Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Rock Hopper Steve said:
Madge pissed of players at souths and here don't know how the donkeys will work out I reckon he should of stuck with the blues works well with the elite lot of big egos at the donks might get on the wrong side of them too.
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Great to have a push for a premiership within 3 years, after that the players turn on him. Just incessant intensity all the time would get on their nose
 
rugbygoated said:
2 wooden spoons. Weak bench selections. Constantly picking players out of position or not dropping others who need to go. Playing an 18 year old without any breaks (even with a broken hand), lack of defensive game plan, more sin bins and lack of discipline than any other season, shitty press conferences praising extremely low standards, lack of accountability, being one of the boys rather than trying to actually be a coach figure. His coaching career is going to go exactly as his playing career went, flash for a little bit with all out attack, no defence, and a lot of inconsistency. If that is praiseworthy, then we'll remain near the bottom, unless someone carries him
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RG,

Thanks for your take, but most of what you have provided are opinions as opposed to examples. While I expect that some of these are contibutors to our poor performance in and of themselves they don't indicate that he is a shit coach.

Two wooden spoons may be partly attributed to coaching but the player roster probably has more bearing on that, and the playing roster can be linked to the previous selection committee and board. I don't think you can ditectly link tow wooden spoons to poor coaching; the facts just don't support that conclusion. Could a more experineced coach have got us over the line - perhaps but not to the extent we were pushing for the eight with the roster we had. I can fully support that poor coaching cost us the spoon bowl - but that would have moved us from 17th the 16th. No change really.

So who was constantly picked out of position? I didn't recall this as an issue. I would suggest that this is a matter of opinion as opposed to an example of poor coaching. To me this is a generalisation as opposed to evidence of poor coaching. How wna when did this cause our poor performances?

I would have preferred to ease Galvin into FG as well; however, he is not the first 18 year old to debut and play FG; many in teams with successful coaches. Giving young players exposure, even at 18, can fast-track their development. Injuries and overplaying are legitimate concerns, but the responsibility for player welfare involves multiple staff, not just the head coach. So you I expect we are looking at the high perfromance and medical teams as well. Our arm chair opinions don't carry much weight here. Who would you have replaced him with? Sulivan - and if he did and had Galvin in Reggies people would be calling for his head for playing Sullivan instead of the kid, No win and not an example of poor coaching. On the other hand plenty of seasoned commentators are signing his praises for taking the approach he did with Galvin. Johns and Gus decelaring him a revelation at the Tigers and the best teen they have ever seen. This is a matter of opinion as opposed to evidence of him being a poor coach.

I don't think you can say there was a lack of a defensive game plan. In fact when they executed the defensive game plan well we perfromed well. There were times when we had good line speed, times when we had very good chase, time when we didn't have shooters in the line causing holes. When we put it together for 80 minutes we won games. We had too many lapses - was that fitness, player ability (AD/Sezer/The Pillow for example). I highly doubt that we didn't spend time coaching a workable defensive game plan, The evidence clearly shows that we did; what we don't know is why we couldn't put it together for the duration of the game. Too complex - haven't heard that anywhere - all indications are that he simplified the game plans.

I'm struggling to understand how Benji's coaching was responsible for the lack of discipline from the playing group. He sacked Naden for it, Bateman was exiled as a result of being called out for it, Seyfarth reeled it in, Sezer was going to be replaced by?????. If anything he was very clear, and in the pressers as well, that he was not happy with the discipline and that if the plyers didn't change the would change the players. I don't buy this at all.

There is a balance between being one of the boys and being the coach. Unless you are on the inside how can anyone say if he has it right or wrong. I am not hearing anything from inside of the camp that support this - in fact most of the players when interviewd say the oipposite- he gets in with theboys and shows them what he wants and is also very direct and calls a spade a spade. We have heard that he has taken a very different approach to this pre season as well. Have you considered that being “one of the boys” might actually help foster a supportive environment, particularly for a team in transition or rebuilding mod? Benji’s experience and charisma could be what turns us around. I'm not saying at all that he has the balance right - but I don't see any evidence that supports your opinion. I'm on the fence with this.

