great, he reminds me of early Cleary coaching days, obviously.

I think Cleary's pick and stick mentality has rubbed off on him, Cleary used to get similar criticism here for some of his selections and bench use. In saying that, I'd rather that than what Ciraldo has got going at the bulldogs. we're typically paying overs for talent so i think having webby here in nz nurturing and developing players is best suited to our situation.

wayne scurrah booted cleary for not being able to win a comp (despite the fact it was one of our most successful periods), but as it's been mentioned, it can take a few years floating around the top 8 before it all clicks. hopefully the club has learned

 

[Next Year]

Found this season quite weird, it’s established a few things:

1. Webster is the real thing, keep him for as long as he wants to stay, never let him get to the last year of his deal
2. Young forwards are the real thing, just need luck with injury.
3. There is a risk that our pack next year is four old guys on the decline, three young guys going through ups and downs and only Clark in the prime of his career.
4. Metcalf has it (or enough of it to lock him down)
5. CHT, CNK and Egan are good professionals and tradesmen, but we aren’t winning a comp without at least one more spine player that can generate attack.
6. Roger has years left as a winger if he wants to keep doing that role
7. The other three outside back spots are completely up for grabs, Pompey is great to have around, but he’s not a lock in.
8. We either can’t attract high profile players, or aren’t really trying to. Every signing is either a youth or a temporary fill in. Even our likely POTY, was going to be a benchie and Jazz replacement at the time they signed him.
9. This long term view is smart to ensure we are consistent finals team, it will be frustrating for those who live and die with every game, that they either can’t or won’t do shorter, expensive deals to get a gun OB or a unit of a prop.

Basically set up to be hovering around 4-8 for a long time, is that what people want though? Will they want more? Will Alpha want more? As bad as the post ivan years have been – I’ll certainly take it.

Excellent summary!
We are enjoying the best ownership and management combo we've ever had. We have become a genuine NRL footy club across the board. Coaching and development is top notch. We now have all the makings of a successful dynasty club. If we hang around the top 4 often enough, our first Premiership will finally come - and sooner than later. Achievement is above what I believed was possible for this season no matter what happens from here on in...

Looking to next year: Despite the misfortune with key injuries, effort and work ethic is now established at new benchmarks. I reckon we missed Mitch more on the field than we generally gave credit for - both in game contribution in the middle, but also in direction and leadership in decisive moments. This year's results also tell us that the next investment has to be in outright speed. Speed and aerial capability. We have strong and powerful horses but not yet fast horses. True, Metcalf is quick, but we need that speed from deeper and wider. Defence has been remarkable all season (well after the Vegas game at least) but we have struggled to turn attacking field position into points all year. Seems to me that is what the next development layer needs to be, to round out our threat and capability and make next year even better than this one. Fast horses. The Eels did serve us a lesson on what speed can do last week, and Manly are well placed to underline that this weekend. That is the clues to what the priorities are for recruitment to go on from here. This year has been amongst the very best seasons to be a fan since this all began 30 years ago. And it is clear that the best is yet to come. There is cause for optimism and we're on our way.