Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards​

The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio

​

The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.

This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.

They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.

It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.

The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.

While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.

As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.

“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.

“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.


“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.

“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”

Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.

Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.

The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
derekderekson said:

Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards​

The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio

​

The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.
This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.
They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.
It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.

The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.
While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.
As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.
“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.

“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has warned players to lift their standards. Picture: David Swift
“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.
“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”
Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.
Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.

The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
Click to expand...
Into them Benji!
 
derekderekson said:

Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards​

The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio

​

The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.
This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.
They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.
It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.

The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.
While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.
As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.
“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.

“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has warned players to lift their standards. Picture: David Swift
“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.
“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”
Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.
Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.

The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
Click to expand...
Imagine being an elite athlete and getting told by this guy u aren’t in good enough condition to start pre season…Richo looks like a Walrus himself
 
BAGNF05 said:
Richo did a good podcast with James Graham shortly before joining us. He talked extensively about fixing up a roster and from memory, he’s following it here to a tee. Talked about needing to have the ‘cream players’ and then filling out your squad with reliable foot soldiers and emerging talent. Looking where we are, we need to offload some of the juniors in our top 30 who simply aren’t that great and replacing them with foot soldiers. That to me is his plan over the next 48 months.
Click to expand...
I agree , seen that one and he was pretty clear on his intentions , only thing I agree but don’t get is , we do need to clean out our top 30 and move a few juniors out of it , but why does it take so long , bulldogs cleaned a hole team out in 2 years , we just need to move 3 to 5 players out and it’s like pulling teeth , Gould does it and the players have contracts , any players in our top 30 on $ 250 k should be paid out today even $ 300 if we don’t want them , Richo needs to get it done before we start real training , I want our full squad training together by next 2 weeks , that will give them all 3 weeks together before Xmas break then all,back on deck January first week
 
derekderekson said:

Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards​

The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio

​

The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.

This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.

They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.

It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.

The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.

While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.

As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.

“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.

“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.


“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.

“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”

Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.

Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.

The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
Click to expand...

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has personally pitched to Roosters forward Terrell May as the race for the Samoan prop’s signature turns into an all-Sydney shootout between the Tigers, the Bulldogs and St George Illawarra.
This masthead understands that May and Marshall met on Tuesday as the powerhouse forward completed his initial round of talks with the three clubs looking to sign him from the Roosters, having been granted permission to explore his options on the open market.

May has also spoken to Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and Dogs’ boss Cameron Ciraldo and is expected to make a final call on his future in the next fortnight.
It is understood May walked away from talks with Marshall impressed with his plans for the club and the Tigers have a significant factor in their favour in the form of Jarome Luai, who is close to the May family.

Luai is yet to begin training with the Tigers but it is believed he spoke to May while they were in camp together in England with the Samoan team.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who called May in England to inform him of the club’s decision to let him leave, broke his silence on that decision on Tuesday as the club launched a record sponsorship deal with Chinese auto manufacturer BYD, believed to be worth close to $10 million over the next five years.

Robinson dismissed rumours that May’s character had played a role in the club’s decision to cut him loose.

“They’re difficult ones,” Robinson said.

“Terrell is a really, really good player. That’s why I played him in so many games this year. But it does give opportunities to some guys underneath that to play more.

“Terrell is not going to have trouble finding a club, the quality he plays with. He is not of bad character, he has not done anything wrong.

“I think that has been thrown out there. He has been a value add to our group and there are just some small bits there around how we want to play and also the longevity of Terrell.

“We felt like it was time to move in a different direction and expressed that to Terrell. The difficult thing has been that people have questioned his character around that and that shouldn’t be the case.”

May played 27 games this year and was rewarded for his form with a contract extension, only to be told he was free to leave six months after inking that new deal.

“People go what is the reason?” Robinson said. “Sometimes there is a small two or three reasons and it does give an opportunity for some guys. There is 27 games there for someone to play,” Robinson said.

