2025 Assistant Coach Options

[Lauren]

Why not both?
TBH I think we could seriously do with both. A proper NRL D coach planning and teaching basics, structure and strategy, and a wrestling coach teaching the arm to arm combat techniques that it takes to bring a big man down efficiently. They are definitely two different disciplines and the sooner we start using the best specialists in their field the better.

I might've misread the post I was replying to, but it suggested Pay as a tackling coach, which is why I implied we need someone better in that area. We already have both a defensive coach and a wrestling coach, as @BlackWhiteGold confirmed in the signings thread. Steven Babic formerly with the Raiders, Eels and Brumbies, is currently our wrestling coach.

I was actually alluding to how teams like Melbourne have gained an edge from wrestling or tackling coaches with an MMA background. That these coaches offer advanced techniques and strategies in tackling and grappling due to their specialised training and experience.Hinting that we could benefit from having similar expertise. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Buttface]

I might've misread the post I was replying to, but it suggested Pay as a tackling coach, which is why I implied we need someone better in that area. We already have both a defensive coach and a wrestling coach, as @BlackWhiteGold confirmed in the signings thread. Steven Babic formerly with the Raiders, Eels and Brumbies, is currently our wrestling coach.

I was actually alluding to how teams like Melbourne have gained an edge from wrestling or tackling coaches with an MMA background. That these coaches offer advanced techniques and strategies in tackling and grappling due to their specialised training and experience.Hinting that we could benefit from having similar expertise.Sorry for any confusion.

So we’re basically saying the same thing. 😁
If we can’t get the best footballers here let’s get the best of every other staff position, especially specialists in tackling, wrestling/mma or whatever techniques it takes to be the best prepared.

 

[weststigers]

So we’re basically saying the same thing. 😁
If we can’t get the best footballers here let’s get the best of every other staff position, especially specialists in tackling, wrestling/mma or whatever techniques it takes to be the best prepared.

Whatever they do, it has to be done from juniors through to NRL. Players need to come with a baseline of knowledge rather than learn on the job.

@Tucker might agree with this, but every other trade or skill on life is preceeded by a 4 year apprenticeship. We need to bring that philosophy to the club and standardise some things from the bottom up.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Philosophy, Psychology sounds good, just they can't get past money.

 

[Buttface]

Whatever they do, it has to be done from juniors through to NRL. Players need to come with a baseline of knowledge rather than learn on the job.

@Tucker might agree with this, but every other trade or skill on life is preceeded by a 4 year apprenticeship. We need to bring that philosophy to the club and standardise some things from the bottom up.

An apprenticeship is a good start in life, and I can tell if you’re a tradesman by the way you roll up a lead, use a broom, or tie down a load.
The fact that this basic process does not already exist at our club is evident and very frustrating.
They started talking about being a “development club” (again), but we should always be a club that develops juniors and the process should already be in place. Football Apprenticeship?
We should also be a club that brings in the best tradesman form out of our system.
This is simple biz? It’s painful we are so bad at it. Hopefully Richo changes this. The last two numbskulls couldn’t run a tap. I am certain that I or any number or forumers could have done better.

 

[weststigers]

An apprenticeship is a good start in life, and I can tell if you’re a tradesman by the way you roll up a lead, use a broom, or tie down a load.
The fact that this basic process does not already exist at our club is evident and very frustrating.
They started talking about being a “development club” (again), but we should always be a club that develops juniors and the process should already be in place. Football Apprenticeship?
We should also be a club that brings in the best tradesman form out of our system.
This is simple biz? It’s painful we are so bad at it. Hopefully Richo changes this. The last two numbskulls couldn’t run a tap. I am certain that I or any number or forumers could have done better.

Correct...theybthoughtbthey could save us but frankly they couldn't save a word document.

 

[Bellend]

Hey Lauren, the reason i suggested Dean Pay as tackling have you seen how are blokes actual try to tackling?? a lot of them get the bare basic's wrong do not worry about MMA coach get the technical side down pat and then work on the rest.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Prince > Pay

 

[Lauren]

Hey Lauren, the reason i suggested Dean Pay as tackling have you seen how are blokes actual try to tackling?? a lot of them get the bare basic's wrong do not worry about MMA coach get the technical side down pat and then work on the rest.

Thanks for clarifying. I see where you're coming from now and agree that focusing on getting the basics right is probably more crucial for such a young squad. Dean Pay’s experience could be a valuable starting point for working on defensive strategies, before moving on to the more complex tactics.

Wasn't he with us quite recently? The seasons are honestly starting to feel like a blur, as a Wests Tigers supporter.

 

[Demps]

Hear me out....

Daniel Fitzhenry coached a club to a grand final victory.

 

[Chipofftheoldblock]

Jim Dymock or Steve Georgallis as assistant coach.
Both are very good coaches in their own right and would provide a very much rounded and experience sounding board for Benji.
Not sure Dean Pay and Benji would gel together as a coaching team.

 

[TSP]

If I was Richo, I’d have to think about getting a coach for Benji.

Someone like a Neil Henry ( a great and recognised strategist).

Don’t even announce it, just have him there for Benji to consult with personally. No one else involved. So if Benji isn’t sure, he can ask him and not lose face with his assistants etc.

Some secret coach whisperery figure anyway.

Sell it to Benji as necessary because of a sponsor request or some other plausible reason.

Otherwise he may not accept it.

Nothing to lose I think. It’s key that Benji has resources. Richo has said that numerous times.

 

[Buttface]

If I was Richo, I’d have to think about getting a coach for Benji.

Someone like a Neil Henry ( a great and recognised strategist).

Don’t even announce it, just have him there for Benji to consult with personally. No one else involved. So if Benji isn’t sure, he can ask him and not lose face with his assistants etc.