How do you link the approach to pressers to being a poor coach. This is a stretch and again a matter of opinion, You coule equally argue that publicly backing the team, even in tough times, shields players from external pressures and media scrutiny. You can bet that Benji's Monday morning video sessions don't include his press comments. What do you know about his internal accountability measures? I doubt this is visible to outsiders, so if you have evidence to support the point I am all ears but this is purely opinion.

Look I get that we haven't performed well. I'm on the fence as to his coaching ability as there is evidence to suggest that the plying group have been instructed on what to do, but have failed to execute it. They boys on the Wests Tigers Faithful podcast did an excellent breakdown of our performace over 2024 and one of the more telling facts was where we were receiving the ball from and turning the ball over to the opposition. So we weren't able to get out of our end - that isn't coaching that the poor roster. The attackign stats in several areas were at the top of the league and some of our defensive stats were also OK. So the evidence does not support the opinions that many had in realtion to poor attack and defence.

Benji's coaching career is just beginning. Judging him on early results ignores the possibility of growth, refinement, and the impact of long-term strategies. Strategies that Benji and Richo have stated on many occasions are in place and they are not deviating from the pla. The team needs time to be adapted to this vision and strategy. Despite Benji being here for a couple of years the vision and strategy started in 2024.

Every coach starts somewhere, and while early results or decisions may be polarising, it's crucial to give time for development and see where his leadership takes the team. So at the end of the day I still seen haven't seen much evidence that supports the statements that his coaching is poor. I have seen no evidence that supports the statements that he is shit coach; just plenty of opinion.

He has definitely made mistakes, but what coach hasn't? Until somone provides evidence that his coaching is poor I'm still sitting on the fence and giving him some more rope.
 
Buttface said:
It’s not about jumping at shadows.
It’s about, he is human and not stupid.
He knows sticking the knife in makes it hard for a rival team, (smart), and doing to us would be satisfying, (and that’s the human bit).
Trust no-one, assume nothing, presume everything.
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... and So what.

Brisbane vs Tigers and Madge holds a grudge... it's on.

Brisbane vs Tigers and Madge holds no grudges... It's on.

He will try to beat us and we will try to beat the Donkeys.

It may be an issue if we start going for Brisbane players or he starts going for ours...
Except he has no real need for ours. Thinking about it, I think it was only Toa who was coached under him.

But hey, if Madge does want to do a swap it could get interesting:
"hey Pascoe, it's Madge. Lets talk a trade?..." <damn it he hanged up>
"Hey Lee, It's Madge. I want to trade..."

Seriously I don't get this view that Madge was treated unfairly. Mick Potter and Jason Taylor may have a case, Madge got 4 years as a NRL coach. If he has a grudge, he can take it out on Sheens/Pascoe/Lee.. I don't think he has a bad opinion on Benji, but if he did... What's the difference?
 
Jolls said:
Spoon bowl was a major coaching stuff up. He gets 100% credit for that one. I'm not talking him up; I'm on the fence, but I haven't seen evidence that he can't. Plenty of opinions based on results.
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I totally agree.

Benji fielded a nothing squad to give juniors experience. Yes Galvin and Fainu put in. Parra just romped in the centers and surely everyone could see that for a mile off.

The 2024 spoon is on Benji.
 
finnzo said:
U

I have to respectfully disagree with you there he performed extremely well for a kid in his first year in the nrl.
He constantly
- Put Samuela fanu through holes
- Set up the winger with a perfect cut out ball
- Short kicking game was exceptional
- Running game was very strong
- His support play was excellent
- His desire to win was really strong

Honest I think he was almost the best 5/8 in the comp
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Agreed till the last sentence. Not yet, but he probably will be.
We have the best 5/8 in the comp playing alongside him, plus, the next best youngster in Fainu, and I say keep them all.
I think Gals fitness and attitude towards training is what will take him to the top. When others are running out of gas, he’ll be ready to go. If you have that mental application at 18, you are already ahead of the pack.
There are quite a few that say Fainu was, and is the better 5/8 coming through the grades. But Faunu came back looking like a Xmas ham and Gal came back ready to go. Ahead of the pack without touching a ball.
I’ve said it many times, we need to be better at all the things that take no talent. It takes no talent to turn up to work on time, fit, and ready to go.
 
We should make sure we look after Latu F big time as he will be our future 6 with Laui. Every article and interview Galvin does not give me any hope of him sticking around IMO.