If the Tigers manage to secure his signature, it would represent a homecoming of sorts. May played pre-season trials for the club alongside the likes of Adam Douehi and Alex Seyfarth in the 2020 pre-season before finding a home in first grade at the Roosters.


Love this.. Standards need to be set
 
It is amazing how people find it hard just to do their job.

You are early 20s getting paid $100K plus for most of them & all they have to do is keep fit.

As a young man you pride yourself on that but even more so as a professional athlete.

That would be attitude of Penrith or Melbourne. Just do your job!
 
NZtigersfan said:
Imagine being an elite athlete and getting told by this guy u aren’t in good enough condition to start pre season…Richo looks like a Walrus himself
Click to expand...
Richo is a lot older than these guys , but Benji who is setting the standard looks pretty fit and he is the coach so if coach is fit and sets the rules the players need to fall in line , I would love to know who those players were , funny if it’s
Naden , Bud , Tumeth , Feledy , Toa. , just saying
 
hsvjones said:
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has personally pitched to Roosters forward Terrell May as the race for the Samoan prop’s signature turns into an all-Sydney shootout between the Tigers, the Bulldogs and St George Illawarra.
This masthead understands that May and Marshall met on Tuesday as the powerhouse forward completed his initial round of talks with the three clubs looking to sign him from the Roosters, having been granted permission to explore his options on the open market.

May has also spoken to Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and Dogs’ boss Cameron Ciraldo and is expected to make a final call on his future in the next fortnight.
It is understood May walked away from talks with Marshall impressed with his plans for the club and the Tigers have a significant factor in their favour in the form of Jarome Luai, who is close to the May family.

Luai is yet to begin training with the Tigers but it is believed he spoke to May while they were in camp together in England with the Samoan team.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who called May in England to inform him of the club’s decision to let him leave, broke his silence on that decision on Tuesday as the club launched a record sponsorship deal with Chinese auto manufacturer BYD, believed to be worth close to $10 million over the next five years.

Robinson dismissed rumours that May’s character had played a role in the club’s decision to cut him loose.

“They’re difficult ones,” Robinson said.

“Terrell is a really, really good player. That’s why I played him in so many games this year. But it does give opportunities to some guys underneath that to play more.

“Terrell is not going to have trouble finding a club, the quality he plays with. He is not of bad character, he has not done anything wrong.

“I think that has been thrown out there. He has been a value add to our group and there are just some small bits there around how we want to play and also the longevity of Terrell.

“We felt like it was time to move in a different direction and expressed that to Terrell. The difficult thing has been that people have questioned his character around that and that shouldn’t be the case.”

May played 27 games this year and was rewarded for his form with a contract extension, only to be told he was free to leave six months after inking that new deal.

“People go what is the reason?” Robinson said. “Sometimes there is a small two or three reasons and it does give an opportunity for some guys. There is 27 games there for someone to play,” Robinson said.

If the Tigers manage to secure his signature, it would represent a homecoming of sorts. May played pre-season trials for the club alongside the likes of Adam Douehi and Alex Seyfarth in the 2020 pre-season before finding a home in first grade at the Roosters.


Love this.. Standards need to be set
Click to expand...
Wonder who the 5 are?....
 
derekderekson said:

Wests Tigers issue breach notices to five players who failed pre-season fitness standards​

The Wests Tigers have put their entire playing roster on notice regarding a shift in the wooden spoon winning club’s expectations with five players failing to meet pre-season fitness goals.
Brent Read and David Riccio

​

The Wests Tigers have ushered in a new era of accountability after it emerged that up to five players had been given official breaches for not meeting strict fitness guidelines on their return for pre-season training.

This masthead understands that the entire playing group were given - and agreed to fitness standards - at their exit interviews at the end of last season.

They were expected to meet those standards on their return for pre-season training or face the consequences. The club has been true to its word by issuing official warnings to a handful of players who didn’t meet the expectations required by club officials.

