Official Craig Fitzgibbon

[Jimbo]

You're right, it's nothing new.

Of course I'm bloody right

Jeez...

 

[Jimbo]

Damn. Who else lost the vote that @Jimbo was a 7 year old troller!

Everyone who deserved to lose that vote, obviously

 

[Vichyssoise]

To the reigning premiers.... By 6 points

Are you saying good things will happen this year?

 

[Gards]

Fitz gave Hazelton more minutes than Sifa (who can obviously handle more)

A poster said before the game how Fitz always waits until we concede a try before he subs of a fatigued starting forward and yep Yeo goes under the sticks and then AFB is subbed off like clockwork lol. Does Fitz know there isn't a rule that you have to leave your starter out there as long as possible?

He subbed off Kafusi earlier but AFB and Tom defending together prob isn't the best combo.

His bench use is more like that from the school of Ricky Stuart (stubborn and baffling) than Trent Robinson (adaptive, dynamic)

Fitz can coach and manage a team but his stubbornness with the bench costs us nearly every game - you can't come up with pre-determined minutes & timings for a game where momentum and fatigue can swing any which way suddenly and drastically.

Have a plan going in sure but gotta read the game better than he does. Players will hide fatigue to try stay on the field, Fitz gotta know his players limits a bit better.

 

[Proud Shark]

Fitz gave Hazelton more minutes than Sifa (who can obviously handle more)

A poster said before the game how Fitz always waits until we concede a try before he subs of a fatigued starting forward and yep Yeo goes under the sticks and then AFB is subbed off like clockwork lol. Does Fitz know there isn't a rule that you have to leave your starter out there as long as possible?

He subbed off Kafusi earlier but AFB and Tom defending together prob isn't the best combo.

His bench use is more like that from the school of Ricky Stuart (stubborn and baffling) than Trent Robinson (adaptive, dynamic)

Fitz can coach and manage a team but his stubbornness with the bench costs us nearly every game - you can't come up with pre-determined minutes & timings for a game where momentum and fatigue can swing any which way suddenly and drastically.

Have a plan going in sure but gotta read the game better than he does. Players will hide fatigue to try stay on the field, Fitz gotta know his players limits a bit better.

Honest question, did you see any signs that we looked weak in the middle between AFB and Tommy before that try? I didn't.

I'd hazard a guess that Fitz is using a few more markers other than whether the opposition score to decide his rotation. Whether or not Tom and a tiring AFB work well together in the middle is fair criticism I think.

 

[MrDravid]

Fitz gave Hazelton more minutes than Sifa (who can obviously handle more)

A poster said before the game how Fitz always waits until we concede a try before he subs of a fatigued starting forward and yep Yeo goes under the sticks and then AFB is subbed off like clockwork lol. Does Fitz know there isn't a rule that you have to leave your starter out there as long as possible?

He subbed off Kafusi earlier but AFB and Tom defending together prob isn't the best combo.

His bench use is more like that from the school of Ricky Stuart (stubborn and baffling) than Trent Robinson (adaptive, dynamic)

Fitz can coach and manage a team but his stubbornness with the bench costs us nearly every game - you can't come up with pre-determined minutes & timings for a game where momentum and fatigue can swing any which way suddenly and drastically.

Have a plan going in sure but gotta read the game better than he does. Players will hide fatigue to try stay on the field, Fitz gotta know his players limits a bit better.

Have a look where Hazelton (who's been on the field for a grand total of 2 mins at this point in time) is when the play the ball occurred.



If Tommy gets back at marker, he can slide into the space that Yeo takes advantage of, which means AFB sliding further out isn't as crucial. He doesn't gives, away the 6 again which is negated by the fact Yeo scores.

 

[Gards]

I'm just making a general comment that Fitz likes to leave some of his forwards on to the point of exhaustion at times, he does it with Rudolf for example despite him sucking in the bigs one then bam we concede a try and he takes him off and was referencing back to a pre-game comment by a poster.

We are talking a few minutes here, he doesn't need to massively cut down their time on field, he just stretches it a bit too long with certain players instead of subbing them a little earlier when he has a chance and we aren't under the pump. And on the flipside of this he will give his 4th bench forward a token 10 mins or some bs, under play Talakai or pick a utility (Atko) ect.

A forward that can play longer minutes doesn't always mean they should, it kinda depends

This Rnd1 game with AFB isn't a good example granted and it might have just been bad execution in defense but it's the most recent and freshest example of conceding a try right before a player is subbed. AFB did ok, yea he pushed a bit far outside and then struggled a little changing his angle and getting back across but he still got down low and effected a tackle, it was just too close to the try line at that point.