Some secret coach whisperery figure anyway.

Sell it to Benji as necessary because of a sponsor request or some other plausible reason.

Otherwise he may not accept it.

Nothing to lose I think. It’s key that Benji has resources. Richo has said that numerous times.

Neil Henry? What’s he been doing?

 

[innsaneink]

If I was Richo, I’d have to think about getting a coach for Benji.

Someone like a Neil Henry ( a great and recognised strategist).

Don’t even announce it, just have him there for Benji to consult with personally. No one else involved. So if Benji isn’t sure, he can ask him and not lose face with his assistants etc.

Some secret coach whisperery figure anyway.

Sell it to Benji as necessary because of a sponsor request or some other plausible reason.

Otherwise he may not accept it.

Nothing to lose I think. It’s key that Benji has resources. Richo has said that numerous times.

That's what I suggested some time back.... A pseudo assistant that's the main man in reality

 

[hank37w]

If I was Richo, I’d have to think about getting a coach for Benji.

Someone like a Neil Henry ( a great and recognised strategist).

Don’t even announce it, just have him there for Benji to consult with personally. No one else involved. So if Benji isn’t sure, he can ask him and not lose face with his assistants etc.

Some secret coach whisperery figure anyway.

Sell it to Benji as necessary because of a sponsor request or some other plausible reason.

Otherwise he may not accept it.

Nothing to lose I think. It’s key that Benji has resources. Richo has said that numerous times.

Just get Bennett to help Benji, he did a fine job of coaching both the Dolphins and Souffs over the back end of this season so he should be able to manage that with ease. 🤣

 

[TSP]

Neil Henry? What’s he been doing?

He was doing media for awhile.

He’s got almost twice the success rate of wins than Benji and a lot more experience.

By his own admission, Benji is struggling and has excused himself as it’s his “rookie year”.

That emphasis turns the focus about from the actual results to himself.

We are not actually interested in whether it’s his rookie year or 20th season.

But if he uses this explanation, the underlying assumption is that his second and subsequent years must be better because he’s not going to be a rookie.

I think the focus on himself is a very strange refrain. I was going to say it’s an entitled view, which fits in with his Ill considered mid season holidays, but I think it’s authentic and he lacks insight. No malice involved on his behalf at all.

Has anyone ever heard any other coach pass off a season as understandably bad because he was a rookie?

Neil would be good for Benji. Help him lead properly.

Robbie said no to Benji and he was sacked. That is a worry. As was pointed out to me, in the cold light of day, Robbies departure didn’t help anything.

 

[Buttface]

He was doing media for awhile.

He’s got almost twice the success rate of wins than Benji and a lot more experience.

By his own admission, Benji is struggling and has excused himself as it’s his “rookie year”.

That emphasis turns the focus about from the actual results to himself.

We are not actually interested in whether it’s his rookie year or 20th season.

But if he uses this explanation, the underlying assumption is that his second and subsequent years must be better because he’s not going to be a rookie.

I think the focus on himself is a very strange refrain. I was going to say it’s an entitled view, which fits in with his Ill considered mid season holidays, but I think it’s authentic and he lacks insight. No malice involved on his behalf at all.

Has anyone ever heard any other coach pass off a season as understandably bad because the coach was a rookie?

Neil would be good for Benji. Help him lead properly.

Robbie said no to Benji and he was sacked. That is a worry.

Neil Henry is not a bad suggestion.

 

[TSP]

Neil Henry is not a bad suggestion.

I was reading about him and he was regarded as a master tactician on game day.

High quality person in all respects.

But my plan for Benji is more of a private counseling role from an experienced coach. I don’t want to publically humiliate him. Richo has also said “ everything is on the coach” which he will use when Benji is eventually sacked or leaves.

Of course, results can be attributed to so many things in the game, not just the coach.

My other back-up is Hook from “real life” friends who say he is a footy genius.

Didn’t help him at SGI, but we know Flanno is outstanding in his own right.

 

[Buttface]

I was reading about him and he was regarded as a master tactician on game day.

High quality person in all respects.

But my plan for Benji is more of a private counseling role from an experienced coach. I don’t want to publically humiliate him. Richo has also said “ everything is on the coach” which he will use when Benji is eventually sacked or leaves.

Of course, results can be attributed to so many things in the game, not just the coach.

My other back-up is Hook from “real life” friends who say he is a footy genius.

Didn’t help him at SGI, but we know Flanno is outstanding in his own right.

I like that approach, I’d go as far as having him as an actual assistant coach, as I think that’s what Benji needs.

 

[innsaneink]

He was doing media for awhile.

He’s got almost twice the success rate of wins than Benji and a lot more experience.

By his own admission, Benji is struggling and has excused himself as it’s his “rookie year”.

That emphasis turns the focus about from the actual results to himself.

We are not actually interested in whether it’s his rookie year or 20th season.

But if he uses this explanation, the underlying assumption is that his second and subsequent years must be better because he’s not going to be a rookie.

I think the focus on himself is a very strange refrain. I was going to say it’s an entitled view, which fits in with his Ill considered mid season holidays, but I think it’s authentic and he lacks insight. No malice involved on his behalf at all.

Has anyone ever heard any other coach pass off a season as understandably bad because he was a rookie?

Neil would be good for Benji. Help him lead properly.

Robbie said no to Benji and he was sacked. That is a worry. As was pointed out to me, in the cold light of day, Robbies departure didn’t help anything.

There's a few assumptions here imo.... I'd. Like to know when Benji stated:
Benji is struggling and has excused himself as it’s his “rookie year”.

Also, when did Farah say 'no' to Marshall, in what context and I'm almost certain he wasn't sacked