Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I totally agree re Gardiner and feel it more then most that we could have had Flanno here instead!

I actually see this as the major miss-step from Lee/Sheens/etc that they appointed Gardiner instead of Flanno. They should have had a "Madge is failing option" and Flanno would have been it*.


That said, coaching is weird.
I could see Gardiner laying groundwork that he can't capitalize on. I also see Stuart coming last at Parra and Sharks but leading Canberra to a finals appearance. The difference between being a good assistant like say Trent Barrett and a good NRL coach is:

As an assistant it's about what you do Right. If you can train up halves really well then you are valuable. Or maybe you can get the Front row tacking and firing OR maybe you can improve and tighten your backline defense.

As a head coach it's about whats done wrong. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses while managing the ego's in the team. With us we seem to identify that we are soft, but never could put enough training structures to make up for that.

I don't get the excitement re Gardiner, but one day he may make a good NRL coach. Webster IMHO seems better, but I reckon he is going to struggle recapturing NZ success, particularly working out how to replace Johnson.


This is so telling for Benji... He hired Hodgson who I don't think is going to improve on the team weaknesses.

*ok Flanno would have white-anted Sheens like ANYTHING! He did that at the Dogs and elsewhere.

Flanno had a reasonable 1st year at saints but if he is a good coach why did he miss so many targets, players are wanting to get out and dads army is coming in, verdict on this season if he can get something out of them regarding coaching ability.

 

[Flippedy]

I've hardly had the aircon. on all summer.
Coupla ladyboys having a literal meltdown on here.

I’m astounded at how many people think a 25 or 26 degree day is hot. I’m on the Central Coast and it’s been a pretty mild summer, imo. December was pretty good, but January for the most part has been crap. I haven’t had the aircon on at all. Yet everyone around me will still tell me how hot it is and how they can’t wait until it cools down. I’m pretty sure they don’t know what hot really is 😂

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I’m astounded at how many people think a 25 or 26 degree day is hot. I’m on the Central Coast and it’s been a pretty mild summer, imo. December was pretty good, but January for the most part has been crap. I haven’t had the aircon on at all. Yet everyone around me will still tell me how hot it is and how they can’t wait until it cools down. I’m pretty sure they don’t know what hot really is 😂

Aircon doesn't go on till 35C only been 1 day so far at Caves.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

When? The last 10 years we have had a crap roster and nothing to brag about. Anything about the bottom 4 was over achievement!

Cleary had a superfluous roster when he coached - did well. We saw hope. Till he got off the bus for one reason or another. The rest is history. 4 time winning premiership coach and all in a row

 

[weststigers]

So we talking on here that if Benji doesn't make top 10 he gets sacked?

What happens if we come 11th/12th and are only 1-2 wins out of the 8. Sack him then? Even if it's clear we are improving each year?

And on the flip side, what if we do make the 8, we can't go into 2026 with a coach off contract, will be too much media noise.

So if we do make the 8, how many years do you extend Benji for?

I truly believe we have a side that can make the 8. We have recruited pretty well, albeit short one or 2 players, but most teams are as well. Because of our depth the caveat is of course injuries and rep selections.

In truth, the coaching staff have not shown that we can get more out of players in the last 3 spoons, so it heavily relies on the players...this is just based on results.

The unknown for 2025 is whether Benji can pull this team together to play to their potential or beyond and how much impact an experienced half adds to the team.

I'd be disappointed with anything less than 10th given we are inexperienced in the coaching ranks, but if you had an established coach, you'd be pretty disappointed if this team couldn't make the 8.

 

[TurnStyle]

Throwing this out there:
Anyone else reckon Tigers should look at Sloan from the dragons?

Don't think they have any spots left in the 30 do they?

Flanagan is obviously not high on him (defensive issues apparently) and the tigers desperately need another centre. His stock is low right now so they could probably get him at a good price and I think St George would let him go.

I think defence can definitely be taught (I remember Lawrence wasn't good to start, Brooks imo became a good defender too) but Sloan is lightning quick and has a heap of talent.

Don't think I've actually seen him play centre, but
I reckon a change of scenery (possibly a change of attitude?) and they could mould him into a very good centre.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Throwing this out there:
Anyone else reckon Tigers should look at Sloan from the dragons?

Don't think they have any spots left in the 30 do they?

Flanagan is obviously not high on him (defensive issues apparently) and the tigers desperately need another centre. His stock is low right now so they could probably get him at a good price and I think St George would let him go.

I think defence can definitely be taught (I remember Lawrence wasn't good to start, Brooks imo became a good defender too) but Sloan is lightning quick and has a heap of talent.

Don't think I've actually seen him play centre, but
I reckon a change of scenery (possibly a change of attitude?) and they could mould him into a very good centre.

We thought that when Bud came over but that doesn't mean he wouldn't succeed at another club I prefer to see what happens with Taylan first.

 

[crazycat]

Never forget the game against Brisbane in the 05 finals series, they made a Ton of offloads and even more line breaks but our scramble won us that game. Pretty sure it was Heinghington who scrambled and tackled his backside off.

Man the Scramble.

Heighington was a reliable 60 points in Supercoach and he always seemed to be moving.
Fulton just PUMPED! I mean he was everywhere. ...

On top of that was guys like Beau Ryan, Hodgson and a bunch of dudes that just kept moving around. ...

Sadly, I don't think the Scramble is effective if the opposition half is competent. Once they see people moving around the place, they will throw a dummy and wait till people are out of position... Boom, try!

 

[twentyforty]

I truly believe we have a side that can make the 8. We have recruited pretty well, albeit short one or 2 players, but most teams are as well. Because of our depth the caveat is of course injuries and rep selections.

