Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Robbie's Love Child]

So in one comment you are saying the club "hasn't changed" (whatever that means) because Benji is still here and in another you are implying that sacking Madge was the wrong decision?

Seriously short memory on how awful Madge's tenure with us.

Its about time the club committed to a project. Big questions on whether Benji is the coach to do it, but sacking Benji at this point would be a mess. In saying that, pressure will be on him next year and there will need to be objective improvements in results even with a seriously flawed squad.

I can see both points of the argument, Madge is a great coach when he has a strong roster but is poo when he has to rebuild or work with average players, hence he will probably do well at the Broncos but was never going to succeed here. To sack Benji would be a massive mistake now, if we don't improve next year and are still in the run for the spoon then decisions need to be made.

 

[Bellend]

If we do not rush Chris Fa'agutu development he will turn out to be a very good footballer for us

 

[Betterdays22]

I can see both points of the argument, Madge is a great coach when he has a strong roster but is poo when he has to rebuild or work with average players, hence he will probably do well at the Broncos but was never going to succeed here. To sack Benji would be a massive mistake now, if we don't improve next year and are still in the run for the spoon then decisions need to be made.

Madge was perfect for Origin. Small intense doses with an extremely talented playing group. To say Madge didn't get a fair crack here is totally revisionist. Maybe they can go rewatch "Tales From Tiger Town" to relive some of the glory days.

 

[Telltails]

A successful coach with a poor roster does not exist. Hence why you can't get coaches like Bellamy and Robinson away from clubs that provide them with resources to maintain a level of success

 

[Halbrowne61]

Madge was good enough to get a gig at the Broncos. Good enough for them. Not for us 🤷🏻‍♂️

Getting the job is only half the battle. Will be interesting to see if the Brisbane players clique allows him to succeed.
Remember part of his problem with us was the players bitching about his methods.

 

[TSP]

A successful coach with a poor roster does not exist. Hence why you can't get coaches like Bellamy and Robinson away from clubs that provide them with resources to maintain a level of success

I think Flanno might have something to say about that.

It’s about optimising the resources you do have, getting the best possible outcomes and realistically I don’t Benji has achieved that so far.

I suppose he’s trying, except when he went off on holiday.

He might simply might just be incapable due to lack of experience, knowledge, skill set and other shortcomings.

I listen to him, I just don’t find him to be leader compared to alternatives.

And the spoon bowl affair suggested things we’re out of control.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done some good things, just not enough of them.

Hopefully he can nail it next year.

 

[Tom Shines]

Madge was good enough to get a gig at the Broncos. Good enough for them. Not for us 🤷🏻‍♂️

Madge went 9th , 11th , 13th, 13th when sacked during his 4 years at WT

I can’t recall a coach in any professional sport survive a stint like that …

He also got sacked from Souths 3 years after winning the premiership !

Kevy Walters got sacked for coming 12th a year after being runners up …

There is a lot of pressure on any coach when he is having poor results … even at a basket case like us …

 

[tigermate]

Madge went 9th , 11th , 13th, 13th when sacked during his 4 years at WT

I can’t recall a coach in any professional sport survive a stint like that …

He also got sacked from Souths 3 years after winning the premiership !

Kevy Walters got sacked for coming 12th a year after being runners up …

There is a lot of pressure on any coach when he is having poor results … even at a basket case like us …

benji has won two wooden spoons in a row.

not sure how many coaches would be affored that either.

"But he wasnt coaching when Sheens was there".

Um - yes he was. My friend is a good mate of adam douehis -- told me that Benji was the coach. did all the talking, organised the training, Tim was just there shepparding him.

Benji can't coach.

 

[Telltails]

I think Flanno might have something to say about that.

It’s about optimising the resources you do have, getting the best possible outcomes and realistically I don’t Benji has achieved that so far.

I suppose he’s trying, except when he went off on holiday.

He might simply might just be incapable due to lack of experience, knowledge, skill set and other shortcomings.

I listen to him, I just don’t find him to be leader compared to alternatives.

And the spoon bowl affair suggested things we’re out of control.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s done some good things, just not enough of them.

Hopefully he can nail it next year.

Flanno with Penrith or Melbourne's roster it would be fair to speculate that his results would have been finals bound. Mediocre roster mediocre outcome.
Just like last year all the excuses in the world for Robinson when the Roosters experienced a high injury toll yet they still fielded a squad with five elite players - coach Robinson still couldn't counter for the loss of players.

Not comparing Benji to any coaches but simply saying no coach will experience any level of success on the back of a below par squad.

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

benji has won two wooden spoons in a row.

not sure how many coaches would be affored that either.

"But he wasnt coaching when Sheens was there".

Um - yes he was. My friend is a good mate of adam douehis -- told me that Benji was the coach. did all the talking, organised the training, Tim was just there shepparding him.

Benji can't coach.

Well if your mate said it it must be true then

 

[Robbie's Love Child]

benji has won two wooden spoons in a row.

not sure how many coaches would be affored that either.

"But he wasnt coaching when Sheens was there".

Um - yes he was. My friend is a good mate of adam douehis -- told me that Benji was the coach. did all the talking, organised the training, Tim was just there shepparding him.

Benji can't coach.