It is understood at least two of the players concerned will be required to front the club’s board to explain why they live up to their end of the bargain.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has made it clear in recent weeks that the club will demand the highest standards from its playing group as they look to avoid a fourth consecutive wooden spoon.

The fact that as many as five players have been given official warnings is confirmation that the club is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to discipline.

While the future of forward John Bateman has been at the centre of much of the off-season debate around the Tigers, the entire playing group have been called on to lift the standards.

As recently as last weekend, Richardson laid a marker for the upcoming season when he told this masthead that players would have to meet expectations or face the consequences.

“Players have to live up to what the standards are of a team that’s going to be successful,” Richardson said.

“There’s no stone unturned about the discipline the club requires to be successful. I’ve got to say overall, I’ve had no major pushback on that.


“So the players have got to understand that Benji’s way is the way. It’s as simple as that. And if they want to play first grade at the club, they have to understand it is under what Benji’s rules are. It’s got nothing to do with between young players and older players.

“We have won three straight wooden spoons. We are just not going to accept anything that is not absolutely of the higher standards for culture and for training and everything else.”

Tigers powerbrokers are confident that the club is heading in the right direction and it is hoped that the imminent arrival of four-time premiership winner Jarome Luai can supercharge their resurgence.

Luai will begin training with the Tigers next month, his arrival delayed because he was in England with the Samoan Test side.

The Tigers are also in the mix for Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May and have spoken to Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington, who is off contract at the end of next season and has been told he is required for this season by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

The Tigers had hoped he would be in their ranks this season.
Click to expand...
This is up there with the best news of the off season for the club
 
Jolls said:
I think you are right there and it sort of aligns with my observations. I agree that we need to offload some of the juniors in the short term; but I can't see where our cream forwards are coming from at the moment.

Letting Stef go based on his performances for us and the $ he was chasing made sense. Not sure why ICE did not fit in with the plans going forward. Benji and Richo have to have a plan - buggered if I can figure that part of it out though.
Click to expand...
Reckon Papalii just wanted to go and the club didn't have much choice but to let him, he was wishy washy about coming here in the first place and we didn't cover ourselves in glory once he was here either. Neither party handled it well, best for both to cut losses and move on (wish Bateman would do the same)
 
Jolls said:
You can't take anything from a few training photos on either side of the argument. What is portrayed by the media depends on what the journo/photographer is trying to have you think. Being flogged and having a laugh can happen at the same time.

Having personally done many "Army Camps" at places like Kapooka, Canungra and Tully over 35 years I can tell you that the "floggings" have next to nothing to do with fitness - although you have to be fit as a pre-requisite of you can't complete them. The purpose of the activities is to induce physical stress, to simulate battle stress, in a collective environment in order to develop comaradarie and teamwork. I can tell you from first hand experience that in order to push through humour is key - in order to pick yourself and your mates up when you are at a physical and mental low. Black humour at times; but certainly enough to induce a laugh between periods of extreme physical exertion.

I think part of our problem this season is that we had a programme that focussed too much on the wrong type of fitness. We developed a team that was lean to try and execute a fast paced game. I'll bet there was plenty of running and sprints and puking to get down to a lean team so we could play before the line and blow teams off the park with the pace of the play. This bit us in the arse!

I would prefer us to have a more balanced approach this coming season - our pigs and juniors need to put on some muscle while having a focus on the fast twitch response with ball and feet. Endurance is also required but it is something you build over a season otherwise burn out will occur. We need to be healthy and ready at the start of the season building to peak endurance around September.

Flogging players for the sake of fitness in the pre-season is counter productive - flogging them to induce stress in a collective environment to develop teamwork is another thing!
Click to expand...
100% Jolls! Absolutely, the underlying benefit of stress is not only increased endurance, but also to produce an instinctive behaviour without thinking consciously. An automatic positive response to prevailing circumstances. The players need to have trust in this process for it to work, they need to have experienced it working.
This is the coaches job to put them there. Give them that mental toughness to prevail as a team. Can’t do that if the coach separates them into groups like young and old etc.
 
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