Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Vicious]

Hasn't he only been head coach for one season?

The fact is we could have had Bellamy or Bennett coaching and we still would have finished bottom 3 in the last 2 seasons.
Let’s make judgment on 2025 results when we finally have a squad capable of being competitive.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

He'll be gone before '26 starts.

What makes you think that Richo won't bend over like Laurel and Hardy used to unless it improves us at the time.

 

[Tucker]

What gives you that idea - why do you think your view is the only one allowable ?

It has been reported by the media and staff and fans on here who attended training sessions that he was running the show under Sheen’s guidance. On game day it was clear he was in control with Tim often sitting in the back of the box whilst Benji was front and centre barking orders into the headset.
Sheens seemed to take the media commitments and Benji seemed to do the rest. All recruitment decisions were Benji’s as per statements made by Sheens.
It’s not so much my view as it is more than likely the case.

 

[Telltails]

He largely built that roster, with the exception of Api and Papi.
He largely built that culture when here as a player.
Those excuses are weak.
Yes it isn’t a one man job and thank Christ for that….if it was he’d be a shoe in for another poor year.
I hope he has been working on his weaknesses.

The club has been a disaster for the last ten years plus on and off the field without Benji. Cleary and Maguire built equally crap rosters - overpaid underperforming players.
Recruiting is an important factor of being a coach he gets a pass mark there and now it's up to him to get them performing.

 

[Tucker]

The fact is we could have had Bellamy or Bennett coaching and we still would have finished bottom 3 in the last 2 seasons.
Let’s make judgment on 2025 results when we finally have a squad capable of being competitive.

Why is that a fact?
I’ll answer for you, it’s not a fact at all. It’s BS.

 

[Tiger_claws]

Your first sentence is pure bullshit. Zero way of qualifying such a stupid statement.
I want a head coach who has been appointed on merit. One who earned their stripes. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you wake up and realise this is a professional sporting organisation…not a bloody pub team.

You want a coach who has earned his stripes. Well that would certainly give us success. We probably should have signed experienced blokes who have won premierships you know guys like Madge or Sheens.

 

[batboy]

Why is that a fact?
I’ll answer for you, it’s not a fact at all. It’s BS.

Lot of 'facts' on here...

Here's a couple more
- The Craig Bellamys of the game turn Brenko Lees into Origin and Premiership Winning Players.
- Our Coach for the last couple years sends players to the Craig Bellamys of the world so they
can play in Grand Finals.
- The Craig Bellamys of the game have it's superstars continue to play under him, for less money than they can get elsewhere.
While our coach loses one of the better up and coming players in the game to Craig Bellamys
- for less money.

there isn't a Tigers fan, That wouldn't swap Benji for Bellamy in a heartbeat - Why?
Because he gets better results!!
And he's done that - Continuously, For a very, Very long time.

To say no coach would make our team better is the biggest cop out I've ever heard.

 

[tigertragic]

The club has been a disaster for the last ten years plus on and off the field without Benji. Cleary and Maguire built equally crap rosters - overpaid underperforming players.
Recruiting is an important factor of being a coach he gets a pass mark there and now it's up to him to get them performing.

Cleary had heaps of cap space (the big 4 left) while Maguire had next to none because of the Cleary long term over paid signings. Two completely different scenarios

 

[Tucker]

The club has been a disaster for the last ten years plus on and off the field without Benji. Cleary and Maguire built equally crap rosters - overpaid underperforming players.
Recruiting is an important factor of being a coach he gets a pass mark there and now it's up to him to get them performing.

The club only set on this trajectory of shame once Sheens and Benji were appointed to succeed Madge. That was the catalyst.
My point was people are making excuses for him based upon roster. He had a lot to do with said roster.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

The club only set on this trajectory of shame once Sheens and Benji were appointed to succeed Madge. That was the catalyst.
My point was people are making excuses for him based upon roster. He had a lot to do with said roster.

Sure he was aiming for better injection of player mate not much you can do if they thumb their nose up at you.

 

[Juice]

going back to Lestrong "we have been unlucky with injuries"?

Really?

I mean Really? Easts lost the cheese and most of their halfbacks.. No difference.
Newcastle had huge injury issues.
Penrith had their 5/8 playing halfback and still got the trophy. (should sign that guy *sic*)

Look sure AD has been out injured through most of 2022/2023 and parts of 2024. That doesn't change us getting the spoon.