As has been said a thousand times to judge someone's coaching ability on the rabble we have had the last few years is pretty ignorant. Bellamy and Bennet wouldn't have done better with the KOE squad we had disguised as first graders, fact.

 

[Tom Shines]

benji has won two wooden spoons in a row.

not sure how many coaches would be affored that either.

"But he wasnt coaching when Sheens was there".

Um - yes he was. My friend is a good mate of adam douehis -- told me that Benji was the coach. did all the talking, organised the training, Tim was just there shepparding him.

Benji can't coach.

I’m not sticking up for Benji mate … he won’t survive past this next year without a significant improvement in wins and position…

Benji doesn’t change what happened with Madge when he was here

 

[Dennisspicer1]

It’s still a bit of a surprise to me that he took the job on at first instance.

After a cold shower, he could have had a milkshake and he might have concluded a couple more years learning the craft would have been much better for him in the long run.

And where I totally agree with the Benji Acceptance Auxiliary, in that he didn’t exactly inherit the best squad. But he knew this too.

If things go badly, I hope he knows when to flip the switch.

He knew to, that he inherited a poor lot,
But thinks he can reserec 2005 type of team with different players to the ones we had, And he is on his way to doing that, but for some reason there is a lot of Members that want to sack another coach, and continue the same as we've been going for the last 20yrs. ????

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Was reading an article on the Daily Tele about the Top 50 players in the NRL who aren't signed for next year. Reading through the names these are the ones who stood out to me the most who could be serviceable to the club while letting the young guys develop. Ofahiki Ogden, Matthew Lodge, Valynce Te Whare, Zach Dockar-Clay, Chris Patolo, Peter Hola, Joe Stimson, Dean Ieremia. Who out of these guys would you take? For the record these are guys who maybe wouldn't make the top 17 but if there are injuries/suspensions you aren't having to rely on kids who aren't ready to play first grade.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Ofahiki Ogden, Matthew Lodge, Valynce Te Whare, Zach Dockar-Clay, Chris Patolo, Peter Hola, Joe Stimson, Dean Ieremia. Who out of these guys would you take?

None

 

[Needaname]

Was reading an article on the Daily Tele about the Top 50 players in the NRL who aren't signed for next year. Reading through the names these are the ones who stood out to me the most who could be serviceable to the club while letting the young guys develop. Ofahiki Ogden, Matthew Lodge, Valynce Te Whare, Zach Dockar-Clay, Chris Patolo, Peter Hola, Joe Stimson, Dean Ieremia. Who out of these guys would you take? For the record these are guys who maybe wouldn't make the top 17 but if there are injuries/suspensions you aren't having to rely on kids who aren't ready to play first grade.

There’s probably a reason all aren’t signed.
Most would be offered cup contracts not top 30 and they and their management would be holding on to the hope they can secure better.

 

[TSP]

Madge wasn’t working, but I think he deserved the rest of the season.

Tim said the reason he was let go was to the effect that “ We couldn’t see him coaching next year.”

But I think the truth was that Ciraldo insisted that if we was to come, then he didn’t want a sacking on his hands. Im speculating but it makes sense.

I thought Madge should have seen out the year because total chaos ensured and Tim ended up appointing himself.

As a process it was an abomination.

We should have signed Ciraldo or had him in the bag before we let Madge go.

Otherwise anecdotal reports around the club cited that Madge was looking very uncomfortable and not enjoying himself.
He was stressing out and people were avoiding him. That could happen again.

Madge has been decent enough not to give his side of the story. We know he had strained relationships, was almost sacked at one point.

I was troubled by his statement after the dogs massacre.

I think he’s a 50/50 at Brisbane. I wish him well.

 

[Betterdays22]

Was reading an article on the Daily Tele about the Top 50 players in the NRL who aren't signed for next year. Reading through the names these are the ones who stood out to me the most who could be serviceable to the club while letting the young guys develop. Ofahiki Ogden, Matthew Lodge, Valynce Te Whare, Zach Dockar-Clay, Chris Patolo, Peter Hola, Joe Stimson, Dean Ieremia. Who out of these guys would you take? For the record these are guys who maybe wouldn't make the top 17 but if there are injuries/suspensions you aren't having to rely on kids who aren't ready to play first grade.

Any one of those guys would improve our cup squad and depth which needs to be a priority. Absolutely not for top 30 spots though.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

If any of you experts begging for Benji to be sacked had any thoughts on how you think Ciraldo Bennett Bellamy Cleary would have faired with the same team Benji has coached these last 2 seasons,
Then put Benji into the coaching roles each of those coaches has, and you would probably be calling Benji a great coach????

 

[tigermate]

As has been said a thousand times to judge someone's coaching ability on the rabble we have had the last few years is pretty ignorant. Bellamy and Bennet wouldn't have done better with the KOE squad we had disguised as first graders, fact.

dont agree but respect your position.

I think our forward pack with the right coach was top 8... Api, Stef, Bateman, Paps, Klem... just poor coaching killed their spirits and they (3 of them) wanted to leave.

Certainly we were on par with the Dolphins squad and look what bennet did with them -- also flanno at the dragons -- both teams nearly made the 8... that's what i think a good coach wouldve done for us. close to making the 8... not two wooden spoons.