Official Aiden Tolman

[Gumby]

His cover tackle was absolutely brilliant. Saved a certain try there

 

[apezza]

solid while not spectacular - typical Tolman performance

frankly you don't want a non-typical performance from him cause it might be bad

something I noticed about Tolman which might explain why he is a bit of a magnet to opposition ball carriers and has an uncanny knack for getting himself in positions to make important last line of defense tackles (despite is tardy nature) is that after he makes his tackle and retreats from the ruck to get back the 10 metres is that he keeps his head on a swivel and keeps his eyes on the play the ball and what the opposition are doing even if his body is running towards our own try line.

alot of forwards, especially tired ones don't do this. they just turn around facing our own tryline and run back the 10 and by the time they turn around to see what is happening they could be caught out with what is going on with the play and where they need to be or should have been.

Woods was one of the worst with this but Rudolf does it too. One of those little effort areas and attention to detail that sometimes makes a big difference in defense.

So Woods used to run backwards into the opposition and forwards when retreating back to his line!

 

[MrDravid]

Solid in defence, but not offering much in attack... would have about 10 post contact meters in the last month.

 

[burgess1978]

solid while not spectacular - typical Tolman performance

frankly you don't want a non-typical performance from him cause it might be bad

something I noticed about Tolman which might explain why he is a bit of a magnet to opposition ball carriers and has an uncanny knack for getting himself in positions to make important last line of defense tackles (despite is tardy nature) is that after he makes his tackle and retreats from the ruck to get back the 10 metres is that he keeps his head on a swivel and keeps his eyes on the play the ball and what the opposition are doing even if his body is running towards our own try line.

alot of forwards, especially tired ones don't do this. they just turn around facing our own tryline and run back the 10 and by the time they turn around to see what is happening they could be caught out with what is going on with the play and where they need to be or should have been.

Woods was one of the worst with this but Rudolf does it too. One of those little effort areas and attention to detail that sometimes makes a big difference in defense.

You are correct in this Gards, but there is another element here which you may not be aware of. If the defenders have time to move back slowly, they should have their heads on a swivel - but if they are rushing back they are actually told to look up at the fullback. It's the fullback's job to count numbers and direct those forwards.

Maybe what you are noticing here is that Tolman is better at getting set in the line quickly more often, which could be a result of him missing less tackles and not having to run back as far, getting his body in better positions when tackling, just having a better motor, or something else.

I've actually discussed this exact thing with a former NRL/Qld/Aus player - and the pros/cons of introducing it with juniors. One issue is that it is only as good as your fullback's organisation and communication skills. If your forwards are looking up and getting no instructions, then you get this bolded situation, and a half-decent hooker will carve you to pieces around the ruck.

 

[bort]

You are correct in this Gards, but there is another element here which you may not be aware of. If the defenders have time to move back slowly, they should have their heads on a swivel - but if they are rushing back they are actually told to look up at the fullback. It's the fullback's job to count numbers and direct those forwards.

Maybe what you are noticing here is that Tolman is better at getting set in the line quickly more often, which could be a result of him missing less tackles and not having to run back as far, getting his body in better positions when tackling, just having a better motor, or something else.

I've actually discussed this exact thing with a former NRL/Qld/Aus player - and the pros/cons of introducing it with juniors. One issue is that it is only as good as your fullback's organisation and communication skills. If your forwards are looking up and getting no instructions, then you get this bolded situation, and a half-decent hooker will carve you to pieces around the ruck.

Turns out a lot of players I played with just had a lot more (misplaced) faith in our fullback than me haha

 

[puma1355]

Thought he went well today.

 

[Thresher]

What a game. Most dependable defender on the field. Made some bell-ringing hits too.

 

[Gards]

Yea had a good game, maybe there is something to be said afterall in keeping his minutes lower.