AFB was far from fresh at this point though and the recently on the field Hazelton, that one is more on him getting caught up around the ruck.

I just wish Fitz was more open minded and flexible with his rotations is all (most coaches aren't tbf)

 

[Wizard]

I'm just making a general comment that Fitz likes to leave some of his forwards on to the point of exhaustion at times, he does it with Rudolf for example despite him sucking in the bigs one then bam we concede a try and he takes him off and was referencing back to a pre-game comment by a poster.

We are talking a few minutes here, he doesn't need to massively cut down their time on field, he just stretches it a bit too long with certain players instead of subbing them a little earlier when he has a chance and we aren't under the pump. And on the flipside of this he will give his 4th bench forward a token 10 mins or some bs, under play Talakai or pick a utility (Atko) ect.

A forward that can play longer minutes doesn't always mean they should, it kinda depends

This Rnd1 game with AFB isn't a good example granted and it might have just been bad execution in defense but it's the most recent and freshest example of conceding a try right before a player is subbed. AFB did ok, yea he pushed a bit far outside and then struggled a little changing his angle and getting back across but he still got down low and effected a tackle, it was just too close to the try line at that point.

AFB was far from fresh at this point though and the recently on the field Hazelton, that one is more on him getting caught up around the ruck.

I just wish Fitz was more open minded and flexible with his rotations is all (most coaches aren't tbf)

There was plenty of Tobys been left on for too long or Hazelton comments last year

Fitz bench use has always been questionable tbh

 

[Milkshark]

I think Fitz has put together a great side, and has the respect of the players. I’m not sold on his ability to fine tune a team to a level top 4 teams need to be at, and consistently.

 

[Proud Shark]

I'm just making a general comment that Fitz likes to leave some of his forwards on to the point of exhaustion at times, he does it with Rudolf for example despite him sucking in the bigs one then bam we concede a try and he takes him off and was referencing back to a pre-game comment by a poster.

We are talking a few minutes here, he doesn't need to massively cut down their time on field, he just stretches it a bit too long with certain players instead of subbing them a little earlier when he has a chance and we aren't under the pump. And on the flipside of this he will give his 4th bench forward a token 10 mins or some bs, under play Talakai or pick a utility (Atko) ect.

A forward that can play longer minutes doesn't always mean they should, it kinda depends

This Rnd1 game with AFB isn't a good example granted and it might have just been bad execution in defense but it's the most recent and freshest example of conceding a try right before a player is subbed. AFB did ok, yea he pushed a bit far outside and then struggled a little changing his angle and getting back across but he still got down low and effected a tackle, it was just too close to the try line at that point.

AFB was far from fresh at this point though and the recently on the field Hazelton, that one is more on him getting caught up around the ruck.

I just wish Fitz was more open minded and flexible with his rotations is all (most coaches aren't tbf)

Yeah I fully accept that sometimes I think players are left on too long. Maybe it's more I'm less used to watching AFB, I just can't say I noticed him exhausted to the point Fitz clearly should have taken him off in this circumstance.

 

[bort]

I think Fitz has put together a great side, and has the respect of the players. I’m not sold on his ability to fine tune a team to a level top 4 teams need to be at, and consistently.

Maybe not yet but he's still a relatively rookie coach

Ivan Cleary coached Warriors to 10th 4th 9th 14th in his first four seasons in charge
Then 5th, then grand final and lost.

Then went to Penrith and went 15th 10th 4th 11th and then had no job for a year, followed by 14th and 9th at Tigers.

I'd assume at various stages throughout there were many (especially in the general public) still not sold on his ability to fine tune a team to a level top 4 teams need to be at, and consistently.

And we have limited opportunity to sack Fitz for someone who is at the level you are talking about either, any shortfalls of Fitz's are only relevant if we can realistically expect to get someone better.

 

[Milkshark]

Maybe not yet but he's still a relatively rookie coach

Ivan Cleary coached Warriors to 10th 4th 9th 14th in his first four seasons in charge
Then 5th, then grand final and lost.

Then went to Penrith and went 15th 10th 4th 11th and then had no job for a year, followed by 14th and 9th at Tigers.

I'd assume at various stages throughout there were many (especially in the general public) still not sold on his ability to fine tune a team to a level top 4 teams need to be at, and consistently.

And we have limited opportunity to sack Fitz for someone who is at the level you are talking about either, any shortfalls of Fitz's are only relevant if we can realistically expect to get someone better.

