Agree with this. And he’s had ample chance to the list right.
Fijian Drua v Western Force Saturday 17 May 2025
- Thread starter Tazzmania
- Start date
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
That’s why I just can’t buy the potential and good progress, platform blah blah anyone wants to sprout. This is as a good a squad as they will have. This is BAU for the Force.
Get the sense they are banking everything on toweling up the Tahs at home and telling everyone the future is great. If the Tahs beat the Force at home is anyone going to question Crons job?
Wilson
John Eales (66)
He's got a year left on the contract. I don't think there will be much point in them bailing out early, not without a good candidate on the line.
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
Twiggys loose change can pay that out.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
To what end though? Unless they've got an outstanding candidate to come through change for change's sake won't improve anything.
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
I know it’s unrealistic and unlikely but after 3 years of treading water I just wonder if the organisation is happy with being in that spot.
Wonder if anyone’s asked how Leon MacDonad likes Perth…
Wonder if anyone’s asked how Leon MacDonad likes Perth…
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Given he turned down the Leicester role I think he's got bigger things in mind.
But I also do believe there has been progress for the Force, particularly in squad composition, off field structures, and development pathways, even if it's not reflected in win/loss %. They are probably going to be looking for another coach to take them to the next level next year, but it's pretty clear to me they've built a more solid foundation then they had when Cron started.
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
In the senior squad has anyone besides Pearce been developed? Leahy hasn’t been sighted, Fakafanua not used, Phillipson not used. U19s only had a good showing v QLD. Rebels game a write off.
It’s a recruitment side and they need another 2-3 Test players to be close to contending.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
As in WA developed or developed since arriving?
On the first there are players in the pipeline like the ones you mention, but it takes time and they've had to do a fair bit of work on the club comp and building out the off season program to enable it.
On the second there are a heap who've come in recently and stepped their career forward - Donaldson, Williams and Tizzano have all taken big steps forward in their time at the Force for example.
You are right that they're a recruitment side though, but that's where heaps of progress has been made - when Cron came in they were running a veritable Dad's army, and he's managed to progressively get the average age down and build a squad with a lot more room to progress, if they can hold onto them. They also seem to have become a progressively more attractive destination for talent with really high quality signings coming through the last couple of years. They've gone from a maybe one player who was a chance at the wallabies squad to 6 or so likely and a bunch of others making a strong case.
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
Not WA developed. That won’t happen besides a one or two every 5 years. Local comp will struggle to develop players at the required standard.
I’m not seeing the elite young ones from the East getting signed and the couple that have gone over aren’t seeing much footy. A guy like Leahy is similar to Tim Ryan but the Reds have made an effort and he’s going to be so much better for it. Leahy is now another couple seasons away from being effective.
They have been great with guys like Williams, Tizzano but also recruited them right into their prime age. Williams would be the same at the Brums IMO anyway.
I’m not seeing the elite young ones from the East getting signed and the couple that have gone over aren’t seeing much footy. A guy like Leahy is similar to Tim Ryan but the Reds have made an effort and he’s going to be so much better for it. Leahy is now another couple seasons away from being effective.
They have been great with guys like Williams, Tizzano but also recruited them right into their prime age. Williams would be the same at the Brums IMO anyway.
Shiggins
David Codey (61)
Watched the game late. Force had the same issue they have had since their loss to the blues. They have almost blown more try scoring opportunities in the last 4 weeks than they have scored trys all year. Just lack of patience and handling errors. Doesn't help when they are missing half of their starters. They need them today. Fiji started so poorly. Force should had been in that game if they took their opportunities. that ball out the back from Fiji for their first try was epic.
Shiggins
David Codey (61)
Donaldson is probably second fasted back in Aus. He has to be up there.
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
I’ll give you top 10 but 2nd I dn. Toole, Lancaster, Ryan, Potter… I reckon might gap him.
Fastest 10 though. Although Meredith looked quick in his line break before.
Fastest 10 though. Although Meredith looked quick in his line break before.
Shiggins
David Codey (61)
N
ot 100 percent sure but I know donno was one of the fastest in wallaby camp.
rugbyAU
Desmond Connor (43)
Exactly, looking at the Wallabies in the squad, it's the best they've had and ultimately it's wins that are most important, a loss to the Tahs would certainly be a failed season
Mr Pilfer
Ron Walden (29)
I still think cron is a good coach and has taken him a couple of years to get the recruits he wanted and build his squad.
Losing the 2 props (hoopert and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)) for the season before round 1 has been a killer, we covered it ok at the start but it has become more of an issue as the season went on.
Not to mention BPA, Kuenzle, Pietsch haven’t played enough plus Palu and then Matt Proctor was never seen the whole year. We just don’t have the depth to cover all that
Losing the 2 props (hoopert and HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes)) for the season before round 1 has been a killer, we covered it ok at the start but it has become more of an issue as the season went on.
Not to mention BPA, Kuenzle, Pietsch haven’t played enough plus Palu and then Matt Proctor was never seen the whole year. We just don’t have the depth to cover all that
Though I do see a lot of potential I thought Henry Robertson had a shocker. He knocked on with a try begging early on when they were up 7 v 0. He made two other stuff-ups that led to tries and he was yellow carded. The Force should have led 21 v 0 but two early stuffups right on the Drua line were costly (Robertson's knockon and Swain's obstruction penalty in the line out).
On Swain, I don't see why he gets a lot of rave comments. I find him quite soft for a fella of his size. Yes, he goes well in the line out but I never see him run hard and monster defenses.
The new 10 (Hartford?) has a sweet pass and impressive kicking game. Didn't see him run with the ball much. Definitely worth persisting with.
Insipid performance overall from the Force.
I heard on the commentary that Cron believes that they could reduce Force travel time by 40%. That would be nice but would the topdogs care enough to do that.
On Swain, I don't see why he gets a lot of rave comments. I find him quite soft for a fella of his size. Yes, he goes well in the line out but I never see him run hard and monster defenses.
The new 10 (Hartford?) has a sweet pass and impressive kicking game. Didn't see him run with the ball much. Definitely worth persisting with.
Insipid performance overall from the Force.
I heard on the commentary that Cron believes that they could reduce Force travel time by 40%. That would be nice but would the topdogs care enough to do that.
Mr Pilfer
Ron Walden (29)
Yeah as much as Nic White gets on people’s nerves his game management is very good and he is a true competitor, we very rarely get thrashed when he is on the field. He has been missed the past couple of weeks.
Also disappointing that we been resting players for these vital last few games, not sure if they were orders from wallabies or just poor management.