His manager is all about money and feel Roosters or Dogs know this and will Jump Nov 1.

I hope I'm wrong but don't want to put all our hopes in a guy that won't commit and then lose him and Latu as well in a few years.

I also don't buy this waiting to see how we go especially when Richo and Benji have done a A+ recruitment drive and done their side of the deal. Now it's on the players to do their side.
 
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Jolls said:
RG,

Thanks for your take, but most of what you have provided are opinions as opposed to examples. While I expect that some of these are contibutors to our poor performance in and of themselves they don't indicate that he is a shit coach.

Two wooden spoons may be partly attributed to coaching but the player roster probably has more bearing on that, and the playing roster can be linked to the previous selection committee and board. I don't think you can ditectly link tow wooden spoons to poor coaching; the facts just don't support that conclusion. Could a more experineced coach have got us over the line - perhaps but not to the extent we were pushing for the eight with the roster we had. I can fully support that poor coaching cost us the spoon bowl - but that would have moved us from 17th the 16th. No change really.

So who was constantly picked out of position? I didn't recall this as an issue. I would suggest that this is a matter of opinion as opposed to an example of poor coaching. To me this is a generalisation as opposed to evidence of poor coaching. How wna when did this cause our poor performances?

I would have preferred to ease Galvin into FG as well; however, he is not the first 18 year old to debut and play FG; many in teams with successful coaches. Giving young players exposure, even at 18, can fast-track their development. Injuries and overplaying are legitimate concerns, but the responsibility for player welfare involves multiple staff, not just the head coach. So you I expect we are looking at the high perfromance and medical teams as well. Our arm chair opinions don't carry much weight here. Who would you have replaced him with? Sulivan - and if he did and had Galvin in Reggies people would be calling for his head for playing Sullivan instead of the kid, No win and not an example of poor coaching. On the other hand plenty of seasoned commentators are signing his praises for taking the approach he did with Galvin. Johns and Gus decelaring him a revelation at the Tigers and the best teen they have ever seen. This is a matter of opinion as opposed to evidence of him being a poor coach.

I don't think you can say there was a lack of a defensive game plan. In fact when they executed the defensive game plan well we perfromed well. There were times when we had good line speed, times when we had very good chase, time when we didn't have shooters in the line causing holes. When we put it together for 80 minutes we won games. We had too many lapses - was that fitness, player ability (AD/Sezer/The Pillow for example). I highly doubt that we didn't spend time coaching a workable defensive game plan, The evidence clearly shows that we did; what we don't know is why we couldn't put it together for the duration of the game. Too complex - haven't heard that anywhere - all indications are that he simplified the game plans.

I'm struggling to understand how Benji's coaching was responsible for the lack of discipline from the playing group. He sacked Naden for it, Bateman was exiled as a result of being called out for it, Seyfarth reeled it in, Sezer was going to be replaced by?????. If anything he was very clear, and in the pressers as well, that he was not happy with the discipline and that if the plyers didn't change the would change the players. I don't buy this at all.

There is a balance between being one of the boys and being the coach. Unless you are on the inside how can anyone say if he has it right or wrong. I am not hearing anything from inside of the camp that support this - in fact most of the players when interviewd say the oipposite- he gets in with theboys and shows them what he wants and is also very direct and calls a spade a spade. We have heard that he has taken a very different approach to this pre season as well. Have you considered that being “one of the boys” might actually help foster a supportive environment, particularly for a team in transition or rebuilding mod? Benji’s experience and charisma could be what turns us around. I'm not saying at all that he has the balance right - but I don't see any evidence that supports your opinion. I'm on the fence with this.

How do you link the approach to pressers to being a poor coach. This is a stretch and again a matter of opinion, You coule equally argue that publicly backing the team, even in tough times, shields players from external pressures and media scrutiny. You can bet that Benji's Monday morning video sessions don't include his press comments. What do you know about his internal accountability measures? I doubt this is visible to outsiders, so if you have evidence to support the point I am all ears but this is purely opinion.

Look I get that we haven't performed well. I'm on the fence as to his coaching ability as there is evidence to suggest that the plying group have been instructed on what to do, but have failed to execute it. They boys on the Wests Tigers Faithful podcast did an excellent breakdown of our performace over 2024 and one of the more telling facts was where we were receiving the ball from and turning the ball over to the opposition. So we weren't able to get out of our end - that isn't coaching that the poor roster. The attackign stats in several areas were at the top of the league and some of our defensive stats were also OK. So the evidence does not support the opinions that many had in realtion to poor attack and defence.