In truth, the coaching staff have not shown that we can get more out of players in the last 3 spoons, so it heavily relies on the players...this is just based on results.

The unknown for 2025 is whether Benji can pull this team together to play to their potential or beyond and how much impact an experienced half adds to the team.

I'd be disappointed with anything less than 10th given we are inexperienced in the coaching ranks, but if you had an established coach, you'd be pretty disappointed if this team couldn't make the 8.

Imho. we go into a season with a CEO and Independent board which are fully supportive of coach and players, for the first time since the iPad was invented. This one improvement can be enormous. Will it be enough to get us into the playoffs? A lot depends on how supportive they are and how the playing group see their contribution.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Imho. we go into a season with a CEO and Independent board which are fully supportive of coach and players, for the first time since the iPad was invented. This one improvement can be enormous. Will it be enough to get us into the playoffs? A lot depends on how supportive they are and how the playing group see their contribution.

With everything settled at the top improves performance on the field T we finally may become that destination club.

 

[supercoach]

Pen and Melbourne play disciplined games and will usually win the game in the second half when lesser talented and unfit teams capitulate.

Discipline and Fitness win games and create confidence

Sadly a few of our players could train double the hours they do but still not have the athletic attributes to compete with their counterparts from the better teams. This is not being negative, just a fact.

On a positive note things are changing and our squad is getting closer to what is required to challenge the best sides

 

[upthetigers]

Throwing this out there:
Anyone else reckon Tigers should look at Sloan from the dragons?

Don't think they have any spots left in the 30 do they?

Flanagan is obviously not high on him (defensive issues apparently) and the tigers desperately need another centre. His stock is low right now so they could probably get him at a good price and I think St George would let him go.

I think defence can definitely be taught (I remember Lawrence wasn't good to start, Brooks imo became a good defender too) but Sloan is lightning quick and has a heap of talent.

Don't think I've actually seen him play centre, but
I reckon a change of scenery (possibly a change of attitude?) and they could mould him into a very good centre.

I'd rather keep the Fainu's happy and play Latu at right centre

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Sadly a few of our players could train double the hours they do but still not have the athletic attributes to compete with their counterparts from the better teams. This is not being negative, just a fact.

On a positive note things are changing and our squad is getting closer to what is required to challenge the best sides

2/3 more good signings for 26 and where pretty close mate.

 

[Wildcat777]

I would say that if there have been failures, it may not just be Benji.

How about John Morris, is he actually the guy that is responsible for our defence, something that has been a major problem for us for a very long time and still is.

I have high hopes of our attack going ahead in leaps and bounds this season, let's hope that our defence starts heading in the same direction.

Agreed. For the re ord who is and has been our defensive coach? With all the major issue associated with defense in the last few years how come this bloke is not feeling the heat? Not one word said about him or his name?

 

[Wildcat777]

Benjiball don't work without a Benji.

100% correct! Worked for a team 2005 with odds of 150/1 to win the GF. But may not work for a team in 2025 50/1 to win. I am looking however forward Luluball in 2025….2026…..and even somewhere in between Lulaball.

 

[Wildcat777]

I remember listening to Sterlo on radio several years back he said something along the lines of:
"the most successful premiership campaigns are based on a strong unwavering defense."

Yes would agree. So can I ask you did we have a great defense in 2005? Also I have heard the forwards moving forward win games. We haven’t had that for many years…let’s hope we have some of that is this year. And so who is the defensive coach so that I can either praise or scream at depending on results? Do you know?

 

[Wildcat777]

IMO if Benji ain’t making semis it will completely depend on who else is available to replace him. He might come 9-10 if there’s no one better than he maintains his contract.

IMO if we don’t make top 8 then we still have more dead wood to move. That is the players paid to play 1st grade but really at Reserve Grade level if that. You need a field a solid team of 13 to win. 10+3, 11+2 or 12+1 won’t’ cut it. Well in recent times we weee playing 8+5 and I am being generous. And the results well…you will get the spoon , as we did.

 

[Wildcat777]

Need 2/3 external good signings for 26 to have any confidence of top 4 appearance for me W.

Agreed, and yes I guarantee that before kickoff 2026, they will be there!

 

[liltiger]

Man the Scramble.

Heighington was a reliable 60 points in Supercoach and he always seemed to be moving.
Fulton just PUMPED! I mean he was everywhere. ...

On top of that was guys like Beau Ryan, Hodgson and a bunch of dudes that just kept moving around. ...

Sadly, I don't think the Scramble is effective if the opposition half is competent. Once they see people moving around the place, they will throw a dummy and wait till people are out of position... Boom, try!

Just never forget at the end of the game when we won after seeing the amount of line breaks Brisbane made I thought it was a miracle and had convinced myself then we were destined to win the comp. We defended our rings out.

 

[crazycat]

Flanno had a reasonable 1st year at saints but if he is a good coach why did he miss so many targets, players are wanting to get out and dads army is coming in, verdict on this season if he can get something out of them regarding coaching ability.

I don't know if this is a deliberate Cleanup or just him Rubbing some high performers the wrong way.

Talent wise, he clearly let some really good players walk. Punting Lomax for Bird/Suli was probably a mistake and then punting Bird doesn't make sense. Pushing Hunt out though seems like he wanted a rebuild/try something different...

Yet that matters less, we seem to be able to sign good talent for overs. But we don't get the good performance out of who we sign. The Dragons had a nothing team and were looking at the spoon.

Flanno's biggest failure was allowing player signing/contract strife to derail a finals appearance. Far better position with a worse roster then we had IMHO.