Official Craig Fitzgibbon

[Wilson]

Eels, Cowboys, Souths & Manly didn't make finals. They must be easy beats for next yr.

People carry on we struggle against other top 8 sides but fail to acknowledge we remain in the top 8 while others skip in & out or just out altogether.

We're not great in big games but we keep giving ourselves the opportunity to play them & learn something. More to be learned from a loss.

It’s not even that we’re not great in big games, that’s also pollywaffle.

We haven’t solved our fundamental Achilles heel and that’s our handling and discipline. Mainly our handling.

Until we fix that we’ll continue to make finals as Fitz has the team well structured in attack and defence, but we won’t make a splash in the finals.

 

[Capital_Shark]

I agree, but it looked like we didn't learn from last year.

We got worse.

Did we? Comparing to our first final at home last yr? Nope, last nights D would've seen us piss it in against Cows 2022.

 

[Capital_Shark]

It’s not even that we’re not great in big games, that’s also pollywaffle.

We haven’t solved our fundamental Achilles heel and that’s our handling and discipline. Mainly our handling.

Until we fix that we’ll continue to make finals as Fitz has the team well structured in attack and defence, but we won’t make a splash in the finals.

We do lack a certain prolonged hard edge thats required in the big games. I think a big part of that hard edge is discipline & patience which leads to all the other bad habits the lead to poor handling, decision making etc.

Nothing comes outta nowhere. Something starts it, good or bad.

 

[cardshark]

Im yet to be convinced

I hope he can get a bit ruthless with team selections when it's needed.

 

[Pishposh46]

Did we? Comparing to our first final at home last yr? Nope, last nights D would've seen us piss it in against Cows 2022.

and yet we still missed 54 tackles to their 38.
Jury's still out IMO.

 

[ben]

Did we? Comparing to our first final at home last yr? Nope, last nights D would've seen us piss it in against Cows 2022.

Agree, D was solid and cows would of scored less but so would we. If we attacked like that last year, i dont think the cows would need to score as many points to win.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Probably didn't judge it all off 2 finals.

You sign a rookie (player or coach) you're backing something bigger. Time will tell.

Spot on. Fitz is a long term investment, need to give it time.

 

[ben]

Yep, one more season

 

[The Punisher]

Spot on. Fitz is a long term investment, need to give it time.

Ok so next season is yr 3
And the squad is his
Every player has now either been signed or re-signed under his stewardship

 

[Western Sharkie]

Ok so next season is yr 3
And the squad is his
Every player has now either been signed or re-signed under his stewardship

…….and……..

Sorry, not being a d!ck but was waiting for a conclusion to your post.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

It’s not even that we’re not great in big games, that’s also pollywaffle.

We haven’t solved our fundamental Achilles heel and that’s our handling and discipline. Mainly our handling.

Until we fix that we’ll continue to make finals as Fitz has the team well structured in attack and defence, but we won’t make a splash in the finals.

I was mad at the end of the first half when there was a minute to go and Kaufusi lost the ball and we had to defend a full set. Right before the half time. That was so dumb to spend all that energy.

 

[MMsharks]

I was mad at the end of the first half when there was a minute to go and Kaufusi lost the ball and we had to defend a full set. Right before the half time. That was so dumb to spend all that energy.

this forms part of the 1% ers we lack

ball handling
need to play smart at top level, and master the little things

 

[Purple Shark]

Did we? Comparing to our first final at home last yr? Nope, last nights D would've seen us piss it in against Cows 2022.

Were the Cowboys missing both their wingers and have a Fullback in the bin?

 

[Purple Shark]

Spot on. Fitz is a long term investment, need to give it time.

How much time? 5 years? 10 Years? A lifetime deal?

 

[HaroldBishop]

How much time? 5 years? 10 Years? A lifetime deal?

More the two years.

 

[Purple Shark]

More the two years.

Definition of insanity

 

[Sir Chadley]

How much time? 5 years? 10 Years? A lifetime deal?

Definition of insanity

So you want Fitz gone mate, is that it?

Ok, fair enough. Who do you sign instead?

I don't profess to declare that Fitz is perfect - he is still learning how to be a first grade coach.

He has made mistakes, he would certainly admit that, but making the finals two years in a row says he deserves more time in my book.

 

[Proud Shark]

Not sure if this has been said, but in the presser he and Wade kept referring to how we've 'grown up' as a footy side. Also mentioned how we'd fixed the things the media was reporting on...

I'm not sure we've grown up at all, or what that really even means. He was commenting all year on Nicho overplaying his hand and needing to settle down. He didn't.

Sure our defence seemed better in the cows and raiders games, but the Knights ran through us and the roosters made heaps of errors in our red zone.

I'm not convinced anything major really changed.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Not sure if this has been said, but in the presser he and Wade kept referring to how we've 'grown up' as a footy side. Also mentioned how we'd fixed the things the media was reporting on...

I'm not sure we've grown up at all, or what that really even means. He was commenting all year on Nicho overplaying his hand and needing to settle down. He didn't.

Sure our defence seemed better in the cows and raiders games, but the Knights ran through us and the roosters made heaps of errors in our red zone.

I'm not convinced anything major really changed.

I agree, I don't see how we've grown up. If he honestly believes that, not sure where we go from here.

Nicho overplaying his hand is a massive issue for mine. We are terrible in tight games against half decent opposition, we have no idea how to close a game out.

I love Nicho but if the coach believes he isn't overplaying his hand, nothing will change.

I know he's only been playing HB at NRL level for two years but the fact is he's on huge coin. If the mindset doesn't change, we're in trouble.

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

I think we all can agree we overachieved last year. This year is what level we are at regarding ability, Above average at best.

Fitzy isn't going anywhere. Not for the foreseeable future. Our hope is some of the players can grow and find another level. I'm not sure if they

are capable of getting there, though. Or if Fitzy can get it out of them. I think a few players have regressed this season. In particular, Hynes, who at times has struggled with the demands of the position.

There is work to do over the off-season regarding the squad. The coach needs to assess and re-evaluate every position and determine how and what changes are needed to improve the team.