Benji's coaching career is just beginning. Judging him on early results ignores the possibility of growth, refinement, and the impact of long-term strategies. Strategies that Benji and Richo have stated on many occasions are in place and they are not deviating from the pla. The team needs time to be adapted to this vision and strategy. Despite Benji being here for a couple of years the vision and strategy started in 2024.

Every coach starts somewhere, and while early results or decisions may be polarising, it's crucial to give time for development and see where his leadership takes the team. So at the end of the day I still seen haven't seen much evidence that supports the statements that his coaching is poor. I have seen no evidence that supports the statements that he is shit coach; just plenty of opinion.

He has definitely made mistakes, but what coach hasn't? Until somone provides evidence that his coaching is poor I'm still sitting on the fence and giving him some more rope.
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Great post Jolls, always well thought out, opinionated, but open to debate, and without pushing an agenda. That’s the best article/post I’ve read this week.

I did need an intermission. 😎
 
hsvjones said:
I should make sure we look after Latu F big time as he will be our future 6 with Laui. Every article and interview Galvin does not give me any hope of him sticking around IMO.

His manager is all about money and feel Roosters or Dogs know this and will Jump Nov 1.

I hope I'm wrong but don't want to put all our hopes in a guy that won't commit and then lose him and Latu as well in a few years.

I also don't buy this waiting to see how we go especially when Richo and Benji have done a A+ recruitment drive and done their side of the deal. Now it's on the players to do their side.
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I can understand him waiting to see how we go. There a lot of cons that go with 3x spoons, sure there been a few pros off the field, but the kid is a winner and doesn’t wanna waste his career never playing semis. That’s why it’s so important we start the season well and show him and all other players that we are not making spoons anymore.
 
Jolls said:
RG,

Thanks for your take, but most of what you have provided are opinions as opposed to examples. While I expect that some of these are contibutors to our poor performance in and of themselves they don't indicate that he is a shit coach.

Two wooden spoons may be partly attributed to coaching but the player roster probably has more bearing on that, and the playing roster can be linked to the previous selection committee and board. I don't think you can ditectly link tow wooden spoons to poor coaching; the facts just don't support that conclusion. Could a more experineced coach have got us over the line - perhaps but not to the extent we were pushing for the eight with the roster we had. I can fully support that poor coaching cost us the spoon bowl - but that would have moved us from 17th the 16th. No change really.

So who was constantly picked out of position? I didn't recall this as an issue. I would suggest that this is a matter of opinion as opposed to an example of poor coaching. To me this is a generalisation as opposed to evidence of poor coaching. How wna when did this cause our poor performances?

I would have preferred to ease Galvin into FG as well; however, he is not the first 18 year old to debut and play FG; many in teams with successful coaches. Giving young players exposure, even at 18, can fast-track their development. Injuries and overplaying are legitimate concerns, but the responsibility for player welfare involves multiple staff, not just the head coach. So you I expect we are looking at the high perfromance and medical teams as well. Our arm chair opinions don't carry much weight here. Who would you have replaced him with? Sulivan - and if he did and had Galvin in Reggies people would be calling for his head for playing Sullivan instead of the kid, No win and not an example of poor coaching. On the other hand plenty of seasoned commentators are signing his praises for taking the approach he did with Galvin. Johns and Gus decelaring him a revelation at the Tigers and the best teen they have ever seen. This is a matter of opinion as opposed to evidence of him being a poor coach.

I don't think you can say there was a lack of a defensive game plan. In fact when they executed the defensive game plan well we perfromed well. There were times when we had good line speed, times when we had very good chase, time when we didn't have shooters in the line causing holes. When we put it together for 80 minutes we won games. We had too many lapses - was that fitness, player ability (AD/Sezer/The Pillow for example). I highly doubt that we didn't spend time coaching a workable defensive game plan, The evidence clearly shows that we did; what we don't know is why we couldn't put it together for the duration of the game. Too complex - haven't heard that anywhere - all indications are that he simplified the game plans.