Olam, had missed some games through injury. Now I reckon he plays a factor in setting up a strong backline... Even then I still don't see many games changing.


Our injuries have not hurt our team. Our lack of talent has, and the fact that our first grade side had too many fringe grade members.

Good post. Also, it’s not like the club didn’t know about Olams injury concerns before he signed… no one should be surprised when he misses 8-10 games again this year either

 

[Tucker]

Sure he was aiming for better injection of player mate not much you can do if they thumb their nose up at you.

There comes a point where you can’t get your way as far as roster goes and then your skills are put to the test regarding working with what you have.
The results are there.

 

[Telltails]

Cleary had heaps of cap space (the big 4 left) while Maguire had next to none because of the Cleary long term over paid signings. Two completely different scenarios

Maguire also forced to risk contracts on players that had seen better days and had no interest from other clubs - BJ Leilua didn't come for nothing James Roberts on the cheap but had no options got one with us. He also couldn't retain players that he wanted to Matterson, Alolai, - the barriers this club has impacted on recent coaches.

 

[Juice]

Francis Molo is demanding an immediate release from Dragons. Good enforcer on his day but can be inconsistent IMO

‘Don’t know how you salvage it’: Strange Flanno twist amid Dragons star’s shock release move

‘Don’t know how you salvage it’: Flanno twist amid Dragons star’s shock release move

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

When they bring them in at 15 and 16 for their Harold Matts team, other clubs have developed sh!t. At that age, it's just potential, and maturing quicker than other kids. Wests Magpies HM shows that. How well are they developed at WT from there?

You think the loop will keep going on forever have we not made enough changes to finally stop the disappointment.

 

[TonyTiger]

I think it’s blatantly obvious that he’s wanting to be part of a successful team and if we show we are a top 8 team or on the doorstep of the top 8 and his own form continues on an upwards trajectory, he will definitely re-sign with us.
It’s just reality that nobody wants to be stuck in a team that continually finishes on or close to the bottom of the ladder, so a successful season is paramount in keeping our best players moving forward.

Can’t really be as good as people think because he’s only been offered min wage
Also he has not been reguarded by any team since he left Brisbane that he’s played for

His right hand?

Mrs Palmer concurs

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

There comes a point where you can’t get your way as far as roster goes and then your skills are put to the test regarding working with what you have.
The results are there.

True Cleary proved that when he came to us, he didn't have much of a team to work with his defensive philosophies improved results.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Easts use their competitive advantage to seek and bring in talented juniors from QLD, NZ, and NSW. They're generally competitive from Harold Matts through SG Ball to Flegg.

Whinge as much as you like. Their model works.

Mate do you live in a perfect world you don't have the occasional whinge about something.

 

[clontarfkid]

Good post. Also, it’s not like the club didn’t know about Olams injury concerns before he signed… no one should be surprised when he misses 8-10 games again this year either

I for one will be surprised and disappointed If his health issues extend beyond MCLs which we were aware of,and he reluctantly had procedures end season...
.Ill be pretty pissed off if theres anything more significant tbh ,directed at our management who signed him with "medical approval."...buying a reputation rather than performance.Were past that
at his age he will be done and dusted if theres anything significant still to be rectified

 

[The-moP]

Don't get the Lodge shouts. We don't really need more middles, especially not an old, slow one who bounces around clubs demanding good money.

Firstly let me say I'm not condoning what he did .. he's very lucky he didn't get jail time for what he did .. his punishment didn't fit the crime he did. The NRL

Ok since then he's play at various clubs Warriors, Broncos, Rosters and Manly .. all of these clubs have taken Lodge on as Trial and Train contract i think .. minimal wage / contracts .. to which he has done his job successfully. I'm surprised he hasn't received a full time contract at these clubs .. its more like these clubs are happy to pay the minimal wage as it allows to keep a decent prop whilst paying very little.

He's no longer the wild child he was .. he is also now married with a young child .. it appears he has grown up .. !! I can see why he wants a full time contract (top 30 spot). Paying him little more then a Train and Trial contract and offering him a 2 year deal he might take .. ?? I don't think we have enough go forward up the middle props .. Hunt, May and Klemmer .. Lodge would compliment and help our guys up the middle. He is a work horse and makes plenty of meters.

I think we have 2 spots left .. Sione Fainu has just taken one .. so one spot left .. hmm I'd like to have Lodge .. but we are waiting for one more player .. ?? Who will that be .. ??