What are your thoughts on Mitchell Woods?

Moedogg said:
I reckon its impossible to tell until he has played 50 odd games. Look at prodigious talent like Ash Taylor and Luke Brooks who failed to reach the same heights as their junior career.
Click to expand...

To be fair to Ash Taylor he played over a hundred games and was often one of the better players on the field. Just a shame he played for the Gold Coast and injuries destroyed him.

Same can be said for Brooks. The Tigpies killed any chance he could have a decent career. And was one of Manlys best when surrounded by decent players. He played over 250 games.

If Woods plays over a hundred games of first grade I’m pretty sure that’s a win. Especially considering the list of numpties we have had playing in the halves for us over the last twenty years.
 
Alan79 said:
I haven't seen anything that tells me he's going to make it at NRL level. But in saying that I haven't seen him play a single minute, so I also haven't seen anything to convince me that he won't be a future immortal. Maybe if I watch some of his lower grade football I'll form an actual opinion.

Everything I know about him has been read on this forum and there's been a lot of hype. And large scale hype can sometimes lead to disappointment on a large scale too. If I could be bothered I could probably list 20 players who people thought would transition from talented juniors to NRL superstars and rep players. And many of those players have or had great careers, but didn't reach great heights.

I'll give just one example in Morgan Harper. For a couple of years I heard his fans on the kennel wanting him promoted. There were an absolute crap load of people who thought he was going to be a superstar. When he actually did break into the NRL it was underwhelming compared to the hype. He's had a career in the NRL and by most standards it's a decent one. But he's not managed to match the hype he was generating pre debut in his entire career. I don't think he's even had a stint where he's played out if his skin and looked like matching the hype.

So my attitude on young players prior to them debuting in the NRL is to hope they exceed the expectations of fans. But I don't judge them until they've had time to prove themselves at NRL level. Placing massive expectations a young players shoulders will more often than not lead to people being disappointed in a player that's decent, but not as good as the hype made people hope for.
Click to expand...
Totally understandable, don't build up the hype, let them settle.

Another example, though cracking into NRL is a big achievement but he didn't establish, Trent Cutler . Had massive raps I think on here long before I became a member. From then, I just enjoy the hype but never buy into it
 
I’m concerned that he has had a lot of those hammy, calf type injuries. Maybe it’s his running style or he has issues through his hips and lower back. Jokingly they do say hammy injuries are for old men so I’m worried about the number of these injuries he has had at such a young age.
 
GreenTurd said:
Aus vs png same thing the actual 7 they chose controlled the game and was ordinary. Kept woods quiet, 2nd half looked they gave woods control and he was massive getting them back in it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I’d be happy if he can throw a pass at the line like he did for that last try. I haven’t seen much of that in a bulldogs team for years
 
Only seen him play one game live against wests in the curtain raiser of the june long weekend game against eels. Went ok. The team had a big lead and got run down for a draw so it was one of those games were he was involved with majority of tries he either scored one or two but then to give up that lead you take it with a grain of salt. Remind me of Luke keary and I guess with his size etc it’s probably a fair comparison for what he could be but It’s going to be more about when and how he’s brought into grade. Think Ciraldo is the type of coach that will do it right but then it’s up to the players to make it work. He will be targeted in defence and will need the right guys either side of him
 
I checked out Woods when the Dogs announced they bought him. I was getting excited about the young players being bought. Conti and Cody Fuz as well. I think they were all around the same time.

You could tell that he was mature and was leading the team around. When he was bought the raps were about how naturally skilled he was and he could adapt to different codes. I think thats a good description. He seems more like a naturally talented kid who is good at most sports.

But I just checked for his highlights again and found an updated video which breaks down his play. The commentator carries on a bit but he points out his ability in different examples and you can clearly see Woods is a mature footy head. Has a good instinct to read play.

But what stood out was his speed and step. He seems light on his feet and puts the defense in two minds. Has good speed when he dummies and steps through the line. Good backup play as well. Good kicking game. Just naturally good at it all.

But the big question will be can that be transferred to the NRL. Its faster and harder. I think any blooding no matter where he plays will be good. The more he gets to experience NRL and get comfortable the better. Because I definitely think he is a natural footballer and athelete. In some ways reminds me of a better version of Burton lol. Has some size like Burto but sleaker and more shifty.

 
Last edited:
The increase in intensity and work load is giving him a few soft tissue issues which is completely normal for a kid transitioning to FG, I hope our fans give him time to develop but I know that won’t happen, got to laugh at the punters worrying about his size he’s a heavier build than Galvin and a better defender.
 
LucasFitzo said:
Watched a few of his games. Thing that stood out to me was his ability to take on the line, quite quick off the mark and great short kicking game. If I were to make a comparison at the same age. Sam Walker. Very similar. Size wise too, that will be his biggest challenge how it copes in defence in first grade.
Click to expand...
I havent seen Woods play outside of maybe 15mins in last origin series.

Im glad you mentioned Walker. The key to Woods succeeding in NRL is for the fans to accept that he will make mistakes in an effort to make the outrageous plays. Alot like Walker.

When Roosters tried to get Walker to play a more traditional and solid game, he lost the ability to make the outrageous plays. He then lost confidence and his defensive woes came to the fore. Robinson then had to drop him to allow him to work on his game and get his confidence back.

He came back and showed what he is capable of, with some MoM performances.

I feel Woods needs the same level of support - even if he makes mistakes.

Id much rather a player trying and perhaps failing rather than not try at all (Burton).

If Woods succeeds, we become a premiership threat especially with Galvin.
 
Last edited:
Same age as Galvin, and the same high expectations that he will be the hero who steps in and immediately wins us a GF.

The question is, will Woods be allowed to develop into the halfback we need, or will fans put too much pressure on him if he has a few poor games, and demand he be sacked?
 
Chris Harding said:
Same age as Galvin, and the same high expectations that he will be the hero who steps in and immediately wins us a GF.

The question is, will Woods be allowed to develop into the halfback we need, or will fans put too much pressure on him if he has a few poor games, and demand he be sacked?
Click to expand...
No doubt there will be plenty of those who are currently listing him in the #7 to start the season that will absolutely trash him the first time he drops the ball and demand he be dropped. Thankfully we have a coach who knows what he is doing and doesn't take advice from the Kennel experts. I haven't seen him play apart from the SOO game so hard to judge. By all reports the kid is exceptional so wish him well.
 
Chris Harding said:
Same age as Galvin, and the same high expectations that he will be the hero who steps in and immediately wins us a GF.

The question is, will Woods be allowed to develop into the halfback we need, or will fans put too much pressure on him if he has a few poor games, and demand he be sacked?
Click to expand...
Its inevitable that some fans will want instant success and will write him off when he is unable to deliver on those unrealistic expectations.
Galvin came to us mid season, was injected into the side immediately and was entirely blamed for our end of season slump by some.
 
Chris Harding said:
Same age as Galvin, and the same high expectations that he will be the hero who steps in and immediately wins us a GF.

The question is, will Woods be allowed to develop into the halfback we need, or will fans put too much pressure on him if he has a few poor games, and demand he be sacked?
Click to expand...
I wonder if you overestimate us fans sway with regards to how the club plans on developing him. I don't get the feeling he'll be rushed and the club will allow him the time he needs. Pretty sure Gus has said as much.
 
SPEARTAKVIDREFS said:
Its inevitable that some fans will want instant success and will write him off when he is unable to deliver on those unrealistic expectations.
Galvin came to us mid season, was injected into the side immediately and was entirely blamed for our end of season slump by some.
Click to expand...
There were other reasons that contributed more. That was just media being media.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top