Yeah all true mate.

I guess what I’m saying is, a lot of where the team is at falls on his shoulders. It’s not just Nicho, or Will or Ronnie or whatever other talking point is hot at the moment.

There is a large divide between both teams and panthers are have been largely hamstrung, especially this year.

If this team is to make a GF charge, it will come down to Fitz and the systems he has in place.

 

[Sparkles]

Have a look where Hazelton (who's been on the field for a grand total of 2 mins at this point in time) is when the play the ball occurred.

View attachment 32482

If Tommy gets back at marker, he can slide into the space that Yeo takes advantage of, which means AFB sliding further out isn't as crucial. He doesn't gives, away the 6 again which is negated by the fact Yeo scores.

Those were two high-impact minutes!

AFB does what he's supposed to because the space he leaves is meant to be filled by Tommy.
AFB the dead-set champion then takes full blame in the post-game interview. Love his attitude. It's all about his game and what he can do better.

 

[Gards]

Yeah I fully accept that sometimes I think players are left on too long. Maybe it's more I'm less used to watching AFB, I just can't say I noticed him exhausted to the point Fitz clearly should have taken him off in this circumstance.

AFB didn't seem too bad to the eye even though commenters said AFB is fatigued (they are assuming on minutes) and I blame Tommy more for that try

But yea bad example on my part was just having a lol how often we concede then Fitz takes that player off almost like a 'oh **** eureka' moment for him haha - the pre game poster was spot on with this

Heaps of legit examples from last couple seasons though

Don't need to push our pigs in the first half to the point they can't make a tackle properly, not when we have fresh blokes on the pine that end up under utilised over the course of the full game

Big minutes might be seen as a reward or badge of honour in the pack and our blokes are pretty fit but there is a sensible limit to everything

 

[bort]

Those were two high-impact minutes!

AFB does what he's supposed to because the space he leaves is meant to be filled by Tommy.
AFB the dead-set champion then takes full blame in the post-game interview. Love his attitude. It's all about his game and what he can do better.

Yep AFB got beat but the size of the gap was Tommy’s fault.
I’d also prefer a player over chase and get beat than not try enough I guess.

And I heard him take the blame too and agree, classy move (and probably something he at least somewhat believes to be true based off his post game storm off vs panthers last year)

 

[Tiger Shark]

Maybe not yet but he's still a relatively rookie coach

Ivan Cleary coached Warriors to 10th 4th 9th 14th in his first four seasons in charge
Then 5th, then grand final and lost.

Then went to Penrith and went 15th 10th 4th 11th and then had no job for a year, followed by 14th and 9th at Tigers.

I'd assume at various stages throughout there were many (especially in the general public) still not sold on his ability to fine tune a team to a level top 4 teams need to be at, and consistently.

And we have limited opportunity to sack Fitz for someone who is at the level you are talking about either, any shortfalls of Fitz's are only relevant if we can realistically expect to get someone better.

That's the key bit, everyone craps on like they're an expert and want to replace Fitz.

Who are we replacing him with ?

Bellamy - close to retirement
Bennett - with Souths for 3 years and will retire you'd think. Also I dont rate him any more personally.
Cleary - not leaving
Robbo - not leaving

The likelihood of replacing Fitz with anyone better is pretty much zero. Love me some Fitz, crazy this has even been brought up after Round ****ing 1

 

[apezza]

That's the key bit, everyone craps on like they're an expert and want to replace Fitz.

Who are we replacing him with ?

Bellamy - close to retirement
Bennett - with Souths for 3 years and will retire you'd think. Also I dont rate him any more personally.
Cleary - not leaving
Robbo - not leaving

The likelihood of replacing Fitz with anyone better is pretty much zero. Love me some Fitz, crazy this has even been brought up after Round ****ing 1

You left out Gards, Sparkles, Apezza, Proud Shark...there's heaps us ready to step in! I will even do it for half the price!

 

[Sparkles]

You left out Gards, Sparkles, Apezza, Proud Shark...there's heaps us ready to step in! I will even do it for half the price!

You can get us two Sharks for 25% of the club!

 

[Capital_Shark]

2022: finished 2nd.

2023: finished 6th.

2024: finished 4th.

Very small sample size. But he has been top 4 more than he has not. His worst finish is still better than 11 other sides. We placed 9th the season before he became coach.

 

[Bundy Shark]

This is a really good read, hard not to be impressed & admire Fitz.

Telegraph Sport

This is Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon like you’ve never seen him before 👀

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