Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Magpie_Magic]

This tells me Shane thinks and wants Benji longer-term. Probably finds him easy to control............but he must think that Benji’s got an edge with attracting players to come to the club.

Either way it's on Shane now. He obviously approved the decision and the board is interim so they're not in play.

If Benji flops he'll probably sack them all.

But he must think Benji is a major draw card ,so the point will soon be reached where the roster is so strong that it sorts things,

 

[boonboon]

Not sure I understand all the hatred for Hodgson.

Coached the Magpies to the finals as nsw cup coach, 2 years with Hull FC were while not amazing also wernt bad and there results both before and after were worse then his time their so it's more a reflection of where that club is in a comp of wealth disparity then anything else, has extensive experience in rugby league and rugby union coaching and understands our club.

 

[innsaneink]

Looks like Madge to Broncos is a done deal, NSWRL have released him.
Blues need a new coach

 

[The Chad]

The reaction to Hodgson seems pretty harsh on here.

He was the Intrust Cup coach in 2018 & assistant to Madge along with Webster & Sandercock- both of those two emerged smelling like roses. Won 12 & lost 11 in Intrust.

Then Head Coach of Hull for 2 seasons, winning 19 & losing 28. By comparison, since leaving Hull FC are 13 and 42.

Then he was a part of the national Rugby coaching team for both England & then the Wallabies.

There are worse candidates.

 

[Kaito]

Then he was a part of the national Rugby coaching team for both England & then the Wallabies.

This one is my biggest gripe I think. Defensive coach
at England Rugby where they averaged the most
points conceded in a calender year, and then who
could forget, assistants to the wallabies when we
got bundled out in the pool stages unceremoniously
for the first time in our history. He's only a bit better
coaching league, I wonder in what capacity, attack
coach probably in which case that wouldn't be bad...

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Goal kicking?

 

[jrtiger]

This one is my biggest gripe I think. Defensive coach
at England Rugby where they averaged the most
points conceded in a calender year, and then who
could forget, assistants to the wallabies when we
got bundled out in the pool stages unceremoniously
for the first time in our history. He's only a bit better
coaching league, I wonder in what capacity, attack
coach probably in which case that wouldn't be bad...

our attack by the end of the year was humming and should only improve with the additions of Luai, Turuva, Skelton, Hunt, Bird and possibly Hetherington and Montoya, plus a fully fit Olam and Bula.

it's not something that needs to be completely overhauled, so that is something, but again I've felt as if we needed to pursue someone with head coaching experience that Marshall could utilise as a sounding board. I spose they feel as if Morris is already that guy.

 

[Kaito]

our attack by the end of the year was humming and should only improve with the additions of Luai, Turuva, Skelton, Hunt, Bird and possibly Hetherington and Montoya, plus a fully fit Olam and Bula.

it's not something that needs to be completely overhauled, so that is something, but again I've felt as if we needed to pursue someone with head coaching experience that Marshall could utilise as a sounding board. I spose they feel as if Morris is already that guy.

Well said Junes. We'll see in around 9 months time!

 

[jrtiger]

I'm curious as to whether we see any changes following the end of year review into our S&C staff. there seems to be a general consensus amongst players and football department staff that we weren't at the races physically and Marshall is already apparently cracking the whip asking them to return in good knick. apparently there's a stack of boys already in the gym.

whether that's on Moussa and his team remains to be seen.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I'm curious as to whether we see any changes following the end of year review into our S&C staff. there seems to be a general consensus amongst players and football department staff that we weren't at the races physically and Marshall is already apparently cracking the whip asking them to return in good knick. apparently there's a stack of boys already in the gym.

whether that's on Moussa and his team remains to be seen.

From memory I think Betsey on the recent BTR podcast alluded to not many changes in high performance personnel just changes in programming & systems.

So Richo & Betsey must feel they have the necessary expertise, just need to adjust what they deliver & what the pre-season objectives in terms of fitness levels, body composition etc are.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Thinking about the Hodgson's appointment further l speculate it's the only direction the club could've taken........unless of course one wants to send a message that there's a replacement waiting in the wings for Benji if he flops..........which is what the appointment of a more creditialed assistant would entail.

Maybe Hodgsons got some English prospects in tail......building on Shane's recent trip.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

From memory I think Betsey on the recent BTR podcast alluded to not many changes in high performance personnel just changes in programming & systems.

So Richo & Betsey must feel they have the necessary expertise, just need to adjust what they deliver & what the pre-season objectives in terms of fitness levels, body composition etc are.

I hope so, because our casualty rate and fitness levels were not up to scratch.