Even when he isn't making the initial tackle he runs around alot helping out with a 3rd man flop lol or getting into marker. He helps slow the opposition play the ball down but he knows exactly how long to hold on or down before he peels away - he doesn't really get pinged for it, that's experience

All these little efforts he makes add up and contribute. It can be hard to coach that, it's just ingrained with blokes like Aiden & Dale

l even if he was given an extra settler near the line when it might not have been needed but it gives us a steady platform to put on a play regardless and looked kinda intentional from the team - Aiden isn't gunna shirk a carry so up to others in the team/coach to call him out of there if he isn't needed

I thought his runs into the defensive line had more impact and vigor than usual

If you look at his stats over the season he actually makes more PCM's than you would expect getting more than some other forwards or backs

Yea they ain't the type of PCM that lead to an offload or an opportunity but it's extra metres up field regardless and sometimes that can commit an extra defender to get into the tackle

 

[puma1355]

gotta give this guy another year

 

[Thresher]

gotta give this guy another year

Agree. He was fantastic again tonight.

 

[Gumby]

Agreed.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Looking forward to a long post from Gards

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Mr. Dependable but the whole team lifted last night. He was solid.

 

[snowman]

he is someone we can just keep giving 1 year deals to

happy to have him in the squad

 

[Gards]

Tolman was good against the Dogs but I thought he was fantastic against the Storm

His defense was incredible, he was everywhere and he made good tackles that slowed the ruck - only had 1 ineffective tackle

I think he was played both sides of half time which worked great for him and us

Other players will get the wraps for that win but Tolman made a massive contribution to keep things tight and consistent in the middle

I would say he stepped up with some players out but he didn't have to step up he plays like this every week but even so he seemed extra good. One of his best games for us

Seemed to be some big cheers when he carted the ball up but probs just a coincidence with something else going on at the ground / on the field

 

[bort]

Tolman was good against the Dogs but I thought he was fantastic against the Storm

His defense was incredible, he was everywhere and he made good tackles that slowed the ruck - only had 1 ineffective tackle

I think he was played both sides of half time which worked great for him and us

Other players will get the wraps for that win but Tolman made a massive contribution to keep things tight and consistent in the middle

I would say he stepped up with some players out but he didn't have to step up he plays like this every week but even so he seemed extra good. One of his best games for us

Seemed to be some big cheers when he carted the ball up but probs just a coincidence with something else going on at the ground / on the field

Haha I think you've heard the cheer for Fifita coming off - Tolman came on for him and I think did take very next hitup

 

[burgess1978]

Tolman was good against the Dogs but I thought he was fantastic against the Storm

His defense was incredible, he was everywhere and he made good tackles that slowed the ruck - only had 1 ineffective tackle

I think he was played both sides of half time which worked great for him and us

Other players will get the wraps for that win but Tolman made a massive contribution to keep things tight and consistent in the middle

I would say he stepped up with some players out but he didn't have to step up he plays like this every week but even so he seemed extra good. One of his best games for us

Seemed to be some big cheers when he carted the ball up but probs just a coincidence with something else going on at the ground / on the field

Re: his minutes, he split time with Fifita.

Fifita played the first 20 and the last 13. Tolman played the middle 47.

He’s still a good player. Loved that the taped up head made him look an old-school 80’s player too.

 

[Gards]

I know someone has probs posted the reason in the Cowboys game thread but I haven't been through the whole thing yet

Why was Tolman not in the squad of 19, wouldn't think Jesse C is ahead of him all of a sudden. Covid? Injury?

Our bench was very good on the night and made their tackles but not having Tolman hurt us a bit in the ruck as he's brilliant at slowing down the PTB and not getting pinged for it and brings that steady influence. That was a pretty frantic game

 

[bort]

I think we may have just given Jesse the run against a depleted pack so he’s tasted NRL

While Tolman def ahead of him he’s toward the back end of our first choice side so I don’t mind a bit of rotation where it works

 

[Sevshark]

I know someone has probs posted the reason in the Cowboys game thread but I haven't been through the whole thing yet

Why was Tolman not in the squad of 19, wouldn't think Jesse C is ahead of him all of a sudden. Covid? Injury?

Our bench was very good on the night and made their tackles but not having Tolman hurt us a bit in the ruck as he's brilliant at slowing down the PTB and not getting pinged for it and brings that steady influence. That was a pretty frantic game

I honestly thought Fitzy might just be giving him a rest before Penrith next week.