I'm struggling to understand how Benji's coaching was responsible for the lack of discipline from the playing group. He sacked Naden for it, Bateman was exiled as a result of being called out for it, Seyfarth reeled it in, Sezer was going to be replaced by?????. If anything he was very clear, and in the pressers as well, that he was not happy with the discipline and that if the plyers didn't change the would change the players. I don't buy this at all.

There is a balance between being one of the boys and being the coach. Unless you are on the inside how can anyone say if he has it right or wrong. I am not hearing anything from inside of the camp that support this - in fact most of the players when interviewd say the oipposite- he gets in with theboys and shows them what he wants and is also very direct and calls a spade a spade. We have heard that he has taken a very different approach to this pre season as well. Have you considered that being “one of the boys” might actually help foster a supportive environment, particularly for a team in transition or rebuilding mod? Benji’s experience and charisma could be what turns us around. I'm not saying at all that he has the balance right - but I don't see any evidence that supports your opinion. I'm on the fence with this.

How do you link the approach to pressers to being a poor coach. This is a stretch and again a matter of opinion, You coule equally argue that publicly backing the team, even in tough times, shields players from external pressures and media scrutiny. You can bet that Benji's Monday morning video sessions don't include his press comments. What do you know about his internal accountability measures? I doubt this is visible to outsiders, so if you have evidence to support the point I am all ears but this is purely opinion.

Look I get that we haven't performed well. I'm on the fence as to his coaching ability as there is evidence to suggest that the plying group have been instructed on what to do, but have failed to execute it. They boys on the Wests Tigers Faithful podcast did an excellent breakdown of our performace over 2024 and one of the more telling facts was where we were receiving the ball from and turning the ball over to the opposition. So we weren't able to get out of our end - that isn't coaching that the poor roster. The attackign stats in several areas were at the top of the league and some of our defensive stats were also OK. So the evidence does not support the opinions that many had in realtion to poor attack and defence.

Benji's coaching career is just beginning. Judging him on early results ignores the possibility of growth, refinement, and the impact of long-term strategies. Strategies that Benji and Richo have stated on many occasions are in place and they are not deviating from the pla. The team needs time to be adapted to this vision and strategy. Despite Benji being here for a couple of years the vision and strategy started in 2024.

Every coach starts somewhere, and while early results or decisions may be polarising, it's crucial to give time for development and see where his leadership takes the team. So at the end of the day I still seen haven't seen much evidence that supports the statements that his coaching is poor. I have seen no evidence that supports the statements that he is shit coach; just plenty of opinion.

He has definitely made mistakes, but what coach hasn't? Until somone provides evidence that his coaching is poor I'm still sitting on the fence and giving him some more rope.
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Well said polls nice to see someone who's not completely negative
 
Juice said:
He’s played a few games at 2nd row but his lateral movement isn’t good enough to play there permanently. Gets caught out in defence every time he’s had the chance which is why he was pretty much just a middle forward all last season
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OK that's disappointing can't have the defensive line leaking like a sieve was a interesting idea for a while now will let it crash and burn like the zeppelin the Hindenburg moving on to the next more favorable signing idea.
 
Unless Seyfarth or someone else pops up and makes the right edge their own in 2025, two serious young up and comers we should be monitoring.
Thomas Fletcher currently at the Rabbitohs and currently off contract for 2026 and Logan Spinks currently at the Bulldogs and contracted until the end of 2026, but I believe it’s a base value contract, this kid could be a genuine star of the game and could emerge as genuine NRL quality real soon, only to be blocked by a log jam of experienced high earning edge back rowers at the Bulldogs, so could be ripe for the picking.
 
Vicious said:
Unless Seyfarth or someone else pops up and makes the right edge their own in 2025, two serious young up and comers we should be monitoring.
Thomas Fletcher currently at the Rabbitohs and currently off contract for 2026 and Logan Spinks currently at the Bulldogs and contracted until the end of 2026, but I believe it’s a base value contract, this kid could be a genuine star of the game and could emerge as genuine NRL quality real soon, only to be blocked by a log jam of experienced high earning edge back rowers at the Bulldogs, so could be ripe for the picking.
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Surely amongst all the forwards we have one position we are all worried about right 2nd row somebody stands up, last year looked to be wanting there but another off season later hopefully one of them is ready to stand up.
 
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