 

[PabloX]

Hodgo won't be a threat to Benji's job

 

[ChilledChaos]

Just listening to Shawn Blore speak about Craig Bellamy and how tough the preseason was for those guys! Blore almost fainted a couple of times due to the intensity. It’s no secret why the Storm are so successful. It’s no fluke Bellamy has made 11 Grand Finals in 20 years which is ridiculous. They demand hard work and character.

Then I listen to Galvin on the footy show yesterday, speak about how Benji is all about creating a loving, fun environment. That’s our biggest flaw. We don’t flog our players enough to see what they’re really made of. Until that changes nothing changes at this club.

 

[tigertragic]

Unfortunately the tigers seem to be happy to sign losers, unproven staff/players or players on the downward trend (excluding Luia/Api)

Tigers were lucky Bula fell into their lap by attending a training day

Very disappointing

 

[Kelce68]

From memory I think Betsey on the recent BTR podcast alluded to not many changes in high performance personnel just changes in programming & systems.

So Richo & Betsey must feel they have the necessary expertise, just need to adjust what they deliver & what the pre-season objectives in terms of fitness levels, body composition etc are.

That's a good thing in one sense.

Not every problem needs a full reset.

In fact, one of the major problems here for the longest time is flipping the table every time something needs fixing.

It's one of the key reasons why we're all so burnt out with 'yet-another-rebuild promises'.

 

[Kelce68]

Just listening to Shawn Blore speak about Craig Bellamy and how tough the preseason was for those guys! Blore almost fainted a couple of times due to the intensity. It’s no secret why the Storm are so successful. It’s no fluke Bellamy has made 11 Grand Finals in 20 years which is ridiculous. They demand hard work and character.

Then I listen to Galvin on the footy show yesterday, speak about how Benji is all about creating a loving, fun environment. That’s our biggest flaw. We don’t flog our players enough to see what they’re really made of. Until that changes nothing changes at this club.

As has been pointed out before, Benji has come off the heels of 3.5 years of Madge, who did exactly that.

So, it may be an overcorrection, which is probably likely, but it also may be a gradual build whereby Benji sees rapport as priority number 1, make everyone happy and committed, then, once the cohesion and trust is established within the squad, start to dial up expectation as priority 2.

The alternative is coming in swinging for the fences and cracking whips from the outset and risk alienating large swathes of the roster, something that has happened at several clubs, not just ours, and something that Benji wants to avoid at all costs I'd say.

It remains to be seen if we have the patience to play that card.

Or, I could be miles wide of the mark.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

If not you, then the team.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

As has been pointed out before, Benji has come off the heels of 3.5 years of Madge, who did exactly that.

So, it may be an overcorrection, which is probably likely, but it also may be a gradual build whereby Benji sees rapport as priority number 1, make everyone happy and committed, then, once the cohesion and trust is established within the squad, start to dial up expectation as priority 2.

The alternative is coming in swinging for the fences and cracking whips from the outset and risk alienating large swathes of the roster, something that has happened at several clubs, not just ours, and something that Benji wants to avoid at all costs I'd say.

It remains to be seen if we have the patience to play that card.

100%.

It's a sad eflection of this club that for a long time, perhaps as Cleary identified there has been a slight lack of commitment from players for the club, not everyone was well and truly on the bus .

The intensity edge has been missing since Sheens original tenure here.

Obviously Api's imput was a big factor in Benji’s initial appointment, and his contacts and references are now swaying others to come here.

I just wish he had some tough trainers on his books......to balance out that carot and stick approach.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

As has been pointed out before, Benji has come off the heels of 3.5 years of Madge, who did exactly that.

So, it may be an overcorrection, which is probably likely, but it also may be a gradual build whereby Benji sees rapport as priority number 1, make everyone happy and committed, then, once the cohesion and trust is established within the squad, start to dial up expectation as priority 2.

The alternative is coming in swinging for the fences and cracking whips from the outset and risk alienating large swathes of the roster, something that has happened at several clubs, not just ours, and something that Benji wants to avoid at all costs I'd say.

It remains to be seen if we have the patience to play that card.

Or, I could be miles wide of the mark.

I've always felt chips are in with Benji for all of 2025.

This season was the start of a long-term plan to expose our key juniors to the rigours of the NRL, weed out those not in for the crocodile roll, recruit 5-6 players with the right stuff and roll out the game plan Benji wants.

Now he'll up the training ante in pre-season, adjust the support team around him with Richo's guidance, secure the pathways players he wants to retain based on positional depth charts and have enough quality in the NRL top 17 to progress pathways players through the more traditional route of Ball into Flegg into Cup in '25.

It will be an interesting next 4 weeks to see who the club can manage to 1 release, 2 recruit & 3 retain before pre-season kicks in! Plus hopefully a major sponsor announcement and confirmation of new independent Board directors etc.

I don't want it to be November 1 and we're still wondering on the above!